Tag: lovers reunited

Review: Charlie’s Doctor (Shadow Elite Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Second chance at love along with lovers reunited are among my favorite tropes. I get both with a storyline that involves several long-time mysteries, stealthy mercenaries, explosions, many shootouts, and a extremely entertaining romance to boot.

It all starts with a mission in Buenos Aires , Argentina, with the former CIA, now mercenary team lead by Charlie Sands. They’re looking for leads on a missing famous artist for a friend. But soon their interests intersects with that of someone from Charlie’s past. The only man he’s ever loved and had to leave.

Drake has created two men who’s experiences in the time since they separated in Paris have seen profound changes in them personally and professionally.

Dr. Will Monroe, temporarily filling in for a friend in a poor clinic in the darker of districts in the city, hasn’t seen his former love in years. Then Charlie left him with an explanation that gutted him.

We follow the separate threads that ties Will to a past and present danger, and the group of men he’s reunited with.

Hint. It’s not a happy reunion. Realistically, it shouldn’t be with all the deep feelings and secrets still to be revealed. Plus the men are grown and changed since the initial romance. That’s real too.

I was kept throughly invested in the reignited romance, the mysteries, the investigations and the team dynamics.

It was a non-stop reading and the ending sets up the next character’s story while putting this couple’s relationship in very permanent happy status .

Charlie’s Doctor is a very entertaining, and solid story. I’m definitely recommending it to those who love action and suspense with their romance.

Shadow Elite series:

✓ Charlie’s Doctor #1

◦ Kairo’s Billionaire #2 – Dec 2, 2022

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showCharlie’s Doctor (Shadow Elite #1) by Jocelynn Drake

Description:

A second chance to say ‘don’t let me go’.

When paintings for an artist who disappeared roughly fifty years ago suddenly surface, Charlie and his friends decide it might be worth looking into what really happened. Besides, who isn’t up for adventure and fun in Buenos Aires?

But things go horribly sideways when Charlie stumbles across Dr. William freaking Monroe—the only man to claim and then destroy Charlie’s heart.

Now they’re on the run, dodging bullets and digging for the truth. Charlie wants nothing to do with Will. It’s his heart that’s screaming for a second chance.

Is it too late to get past years of anger and misunderstandings to grab the love that still burns between them?

Charlie’s Doctor is the first full-length novel in the Shadow Elite mercenary series and features stubborn men with poor communication skills, second chances, meddling brothers, explosions, and love on the run in Argentina

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy: Miracle 4 By A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.75🌈

We are now into Miracle 4 of How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy, a fabulous fantasy serial by A.J. Sherwood and things are heating up in the slow romance between Knight Devan and sorcerer Tan.

It all happens during a mission to investigate the disappearance and sinkings of multiple vessels as they sail through a Strait near Devan’s family.

Sherwood starts to use this journey to deepen the relationship between Tan and Devan. A longer history is revealed and the turmoil of Devan’s thoughts regarding his long service to the kingdom come to the surface.

All serious elements while not forgetting the humor and new sexuality that’s entering into their relationship.

It’s a great story and also sets up some perilous times ahead for all.

I can’t wait for the next installment. There are 6 in all. I’m highly recommending the series, including this one. But read them in the order they are written for story and relationship development.

https://www.amazon.com › stole-Pri…How I stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy : Miracle 4 eBook …

…

Description:

What’s Devan to do when his cousin’s ships and the crew go missing? Set sail with Tan to figure it out.

What’s Tan to do when Devan finally makes a move? N.S.F.W. Many times. On many surfaces.

Damn creatures are trying to interrupt them. Murder ensues.

Tags:

The crack ship armada sails again, literally, Tan fell first, Devan fell harder, communication, because miscommunication is the devil’s trope, Devan puts himself first for once, Tan approves, LET THE PLANNING BEGIN!, unless Devan beckons you to bed, then planning can wait, relationship progress, flirty Devan has been released, Tan is thrilled, Wells feels betrayed, just lots of fluff in between murder, tipsy Tan does things to Devan, first kiss, The VOID explained.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: The Cowboy Contract (Foster Ranch Book 1) by B.A. Tortuga

Rating: 4.5 🌈

The first in a new series, The Cowboy Contract (Foster Ranch Book 1) by B.A. Tortuga is another in this author’s lovely cozy cowboy contemporary romances.

This one sets itself apart in that it’s low angst with little to no high drama but instead relies almost solely on the real , relatable characters and elements of foster care and the issues children have when adapting into their new environment.

It does start off with the premise of contract husband but that is quickly discarded when the foster children come into play and their needs as well as troubled history takes center stage.

As it should.

Former bull riders, star Ryder Vittor who was forced into retirement by a broken neck, and , Kase McDaniel, who’s major wreck crushed so many bones in his body, that retiring was never in doubt, are a perfect pairing.

As superbly crafted by Tortuga, they are so familiar with each other, so in sync and comfortable with their actions and thoughts it’s as though they’ve been together for a longer time period. Which they have as bull riders on the circuit. Extremely realistic and easy.

She makes these men absolutely believable in every way, from their speech to their relationship and how they relate to those around them.

That includes the marvelous lesbian married grandmothers who raised Ryder and help run both the ranch and rodeo enterprises. Strong, impactful women and wonderful characters .

However, your heart will truly belong to the four foster children that comes into the lives of everyone who lives on the Chiara ranch. That’s a orphaned family of four. Charlie, a sixteen-year-old girl. Elijah, an eleven-year-old boy, Dani, eight-year-old girl, and tiny Nell, a two-year-old baby girl.

They arrive with a heartbreaking history, separate issues and sets of challenges, and personalities to endear themselves to the family at the ranch and readers alike.

Of course, there’s animals like adorable dogs, goats, and horses too.

This is one sweet, moving, heartwarming romance. You will want to just curl up and sink into this group of characters and children as they work their way into becoming a family .

It’s a marvelous journey and one you won’t want to miss.

I highly recommend it. And wonder what the next story in this series will bring.

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showThe Cowboy Contract (Foster Ranch, #1) by B.A. Tortuga

Description:

Ryder Vittor has almost everything he could ever want. He was a successful bull rider, he runs a rodeo company and a ranch for his family, and he’s right where he wants to be. Until his grandmother issues him an ultimatum. Now he has to get married and have kids if he wants to keep the life he loves, but he can’t exactly produce a man and a baby out of thin air, can he? So he sets out to hire a husband in order to get what he needs.

Kase McDaniel is at the end of his rope. His bull riding career has ended in a bad crash, his family doesn’t want him back, and he has nowhere to go. When Ryder offers to let him come stay at Ryder’s New Mexico ranch, he’s grateful, but he’s stunned when he finds out Ryder intends to make a contract with a stranger to marry him and raise kids with him. Kase has been in love with Ryder for years, so why shouldn’t he put in for the job?

Neither one of them has any idea what they’re setting in motion when they tie the knot, and soon they’re overrun with foster kids, rodeo family, and more. Can Kase and Ryder find something real in all the chaos, or will they be parting ways when the contract ends?

Review: Claiming Rys (Dark Forest Pack #1) by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I enjoyed Annabelle Jacobs’ Regency Park Pack series so I jumped onto her latest release and first book in her Dark Forest Pack series.

A strong mixture of magical mysteries, secrets, second chance at love with old lovers reunited, it goes further by bringing in another Realm and the Fae. The Fae, aren’t considered treacherous but a species where extreme care needs to be taken so as to not be indebted to them.

Rys Calder is a wolf shifter, a being with a past he hasn’t shared with those he’s closest too. That past betrayal has haunted him through the years.

Gabriel Mason is Calder’s past , one that’s deep inside the kidnappings and mysteries that are happening around them.

Jacobs storylines creates a suspenseful atmosphere, one wrought with strong character dynamics, chemistry, often a lack of communication, and a string of revelations.

I read it all the way to the end, then wanted more. I’m highly recommending this story and waiting on the ones to come. Happy reading.

Dark Forest Pack to date:

✓ Claiming Rys #1

◦ Redeeming Nick #2 – TBD

https://www.goodreads.com › showClaiming Rys (Dark Forest Pack, #1) by Annabelle Jacobs | Goodreads

Synopsis:

All that time apart and yet the pull between them is as strong as ever…

Rys
Ten years ago Gabriel Mason betrayed me in the worst way. He made me question my instincts because I’d trusted him with a bone-deep certainty, and for that I will never forgive him.


Seeing him again after all this time sparks memories I thought I’d buried so far down they’d never surface. He’s as beautiful as I remember, but I’m older and wiser now, and I refuse to make the same mistakes again.

Gabriel
Rys Calder, wolf shifter and the biggest regret of my life. I loved him, and yet I didn’t share with him the one thing that eventually became our undoing. I broke his trust and I’ve carried that guilt for years. I knew seeing him again would hurt, but no matter how many times I’d imagined it, being on the receiving end of his cold stares and indifference hurt more than I’d anticipated.

Thrown together again with a killer on the loose, will the past continue to haunt them, or can they move past it and claim the future that fate always had in store for them?

Claiming Rys is an MM paranormal romance with second chances, fated mates, pining, angry alphas, and feisty ex-hunters.

Review: Lethal (Operation Justice Force #1) by Reece Knightly

Rating: 4.5🌈

The cover and description give the reader a pretty good indication of what Lethal, the first book in Reese Knightly’s new Operation Justice Force , has in store for them.

Dark alley, hot, muscled men, with tattoos (some of them), just a hint of danger. Works perfectly for a undercover operation filled with ex Black ops, ex Marines , ex CIA agents, you name it, this agency has the law enforcement type employed there.

I wasn’t aware there’s connecting series that precedes this, Code of Honor Justice Force series as well as Out for Justice Cobalt Security series. Neither of which I’ve read but some of the characters from those series do make appearances here.

The agency here is a twin operation of one referenced above, only a tad more under the radar. They are run by the same person and under the same government auspices .

Luckily, Knightly puts all that knowledge in place here so the new reader like myself doesn’t feel like they are scrambling too much to pull together the foundational structure.

Lethal is a two person POV, a dynamic format which works tremendously well with this type of story and characters.

It’s a dark explosive opening, and we’re off to a highly suspenseful, intense storyline diving into a mystery that has a murderous cat and mouse game already in progress.

While the transitions between the differing POV may seem abrupt at the beginning, I found it increased the pace of the exposition, heightened the sense of danger to the men involved, and laid a layer of dark rawness over this section of the storyline.

Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, is chasing Sphinx,a ex CIA suspected of being a traitor and stealing a important in-house list of names. That’s the situation we start at. A meeting between Dalton and Sphinx gone wrong.

Adam Campbell, ex CIA, is on the run, unsure of who he can trust, with information he needs to protect. He’s such a interesting character, exhausted, alone, fighting to survive. Who he is and what his connection is with Dalton makes this story. It’s such a great twist.

I won’t spoil the book but it’s a fast paced , highly entertaining, very suspenseful story. It’s got terrific characters, themes , and a fabulous ending.

There’s a few questions about Dalton’s family history, and his background but in general, this is a story that will keep you entertained and invested right until the end.

And it’s one I’m recommending!

The list of the series to date is below. Check them out.

🔹Operation Justice Force series:

✓ Lethal #1

◦ Rough #2

◦ Honor #3

◦ Rebel #4 – Nov 17, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showLethal (Operation Justice Force, #1) by Reese Knightley – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A traitor with stolen information.
Adam Campbell, 33, blacklisted CIA agent, needs to get covert information into the right hands. Alone and on the run, his world suddenly stops when he discovers the identity of the Pegasus operative who is on his tail. Arranging a meeting just to gaze into the eyes of the man he’s always loved, Adam is set up and almost killed. Out of resources and nowhere to turn, Adam returns to the only home he’s ever known.

An operative who always catches the bad guy.


Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, has a job to do: Stop ex-CIA agent, code name Sphinx, from selling classified information. When Sphinx disappears after Dalton’s botched attempt at contact, Dalton takes a much-needed break. Going home for the holiday, Dalton finds Adam, the man he’d walked away from years ago.

A surprising encounter.
Imagine Adam’s shock when Dalton shows up. Imagine Dalton’s disbelief when he finds out the facts about the man who has always owned his heart. When explosions, secrets, and attempted murder hit close to home, Pegasus opens up a lethal dose of ass kicking. Will that be enough to stop the bad guys and give Adam a chance to come clean?

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Broken In by B.A. Tortuga

Rating: 5🌈

Broken In, B.A. Tortuga’s new release , is definitely my favorite of all her most recent stories.

It’s got all the elements I expect from a B.A. Tortuga tale, but elevated into well developed, beautifully defined book, where every aspect of the story and all the characters damaged past histories flow smoothly into a believable reunion and grounded heartfelt loving future.

The start doesn’t reflect the depth the story and characters will achieve as the story unfolds. First it’s a bit of the men’s combined past, their failure as Greyson Hayden is asked to leave his home and his lover of many years due to his alcoholism. Kyler Lassiter has packed up Greyson’s bags and told him to get help, get sober. Because he doesn’t love Kyler enough to do it together.

It’s a heartbreaking scene for all it’s shortness.

Fast forward to a successful now sober Greyson Hayden who’s returning to the small town he left as a drunk and the ex who asked him to leave.

Tortuga doesn’t shy away from the very human mixed bag of emotions Hayden is bringing with him to town. Tortuga writes believable people, and that means that they come with feelings and thoughts that aren’t always very admirable.

It’s all Greyson to begin with in the narrative. He’s been through the program, he’s got a sponsor he’s working with (we meet him later), he’s realistic about being a alcoholic. But he’s also someone who’s still hurting over the past. Right or wrong.

And just when the reader wants to give him a kick in the conscience about who’s to blame for his actions, Greyson himself gives himself a mental talking to, and corrects course.

Because he’s become a responsible adult. He’s grown up. And just like that , human foibles and all, you are in this man’s corner.

Which is exactly what the story and character needs when the reunion happens.

I won’t spoil Kyler Lassiter for you and his part of the story. It’s huge. It’s so emotional. It’s also realistic in keeping with the character and the setting. But how I love that man. He might be one of Tortuga’s finest characters.

I’ll leave it at that.

Showcased here at the highest level are the following elements:

⁃ The author’s ability to fully explore with grace and sensitivity important topics such as alcoholism and disabilities within the framework of her characters.

⁃ Tortuga’s regional knowledge of the land and culture to enrich the story and characters by creating a foundation so real it’s never in doubt.

⁃ This extended to the love of horses as well as bulls here. The horses were a living, breathing part of this book. I felt them as much as the people. Same went for Snow.

⁃ Food. Enchiladas, breakfast burritos, stuffed sopapillas, tacos, “Christmas flat enchiladas with an egg”, stuffed sopapilla with ground beef, guac, and Christmas”, and just like that my mouth is watering and I need to have a seat in that restaurant with them! Then honey and fried bread. Hmmmm.

⁃ Tortuga’s cellular level talent with colloquialisms. There’s the familiar Lord have mercy and God help me, but also the perfect

“Pie crust promises.”

Broken In by BA Tortuga

If that doesn’t describe a promise that’s temporary I don’t know what does.

I found a new one here, asking for Christmas as in:

““Do you want green, red, or Christmas?” “Christmas, please.” Ky beamed at him. “I love both types of chile.””

— Broken In by BA Tortuga

Again, don’t you just want to go ask for some of whatever they are having just to say that?

The author’s ability to craft dialogue that’s grounded in the region, as well as the people is outstanding. It contributes to pulling us into their lives, the universe, and all the emotions playing out in the situations they find themselves in.

One last thing. The realism as it pertains to the medical aspects of this story. That’s a raw deal for so many people who live in area like the ranches here where care is so spread out that what’s offered is almost nonexistent. It’s a reality faced here inside the story and for many in real life.

Combined with all the other elements here, it makes Broken In by BA Tortuga one of the most amazing contemporary romances I’ve read lately.

I’m highly recommending this. It went very quickly, including that wonderful epilogue.

Add this to your list of books to read!

https://www.goodreads.com › showBroken In by B.A. Tortuga – Goodreads

Greyson Hayden wants to prove to his ex that he’s made it. He’s a successful stock contractor with a couple of million dollar bulls, a ranch owner with more acres than he can count, and he stopped drinking when Kyler kicked him out. He’s had a lot to prove, but now he’s back in town to show Kyler that he has. And maybe rub it in.

The hardest thing Kyler Lassiter ever did was let Greyson go, and he’s lost a lot in his life, right up to his legs in a terrible accident. He’s willing to let Greyson one up him if it makes the man feel better, but when fate throws them together again in the most bizarre way, Ky isn’t sure he’ll survive it, or having to lose Greyson again when it’s all said and done.
Can these two hardheaded cowboys learn to forgive each other, and themselves in time to find something lasting, or are they more broken than broken in?

This is a MM cowboy romance with tough love, tough luck, and lots of learning to be something new.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Mountains That Move (Kings of Airlie #2) by Casey Cox

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Mountains That Move (Kings of Airlie #2) by Casey Cox is another excellent book in this series about a incredibly damaged family of kitesurfing champions known as the Kings of Airlie. The title is true as is the little known adrenaline rush of a sport.

What’s missing from the description is the information I believe certain readers should know prior to picking up this story. It has elements of self harm, a main character’s history of childhood sexual abuse, and other issues that may act as triggers.

It’s realistically described while occurring off page, and the character’s actions and dark emotional state to his decades of trauma are believable and devastating.

Troy King is a haunted, broken man. He’s half of the POV here. One of King family of kitesurfing champions, he’s the second oldest but has bourn the worst of everything his damning family dynamics has created. In silence.

The other perspective, except for one odd section at the end, is Kaide Thompson. Security, former love, long time friend, the man Troy loves and sends away time after time.

Kaide is a window into their past and gives us needed insight into Troy’s actions, wildly swinging emotional state. It makes their dynamics relatable when Troy is heavily into denial. Kaide is layered, and believable. But he’s always going to be not as powerful a personality next to the heart of the story which is broken Troy.

Added onto their highly unstable relations, there’s the increase in threats that pushes the issues as security/client. It also brings up a multitude of past events, eventually.

Cox was fantastic when working on the tormented Troy, his relationship with Kaide , and his family. This story is so full of pain, brutality , lies, all set against the high adrenaline sport of kitesurfing. Cox’s scenes of flying over the waters, and executing those jumps are thrilling.

Honestly, YouTube Kings of Airlie championships for some amazing footage.

The last fourth of the novel is packed with quickly mounting plot lines. Another POV is thrown in unexpectedly, carrying with it a huge amount of information about the family, and specific characters.

It’s who’s this? You’re doing what? They did what? Who’s all these people? What’s all this history? What’s going on? Why is this even being thrown in here? Really? You want me to believe that?

I’m starting to blink with narrative overload here. Because holes start to appear, and I’m asking myself why it’s all necessary to have this density now.

There’s another development that involves the villain, then one of our heroes that frankly makes zero sense.

And it all ends on a cliffhanger.

I’m sort of astonished.

This is a terrific book. It really didn’t need embellishments. Or whatever all that is at the end.

The story of one man’s devastating childhood and his ability to admit and ask for help. That’s beyond everything.

Cox had me at that. That’s why it’s gets the rating. That mess at the end almost had me dropping it.

So I’ll continue along because while it gave some sort of resolution to Troy , there’s still that cliffhanger.

Kings of Airlie Trilogy:

✓ Oceans that Swim #1

✓ Mountains that Move #2

Skies That Burn #3- release TBD

https://www.goodreads.com › showmountains that move (Kings of Airlie #2) by Casey Cox – Goodreads

Synopsis:

This season, I’ve got a lot to defend…

He’s known as ‘the angry one,’ the middle brother with a chip the size of an asteroid on his shoulders. Trouble seems to follow Troy King wherever he goes. What no one realizes is that Troy’s broody, angsty exterior masks a lifetime of pain, torment, and trauma––and a long-held secret that threatens to tear his already dysfunctional family even further apart.

The only place Troy feels in control is in the water, and this year, he’s determined to win his third world championship title. But that dream gets disrupted by a series of anonymous, online death threats. What’s even worse is that the person called in to protect him is the only man who brings him undone: Kaide Thompson.

Kaide’s mission is simple––keep Troy safe. But Kaide and Troy share a seven-year history. One that takes complicated and messy to a whole other level. Their chemistry is electrifying; their attraction undeniable; their dynamic as magnetic and destructive as ever. But they’ve been down this road before… Twice… And it always ends the same way.

Despite Troy doing everything he can to push him away, Kaide isn’t backing down this time. He’s prepared to do whatever it takes to not only keep Troy safe, but also help him find a way to deal with his pain. Even if it means he’ll have to walk away from the only man he’s ever loved.

To achieve his dream, Troy needs to double down and focus on winning the championship. But with his life in danger, the season spinning out of control, his family more dysfunctional than ever, and a lifetime of secrets simmering just below the surface, will Kaide be there for him when the horrific truth finally comes out?

Kings of Airlie is an exhilarating, action-packed MM romance sports trilogy about love, brotherhood and resilience––with a powerful message that dreams don’t die, they just sometimes change.

Each book in the series has a new love story with a happily ever after. With continuing family and competition plots, the books do need to be read in order.

Review: Roped In (Lone Star #2) by Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortuga

Rating: 4.5🌈

Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortuga’s Lone Star series is back with a second chance at love story between former young sweethearts who meet up ages later just when the timing might be right for them to get their HEA.

A longer story, Roped In has the necessary history and time that allows businessman, Jude Sharpe , to reconnect with his former love, rodeo champion , Rope Canutt, just as he’s getting ready to retire.

Jude, a widower and single father to 7-year old Silas, is a man who loves his son, enjoys his job, but is missing that love he shared with his husband who died of cancer. Jude is a well-rounded character, easy to recognize, and connect with. A good man and great father.

And Silas is a utter joy to meet and read about. Especially as he changes, committing totally to the ranch and life in Texas. His goats, his chickens. Adorable.

Rope Canutt is not one of those rodeo cowboys who’s dreading retirement. Instead, Rope has listened to his body, all the injuries and steel plate in his head, and recognized that it’s time to get out while at the top. It’s his last tour for his sponsors and to finish in the money.

It’s a portrait of a smart man , seasoned by years on the tour and the pain of old injuries. It’s a great character and he meshed well with his old flame , Jude.

The walks in the neighborhood in NYC, the visits in the kitchen. It’s a real pleasure watching the men get reacquainted with each other’s lives, seeing the sparks fly, and Rope start to love Silas.

The dramatic moments here are more about instances that happen in daily life. The huge decisions those that couples make when they decide they will make a future together.

The story, the romance, the family, they are all very realistic and wonderful.

It’s a perfect ending. And those that have come to love these cozy romances as well as readers who love contemporary love stories will throughly enjoy this.

I’m highly recommending it.

Lone Star series:

🔹Tending Tyler #1

🔹Roped In #2

Buy the Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but sometimes distance makes people drift apart.

Rope Canutt has announced his retirement from bull riding and is making the most of his final year on the circuit, riding the big shows and resting in between so he can finish the season on a high note. He isn’t sure what’s next for him. He has no plan yet and nowhere to go, especially since his family sold their ranch a few years back.

Jude Sharpe remembers Rope fondly from their younger days in Austin. Mostly he remembers how hot the rodeo cowboy was and how much fun they had hooking up every time their paths crossed. That was a long time ago, and Jude’s been married and lost his husband to cancer in the years since they’ve seen each other. Now he’s raising a son alone.

When bull riding comes to New York City, Jude’s consulting firm uses their private box to entertain clients from Houston, and Jude brings his son Silas along to see the show. Rope is riding and Jude hopes to introduce Silas to a real bull rider. They’ve each lived a whole lifetime apart, and Jude and Rope aren’t sure how much they have in common anymore. So will they be drawn to each other when their paths cross again?

The books in this series are standalones and can be read in any order.

Review: Spooky Business (The Spectral Files #3) by S.E. Harmon

Rating: 5 🌈

Spooky Business finishes up the amazing paranormal trilogy from S.E. Harmon. The author manages to pull off an absolutely perfect series finale that ties up all of Rain Christiansen and Daniel McKenna’s relationship issues satisfactorily as well as finalizing the cases the Brickell Bay, Florida PI squad (and the FBI) were investigating.

As with everything Rain seems to come into contact with , it’s all connected once more in Spooky Business but the how’s and why’s are so complex and the methodology to getting the answers so labyrinthine that the reader is so deeply involved with the investigations (yes, multiple) that when the true danger to Rain and Danny becomes apparent, it’s not from the person everyone would suspect.

How surprising ! And shockingly perfect! And it makes for a needed character growth that begs for a sequel trilogy. Especially given that ending!

An aspect of these stories is that Harmon never lets us forget the person and lives behind the ghosts Rain encounters. A conversation with a ghostly cantankerous grandmother turns into an unexpectedly poignant and loving moment. And I’m sniffing when I least thought I would.

The investigations are filled with raw emotions, moments of pain, confusion, and death. Ghostly and the very realistic.

Harmon also finds humor and threads it throughout to mitigate the themes of murder and death the plots deal with.

Amazing writing, incredible characters, storylines that are complex and beautiful in their way. This is a series you won’t want to miss. Including this fantastic finale.

Read them in the order they are written for relationship and storylines development.

I’m highly recommending this and the series.

The Spectral Files : 3 of 3:

✓ P.S. I Spook You #1

✓ Principles of Spookology #2

✓ Spooky Business #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showSpooky Business (The Spectral Files, #3) by S.E. Harmon – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Being insatiably curious is a good way to end up dead.

Rain Christiansen, cold case detective and reluctant medium, is very aware of that fact. But when infamous serial killer Thomas Kane wants to meet, there’s no way Rain can say no. He also can’t refuse Kane’s offer—find his missing wife, Delilah, and he’ll reveal the location of his victim’s bodies.

Rain has never turned down a good quid pro quo, and he doesn’t intend to start.

The hunt for Kane’s wife leads to yet another cold case, three copycat murders, and an investigation where nothing is as it seems. Soon, Rain is dealing with a ghost unlike any he’s ever dealt with before…a ghost capable of doing things he shouldn’t be able to do. How can Rain control something he doesn’t even understand? And what will he do when the unknown threatens the safety of the most important person in his life?

Rain is starting to realize that he can only battle the supernatural with the supernatural, and that is spooky business indeed.

Review: Principles of Spookology (The Spectral Files #2) by S.E. Harmon

Rating: 5 🌈

Principles of Spookology is an excellent story , and I expect it’s the perfect bridge between the first story where Rain Christiansen, FBI profiler, is a man undergoing huge changes in his life when we meet him. And the final book .

The first? Rain quit his job, went home to Miami . He was denying his ability as a bridge between life and death to help the ghosts he’s seen since early adolescence achieve peace and move forward. Here? Now he’s actually accepting or at least understands he needs some guidance or training of his abilities. Plus the stability in reconnecting with his family and lover has given him the support and strength to work with his paranormal talents.

This story is as much a bridge showing the growing depth and strengthening relationships that Rain is pulling around him in his return to Miami and home as it is the unusual missing persons/murder cold cases his department is working on.

The cases themselves have a way of reinforcing the growing talents of Rain as well as revealing weird information and aspects of the paranormal world that Rain was clueless about.

The author mixes everything together, the romance, the murdered characters who are now ghosts, the poignancy of their cases, the oddball humor and love of the Christianson family, with the structure of law enforcement investigations and death.

It’s fascinating, gripping, and a read you can’t put down. Well written, terrific characters, marvelous plots!

And it’s all leading up to a horrifying case involving a mass murderer on death row, who is asking for Rain to visit him in the last story,Book 3, Spooky Business.

I can’t wait to see how Harmon ties up all the plot threads, brings true acceptance to Rain , his relationship, and a modicum of respect for his Paranormal unit .

I’m moving swiftly on!

I’m highly recommending both preceding stories of this spooky trilogy! Love a romance with a ghostly aspect? Here’s a series you must put on your TBR list!

The Spectral Files : 3 of 3:

✓ P.S. I Spook You #1

✓ Principles of Spookology #2

◦ Spooky Business #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showPrinciples of Spookology (The Spectral Files, #2) by S.E. Harmon | Goodreads

Synopsis:

No one said being a medium would be easy.


Rain Christiansen, former FBI agent and current cold case detective, is starting to think it’s the hardest job he’s ever had—and the most important. He’s determined to accept all the changes in his formerly well-ordered life, but that means embracing a whole lot of weird. There’s no instruction manual for meshing his work with his medium duties, and he’s painfully aware that he’s flubbing the job. So are the ghosts, who are becoming increasingly impatient. And stronger.


To complicate matters, he’s not sure what these spooktacular developments mean for his relationship. It certainly seems like Daniel McKenna, his partner in work and life, is in it for the long haul. But Rain can’t help but wonder how long that patience will last…and what he’ll do if Danny decides the intrusive ghosts are just too much.


Rain thought accepting his supernatural gifts would be the solution to his troubles. But he’s starting to realize his problems are just getting started.