Shadows & Dreams (Kate Kane: Paranormal Investigator #2) by Alexis Hall

From the blurb:

Second rule in this line of business: be careful who you kill.

My name’s Kate Kane. And right now, I don’t know which is more dangerous: my job, or my girlfriend. My job makes me the go-to girl for every supernatural mystery in London. My girlfriend’s an eight-hundred-year-old vampire prince. Honestly, I think it’s probably a tie.

A few weeks ago, I was hired for a simple missing person case. Next thing I know, I’m being arrested for murder, a vampire army is tearing up London, and even my dreams are out to get me. Something ancient, evil, and scary as hell is on the loose and looking for payback. The vampires are in chaos, the werewolves are culling everything, and the Witch Queen can’t protect everyone.

Which means it’s down to me. And all I’ve got to hold back the shadows is a stiff drink, a quirky sidekick, my creepy ex-boyfriend, and the woman who left me for a tech startup. It’s going to be another interesting day.

Review:

Be prepared to be plunged back into the chaotic world of Kate Kane.  

Hall is in perfect form with this second instalment of Kate Kane: Paranormal Investigator. Just like the first novel, the cast of characters is huge, but don't let that put you off - Hall wants you to understand just how big, magical, and scary his version of London is.

The most perfect thing about this novel (and there are many perfect things) is Hall's wit.  From the prologue I was cackling like a witch on helium. It was so bad (i.e. good), my partner forbade me from reading it in bed. No big deal. I just finished reading it while they were at work. Relationship skills, I has them.

This time I fell even more in love with Kate than I had before. It's hard not to love a heroine whose catch-cry is "Well, fuck." She's self-deprecating, not a morning person and hates bananas. Her noir-esque style of narration combined with a gen y speech characteristics including the clause structure "because noun" (e.g. "because reasons") meant that I felt a strong affinity and connection with Kate and her voice.

In this book I also felt more convinced by her relationship with the vampire prince, Julian. The first novel it was a little unclear what she saw in Julian other than sex-goddess. Not that that's a bad thing.

The digs at Twilight are super obvious and make for some irreverent intertextual goodness.

Hall's second instalment of Kate Kane is uproariously funny. 

Best consumed with something hard... like whiskey. Trust me, Kate would approve.

Title: Shadows & Dreams (Kate Kane: Paranormal Investigator #2)
Author: Alexis Hall
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Publisher: Ripdtide Publishing
Publishing Date: June 2014
Type: f/f

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Necropolis by Jordan L Hawk

From the blurb:

Introverted scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne has spent the last few months watching his lover, Griffin Flaherty, come to terms with the rejection of his adoptive family. So when an urgent telegram from Christine summons them to Egypt, Whyborne is reluctant to risk the fragile peace they’ve established. Until, that is, a man who seems as much animal as human tries to murder Whyborne in the museum.

Amidst the ancient ruins of the pharaohs, they must join Christine and face betrayal, murder, and a legendary sorceress risen from the dead. In the forge of the desert heat, the trio will either face their fears and stand together—or shatter the bonds between them forever.

Review:

The boys are back.  It's no secret that I love the Whyborne and Griffin series and book 4, Necropolis, is no exception.  Hawk has a way of capturing these characters that makes my heart sing.  Her narrative is dripping with humour, fantastical monsters, and gorgeous settings.  She's a story teller of high calibre.

This book takes our hero Whyborne well outside of his comfort zone - travelling all the way to Egypt, having been summoned by his colleague and best friend the archaeologist Christine Putnam.  The arid desert setting, the ancient tombs and artefacts, combined with the love and turbulence of Whyborne and Griffin's steamy relationship makes this an absolutely rollicking read.

I also love that Hawk is not afraid to touch on the fact that Griffin is bisexual. It's a small thing, but having visibly bisexual characters in the queer romance genre is so important.

I listened to this on audiobook and Julian G Simmons is a masterful narrator. He does a fantastic job capturing Whyborne's voice and giving distinct voices to both Christine and Griffin. It makes for a delightful listen. I couldn't stop and ended up listening to it in one day.  Not only is the performance excellent, so is the production.

This novel is perfect for a lazy summer day. Would be excellent reading on a lovely beach somewhere. If you don't have a beach, I'm sure a sunny patio will also work. Best consumed with iced-tea.

More Information:

Title: Necropolis
Author: Jordan L Hawk
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Publisher: Jordan L Hawk
Publishing Date: May 2014
Type: m/m

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A Ghost of a Chance by Josh Lanyon

From the blurb: 

Over a century ago Illusionist David Berkeley committed suicide in his mansion by the sea, thus dooming his restless spirit to wander forever. Or so the local legend goes...

Professor Rhys Davies, a part-time parapsychologist, is writing a book on California hauntings and he believes the crumbling ruins of Berkeley House will make a terrific chapter -- if he can gain access to the house and grounds. The only obstacle is brooding cop and self-appointed caretaker, Sam Devlin. As obstacles go, Devlin is a big one.

But you know what they say. The bigger they are, the harder they fall...

The Review:

A short novel narrated by the witty and self-deprecating Rhys.  Rhys is a parapsychologist but with a healthy dose of scepticism, making him a fun narrator. The opening scene of this book is action packed, awkward, and sets the stage for the struggle between Rhys and Sam Devlin.

Rhys is a bit of a hipster university lecturer - but he is quite feisty and sure of himself.  Sam Devlin stands in his way of getting information for his book on California hauntings.  Devlin is the big, brooding cop, but he's smarter and a better listener than Rhys initially gives him credit for.  

The backstory to this novel was intriguing but not overdrawn.  I particularly liked Rhys' trip to a small local museum. I feel Lanyon captured the feel of small town museums with very specific curiosities.  The sea-side small town setting is picturesque.  Rhys' tone as the narrator is witty, adding a nice contrast to the sombre, old-world style setting - a pastiche of modern and old bound together by an Illusionist's suicide.

The thing I loved most about this novel was the way the romance unfolds.  Rhys and Devlin do not get along at first, and it's only through small realisations on Rhys' behalf do we glimpse the gentle movement toward caring for Devlin.

It's not an original story line, but it's well done.  The romance is skilful and the paranormal elements are always left dangling tantalisingly on the fringes.  It's a great read for a cold afternoon perhaps with a full-bodied red wine.

Enjoy.

More Information:

Title: A Ghost of Chance
Author: Josh Lanyon
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Publisher: Just Joshin
Publishing Date: 2012
Type: m/m

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Haunt Me by Megan Dorei

From the blurb:

Elise and Rose never had an easy past—they started out friends, but life and other women quickly got in the way. Then tragedy struck, and Elise's life is lost... until she reappears in Rose's home as a ghost, giving the two women one last chance to fix the wrongs between them in the hopes of being happy together in the next life.

Review:

A novella about two friends who are trying to repair a friendship and foster a romance they never had the opportunity to have... and one of them is now a ghost.

This is a sweet novella, navigating the hardships of early adulthood and all the hangups from high school that still linger and cause hurt.

Megan Dorei wonderfully depicts the history of the two women - Elise and Rose.  The long flash backs uncover an uneasy past of painful things said, poor decisions, and heartache.  The flash backs weave into the present narrative well.

I liked how this wasn't your average haunting, but much more relationship based.

A great read for a sleepy Sunday morning with a pot of English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea.

Trigger warning for suicide.

More Information:

Title: Haunt Me

Author: Megan Dorei

Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Length: Novella

Publisher: Less Than Three Press

Publishing Date:  23 Jan. 2013

Type: f/f

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The Demon Abraxas by Rachel Calish

From the blurb:
San Francisco after dark can be full of unusual sights, but the last thing Ana Khoury expects to stumble across is black-garbed figures carrying a body. Her call to 911 is interrupted by a blow to the head, plunging her into nothingness.

Sabel Young has long been attracted to the impetuous and alluring Ana, but her obedience to an ancient order of witches leaves her with few options for romance. When she realizes that Ana has been taken—and by whom—her very private life and Ana’s normal world collide.

Her orders are clear: Do not get involved with demons. But she can’t leave a woman with no magic in the hands of dark powers that will exploit her body and destroy her soul—especially Ana. With daring and luck she pulls Ana to safety.

At first it appears they have escaped dark magic unscathed. At first…

Review:

Set in modern day San Francisco, The Demon Abraxas tells a tale of demons, demon worshipers, witches, and the woman who gets caught in between it all - Ana Khoury.

I enjoyed the romance between Ana and witch Sabel Young.  They'd been flirting before everything changed, before there was a murder and before Ana got caught up in the demon's plot.  I love that Ana is not helpless nor is clinging onto Sabel for help.  She is fiercely independent and fiery, which makes her a great heroine for this book.

There's lots of juicy sexual tension between the two heroines.  They're also both very independent and strong willed, ensuring that many of the blocks that stand between them getting together are of their own making.

My favourite character was probably Lily, who is half human half demon and bisexual.  Her story was probably the one that drew me the most.  I loved the chapters told from her perspective.  I would have love to know more about her history, her life, and her work.

The demon Abraxas was also an excellent character in his own right.  A difficult thing to depict so well as he rarely is anything close to physical.  However, Rachel Calish brings him to life.

Lesbians? Check.  Bisexual? Check. Demons?  Check. Witches? Check.

A great f/f paranormal/fantasy romance.

More Information:

Title: The Demon Abraxas

Author: Rachel Calish

Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Romance
Length: Novel

Publisher: Bella Books

Publishing Date:  Oct. 2013

Type: f/f

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A Case of Possession by KJ Charles

From the blurb:

Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.

A Charm of Magpies, Book 2

Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. True, Stephen’s job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician’s disappearing act bothers Crane more than it should. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, Crane knows a smart man would hop the first ship bound for China. But something unexpectedly stops him. His heart.

Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he’s turned warlock. With all eyes watching him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He’s not sure if he can take that risk much longer. And Crane isn’t sure if he can ask him to.

The rats are closing in, and something has to give…

Review:

The second installment in A Charm of Magpies is an extraordinarily fun romp.  I think this is even better than the first book, The Magpie Lord, and that's a tall order!

This novel follows Lord Crane, a domineering earl, and his lover, magician Stephen Day, as they seek to uncover a very curious plague of giant rats in London.  This mystery provides a fun backdrop to the main story arc - Crane and Stephen.

In The Magpie Lord we got to see their attraction to each other blossoming, but in this second book, we get to see their relationship unfolding.  Both men are incredibly strong in their own ways and fiercely independent.  There is a huge question mark over whether these two can actually get together for more than just mind blowing sex. 

The female characters in this novel really help to make it a winner for me.  Leonora Hart, a friend of Crane's, especially.  I love her sense of humour and her brashness.  I also enjoyed finding out more about Stephen's work partner, Esther Gold.  These two characters are what makes this novel, for me, superior to the first.  What can I say? I'm a sucker for awesome women!

KJ Charles' research also needs commendation.  Victorian London is not portrayed as being entirely comprised of white people!  There's a strong focus in this novel on Chinese migration, which really adds a nice depth to the book.  

KJ Charles' style is witty and fun.  The sex scenes are ridiculously steamy.

A Case of Possession is superb.

More Information:

Title: A Case of Possession

Author: KJ Charles

Genre: Paranormal/Historical/Romance
Length: Novel 

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Publishing Date: 28 Jan. 2014

Type: m/m

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A Reason to Believe by Diana Copland

From the blurb:

Detective Matthew Bennett doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the spirit of a murdered child leads him to her body, he's shaken to the core--and taken off the case. Unable to explain his vision, or to let go of the investigation, Matthew turns to renowned medium Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Though he has doubts about Kiernan's claims to communicate with the dead, Matt is nevertheless drawn to the handsome psychic, who awakens feelings he thought were long-buried.

Haunted by the lingering spirit of the little girl, Kiernan is compelled to aid in the search for her killer. The chance to get closer to the enigmatic Matt is an unexpected bonus. Although Kiernan's been betrayed by people who turned out to be more interested in his fame than in himself, with Matt he's willing to risk his heart. As the two men grow closer, Kiernan helps Matt rediscover that life offers no guarantees--but love offers a reason to believe...

Review:

From the opening chapters, I was hooked.  I downloaded the audiobook for just before going to bed.  The scenes with the ghost of the little girl were absolutely chilling.  You've been warned.

Matt Bennett considers himself a rational man who doesn't believe in ghosts.  So when a chilling vision of the dead child leads him to find her body, he is thrown for a loop.  He admits to his less than welcoming superior what he saw.  His superior is a homophobic arsehat and uses what Matt saw as an excuse to put Matt on leave.  

Matt's sister in law and best friend Sheila takes him to see a psychic medium - Kiernan Fitzpatrick.  Matt is highly dubious about the whole thing.  However, it soon becomes clear that Kiernan Fitzpatrick is far from a hack, he does actually speak to and see the dead.

Kiernan is not what you would expect a psychic medium to be.  He is impish, childish, and funny.  In fact, he is so decidedly not the stereotype that it catches Matt entirely off guard.  The novel tracks their attempts to uncover who murdered the little girl.  Along the way, they explore what's going on between them.

I felt Matt's character could have been a little more interesting.  But Kiernan definitely balances out some of Matt's bland, stoic nature.

The romance didn't feel forced, it was paced really well despite the novel only taking place over a short time - about a week.

The female characters are also fab.  At first I didn't think I would like Sheila, but she soon grew on me and I ended up liking her very much.  Kiernan's sister Aiden is also really cool.

I read a lot of romance books that are predominately white, but this one felt especially so.  A bit more diversity in the characters would have been welcome.

Overall, A Reason to Believe is a great paranormal mystery with a solid m/m romance.  

More Information:

Title: A Reason to Believe

Author: Diana Copland

Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Length: Novel (80k)

Publisher: Carina Press

Publishing Date: 22 Oct. 2012

Type: m/m

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Windigo Thrall by Cate Culpepper

From the blurb:

“The Windigo has a heart of ice.” 

The legends of an ancient cannibal demon might have been enthralling, but they were folklore. To Jo and Becca, investigating reports of a Windigo is a lively scholarly exercise, and for Grady and Elena, it means a weekend at an idyllic mountain retreat. Only Pat and Maggie can draw on their Native roots to recognize a monster out of Algonquin myth, but only if they unlock the mystery of their shared past. Throw six volatile personalities into a snowbound cabin, beset by a blizzard, and stalked by a monster, and there’s no assurance they’ll survive the night with their sanity intact—or their lives.

Review:

There's nothing like an ancient cannibal demon to shake you to your core.  Make sure you are somewhere warm and safe when you read this.  Probably not best consumed in an isolated cabin in the middle of winter.

There's something perfect about a powerful myth that's tied to the land and its people.  There's also something irresistible about some good ol' fashion horror tropes.  Culpepper does both very well in Windigo Thrall, focusing on the psychological interplay between characters to manifest the monster - the Windigo - and other spiritual forces.

I enjoyed the stories of the six different women and their relationships.  I think my favourite character out of all of them is probably Pat, the Native American Park Ranger. She's stoic, but also has a rich history and I loved her and Maggie's story arcs the most.

The romance elements of this story are fascinating because there are three romances going on at once, two established (Grady and Elana, Jo and Becca) and one new (Pat and Maggie).  Culpepper masterfully juggles these three, making sure we spend time with each character and explore the dynamics of all three relationships as well as the non-romantic relationships that contribute to the volatile situation inside the cabin.

I would have loved for this book to have gone slightly more down the horror route.  Perhaps I'm accustomed to coming out of a good horror novel feeling kind of obliterated.  However, I recognise that the romantic happy ending would have been very difficult under such circumstances.

Lots of Stephen King references and influences which were really cool.

All in all, I enjoyed my time locked away with these six women in an isolated cabin being stalked by a cannibal demon.

More information:

Title: The Windigo Thrall
Author: Cate Culpepper
Length: Novel (64k)
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Publishing Date: Jan 2014
Type: f/f
Genre: Romance/Paranormal/Horror

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Selume Proferre by E.E. Ottoman

From the blurb: 

An-An Li-Johnson lives an easy-going, quiet life. She works part time at her friend's bookstore, is active in the local LGBTQ scene, manages to avoid the occasional crazy ex, and does temp work for the big name spell-craft firm Simon and Davidson.

Then she's hired to work with M.C. Anderson, an up and coming exorcist at Simon and Davidson. M.C. is deeply involved in the world of high stakes spell-craft, determined to carve out a place for herself among the extremely hierarchical and old fashioned world of professional exorcists. As they work together on an intense case of demonic possession, An-An finds herself more and more intrigued by her new boss. But just as the relationship looks like it might be deepening into something more, the case suddenly takes a turn for the worse.

Much, much worse.

Review:

It was utterly refreshing to read something different from the traditional m/m and f/f pairings.

This is a story about exorcism, although not quite your run-of-the-mill priest vs demon kind.

The love interest, M.C. Anderson is an exorcism expert.  Initially she is quite a frosty, overworked individual and she rubs most of her colleagues the wrong way.  An-An is brought into the company to see if she can work with M.C.

An-An is a really cool character.  Her sense of humour, her sense of style, and her intelligence made it fun to see this story through her eyes.  I especially liked how she was a fairly well connected member in the LGBTQ+ scene and it makes this work not only a queer romance, but a political queer romance.  I also kinda wish she was a real person so she could design my next tattoo. *sigh*

I loved watching An-An struggle with the complicated and frosty M.C. Anderson.  It was sweet and awkward and I could really relate.

However, I felt that that the climax was underdeveloped.  I kept expecting it to be a rouse and for there to be an even bigger, worse crisis, but then the novel ended.  It didn't quite meet my expectations there. BUT it was still really enjoyable!

This is a fun, short romp with a sizzling ending.  You should read it on a Saturday afternoon with a glass of wine.

More Information:

Title: Selume Proferre
Author: E.E. Ottoman
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Publishing Date: 6 Nov. 2013
Length: Novella (22k)
Genre: Paranormal/romance
Type: f/f, genderqueer, trans

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The Artifact by X. Aratare, Raythe Reign

From the blurb:

Dane Gareis is the handsome and aloof scion of a wealthy Winter Haven family. He hires Sean Harding, a scarred, yet brilliant, former police detective as his bodyguard after the murder of his father, Julius, by a cult known only as the Ydrath. The Ydrath want an ancient golden sarcophagus returned to them, but Julius had refused and been killed. Dane is just as determined to keep the sarcophagus out of the Ydrath's hands.

Sean knows that his willful, yet fragile, employer is in deadly danger. The former detective is determined to save Dane both from a terrible end and the terminal loneliness that surrounds the beautiful rich boy.


Review:

I really enjoyed this novel. It was captivating and interesting.

We're first introduced to Sean Harding, a cop who has been working a horrible drug case.  The drug in question kills everyone who tries it.  After a bust gone terribly wrong and after he is exposed to the drug too, Sean is forced to leave his job.  He later takes up a body guard position with Dane Gareis, who has recently taken over his father's very profitable business.  There are many things that need to be answered - like why isn't Sean dead from the drug? What's inside the sarcophagus?  But the blossoming feelings between Sean and his charge take centre stage.  Their emerging feelings unfold beautifully in this first book.

Sean Harding's character is very likable.  Although he is a former cop, he isn't hyper masculine and is quite sensitive and gentle.  Dane Gareis although physically delicate is not simply a sheltered flower.  He has his own strengths along with his weaknesses.  I really liked both characters.  There is Yaoi genre influence in this novel.

The author does a fantastic job of drawing out Sean and especially Dane's pasts, of taking their attraction to each other slowly in light of how complicated they are as people.  The tenderness in their blossoming relationships is quite beautiful.

The speculative elements of the story and the plot are intriguing: a mysterious drug and a gang that disappears tied up with an ancient cult known as Ydrath.  I was, however, sad to learn that this novel ends on a cliff hanger - an homage to the fact that it was originally written as serialized fiction and reworked for novel release.  This made it feel much more like finishing series one of a television show.

Although my desire to find out what happens to these characters and what is going on with the Ydrath is not sated, this was a very visual, very emotional introduction to these two characters and their world.  I really look forward to the second novel in the series.

It's available in many formats including audio book.  There's even a graphic novel.  You should check out the release detail page on the author's website.

More Information:

Title: The Artifact
Author: X. Aratare, Raythe Reign
Publishing Date: 30 Nov, 2013
Length: Novel (110k)
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Type: m/m

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Iron & Velvet by Alexis Hall

From the blurb: 

 First rule in this line of business: don’t sleep with the client.

My name’s Kate Kane, and when an eight-hundred-year-old vampire prince came to me with a case, I should have told her no. But I’ve always been a sucker for a femme fatale.

It always goes the same way. You move too fast, you get in too deep, and before you know it, someone winds up dead. Last time it was my partner. This time it could be me. Yesterday a werewolf was murdered outside the Velvet, the night-time playground of one of the most powerful vampires in England. Now half the monsters in London are at each other’s throats, and the other half are trying to get in my pants. The Witch Queen will protect her own, the wolves are out for vengeance, and the vampires are out for, y’know, blood.

I’ve got a killer on the loose, a war on the horizon, and a scotch on the rocks. It’s going to be an interesting day.

Review:

I laughed out loud, or as the kids say "lolled", lots throughout this book.  At one point my partner came to make sure I wasn't having conniptions. 

Kate Kane is a Paranormal Investigator in London.  She smokes and drinks heavily.  In this first novel, she is hired by an eight-hundred-year-old vampire prince, Julian Saint-Germain, to investigate the murder of a werewolf outside one of Julian's clubs.

The vampire prince, a female vampire to Kate's surprise, is of course smoking hot.  Things naturally get complicated when Kate feels herself wanting to violate the first rule of being a PI - don't sleep with the client. 

The blurb makes it sound like there's a lot going on - vampires, werewolves, witches - but Alexis Hall does a great job of not making it a mess.  It was logical and easy to follow despite the large cast of players. 

Kate's sense of humour is right up my alley - it's black, self-deprecating, and sweary, which combined with the pure fantastical nature of the novel adds a high degree of levity.  For example, there is a scene in a sewer and Kate is admiring the Victorian construction:

"The Victorians might have been a bunch of mass-murdering, misogynistic fuckheads, but they sure knew how to build a shit pipe."

The romance between Kate Kane and Julian Saint-Germain is good.  We get a lot of detail about Kate's internal struggles, her past failures and mistakes, and we do find out a lot about Julian's pre-vamp days, which is pretty cool.  However, this novel is predominately driven by the external narrative of monsters picking people off. Because monsters.

Hands down the funniest book I've read this year.  Yes, I know it's only January.

Do not read this book if you don't like gore, profanity or lesbian sex.

Do read this book if you do like the above.

You should follow Alexis Hall on Twitter: @quicunquevult

And check out his blog: Quicunque Vult 

More Information:

Title: Iron & Velvet
Author: Alexis Hall
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Publishing Date: 16 Dec, 2013
Length: Novel (77k)
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Type: f/f

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Review: Threshold by Jordan L Hawk

From the blurb:

Introverted scholar Percival Endicott Whyborne wants nothing more than to live quietly with his lover, ex-Pinkerton detective Griffin Flaherty. Unfortunately, Whyborne’s railroad tycoon father has other ideas, namely hiring Griffin to investigate mysterious events at a coal mine.

Whyborne, Griffin, and their friend Christine travel to Threshold Mountain, a place of dark legend even before the mine burrowed into its heart. A contingent of Pinkertons—including Griffin’s ex-lover Elliot—already guard the mine. But Griffin knows better than anyone just how unprepared the detectives are to face the otherworldly forces threatening them.

Soon, Whyborne and Griffin are on the trail of mysterious disappearances, deadly accidents, and whispered secrets. Is Elliot an ally, or does he only want to rekindle his relationship with Griffin? And if so, how can Whyborne possibly hope to compete with the stunningly handsome Pinkerton—especially when Griffin is hiding secrets about his past?

For in a town where friends become enemies and horror lurks behind a human mask, Whyborne can’t afford to trust anything—including his own heart.

Review:

I am totally and utterly smitten with the Whyborne and Griffin series thus far.  I read the first book, Widdershins, but decided to give the audio book a whirl for the second novel in the series - Threshold.

It did take me a little to adjust to Julian G. Simmon's interpretation of Whyborne.  I must confess, in my mind Whyborne was always a little more British in his accent, but Julian does such a fantastic job of creating a softly spoken, humble and all round adorable Whyborne.  Now I couldn't think of Whyborne's voice as anything different.

The story of Threshold is very different from Widdershins.  Threshold is more like an episode of the X-files, whereas Widdershins was more like an adventure novel.  And I mean that as a compliment.  Moving the action away from the town of Widdershins was both refreshing and a little sad.  Widdershins was a character in itself.  But it really doesn't take Hawk long to establish the character of Threshold as a setting.

Hawk handles the movement from blossoming relationship between Whyborne and Griffin in Widdershins to established relationship in Threshold phenomenally well.  She never lets the characters remain comfortable for long.  The pain she puts Whyborne through is simply soul wrenching and it made my heart ache.

I loved the way we explore Griffin's past more in this novel.  It helps to make him a little less shiny and heroic.  There is a real sense of equality in their relationship and it warms me.

Whyborne's character development is also key to the forward momentum of this story.  He becomes emboldened.  And it's not just Griffin's presence and support which helps him to make these personal growths - it's also the ways in which he finds himself standing in opposition to Griffin.

I also adored the way we explore Whyborne's family more - especially his mother.  She is fascinating and I really hope we see more of her in the most recent book.

As much as I want to hold out and wait for the audio book version of book 3 in this series, Stormhaven, I don't possess that kind of patience.

Feels. I has them.

Title: Threshold
Author: Jordan L. Hawk
Publishing Date: June 3, 2013
Length: Novel (67k)
Genre: Paranormal/Romance/Historical
Type: m/m

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Review: The Dark Victorian: Risen by Elizabeth Watasin

From the blurb:

"Way will open." She is Artifice. A resurrected criminal and agent of HRH Prince Albert's Secret Commission. An artificial ghost. A Quaker. He is Jim Dastard. The oldest surviving agent of the Secret Commission. An animated skull. A mentor to newly resurrected agents. It is 1880 in a mechanical and supernatural London. Agents of Prince Albert's Secret Commission, their criminal pasts wiped from their memories, are resurrected to fight the eldritch evils that threaten England. Amidst this turmoil, Jim Dastard and his new partner Artifice must stop a re-animationist raising murderous dead children. As Art and Jim pursue their quarry, Art discovers clues about her past self, and through meeting various intriguing women--a journalist, a medium, a prostitute, and a mysterious woman in black--where her heart lies. Yet the question remains: What sort of criminal was she? A new beginning, a new identity, and new dangers await Art as she fights for the Secret Commission and for her second life.

Review:

This novella is quirky and dark. Art is a curious main character. She is quiet, and we only get small tantalising glimpses into her thoughts. The mystery of Art's past is really what drives this story. She was killed for being a criminal, but that doesn't mesh with her Quakerism.  The fact that she is a Quaker is a nice touch and really does help to make this story unique.

The internal story arc is Jim and Art searching down a re-animationist. It would have benefited from slightly more foreshadowing and development. The arc for the series however - the story of Art - is much better handled. I really look forward to seeing how this develops over the series.

This story reads very much like a cartoon - and it would make a fine cartoon or graphic novel. That is unsurprising given the author is an animator and graphic novelist of over twenty years. 

I really enjoyed the aesthetic of this story. It did take me a chapter or two to adjust between my idea of Victorian London to Watasin's, but once I did, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The romance elements are not overly present in the first novella in the series. We are informed of Art's attraction to women, and there are hints of past and possibly future relationships. It is great to see a queer protagonist, nonetheless, even if I have to wait for the romance story arc over the series.


Title: Dark Victorian Vol. 1: Risen
Author: Elizabeth Watasin
Publishing Date: Nov 1, 2012
Length: Novella
Genre: Paranormal/Steam Punk
Type: f/f

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Review: Widdershins by Jordan L Hawk

Synopsis:
The year is 1897 and it's a chilly winter in the coastal town of Widdershins.  Percival Endicott Whyborne is a brilliant but shy comparative philologist who is defensive about his past and his 'inclinations'. Given a choice about anything, Whyborne would stay hidden away in his office translating dead languages.  But things don't exactly go as Whyborne would like.

A private detective, Griffin Flaherty, requires help translating a text in cipher and Whyborne is the most qualified man for the job in Widdershins.  It's not long until Whyborne ends up being Griffin's reluctant sidekick.

Even as they investigate the monstrous, Whyborne finds himself becoming more and more attracted to Griffin.  But many things stand in his way: his past, the law, and social mores.  Can Whyborne relinquish his memories and love again? Can Griffin, after all he's been through, trust anyone?  And most importantly: can they save the goddamn world?

Review:
This paranormal-historical-romance had me on the edge of my seat for the entire book.  It took next to no time for me to become totally invested in the two heroes as well as their kickass friend, Dr. Christine Putnam.

Whyborne, whose point of view we follow, is utterly utterly lovable as the main character.  He is very introverted and tries to avoid being noticed or being the centre of attention.  His social ineptitude was at times cringe-worthy, but totally sympathetic.  As he becomes more relaxed around friends, he becomes even more loveable.

Griffin, the hero, by contrast to Whyborne, has a certain ease about him. He balances out Whyborne's introverted nature well.  His kindness is really what makes him lovely and drives home many of the 'squee' moments throughout the book.  And were there many 'squee' moments? Oh yes! Many!

Dr. Christine Putnam deserves more than an honorable mention for being a badass female presence.  A female archaeologist at a time when women were not supposed to be doing such things, she is powerful, assertive, smart, and knows her way around guns. And the two heroes would probably be dead without her.

The liberal smattering of classical allusions were very welcome by this reader.  Latin and the ancient world provided excellent embellishments to the paranormal elements.  Jordan L Hawk's background in archaeology is most certainly an asset to this story.

Hawk's language is rich and rewarding.  Her ability to capture the nervousness of new love and mesh that in a story filled with monstrous gore should be commended.

I feel like I've come to the party late on this one - but I'm sure glad I arrived at all.  I'll be starting on Threshold as soon as possible because I just cannot get enough of Whyborne and Griffin.

Seriously, all the squees.

Title: Widdershins
Author: Jordan L. Hawk
Publishing Date: Dec 3, 2012
Length: Novel (85k)
Genre: Paranormal/Romance/Historical
Type: m/m

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