Suspense
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Counterblow (Shatterproof Bond #4) by Isobel Starling
This has got to be the most uneven series in the history of series. Don’t get me wrong. I’m sort of in love with both Sam and Declan and they’re the most amazing couple to follow. However, these are supposed to be suspense/spy/secret agent kind of books. But you can never know if an instalment will actually contain any secret agenting (that’s a word right?) or not. I keep expecting this series to have a classically composed plotline. You know where there’s a case/mystery/whatever that slowly unfolds and then escalates towards the end where it’s finally resolved. All the while there’s a long-term plot that continues in the next book. Well.…
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The Mystery of the Curiosities (Snow & Winter #2) by C.S. Poe
No. This story just wasn’t right. In the first instalment, Poe laid the groundwork for a cute mystery series, with charming characters and some seriously hot shenanigans. So, why would she ruin it all by making the MC act so stupid in this book? I don’t get it. Synopsis: Sebastian Snow, antiques dealer and amateur sleuth, has caught the attention of someone who’s not averse to breaking the law. His antiques shop is vandalized and the culprit leaves cryptic notes for him to decipher. The police doesn’t really take him seriously, but then he finds a dead body in his apartment. With yet another note. Sebastian is dragged into –…
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Principles of Spookology (The Spectral Files #2) by S.E. Harmon
S.E. Harmon never disappoints. Sure, I griped a bit about #1 of The Spectral Files, but I really didn’t have any other choice than to continue with the series. Because despite some of my reservations, I craved more. Synopsis: Rain’s back as a detective at the BBPD, in the newly founded PTU – the paranormal tactical unit. His ghost-whispering is supposed to help solve cold cases. But he can’t control his abilities and the ghosts appear to be getting stronger, now they’re even invading his dreams. And Rain can’t help to think Danny will get tired of constant ghostly interruptions – in and out of bed. Then a case they’re…
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P.S. I Spook You (The Spectral Files #1) by S.E. Harmon
This is a great story with some really unfortunate mistakes that should have been caught by a proof-reader. So I’m conflicted as hell about how to rate this one. I’ve read several of Harmon’s books and she’s the author of one of my all-time, favourite stories, the Rules of Possession duet; The Blueprint and A Deeper Blue. And no matter the storyline, her writing has always been top-notch. And yes, P.S. I Spook You is also high quality. It has a skillfully constructed story structure, the overall writing is great, the premise of the story is awesome and the plot development is too. But it’s also a suspense/detective story where…
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Cry Wolf (Big Bad Wolf #5) by Charlie Adhara
Right now, I’m feeling sort of numb and a bit lost. Book hangover doesn’t begin to describe how I’m feeling. It’ll probably be a year until the next installment in this series is released and I won’t know what to do with myself in the meantime. So yeah. This was a spectacular story. And right now, when I’m in the process of returning to reality, Cry Wolf feels like the best in the series yet. With some time and a bit of distance I might re-assess, but considering I re-read the first four books in preparation for the Cry Wolf release, it’s not likely. Synopsis: Cooper and Park are supposed…
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The Cardigans (Criminal Intentions: Season One #1) by Cole McCade
Sooo close to getting a 5-star rating! But The Cardigans sort of stumbled on the finish line and got bumped down to a 4 instead, with me not even knowing if I’d like to continue with the rest of the series/season. I’ll get back to why in a bit. The format of Criminal Intentions is a bit different than a usual book series. It’s more like a tv-series in that there are more episodes and the main characters – their history, personalities and what makes them tick – are presented to the reader in smaller increments. Meaning there’s more room in each episode to focus on the plot and keep…
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Soulmates by Liv Rancourt
Release date: January 14th This story was definitely a grower. It took a while, but the more I read, the more intrigued and delighted I became. Also, it’s probably the most believably organic formation of a threesome I’ve ever encountered. Kudos to Rancourt! Synopsis: Trajan is a 175 year old vampire on the verge of committing suicide by sun due to grief over his dead lover Connor. But when he is tasked by his sire to keep a young alpha werewolf safe for a week, he’s instantly distracted from his dark thoughts. Not only is David an outrageous and unapologetic twink just looking for some fun, but almost as soon…
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The Mystery of Nevermore (Snow and Winter #1) by C.S. Poe
I really enjoyed this mystery novel. Yes, it has obvious similarities to Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series – which I love – but I won’t speculate in whether this is a rip-off or actually an ode to Lanyon’s writing. Though I’m leaning towards the latter since the book was dedicated to a Josh. Anyways. This is a super cosy mystery set in a snowy and Christmas-y New York. Well sure, there are a few murders, but strangely enough it’s still really charming and sweet. With some steamy hot shenanigans. Synopsis: Sebastian Snow is an antiques dealer with his own little shop. When he finds a rotting heart hidden beneath the…
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The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks by Josh Lanyon
This is my first Josh Lanyon book I didn’t like, and didn’t finish. The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks is an old school murder mystery, but with the twist of two gay apartment neighbours acting as detectives. And it just didn’t work for me. It was just too much like a game of Clue. A bunch of weird characters, isolated in a spooky old house when people start dropping dead. It had a definite Professor Plum in the kitchen with the candlestick kind of vibe. Which felt, well, dated. It’s not something I’m interested in reading at least. There’s nothing wrong with the writing of course, it’s excellent, this story just…
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Mainly by Moonlight (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #1) by Josh Lanyon
So, I’m on somewhat of a Josh Lanyon trip right now. Like in the sense that I’ve been bingeing her work, series by series. Because her stories are frankly addicting and I just adore them. What’s weird is that I’m never really enticed by the blurbs to her books, but I’ve learned by now that that doesn’t matter. Because so far I’ve loved everything I’ve read. Anyway. Mainly by Moonlight. Cosmo Saville is a witch. He’s also about to get married to a non witch who’s completely unaware of the existence of magic. But when Cosmo happens to stumble upon a dead body, he becomes the prime suspect of murder.…