Book Review : Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case by A.J. Sherwood

What would things be like if psychics solved crimes? This is not an uncommon trope in novels, but Jon's Mysteries series takes it an entirely new way. In this series' alternate universe, one small change in the past has made it so modern psychics are licensed and regulated and often work hand-in-hand with the police.

Jon works for a company with other psychics who often act as consultants to the police and even FBI and CIA. He is a very powerful psychic who reads meridian lines of energy and can see a lot about other people. Everything from whether someone is lying to where they grew up is laid bare to his eyes. But in return for his abilities he can't handle any electronics and even being close to them can fry them. To even be in a car it needs to have EMP shielding. On top of that, he reveals the truth about people, often putting them in jail or just seeing what they want to hide. This means a lot of nasty people want him gone.

Normally Jon would have a partner to back him up and help him deal with the repercussions of being a psychic. But his talent is so powerful that most people get tired of having their electronics destroyed and dealing with his issues. He needs an anchor to keep him from getting lost in the minds of others, but it seems impossible for the preppy-cute and dry-witted guy to find someone he can be with.

Then Donovan shows up. A huge, hulky man most people find terrifying, Donovan is used to being feared. When he was in the military police it wasn't so bad, he was supposed to be scary, but now that he's trying to reintegrate into civilian life he's having a hard time. Even applying for a job at Jon's company is not going well until Jon spots him. And Jon sees the sweet marshmallow inside, not just the scarred exterior. Jon sees a patient, protective man who should be hired right that minute. So Jon's boss hires Donovan to be Jon's partner.

Two hurt men, each scared to believe someone will want them, put together solving crimes and just generally being adorable.

It's too cute. Really, some people might find it too cute. Jon and Donovan both are squishy sweet and need hugs. All the hugs. I adore them, but some people might find them cloying. There's just something about neglected, afraid of taking another chance people finding their perfect match that I love more than anything. Something about at last finding that perfect pairing, that person who sees who someone really is and likes that person. It's hugs all around since reading the sweetness is like that perfect, warm and tight hug that just makes you feel safe and comforted.

And there's murder! Crimes and serial killers, sneaky and crazy criminals, they all are threatened by Jon's psychic sight and Donovan's very big muscles.

At the front of the book:

Trigger Warnings: Your average cop show violence and criminals

Tags: Companionable snark, Flirting, Kissing, Jon needs a hug, Donovan gives the best hugs, Getting together, Self-esteem issues, Explicit content, Anal Sex, Romantic Sex, Random shooting, Which Donovan isn’t happy about, Donovan is a gentleman, Sort of, Jon just makes it REALLY REALLY HARD Okay?, Bisexual character, Public displays of affection, Muscles, Communication, Healthy relationships, The fluff might fucking kill you, Supernatural elements, Modern with Magic, Feels, All the Feels, Mostly accurate medical stuff, Multiple electronics died in the creation of this story, blame Jon

So many levels of humor in this series. Snark and wit and silliness and all-around feel-good fun.

Can you tell I love this series? It's perfection. And you know I'm picky and harsh. I don't give five stars for anything. But this series gets all the stars. Even the connected series about Donovan's brother gets some good stars too. If Jon was Goldilocks, Donovan would be Papa Bear and just right.

So, this is sort of a romantic paranormal mystery. Each book in the series features a different case that Jon and Don have to solve, along with all sorts of stuff on the sides. In Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case, out of nowhere a crazy young woman suddenly shoots a young college exchange student and accuses him of sending her blackmail letters but never showing up for the drop. Downright ridiculous, right? It gets weirder. And then even weirder.

In book 2 the group has to help a not-friendly police force and solve Jon's Crazy Head-Boppin' Mystery after some strange psychopath goes around sneaking up on random women, hitting them and running away. Donovan has to carry Jon like a damsel in distress and watch over him as Jon ends up recuperating for days after pushing himself too far.

Book 3, Jon's Spooky Corpse Conundrum, a body goes missing in a haunted mansion and among the police who are trying to solve the murder and find the corpse, Jon discovers someone he didn't think he would ever see again. And we find out what seemingly fearless Donovan is afraid of.

Jon's Mysteries series is followed by another series, this one featuring Donovan's brother who becomes an anchor for a medium after accidentally giving Jon a ghost for Christmas. Yep, ghosts are real and Brandon and Mack are soon solving their own cases.

All of the books are cute and funny, affirming and fun. Who knew love language included slamming prisoners down on tables and opening electronic doors?

Jon is preppy looking with his sweater-vests and tidy style. Blond, a little slim and not tall, he tends to be dismissed by those who don't know him or how powerful he is. He's very social and friendly, but rarely does anything with other people because he doesn't want to bother anyone. He radiates cheerfulness when he's happy.

Donovan is mostly Hawaiian and Tongan, so he's super big with lots of muscles and yummy warm skin. His size has always scared people, then acid was thrown on him, so now his scars scare people even more. He's really a gentle giant, a teddy bear, but people only see how intimidating he is. A big, darker-skinned man, even being the sweetest guy ever he still gets hassled.

It's too cute as these two both look at the other one with hearts in their eyes. And the rest of the characters think it's cute too. You can almost feel the subtle humor as the secondary characters silently laugh at how obviously these two like each other. Then again, both have spent their lives feeling uncomfortable and ashamed of their specialness.

Watching these two come together and learn to trust is one of my favorite parts of the series. They need each other so much, it feels so good when they develop and become who they are.

“You listen to me. If you see another serial killer or whatever while you’re out, and I’m not with you, do not follow him. You call me, I will drop everything and come running.”

I didn’t really mean to smile at him, it just sort of happened, a safety release for happiness overflow. “Okay.”

“I mean it, Bane.”

“I believe you,” I assured him, grin broadening. He made me think of that one line from  Sense and Sensibility: he’s the best and kindest of men. “Can I hug you?”

He wrapped both arms around me in response, hugging me tight enough to threaten the seams of my shirt. I didn’t care, hugging him back just as tightly. Such a warm, snuggling teddy bear, if a teddy bear could have these rippling muscles. He smelled really nice, too, like citrus. Not sure if I should say it, because I knew very well he was crushing on someone else, I hesitated. But I’d also gathered that people didn’t normally say stuff like this to him, so I said it anyway: “I’m really glad you’re with me.”

The writing style makes it very easy to picture even the body language of the characters. Sweet smiles, slight blushes, heart eyes, it all comes through even when not noted on the page.

There's a good mix of introspection and action in these books. Lots of police procedure and psychic elements too. They are very engaging. They get even better after reading more than once too as there are nuances and little bits that you might miss on first readings because they are just that layered. Nothing cardboard here, the world and characters and backgrounds are deep and rich.

The backgrounds are so rich and there are so many nuances that I'd absolutely love it if the writer came out with an anthology containing scenes from their lives. We have Jon seeing Donovan for the first time and being astounded by his inner goodness, what was it like for Donovan when the cute, little blond popped in and pulled his boss out for a secret conversation? What happened to lead Jon's old partner to leaving him on the side of the road with a knife in him? What about when Jon and Detective Borrowman first met? When Jon got hired? Defusing a bomb. Meeting his sister's husband. Seeing Skylar as a newborn. Donovan and Jonathan at the grocery store. Going to the movies. Helping the kids Donovan volunteers with. I want to read it all.

I prefer books with alternating POVs, which later books have, but the first book in the series is all from Jon's point of view and it leaves me wondering how Donovan internally felt when the little ray of snarky sunshine fell into his life.

All the books in the series are good about tying up loose ends. There also aren't a ton of errors, just a few minor ones. The depth of the world and even history of using psychics in police work is so well thought out that it impressive. That's one of my favorite parts about reading books by the this writer. She plots out everything better than most writers out there.

The books are pretty understandable. Not hard to follow. Though some aspects are a bit difficult.

They are in Nashville, Tennessee and I'm not familiar with the city. Glancing at a map or city skyline before starting the books might be a little helpful. Not needed, but it's hard to picture a city one hasn't been to.

Another bit unfamiliar is the food. Donovan's mother shows her love by feeding people, mostly traditional foods from Hawaii. If you are one of those people who want a full experience, order in some of the foods listed or just pick up a good Hawaiian or Pacific Rim cookbook. It definitely sounds like good food.

Sometimes I read mysteries to solve them. That isn't going to happen with these books. The crimes and people are just so weird there's no way to guess what happened ahead of time. It makes them even more interesting. No one could solve these crimes.

One of my favorite parts about the books is the stereotype demolishing, especially in their interactions. Big guy and smaller guy, we know who the bottom is, right? Nope, these guys are vers and their first time together Jon takes Donovan's curvy ass. It's really hot too. And later they play with handcuffs and blindfolds. Jon has a thing for being done up against the wall. Really good stuff, but not so much it takes away from the story or is more important than their relationship.

Good chemistry goes a long way. I love their relationship. It doesn't happen instantaneously, but rather a slow build up then a (literal) leap into a relationship. Donovan is decisive and Jon is good at reading people once he gets past his issues. They move quickly once they realize they each have a crush on the other. But their relationship goes in jumps and pauses as Jon's issues make him too afraid to go to the next step. It takes getting to book three before they finally really settle together.

I'd love to see more books with these guys. I like Mack and Brandon's but Jon and Donovan are my favorites. I'd love to see them get married and what the wedding would be like. Maybe looking for someone to perform the ceremony and finding a priest committing crimes between baptisms and weddings? They already have a florist.

It loses a bit of power seeing it through a screen, but to get a good feel for an important part of Tongan culture you should definitely watch this video as a Tonga team performs fierce Sipi tau.

Now imagine that fierceness keeping bad guys away. Tingles, right? Read the books and picture Donovan and enjoy.

Review : His Consort by Mary Calmes

 

His Consort is a mm paranormal romance about a seemingly normal guy who meets vampires and finds out he is more special than anyone ever thought. It is book 1 in the House of Maedoc series, followed by book 2, His Prince.

Jason Thorpe is at loose ends since he left the military. Cabinetry is an occupation, but it isn't his everything, just something to do. He's just a simple, rather plain guy, who is a bit lonely since he's gotten older and has no one that he belongs with. When a friend wills him a shop and apartment in New Orleans Jason is questioning whether he should move there and start a new life. Then an encounter changes his life.

While staying at a small cabin on the property of rich and strange people who want him to build some bookshelves, Jason hears screams in the night. He grabs his gun and races through the snow to find that the strange people who live on the property have captured and attacked a young man. Unable to understand what is going on, he dismisses his questions until later and gets the young man loose to rush him to the hospital.

Jason doesn't know that he saved Tiago, the rajan or ambassador of the vampyr prince. He is rather charmingly completely unaware.

“Jason, I am as healed by your proximity as I have ever been by blood, and all I want now is to taste of you so I might know if you are human, as I suspect, or something else altogether.”

“I’m as human as you are, buddy.”

He laughed again, more shrill this time, and I was certain he was actually deep in shock. 

“Are you still cold?” I asked, pulling off the highway again, then taking off my coat once I’d put the truck into Park.

“No, I am not cold at all! Why on Earth would I be cold?”

But he had to be. I was, and he was tiny, with zero body fat. He had no natural insulation at all, and the karate gi thing wasn’t doing anything for him. His hands, when he touched me, were still icy. I had the heater going full blast, but apparently it wasn’t enough to warm him up. “Here, I wanna put this over you, all right?”

“Absolutely not. I have no need for your off-the-rack outerwear,” he protested, face scrunched up like he’d bitten into a lemon. “What is the origin of this garment?”

“It’s pleated corduroy, and would you just—here, lemme tuck it around you.”

“I am not—I cannot be observed in this jacket! I only wear couture and… I would be the laughingstock of court should anyone see me!”

“I’m not gonna take a picture of you in it. I just want you to stay warm and—no, not halfway down your chest, put it up under your chin,” I directed, using my coat to wrap him up like a burrito. “Now you just rest, all right? We’ll be there soon.”

“You are the most infuriating man! You are not listening to me at all,” he grumbled, pouting, the epitome of a pissed-off kitten. He really couldn’t have been any cuter. “I have slaughtered thousands.”

“I’m sure you have,” I said, brushing the golden waves of his hair out of his face before pulling the truck back out onto the road.

He growled, and I couldn’t stifle my chuckle.

“For your information, the reason they bled me was because they feared me.”

“Of course they did.”

“You placate me, and I will not have it!”

There's something niggling Jason about the entire episode, but he refuses to think about it. It must just be some cult or something. But after the vampyr prince's ambassador is safely passed on to the prince's guards, Jason decides it's definitely time to start over in New Orleans.

New Orleans is a revelation to Jason. He makes friends and new family, he starts up a store with his new best friend, and he feels like he's finally content. He pointedly doesn't think about his mysterious night in snowy Washington, but weird people who visit his store one night bring it all back and this time there's no hiding from the reality. Vampyrs are real. And Jason has some strange, yet subtle powers over them.

Learning more about the vampire world and having it become part of his day seems natural, and Jason simply slots it into his new life. But then word comes that the vampyr prince, Varic Maesoc, has come to visit the city and Jason's new normal is turned to chaos once again.

Strangely attracted to Varic, Jason doesn't know what to think, but with danger coming from every side he doesn't have time to dwell on the stunningly beautiful man who seems to want to get to know him.

But what a vampyr prince wants, he gets, and Varic wants Jason. Now he just has to convince Jason that all the danger is worth becoming his beloved consort.

House of Maedoc book 2, His Prince, takes over where book 1 leaves off and Jason learns what it means to be the consort of the most powerful prince in the world as they visit the vampyr court in Malta.

The House of Maedoc series is classic Mary Calmes with likable characters, interesting mindsets, and sweet moments. It differs a bit from stories like Frog as it is much longer, more in depth, and quite a bit darker (yet still retains that inherent sweetness). If you like Mary Calmes' other books, you'll probably like this one too even with the darker subject matter. It's one of my favorites of hers and I occasionally recall it in day to day life as it sticks with you.

Don't go into His Consort expecting sex on the first page. We don't even meet the vampire prince until halfway through. And even after they meet, Jason is hesitant to jump into anything because he doesn't understand Varic's feelings. But when they do come together it is fairly fast.

“I’m Varic Maedoc, the draugr, prince of the noreia. Who are you?”

I had a name, but it was stuck on the tip of my tongue.

“You’re not a vampyr,” he concluded, studying me. “I can smell your blood.”

“No, not a vampyr,” I agreed, barely able to speak, wanting so badly to lean into him that my muscles hurt.

“You smell so good,” he whispered. When his lips touched my neck, and then his teeth, I shuddered under his hands, a flush of heat rolling through me. “I want to taste you. Give me permission.”

I had thought I would never allow any vampyr to have my blood, but now I couldn’t remember anything I ever wanted more. He could have all of me, if that was what he wanted. Everything was his for the taking. “Yes, good, you have all the permission.”

His chuckle was filthy, seductive, and so fucking hot. He pressed against me, his cock hard inside his dress pants, and the urge to be under him overwhelmed me.

I would beg, if need be.

“Give me your name,” he murmured, no bite to the words, just a request.

“Jason Thorpe,” I answered breathlessly, and recognition and surprise flickered across his face. “You asked to see me.”

“Jason—” His voice faltered, then he inhaled and began again. “Yes, I did, and now I need to do so much more than merely see you,” he declared, slipping his hand around the side of my neck, easing me forward.

Just because sex doesn't happen right away doesn't mean the book is slow in other regards. There is a lot happening throughout, including quite a bit of learning about the vampire world and how it runs.

The world setting is equal parts great and obnoxious. I really like a well-thought out world, and this one fits perfectly into ours, adding to that secret underworld feel. There is quite a bit of background put into it and it makes for a very good, cohesive setting.

I'm not a huge fan of jargon though, and there are several titles that it's important to learn to understand the story better. The writer tries to make it simple with some slightly strange moments where Jason is learning from the vampires, but the words are too different to make them easy to recall and it's bothersome to try to remember which each one means. Making an effort in learning them is important for readability, and rereads go easier since the words are more familiar. But it just seems unnecessary.

The real life parts of the setting are really good too. New Orleans comes alive in the story, with the friendly people, interesting attitudes, and at home yet differing feeling of the city. It's almost like a character in and of itself.

Since this is a Mary Calmes story, it should surprise no one that Jason is a modest and sweet, incredibly likeable, friendly character. Likeable characters are one of my favorite parts of this writer's stories since who wants to read about someone awful? Most of the background characters are pretty likeable as well. Varic is a little too glossed over and his behavior is generally decent, but sometimes kinda jerky. We get to know Jason far more as it's from his POV.

There's a lot of drama in both of these books. They are primarily action and drama with scattered interflection and romance parts. I like the pacing, though it isn't consistently. It starts slow, then speeds up with people trying to kill one another, then slows back down. Then it does it again and again. It's like a good roller-coaster.

His Consort if fairly long, but one of those books that it's still not long enough because it is so engaging. When the sequel came out, His Prince, I was very happy to read more of the story. Hopefully there will be more books in the series.

The editing and proofreading was lacking quite a bit in the book. Running spellcheck doesn't find out if it's the right word to use for that situation, and sometimes it was easy to get a little lost trying to read certain sections of the story.

But other than a few quibbles, both books in the series are really good and filled with heart-pounding action. The little bits of silly and romance interspersed with so much going on really work. These books are both in my reread pile as they're ones I will come back to again and again. And since they are available in paperback, I might just pick up some paper copies as well to really enjoy the stories fully.

Review : Luckless by Cari Z.

Luckless by Cari Z. is a very different take on dragons than we normally see. In this dystopian novella dragons and their riders must defend the wall-off remnants of cities that regularly get attacked by strange creatures.

Denver is no longer a vibrant city, but one full of rubble and ruin surrounded by forest and things that scream in the night. The only thing keeping it from being overrun are its armed defenders and the few dragons who have bonded with humans. It is a precarious balance and the humans are barely hanging on.

Evan Luck, or Luckless as he is called, is one of the best fighters protecting the city, but he is hated and treated with contempt because his dragon died in battle and he didn't die alongside her. As a lower citizen, he is barely able to get enough food to eat or clothes to wear, though he spends all his time blacksmithing and fighting in battles. He isn't completely tossed out of the city though as he is one of the few people with the mental ability to bond with dragons. But Evan's grief over his dragon's death walls off his emphatic ability and prevents him bonding with another dragon.

Then a new citizen shows up. In a world without easy travel between distant city remnants, a new citizen is a strange and unusual sight. Lee Caldwell is tall and lean, mysterious an odd. He is also looking for someone to guide and nurture his son.

Jason Caldwell is an empath and will be expected to bond with a dragon when he's old enough, and Lee doesn't want him going into things unprepared. In Denver people don't usually start training to be a dragon rider and fighter until they have a dragon, but it leaves them vulnerable since they don't have enough time to train before being tossed out to fight. Lee doesn't want that for his son.

Lee wants Evan to be train his son and prepare him. He's been observing the city and notices that Evan is a good fighter and knows what he's doing, no matter how reviled he is by the population. Evan argues that he couldn't even protect his dragon, but Lee is confident in his choice and soon Evan is taking Jason under his wing.

The trio spend a lot of time together, eventually leading to Evan starting to fall for Lee. But strange dreams and the grieving over his dragon make it difficult for Evan to go further. When a deadly creature threatens Denver's very roots, Evan must decide if he is willing to go on a suicide mission to protect the family he's come to love.

This is a very action-packed story. Skirmishes with creatures and bullies alike fill the pages, with just enough room left for sweet, tender moments. The danger and drama level is pretty high, but the grieving angst is also there as well. Warning, there is no overt suicide talk, but it is definitely a hidden threat as Evan is very borderline in his grief. It is definitely a possible trigger for some people.

All three of the main characters are interesting, and while the secret Lee is keeping is fairly obvious eventually, it is still a neat surprise. Evan is so despairing and lost, yet just trying to get through each day that you just want to cuddle him close. Lee's own grief over his wife's death is just under the surface, but his determination to protect his son shines through even when he is mysterious and almost fae-like. And of course, Jason is very cute and sweet and needy.

Really, they are all needy, and obviously need each other. You can almost picture the hole each of them fill for one another. Each grieving, but slowly getting ready to be in each other's lives.

The setting is probably familiar with people who have been to Denver, but as one who hasn't it left me a little lost. Not quite enough description made it hard for me to picture the story.

It was interesting seeing how public opinions can affect lives, and how rumors can twist the facts into something unrecognizable. But also, how sometimes it seems everyone is against you, but there may be supporters you never noticed.

Overall, the story was very interesting and attention-keeping. It was shorter than I would have liked, but it also felt shorter because so much was packed into the pages. I'm hoping at some point the author will come out with another story in the same world as it was definitely worthy of it. I kinda want to already read it again and see things in a different light after the big secret reveal.

No hugely overt problems with editing, which is a relief after another book I recently read.

This is a very slow burn, not spicy at all book. Its primary focus is the world and characters and action, not sex. The two MCs are great together. Evan's obliviousness is very adorable when it's obvious Lee has set his sights on him. And Lee's determination and need bleed through every aspect even when he is being mysterious. 

A wonderful, well-thought out dystopian world; fantasy creatures; sweet, yet grieving characters; and a man determined to protect his family at all costs. Luckless is definitely worth a read.

Edit: And there are two sequels now! Click here to check them out!

Luckless

The Luckless Series Book 1

by Cari Z

Dauntless

The Luckless Series Book 2

by Cari Z

Reckless

The Luckless Series Book 3

by Cari Z