Beryll Brackhaus

A serial killer is targeting male prostitutes on the streets of Paris. And the grisly nature of the crimes earned the perp the moniker "Jacqueline the Ripper". At a complete loss for leads, the police are set to send Michel in undercover. The hope is he will make connections easily, since he used to work the streets before he joined the force. And as much as he never wants to fall back into that life, he knows that they need to do everything they can to catch a killer.
Connor seems to have what he considers a dream life. He lives on a house boat and spends his time in the gay district surrounded by art, culture, and beautiful boys. He teaches youth about art by day and plays piano in a bar by night. And he takes the time to look out for the young men who are working the street--even offering them a place to stay when they need it. But his dream life is shattered by the fact that so many of his friends are dying--and the rest aren't safe.

When Michel walks in the door, Connor's dream feels like it might have repaired a bit. Although he doesn't really want a relationship--especially with someone in Michel's line of work--he finds him hard to resist. And when Michel takes up Connor on his offer for a place to stay, proximity brings temptation and desire. Connor doesn't know Michel has ulterior motives: Connor is one of the chief suspects in the police investigation.

But Michel doesn't know Connor's secret: he seems connected to the murders because he is hunting the killer. Of course, Connor also has a much bigger secret. He's a werecat--and that's just the tip of the supernatural iceberg that might stand in the way of the two of them having an actual relationship. Of course, first they have to track down a killer who is much more difficult to kill than anyone could have imagined...

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I very much enjoyed the juxtapositions that are present within this story. Michel worked to get away from his past but now he's fallen right back into his old haunts. Connor is trying to catch the killer, but his connection makes him the prime suspect. Michel isn't being completely honest with Connor; and, well, vice versa. The number of opposing issues and forces could make this an unwieldy story to tell. But in the hands of these storytellers, they're used to effortlessly build a web that is engaging, interesting, and thrilling.

This is the first book in a series. And I'm absolutely looking forward to the next installment.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.]… (mais)

Werecat Roan has found that he can manage to live among humans on his own as long as he doesn't stick around too long. It's not that they'll figure him out; it's that he can only put up with certain people for so long. And he's well past the time he should be moving on from his current living situation. But when he discovers a traveling circus has captured a werewolf and is subjecting him to torture to entertain the masses, he decides he has one last thing to do before he leaves town. Not that he's a fan of werewolves or anything. It's just that no one deserves to be treated like that. But Roan isn't the only one who wants to set the wolf free, and after the rescue attempt goes wrong he finds himself on the run with none other than the sheriff's daughter. And as a lone cat, Roan has to quickly adjust to being part of a crowd--and figure out what to do about the circus ringmaster who is hot on their trail (and is some sort of supernatural creature himself). Will they manage to keep themselves and the werewolf safe? And will Roan be able to set his loner nature aside while they continue to run together?

There are more than a few unexpected turns in this book, which is something I am always a fan of. Roan is a character that you simultaneously love and grumble at a bit while reading. He's gruff and a bit jaded while kind and caring at the same time. And it's not so much that he tries to reject the caring part of his nature, just that he doesn't want all of the trouble and fuss that seems to go along with it. His arch is indeed an interesting one, and it's as much of a journey itself as is the cross-country road trip that the group undertakes as part of their getaway. This is a fun and entertaining read that I can't help but recommend.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.]… (mais)

David should have known better than to trust criminals. His own dabbling in dishonest dealings should be enough indication of what can happen. And that's how he winds up being left for dead in a crumbling tomb.

But David finds something special in the tomb that just might be his ticket out: an old lamp with, believe it or not, a djinni inside. David's not much of a believer, but it's hard to deny Sharu's existence when he whisks them safely back to David's apartment. And it's even harder for David to deny his attraction to the djinni.

While many people would be excited at the prospect of three wishes, it's a complication David isn't sure he needs in his life. He's still nursing a breakup from the guy he thought was the love of his life. And it just so happens he's a guy that David can't avoid in his social circle. Not to mention, there's the brewing attraction David feels for Sharu. There's also the fact that David can't help feeling dismayed at the fact that Sharu is cursed and enslaved. It just doesn't seem right.

As David begins to find his confidence and earn Sharu's trust, can he find a way to save the djinni from his fate and return the favor? Or is some magic so powerful that nothing can make it undone?

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I think there's something about David that many readers will find relatable. While he finds success in some areas of life, there are others that just don't come together. This is especially true with relationships. And even when what seems like an easy solution presents itself, things are never as simple as they seem.

And sometimes, truly, we don't know what we need until it's right in front of us...

This is an entertaining and engaging read. I recommend it to anyone who likes their romance with a bit of magic--ancient or otherwise--on the side.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.]… (mais)