by KJ Charles
4.5 Stars
Archaeologist Saul Lazenby has
been all but unemployable since his disgrace during the War. Now he scrapes a
living working for a rich eccentric who believes in magic. Saul knows it’s a
lot of nonsense...except that he begins to find himself in increasingly strange
and frightening situations. And at every turn he runs into the sardonic,
mysterious Randolph Glyde.
Randolph is the last of an ancient line of arcanists, commanding deep secrets and extraordinary powers as he struggles to fulfil his family duties in a war-torn world. He knows there's something odd going on with the haunted-looking man who keeps turning up in all the wrong places. The only question for Randolph is whether Saul is victim or villain.
Saul hasn’t trusted anyone in a long time. But as the supernatural threat grows, along with the desire between them, he’ll need to believe in evasive, enraging, devastatingly attractive Randolph. Because he may be the only man who can save Saul’s life—or his soul.
Randolph is the last of an ancient line of arcanists, commanding deep secrets and extraordinary powers as he struggles to fulfil his family duties in a war-torn world. He knows there's something odd going on with the haunted-looking man who keeps turning up in all the wrong places. The only question for Randolph is whether Saul is victim or villain.
Saul hasn’t trusted anyone in a long time. But as the supernatural threat grows, along with the desire between them, he’ll need to believe in evasive, enraging, devastatingly attractive Randolph. Because he may be the only man who can save Saul’s life—or his soul.
WOW, what a book! Spectred
Island is the first book in in a new paranormal romance series by KJ Charles,
and man does it deliver on all promises.
Saul Lazenby is a disgraced archeologist who finds himself employed by
a rich eccentric, who regularly sends Saul on his magical flights of conspiracy
theories. Life has not been easy for
Saul, named as a traitor in the War he paid his dues, but lost his family,
career and friends for his choices.
Randolph Glyde is a aranist, holding the secrets of his long dead
family, struggling with being the last of an ancient line, his obligations to
England and why he keeps holding on to his secrets. When Saul finds himself at the wrong place at
the wrong time over and over, he starts to wonder if Randolph is following him,
or part of the supernatural things that keep happening.
Let us start off by saying that this book is a lot to chew, but if you
are into paranormal you will understand.
The first half of Spectred Isle is a steep learning curve, it feels as
if you are dropped in this world that you have no reference for, the spirits,
magic, wars are all foreign, but so engrossing that you can’t help but read. And
once you fall into the story and figure out all the pieces, it was engrossing. Spectred
Isle is a gorgeous book, beautiful words, stunning words, lovely flow, engaging
story, so so so so so good! This is a fast paced, intense book with twists and
turns.
The relationship between Randolph and Saul takes a while to really
develop, yes they find themselves running into each other over and over, but
are rather annoyed. It is a slow burn,
but once it catches fire, wooohoo, their chemistry is overwhelming. They are straight forward lovers and don’t
have time to waffle, and one of the beautiful things about their relationship it
is angst-free, they genuinely like each other.
They have both been alone for so long, Saul because of the choices he
has made and Randolph because of the secrets he keeps and there is a calm that
settles over both of them when they finally accept the pull between them. But don’t be mistaken, like most KJ Charles
books, the between-the-sheets time is burning!
“…. dear God, I’d like to find
the places that make you moan. You seem to me a man who could be usefully
lavished with attention, and also tongue.”
Spectred Isle also introduces us to the Green Men, a group of friends
that “look after the land and borrow its power”. We meet 3 of this group and a little look
into their stories and we are excited to see them again in the next books. There
are magical places and evil spirits and so much more that we really want to
talk about, but really can’t give away – needless to say the story itself aside
from the romance is fantastic on its own.
KJ Charles magically weaves a paranormal story hit – we loved this
book; the magic, the romance, the mystery, it all comes together in a concentrated
authentic story. We can’t wait for the
rest of this fantastic series!
