#s.e. harmon

[books1311]

My August reads! 📚

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The Blueprint by S.E. Harmon

★★★★☆

Kelly Cannon is a college professor who has a good life. Good friends, a wonderful family, and a great job. But his love life is looking poor as he’s fallen for, not just any straight guy, but his best friend Britton “Blue” Montgomery. Blue is an NFL standout who’s been feeling the pressure of his family and career. So when Kelly confesses his feelings for him, Blue’s going to have to decide what’s really important to him.

Romance, Contemporary

This novel is about Kelly trying to start a relationship with Blue and Blue trying to figure out what kind of relationship he wants with Kelly. Blue is very uncertain if he’s ready to admit he wants to openly be with Kelly while at the same time does not want to lose him. The NFL aspect adds some really interesting story elements into the plot, like how he manages his career and fan base. The author also does some interesting things with Blue’s perspective on the situation and how he confronts Kelly’s attraction.

As for characters, they were good. Kelly is practical and enjoyable to read about. Blue is interesting, he’s an NFL player with rough family connections and heavily relies on Kelly for support. He has a very interring way of thinking and his public perception/fear of being ostracized is what mainly holds him back.

Overall, it was more interesting than some of the other contemporary novels I’ve read. The author gave themselves a good premise to work with and it set itself apart from other novels with modern-day settings. The plot was good and the characters enjoyable.

Check it out here

[wadwitchesonly]

death is a motherfucker and isn’t big on giving notice

Spooky Business by S.E. Harmon

[cattatonically]

A Spooky Legacy - S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files, book 5)

Synopsis

Rain Christiansen is settling into married life with fellow cold case detective, Daniel McKenna, and life is good. Better than good, even. But when it comes to the topic of expanding their family, Rain isn’t so sure he’s ready. Yes, a new addition could enrich their lives. But it could also tear down the delicate balance they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Do they really want to take that risk?

He’d love to brood over that a little more, but murder never takes a day off. A decade-old mystery of the missing Parker family is heating up. Most seem to think the Parkers pulled a disappearing act to get out of financial debt. It isn’t before the PTU finds out the reality is far grimmer than that. It seems that Quinn stumbled upon something better left hidden. Now that Rain has stumbled upon it, too, he has to be careful that he doesn’t meet the same fate.

Sometimes it amazes him how far he’s come from strait-laced FBI agent who couldn’t admit—even to himself—that he saw ghosts. He’s done the work, learning to get some measure of control of his paranormal side. And while his relationship with ghosts may not be perfect, it’s evolved into something symbiotic… which is a very good thing. Because in order to protect himself from the living, he might need a little help from the dead.

My Thoughts

This book was one hell of a wild ride. I couldn’t put it down. Every twist, every turn, every ‘oh shit!’ moment had me on the edge of my seat. Well, one thing is for sure – Rain Christiansen McKenna never does anything by halves.

For every case that Rain and the other detectives in the PTU work, the stakes get higher. And these are the highest they’ve ever been. Rain has decent control of his abilities at this point, but those don’t help him much when he finds himself in the middle of the most dangerous – and, honestly, unbelievable – serial killer case he’s ever worked. Throw in an ex of Danny’s popping up, and it’s clear that Rain is not having a good time.

But he’s nothing if not methodical (granted, his methods usually come with some level of madness) and determined to solve the case, and continue to build the life that he wants with his loving, and devoted, husband by his side.

If this is truly the end of this series – as far as I know – then this series truly captured my heart and soul. I love these characters, and I love the growth they’ve shown over the series, and the absolutely ridiculous situations they find themselves in. I hope to see more of Rain, Danny, their family, and assorted ghosts. But I’m perfectly happy if things end here, too.

[cattatonically]

The Spooky Life - S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files, book 4)

Synopsis

Rain Christiansen isn’t sure he’ll ever fully understand the supernatural. But he’s finally finding his groove as a reluctant medium and cold-case detective. That’s not to say everything is going smoothly—there’s a wedding in the works, after all. He’s finally taking that enormous step with fellow detective, Daniel McKenna, and he couldn’t be happier…about the marriage. Not so much the wedding. The hoopla is enough to make him wish for a quick flight to Vegas and an Elvis officiant.

At least work is keeping Rain and the PTU plenty busy. Their latest case involves Hannah Caldwell, a silent ghost who can’t—or won’t—speak. She still manages to request that they find her dear friend, Cherry Parker, so that she can say goodbye. Piece of cake. Finding people is pretty high on the list of things that Rain does best.

But when it comes to ghosts, nothing is ever quite what it seems. Before long, his simple missing person’s case takes a dark and twisted turn. And Rain realizes he’s been so busy trying to protect Danny that he forgot to protect himself.

If he doesn’t turn things around—and quickly—his spooky life might be cut short for good.

My Thoughts

This book definitely amped everything way the fuck up. And not just because Rain and Danny started planning their wedding – which I would absolutely not recommend. Been there, done that, I want my money back.

Even with the wedding causing both of them large amounts of stress, it’s the ghosts that have Rain well and truly out of sorts. Just when he thinks he’s got a handle on his abilities, something – or someone – comes along and throws him for a loop. And the loops this go around were a real fucking doozy.

I’ve never been legitimately terrified while reading this book, but there were a couple scenes in this book that got my heart rate pumping high, so much so my smartwatch asked me more than once if I wanted to relax and do a breathing exercise. The adrenaline was very high, and I’m still not sure I’m entirely recovered.

Even through all that, Rain and Danny manage to work it out, as they always do. Their relationship is stronger than ever, and they’ve really opened the lines of communication between them. Which is pretty great, considering the whole wedding thing.

With the series coming to a close (unless there are more books in the works that I’m unaware of), I have a feeling the adrenaline is just going to keep getting higher and higher. We’ll see what Danny and Rain have in store for us next.

[cattatonically]

Spooky Business - S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files, book 3)

Synopsis

Being insatiably curious is a good way to end up dead.

Rain Christiansen, cold case detective and reluctant medium, is very aware of that fact. But when infamous serial killer Thomas Kane wants to meet, there’s no way Rain can say no. He also can’t refuse Kane’s offer—find his missing wife, Delilah, and he’ll reveal the location of his victim’s bodies.

Rain has never turned down a good quid pro quo, and he doesn’t intend to start.

The hunt for Kane’s wife leads to yet another cold case, three copycat murders, and an investigation where nothing is as it seems. Soon, Rain is dealing with a ghost unlike any he’s ever dealt with before…a ghost capable of doing things he shouldn’t be able to do. How can Rain control something he doesn’t even understand? And what will he do when the unknown threatens the safety of the most important person in his life?

Rain is starting to realize that he can only battle the supernatural with the supernatural, and that is spooky business indeed.

My Thoughts

As with most series, especially mystery series, things tend to ramp up the further into the series you get. And that’s certainly true in this case. Spooky Business went to some very dark, very strange places with Rain right at the heart of it all.

Rain’s trying to understand, manage, and even control his abilities more and more. But that’s not always how things work with him. And while his job is often very physically dangerous – even if some of the situations he finds himself in are downright hilarious – he’s also finding that the spiritual dangers can take their own toll, too.

It doesn’t take much for shit to hit the fan, especially when a known serial killer seems to be pulling all the strings. But as always, Rain is determined to find answers, and get to the bottom of things – even if that involves tying a lot of convoluted strings together the more he uncovers. As always, Rain has support in Danny through it all.

Rain and Danny are still going strong, even learning to communicate better, which I appreciate wholeheartedly. It’s not easy – their jobs are demanding, and oftentimes harrowing. But they support each other, and they work through challenges together. And they were certainly hit with a couple of major challenges this time around.

This series is going down as one of my favourites. I love these characters, and I love this setting. And I love watching Rain grow into his abilities, accept them, and learn how to utilize them to their fullest potential. And watching Rain and Danny build their future together brings me nothing but major joy.

[cattatonically]

Principles of Spookology - S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files, book 2)

Synopsis

No one said being a medium would be easy.

Rain Christiansen, former FBI agent and current cold case detective, is starting to think it’s the hardest job he’s ever had—and the most important. He’s determined to accept all the changes in his formerly well-ordered life, but that means embracing a whole lot of weird. There’s no instruction manual for meshing his work with his medium duties, and he’s painfully aware that he’s flubbing the job. So are the ghosts, who are becoming increasingly impatient. And stronger.

To complicate matters, he’s not sure what these spooktacular developments mean for his relationship. It certainly seems like Daniel McKenna, his partner in work and life, is in it for the long haul. But Rain can’t help but wonder how long that patience will last…and what he’ll do if Danny decides the intrusive ghosts are just too much.

Rain thought accepting his supernatural gifts would be the solution to his troubles. But he’s starting to realize his problems are just getting started.

My Thoughts

As far as mysteries go, this one really got me. The deeper we got into it, the more unsure I was. Looking back, I can see all the connections (it helps that Rain laid them out for the reader, in the end as he pieced it together himself). But it was certainly a wild ride to get them all to click together. A ride I enjoyed thoroughly!

Rain has reluctantly accepted his role as a conduit for ghosts, helping them settle their unfinished business. But that doesn’t mean ghosts necessarily understand boundaries. Or time. Or privacy. But nevertheless, they will not leave Rain alone, and he’s quite done dealing with it.

Though finding help comes in some rather hilarious fits and starts (I did not have a yogi slapping a cop on my reading bingo card, but there it was), it was worth it for Rain to finally find someone with abilities similar to his own, with a scientific mind like his own, with whom he has an understanding. Whatever kind of friendship Rain and Dakota start developing, that’s going to be a very, very interesting development. (I don’t think Danny’s quite ready for that, no matter what he says.)

Following the events of the series opening book, a lot has changed for Rain and Danny. Mostly, the formation of the PTU, the Paranormal Tactical Unit. Rain walked away from a career with the FBI for a career in cold cases in his hometown, with a little otherworldly assistance. And of course, he gets to work with Danny.

Danny and Rain’s relationship is going strong, but they’re still lacking some vital communication that really makes my heart soar. While they understand each other better than they did, and Danny does his level best to be understanding and supportive of the ghost thing, it’s a tough pill to swallow. There are still some things they’re both very guarded about. Still some baggage to unpack. But they’re getting there.

But they make it work. They learn to communicate a little better by the end of the book. And Rain is, well, reining in his abilities the best he can. They’re figuring their shit out, one step at a time, just like we all do. I’ll be patient with them. They deserve that much. And honestly, I’m loving this series way too much to let them go just yet.

[cattatonically]

P.S. I Spook You - S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files, book 1)

Synopsis

SSA Rain Christiansen used to be the agency’s golden boy. It just takes one moment of weakness, one slight, tiny, itty-bitty paranormal sighting, and all of a sudden he’s the agency’s embarrassment. His boss gives him one last chance to redeem himself—go down to Brickell Bay, play nice with the local police, and leave the ghost sightings behind. Rain is determined to do exactly that, even if it kills him.

Cold-case detective Daniel McKenna’s latest investigation is going nowhere fast. Five years earlier, high school student Amy Greene went missing after leaving her part-time job and was never seen again. Daniel is glad to finally have the FBI help that his department requested, even if it does come in the form of his ex.

It doesn’t help that Rain is pretty sure he’s falling in love with Danny all over again—if he ever stopped. Add to that the frustration of seeing ghosts at every turn while he works a case that’s stalled in its tracks, and Rain is starting to wonder if second chances and happy endings are just for fairy tales.

My Thoughts Rain Christiansen is an FBI profiler who can see ghosts. He really, really doesn’t want to be able to see ghosts. But the ghosts seem to have chosen him, much to his frustration.

With his career a mess, Rain heads back to his hometown for a case – and to prove to his boss that he’s fit for active duty. But his hometown holds a challenge of its own in the form of his cold case detective ex-boyfriend, Danny McKenna.

The sparks between the two fly from the start, despite some awkward tension and a shit load of baggage they’re both carrying with them. Communication isn’t exactly their strong suit. They’ve both build walls around themselves – and their hearts – that’s made honesty, trust, and communication stiffled and difficult. And the years of separation since their breakup hasn’t helped.

But Rain needs support. He needs to solve this case, and prove he has a handle on himself – the ghosts be damned.

But the ghosts have other ideas. They won’t stay silent. They see Rain for what he is – a medium – and they want his help. And they’re going to get it in any way they can.

It takes time for Rain to come to terms with his ability. Time, and a few incidents that are very difficult to explain to others. But once Rain sets his mind to something, he’s determined to accomplish his goals. That includes helping the ghosts who won’t leave him alone, and getting back together with Danny.

As an intro to a series, this one ticked all my boxes. We had some romance, a lot of sass, some mystery, and some very persistent ghosts. I’m still not quite sold on Danny and Rain being a solid couple. But I suppose we’ll see how the rest of the series plays out.