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Southern Spirits #3

All Of The Voices

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Book three in the Southern Spirits Series

The body might be reluctant, but there’s more than one spirit willing to step in and keep two stubborn men from walking away from each other forever…

Deputy Matt Nixon has had a rough time of it lately. He’s put up with the spirit of his boss’s dead lover, been stabbed, and had his fledgling interest in another man cruelly flung back in his face. His only close friend is an elderly woman who gets her kicks from calling in false prowler reports then greeting the responding deputies with a lewd proposition and little clothes.

When he finds her dead, Matt grieves for the old woman so many people snickered at—and he fumes at the idea of her snooty nephew from New York who never bothered to visit her. Matt is going to give Carlin Douglas a piece of his mind if he does show up.

Carlin Douglas hates the small town of McKinton, Texas. The only other time he’d been there was years ago when Zeke Mathers was almost killed in a gay bashing. Now Carlin has obligations that keep him tied to New York, but he doesn’t mind.

Until he clashes with Deputy Matt Nixon, a man who seems determined to hate him. But McKinton is a different place, and there’s always a spirit or two lingering, just waiting for an opportunity…Or meddle.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2011

3 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

About the author

Bailey Bradford

191 books552 followers
A few things about me...

I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.

And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Emma Sea.
2,214 reviews1,227 followers
May 26, 2013
This sentence is all I can summon the enthusiasm to write.
Profile Image for Lena Grey.
1,615 reviews25 followers
September 14, 2015
Is it worse not to know what you need out of life, or to know, but deny yourself that satisfaction? In 'All of the Voices' by Bailey Bradford, Deputy Matt Dixon knows what he wants and needs—a committed relationship with another man. The same goes for Carlin Douglas; although he puts up a gruff front, he's actually a loving, caring person. For their own reasons, both have been avoiding the emotional commitment they crave. When Carlin's aunt dies, she brings them together in more ways than one.

Matt is a decent guy. After taking years to come to terms with being gay, he's totally discouraged when his first attempt at exploring this inclination ends abruptly, leaving him broken hearted. He's not in any great rush to be hurt again. His friendship with Mrs. Hawkins, Carlin's aunt, shows that Matt is a compassionate, generous, and caring man. One thing I admired greatly about Matt is that when he makes a decision about something, he follows through wholeheartedly.

Carlin Douglas, Mrs. Hawkins's nephew, is a paradox. On the outside, he seems self assured, almost arrogant, in control of every situation; but inside, he's emotional and caring. Fear of reprisal keeps him from showing his true personality and letting anyone get close enough to hurt him, especially in McKinton. His real strength lies in the fact that he is able to put all this in perspective and come out a happy, healthier person.

Bailey did a good job with character development in this series and I've enjoyed revisiting previous ones while getting to know new people. Her story lines are interesting and entertaining although some of her theories about supernatural phenomena seem farfetched; others however, are spot on. Even with these quibbles, I was able to suspend my disbelief enough to thoroughly enjoy the story. In spots, the rhythm dragged a little, and I would have liked it more if she'd found another way to fit these in without long, drawn out explanations. The majority of the story, however, read smoothly with events often reaching fever pitch emotionally and physically adding enough suspense and tension to keep me vested in the characters and their welfare.

'All of the Voices' is the third book in the Southern Spirits series. It can be read alone, but will be so much more fulfilling if you read the first and second book beforehand. If you like love stories with lots supernatural phenomena, a whole lot of hot sex, and a happy, but open-ended conclusion, you might like this story.

NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Eva Millien.
3,115 reviews45 followers
November 13, 2015
Deputy Matt Nixon is grieving for his only close friend and he’s going to give her snooty nephew a piece of his mind if he shows up in this charming paranormal romance. The residents of McKinton, Texas both corporeal and non-corporeal have charmed me through and through and while this romance is short and sweet, I was once again delighted with my visit to McKinton, Texas and I can’t wait for my next visit.

See my full review at:
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
Profile Image for LenaLena.
391 reviews157 followers
May 30, 2013
Boring and predictable. Also, if you want to write about Severo, write about Severo and don't bother with the other guys.
Profile Image for Love Bytes Reviews.
2,529 reviews38 followers
February 6, 2016
4.5 Heart Review by Tammy

Deputy Matt Nixon has lived in McKinton all his life, he’s pretty sure he’s gay but as there’s nobody in or around town he wants to experiment with he’s not 100% certain.

Matt has had his eyes opened to certain things about the residents since he became a deputy. What started out as a “lesson” for the rookie turned out to be one of the best things to happen to him. Every other day dispatch would get a call out to old widow Hawkins’ place that there was a prowler there, there was never anything other than a lingerie clad, lonely old lady who was desperate for company. After Matt was stabbed four months ago while on the hunt for a murderer and nearly died well, that was when Mrs Hawkins became his best friend and confidant. He was also the only deputy who got cookies with his tea. The day Matt gets a call out to Mrs Hawkins place he’s not too worried about it until he’s almost there and he gets the strangest feeling that something isn’t right at all. Matt can’t believe it when he finds Mrs Hawkins dead, he’s devastated his best friend is gone. As the one who has lived in McKinton the longest Matt is tasked with finding Mrs Hawkins next of kin which just happens to be a nephew, a shit-hot lawyer in New York. Matt really doesn’t want to call him but he doesn’t have a choice.

Carlin Douglas hated McKinton. The one and only time he’d been there a gay man had been bashed almost to death. And for a teenage boy who had just accepted the fact that he was gay it was absolutely terrifying so he left and he’s never been back. To say he’s not happy about having to return would be an understatement. His instant attraction to Matt is totally unforgivable and when he gets a good look at the some of the other men of McKinton? WOW! He can’t believe how much the little town has changed. And oh my lord, when he learnt about his aunt’s false prowler calls, Carlin just about burst into tears.

When Carlin learns about what has happened to Matt over the last several months being stabbed then being cruelly rebuffed by Richard Montoya when he thought there may have been something growing between them, Carlin decides he wants to wipe out the memory of the men who hurt Matt by giving him his first kiss and his first blowjob. Within a very short amount of time Carlin and Matt end up in bed with Carlin teaching Matt everything he needs to know about having sex with a man. Although they both accept the fact that Carlin has no choice other than to leave the day after Mrs Hawkins funeral they can’t help but fall in love with each other, if only there was a way to be together! After Carlin has been back in New York for five months he has a very enlightening visit from Severo and then he’s wondering why the hell he didn’t think of this particular solution himself?

All of the Voices is yet another wonderful instalment in the Southern Spirits series. This series captures your imagination and your heart. I am definitely recommending this book and series to one and all.

This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
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Profile Image for Angela Goodrich.
1,608 reviews102 followers
November 1, 2015
So when I finished When the Dead Speak, I had an idea as to who All of the Voices would be about. It turns out I was half right as Matt is our McKinton resident who finds love and spirits or love with the help of spirits this time around. I’m actually glad I was wrong about Rich being the love interest because not only would it have been too easy to bring Laine’s former partner to town, but Carlin proved to be a much more entertaining choice as the city slicker finds himself swooning over the country boy.

After nearly dying in When the Dead Speak, Matt developed a friendship with the elderly Mrs. Hawkins and rather than attempting to jump his bones when he responded to her prowler reports, she baked him cookies and they visited for a while. Because of this, he was devastated when he found her dead while responding to her latest prowler call. Their friendship was the only reason that Matt was able to tell the sheriff about Mrs. Hawkins’s nephew, a man who quickly becomes the target of Matt’s ire as he’s not visited his aunt in years. We learn that Carlin had good reasons for not visiting and once Matt is made aware of them, he reassesses Carlin and the men bond over their shared love of Mrs. Hawkins – and a rather lusty mutual attraction. Matt & Carlin strike up a short-term relationship with Carlin being honest about his intentions to return to New York and Matt wanting what time he could have with Carlin. Until Rich, Matt had never entertained the idea that he was gay. His attraction to Carlin confirmed his preference and Carlin was his first everything. Because of this, the sex scenes take on a level of care and sensuality I wasn’t expecting, especially with Carlin’s return to New York hanging over their heads.

I really enjoyed watching Matt and Carlin get to know one another. Although they fell in love within a week’s time, thse book didn’t have that insta-love feel to it that I find often accompanies such a quick moving relationship. This is probably why it hurt so much to watch them part ways when Carlin returned to New York. And thanks to the helping hand of a spirit or two – and Severo – it’s also what made the ending so perfect. I am curious about the new waiter and cannot wait to find out his story as he’s already eliciting the protective instincts of some of the townsfolk. All of the Voices was an excellent addition to the Southern Spirits series and I look forward to reviewing Wait Until Dawn – which is Rich’s book.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
Profile Image for Caroline Brand.
1,755 reviews68 followers
October 26, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE

Book 3 in the Southern Spirits series sees us catching up with the guys a few months after Matt and Laine were injured and everything seems to be calming down in the small town of McKinton.

Although the town may have returned to normal Matt Nixon is still struggling. Plagued with memories and nightmares of his stabbing, confused over his feelings and subsequent brush off from Rich he has found an unlikely confident in old Mrs Hawkins who is still crying wolf where the prowlers are concerned but instead of coming on to Matt when he answers her calls she bakes him cookies and lends him her ear. When answering one such call he finds her dead Matt is left devastated.

Carlin Douglas is the only living relative of Mrs Hawkins and has been noticeably absent for the last decade. When he comes to McKinton to deal with her estate he is greeted by the sharp tongue of Deputy Nixon who is angry for the treatment he perceives his old friend has received. First impressions are often unfair and Matt has no idea of Carlin’s personal circumstances and it isn’t too long before he finds himself apologising.

This book had a darker feel to it than its predecessors as it dealt with Matt’s grief and Carlin’s sad and difficult circumstances but it was still a lot of fun. Carlin has never wanted a relationship and is shocked by the depth of his feelings for Matt when they have spent so little time together. There is no easy answer to them building a future together and I was glad the author didn’t rush the ending and make it too easy, it felt real even though it was painful to live through. I was also really pleased to see Connor still has a role and he was as naughty as ever – hopefully he will be sticking around for a long time!
Profile Image for Daniela.
78 reviews
August 8, 2013
This serie is just getting better and better.

"All the voices" is Deputy Matt Nixxon story. Matt had just find out that he is gay, and it all happen during the previous book when he met Rich Montoya (Laine's former Housto PD partner) but Matt end up with a broken hearth when Rich just left. Matt is actully a nice guy, and there's no other way to think of him not when we find out that he befriend Mrs. Hawkins, and when she pass way Matt lose more than just a friend but a confident.

Carlin is Mrs. Hawkins nephew who lives and works at NY, he comes back to McKinton to take care after Mrs. Hawkins belongings and her funeral. He is a loving guy, but working a lawyer had made him to develop a snob facade. Carlins have several responsibilities including his father who is suffering from schizophrenia.

When Matt and Carlin first met, they acknowledge each other as the man of their fantasies, but the first thing that comes from Carlin mouth is not exactly that but accusation against Matt. And so it begins.

This story doesn´t have a plot as itself, is more a story like "how we met, how we fall in love, and how we got our HEA" and I love it, I laugh so hard with Connor's pranks, that I seriously loving more and more that spirit.
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,188 reviews119 followers
April 18, 2023
The third in the Southern Spirits series concentrates on Deputy Matt from McKinton and Nephew Carlin from New York. Matt has his roots firmly entrenched in McKinton and, even though he's not had much luck so far, is content within his own skin. Carlin has been openly out of the closet for years and doesn't want to like McKinton after witnessing the hate attack against Zeke years previously.

The story blossoms between these two as they come to terms with grief and responsibility, knowing that a future between them just isn't possible right now. This is a sweet and hot story that is well-told and smoothly paced. I'll admit to being surprised at reading the synopsis and seeing Carlin's name. I was sure that it would be Matt and Rich. However, after reading this, I can't imagine it any other way. Loved it and definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 19, 2015
Profile Image for QUEERcentric Books.
296 reviews29 followers
April 3, 2016
Reviewed by Christina for QUEERcentric Books

All of the Voices is the third book in the Southern Spirits series by Bailey Bradford. I think was my favorite of the three.

It was wonderful how this book built upon events that were foreshadowed in the second book, When the Dead Speak.

With several questions left unanswered at the end of this one, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

We met Deputy Matt Nixon in When the Dead Speak. He was attacked by a lunatic trying to get to Sheriff Laine Stenley. We also got to hear some crazy stories regarding the town widow, Mary Hawkins.

After Matt’s incident with the lunatic, he spends more time with Mrs. Hawkins. Both get to know each other and feel a bit less lost and lonely than before.

When Matt gets the usual call from dispatch regarding Mrs. Hawkins, he responds immediately.

Read Christina's full review at QUEERcentric Books!
Profile Image for Kara.
674 reviews22 followers
January 12, 2016
I loved this book!




Matt is a deputy who work's for Laine. In book #2 he was attacked and still has fear of the motel it happened at. He has not come out to the town yet so he tried to keep it hidden from the everyone.




Carlin is a lawyer in New York who left town when Zeke was attacked for being gay because he feared being killed if it was discovered he is too. He comes back after his aunt dies but everyone is upset at him because he never visited her which he really does have a reason behind not being able to come back.




You get all the ghosts with this one and can I say Conner is my favorite now. There is very low angst in this book, but there is so many hot and sweet scenes in this book that it more then makes up for it.




This book is my favorite of the series so far and I loved these two MC's.




I really loved this book! I would definitely recommend it!


I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
Profile Image for Sherry Bohrmueller.
1,249 reviews6 followers
September 16, 2015
All of the Voices by Bailey Bradford
M/M
4 stars

I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads for an honest review.

This book was about Deputy Matt and Carlin, the nephew of one of the town's lonely widow but friend to Matt. I kind of felt bad for Matt, he needed a relationship, he was lonely. Carlin wasn't one of my favorites to start. He was cocky. But I did love the way he changed after getting to know Matt. I thought as a couple they were good for each other.

The writing is fantastic in these books. I love how the characters are introduced for the next book and the previous characters all are included in each book. This time all the ghosts visit. This series of books are just fun to read.


Profile Image for Tenny.
315 reviews4 followers
October 24, 2015
Didn't finish this.
I really don't have words for this... "masterpiece". Dead auntie is shipping her nephew and cop she was friends with from behind the grave?
Main characters are sharing life secrets after knowing each other for like 15 minutes?
Why is everyone almost constantly aroused?
Why is one of the main characters being compared to cactus? Does he look like this? -
description

How come there are so many (openly) gay people in a small town in Texas?

Problem is, I don't actually want to know. This book is just one big WTF.
Profile Image for Peggy.
180 reviews39 followers
March 6, 2011
Third in the Southern Spirits series, All of the Voices is still a good stand-alone book.
Matt Nixon has had a bad year, ghosts, serial killers, and trying to come out, none of which have been kind to him.
Carlin Douglas is a big-city fish out of water visiting this small town after the death of his Aunt.
How they manage to go from hate, suspicion and grief to love is a charming story.
Profile Image for Bradley Mathis-Krone.
189 reviews3 followers
August 10, 2013
Story line was very good. The continuum from the first three is developing into a wonderful series. Again, would like to read more of the stories and have less of the sex so that the stories would deepen and have more leg's to stand on.
Profile Image for Eyre.
517 reviews4 followers
November 12, 2013
This was a nice installment in the Southern Spirits series. I was surprised that Matt's book did not have him romantically involved with a previous character, but I do like Carlin and Matt together. Now, Bradford needs to give us another book for a certain character from book 2.
Profile Image for Cotilla.
104 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2011
Despite being short it's really good.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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