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Southern Spirits #4
Wait Until Dawn
Book four in the Southern Spirits Series
Beware of what follows you back from the dead…
Detective Rich Montoya was attacked by Sheriff Stenley's stalker in When the Dead Speak. A year later, Rich is having a rough time, haunted by a malevolent spirit that's making his already fragile existence hellacious.
Rich, who's kept to himself for the past year, is scarred more than physically. The last thing he thinks he needs is a lover, little does he know...Chris Neeland is a big guy who drives a big rig, and all it takes is one look at the sexy, wounded man driving the cute little Miata and Chris is sunk. His mystical mother always told him love would hit Chris like a bolt of lightning, fast and hard and not without pain, but he kind of hadn't believed her until he meets Rich.
Beware of what follows you back from the dead…
Detective Rich Montoya was attacked by Sheriff Stenley's stalker in When the Dead Speak. A year later, Rich is having a rough time, haunted by a malevolent spirit that's making his already fragile existence hellacious.
Rich, who's kept to himself for the past year, is scarred more than physically. The last thing he thinks he needs is a lover, little does he know...Chris Neeland is a big guy who drives a big rig, and all it takes is one look at the sexy, wounded man driving the cute little Miata and Chris is sunk. His mystical mother always told him love would hit Chris like a bolt of lightning, fast and hard and not without pain, but he kind of hadn't believed her until he meets Rich.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2011
3 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Bradford
196 books552 followersA 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
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 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 15, 2011
Wait Until Dawn is Rich Montoya's story. In the second book in the series, Rich was held hostage and tortured by a madman/murderer/rapist while in McKinton helping out his sheriff friend, Laine Stenley. It turns out that Rich was cut up, has too many scars to count, and died twice while in the hospital.
The way the story opens is heartbreaking and it chilled my blood. It's been a year since Rich was tortured, and during that time he's been haunted by a malevolent spirit. No, he's more than haunted because the spirit is inside of his body; inside of his head. The first chapter starts with Rich trying to fight against possession and I felt every bit of his pain, anguish and hopelessness. It's an ugly scene.
Not only is that first scene ugly but it's sad. Rich is battling for his sanity but at the same time, the man wants to die. Bailey Bradford did a good job of making Rich a sympathetic and completely tortured character without going overboard. He's not playing at wanting to die. Rich wants to end his life to stop his own pain and to save others from the spirit trying to take over his body. His motives are both selfless and selfish, which I thought made them believable.
In order to deal with everything, Rich has been self-medicating with painkillers and alcohol. When he passes out after that opening battle with evil, he wakes up to his father busting into his house because enough is enough. It turns out that Rich has pushed everyone away with claims that he's been fine but his father was through believing the lies. Diego, Rich's dad, stays with Rich through three days of detox, packs Rich up and sends him to McKinton to face his demons.
The interaction between Rich and his dad is poignant. Diego's love for his son is obvious and I cheered him on when he called Laine and chewed him out for not being there for Rich.
It's on the road that we meet Chris, the big and not-so-bad truck driver. Rich's car has overheated and Chris, in his super sleek badass truck, stops to help him.
Chris is a beautiful character both inside and out. He's pierced. I mean a labret piercing, nipples pierced and a PA. He was raised by a Wiccan high priestess. Chris is also not shy about his body and offers a couple of times to whip it out and show people his PA. He does have insecurities though and when Rich freaks out on the side of the road and wants to leave, Chris thinks it's because he's too big, tattooed and pierced.
Chris is also a complete teddy bear and a pacifist. Well, he's a pacifist until someone hurts Rich because Chris knows from the start that Rich is his soulmate.
Somehow, Bailey Bradford makes the insta-connection work in this book. I loved it because Rich is completely alone and has been for a horrifying year. People didn't abandon him but they didn't try very hard to help him either. Just like Chris, I was pretty angry on Rich's behalf. I wanted Rich to have somebody. I was smiling when Chris sees what Rich needs and happily gives it to him.
Yeah, I loved Rich and Chris together. Rich tries to protect Chris from everything going on and Chris stands by Rich's side no matter what happens. There are some very freaky things that happen.
Laine and his lover Severo play a part in this book. I'm not sure how I feel about Laine's character because he could have tried harder to be there for his friend. Chris points out to Laine that while Rich has been suffering, Laine spent his time playing house with Severo. I think that Bailey Bradford tried to show how repentant Laine was by having a few scenes with just him and Severo but it didn't work for me. I also could have done without the sex scenes between Laine and Severo.
The fourth star really came off of my rating because of the ending. It felt rushed and I would have liked more explanation as to how the spirits are forced from Rich's body.
Even with my small niggles, I really liked this book. It's nice to follow a writer's progression, as well. I'm digging this series but I have no idea, if she writes another Southern Spirits book, who the next story will be about. Hrmmnnnn....[
The way the story opens is heartbreaking and it chilled my blood. It's been a year since Rich was tortured, and during that time he's been haunted by a malevolent spirit. No, he's more than haunted because the spirit is inside of his body; inside of his head. The first chapter starts with Rich trying to fight against possession and I felt every bit of his pain, anguish and hopelessness. It's an ugly scene.
Not only is that first scene ugly but it's sad. Rich is battling for his sanity but at the same time, the man wants to die. Bailey Bradford did a good job of making Rich a sympathetic and completely tortured character without going overboard. He's not playing at wanting to die. Rich wants to end his life to stop his own pain and to save others from the spirit trying to take over his body. His motives are both selfless and selfish, which I thought made them believable.
In order to deal with everything, Rich has been self-medicating with painkillers and alcohol. When he passes out after that opening battle with evil, he wakes up to his father busting into his house because enough is enough. It turns out that Rich has pushed everyone away with claims that he's been fine but his father was through believing the lies. Diego, Rich's dad, stays with Rich through three days of detox, packs Rich up and sends him to McKinton to face his demons.
The interaction between Rich and his dad is poignant. Diego's love for his son is obvious and I cheered him on when he called Laine and chewed him out for not being there for Rich.
It's on the road that we meet Chris, the big and not-so-bad truck driver. Rich's car has overheated and Chris, in his super sleek badass truck, stops to help him.
Chris is a beautiful character both inside and out. He's pierced. I mean a labret piercing, nipples pierced and a PA. He was raised by a Wiccan high priestess. Chris is also not shy about his body and offers a couple of times to whip it out and show people his PA. He does have insecurities though and when Rich freaks out on the side of the road and wants to leave, Chris thinks it's because he's too big, tattooed and pierced.
Chris is also a complete teddy bear and a pacifist. Well, he's a pacifist until someone hurts Rich because Chris knows from the start that Rich is his soulmate.
Somehow, Bailey Bradford makes the insta-connection work in this book. I loved it because Rich is completely alone and has been for a horrifying year. People didn't abandon him but they didn't try very hard to help him either. Just like Chris, I was pretty angry on Rich's behalf. I wanted Rich to have somebody. I was smiling when Chris sees what Rich needs and happily gives it to him.
Yeah, I loved Rich and Chris together. Rich tries to protect Chris from everything going on and Chris stands by Rich's side no matter what happens. There are some very freaky things that happen.
Laine and his lover Severo play a part in this book. I'm not sure how I feel about Laine's character because he could have tried harder to be there for his friend. Chris points out to Laine that while Rich has been suffering, Laine spent his time playing house with Severo. I think that Bailey Bradford tried to show how repentant Laine was by having a few scenes with just him and Severo but it didn't work for me. I also could have done without the sex scenes between Laine and Severo.
The fourth star really came off of my rating because of the ending. It felt rushed and I would have liked more explanation as to how the spirits are forced from Rich's body.
Even with my small niggles, I really liked this book. It's nice to follow a writer's progression, as well. I'm digging this series but I have no idea, if she writes another Southern Spirits book, who the next story will be about. Hrmmnnnn....[
November 23, 2015
Detective Rich Montoya’s already fragile existence is being made even more hellacious by a malevolent spirit so the last thing he needs is a lover in this gripping paranormal romance. Rich and Chris’s story is one that had me holding my breath with anticipation of a well-deserved HEA and there was no way that I could put it down once I started reading it. Note: These books can be enjoyed if read out of order as I have done but the sequence of the events as they play out is interrupted which means for maximum enjoyment it would be better if read in order.
See my full review at:
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
See my full review at:
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
April 19, 2023
So Wait Until Dawn is Rich's story. Like many, I assumed he would be getting together with Matt, but that obviously wasn't the case. What I love about Bailey Bradford's stories, is that she leads you one way before giving you a complete about-turn, but it completely works! Carlin is the perfect mate for Matt, and Chris - the gorgeous, pierced pacifist, who looks tough but is a teddy bear - is perfect for Rich.
Rich has been through hell and the start of this book reflects that. This is not for the faint-hearted as the torture that Rich has been living with is described in gruesome detail. Chris is the one person that refuses to take any c**p from Rich. Now, to be fair, this may well be because he is actually face-to-face with him. It is a lot easier to lie to people over the phone when they can't see you. I would have liked his friends to try to reach Rich on a more personal note over the past year, but then if they had, this story wouldn't have gone the way it did.
The ending for this one felt a bit rushed to me, with the actual fight to get McAllister and Trenton out of Rich glossed over. They have been fighting in his body throughout the whole story, causing him to contemplate suicide, but it's all over and done within a paragraph or two, but I still don't really know how.
Apart from that, I loved this book and am very happy now that Rich can start to heal. I did like how he and Matt sorted things out. Definitely recommended and a good, solid addition to this series.
* 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 26, 2015
Rich has been through hell and the start of this book reflects that. This is not for the faint-hearted as the torture that Rich has been living with is described in gruesome detail. Chris is the one person that refuses to take any c**p from Rich. Now, to be fair, this may well be because he is actually face-to-face with him. It is a lot easier to lie to people over the phone when they can't see you. I would have liked his friends to try to reach Rich on a more personal note over the past year, but then if they had, this story wouldn't have gone the way it did.
The ending for this one felt a bit rushed to me, with the actual fight to get McAllister and Trenton out of Rich glossed over. They have been fighting in his body throughout the whole story, causing him to contemplate suicide, but it's all over and done within a paragraph or two, but I still don't really know how.
Apart from that, I loved this book and am very happy now that Rich can start to heal. I did like how he and Matt sorted things out. Definitely recommended and a good, solid addition to this series.
* 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 26, 2015
October 2, 2021
I grabbed this book because it was about possession and I was curious to see what turned up. This book has all the makings of a horror book especially the scene in chapter 7 but unfortunately marred with all the sex. I mean too much of a thing is not always good. I hope the author will write more horror books as she seems to have a knack in it but as with the same thoughts as many of the readers, she may want to douse a bit on the overthetop overdose of sex.
February 6, 2016
4.5 Heart Review by Tammy
Rich Montoya is living a nightmare, literally. Twelve months ago Detective Rich Montoya went to McKinton to help his old partner Sheriff Laine Stenley catch his stalker when he was attacked and tortured so badly no-one not even the doctors thought he would survive. Rich survived dying twice on the operating table, it was whilst he was dead that the spirit of Laine’s stalker, his torturer, entered his body and all of his current problems started.
Rich just wants to die; he doesn’t see why he should stay alive just so his attacker can continually torture him with his memories. In the early hours of every night the nightmares start, Rich can see, hear and feel the things his attacker did to him and all the other men as he raped, tortured and murdered them. He can feel his sadistic glee in forcing his victims to play his sick and twisted games, his enjoyment of cutting open and watching the men die from his hand. Rich can’t take it anymore but when he tries to shoot himself someone or something stops him, then his weapon and bullets, everything disappears. When Rich can’t find his gun he goes looking for his Jack and pain pills, nothing. There is absolutely nothing in his place to numb the pain. Rich passes out and when he wakes up days later from his forced detox his father is there caring for him. His father is furious with Rich’s friend’s apparent abandonment of him until he rings every one of them and hears the same story, Rich is doing well, he’s on medication and working things through with his therapist. Rich’s father arranges for him to go back to McKinton to face his fears and talk to Laine and Severo.
Rich’s little car decides to stop several hours outside of McKinton and it’s only lucky that the trucker that nearly scared him to death when he blew his air-horn at him stopped to help him. Christian Neeland is the truck driver and he can admit that he has been following the cute little car with the incredibly hot driver for the last several hours. The moment Chris sees Rich he has to admit his mother was right when she told him he would be hit like a bolt of lightning when he found his love. Yes, that was what he felt the moment he laid eyes on Rich! It almost breaks Chris’s heart when he discovers what happened to Rich and he determines that he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Rich survives getting rid of the interloping spirits that have availed themselves of his body.
Wait Until Dawn is an incredibly intense book. The whole subject of being haunted by a spirit is freaky enough but to be haunted by the sadistic madman that tortured you and a lot of other men? That would send me absolutely crazy! Bailey Bradford has written yet another engrossing addition to the Southern Spirits series.
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.
Rich Montoya is living a nightmare, literally. Twelve months ago Detective Rich Montoya went to McKinton to help his old partner Sheriff Laine Stenley catch his stalker when he was attacked and tortured so badly no-one not even the doctors thought he would survive. Rich survived dying twice on the operating table, it was whilst he was dead that the spirit of Laine’s stalker, his torturer, entered his body and all of his current problems started.
Rich just wants to die; he doesn’t see why he should stay alive just so his attacker can continually torture him with his memories. In the early hours of every night the nightmares start, Rich can see, hear and feel the things his attacker did to him and all the other men as he raped, tortured and murdered them. He can feel his sadistic glee in forcing his victims to play his sick and twisted games, his enjoyment of cutting open and watching the men die from his hand. Rich can’t take it anymore but when he tries to shoot himself someone or something stops him, then his weapon and bullets, everything disappears. When Rich can’t find his gun he goes looking for his Jack and pain pills, nothing. There is absolutely nothing in his place to numb the pain. Rich passes out and when he wakes up days later from his forced detox his father is there caring for him. His father is furious with Rich’s friend’s apparent abandonment of him until he rings every one of them and hears the same story, Rich is doing well, he’s on medication and working things through with his therapist. Rich’s father arranges for him to go back to McKinton to face his fears and talk to Laine and Severo.
Rich’s little car decides to stop several hours outside of McKinton and it’s only lucky that the trucker that nearly scared him to death when he blew his air-horn at him stopped to help him. Christian Neeland is the truck driver and he can admit that he has been following the cute little car with the incredibly hot driver for the last several hours. The moment Chris sees Rich he has to admit his mother was right when she told him he would be hit like a bolt of lightning when he found his love. Yes, that was what he felt the moment he laid eyes on Rich! It almost breaks Chris’s heart when he discovers what happened to Rich and he determines that he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Rich survives getting rid of the interloping spirits that have availed themselves of his body.
Wait Until Dawn is an incredibly intense book. The whole subject of being haunted by a spirit is freaky enough but to be haunted by the sadistic madman that tortured you and a lot of other men? That would send me absolutely crazy! Bailey Bradford has written yet another engrossing addition to the Southern Spirits series.
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.
September 30, 2011
Demonic possessions are probably the most frightening of all paranormal events. The entity possessing another person is often the spirit of someone psychological unstable and has an unresolved issue with the person they are haunting. The demon is angry and therefore hostile and evil. They are relentless in torturing their victims until the person's will is totally broken. In 'Wait Until Dawn' by Bailey Bradford, Rich Montoya has firsthand knowledge of possession because he's in the midst of one.
My heart ached for Rich, who, after already being put through so much pain and anguish in Book #2, is having to experience even more. Rich is clinging to sanity by a thread from the nightly tortures of a spirit who, in life, was unimaginably evil. Rich is all but destroyed before his father is summoned to help him. Even though Rich had pushed his family away and told them that he was doing well, it's still inconceivable to me that none of them would check on him, at least once, just to be sure. Showing intestinal fortitude and a strong desire for resolution of his nightmare, he gathers his courage and heads for the town where the nightmare began. What really turns things around is when he meets Chris who helps him realize his strengths rather than dwelling on his weaknesses.
Chris Neeland is a big rig truck driver, six and a half feet tall, huge all over, with tattoos and piercings in places I won't even mention. Best of all, he's got a heart of gold and intuitive gifts including the ability to see auras. Kudos to Bailey for inventing such a truly unique character. As it turns out, Chris, and his connections to otherworldly things, are exactly what Rich needs to support him while he breaks free of the evil entity inside.
Bailey did an admirable job of portraying the paranormal events in the story, especially Rich's feelings of absolute terror in the midst of his possession. Her interpretation of his exorcism was unique, but I liked the fact that the 'home town ghosts' were able to pitch in and help Rich while the humans were clueless, once again, helping out their humans. That was a nice touch.
'Wait Until Dawn' is the fourth installment of the 'Southern Spirits' series and can be read alone, but without having knowledge of the horrific events leading up to Rich's condition, its impact will reflect only a shadow of its seriousness. If you enjoy a story with lots of angst, terror, intensity, with lots hot sexual encounters in between, you will enjoy this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
My heart ached for Rich, who, after already being put through so much pain and anguish in Book #2, is having to experience even more. Rich is clinging to sanity by a thread from the nightly tortures of a spirit who, in life, was unimaginably evil. Rich is all but destroyed before his father is summoned to help him. Even though Rich had pushed his family away and told them that he was doing well, it's still inconceivable to me that none of them would check on him, at least once, just to be sure. Showing intestinal fortitude and a strong desire for resolution of his nightmare, he gathers his courage and heads for the town where the nightmare began. What really turns things around is when he meets Chris who helps him realize his strengths rather than dwelling on his weaknesses.
Chris Neeland is a big rig truck driver, six and a half feet tall, huge all over, with tattoos and piercings in places I won't even mention. Best of all, he's got a heart of gold and intuitive gifts including the ability to see auras. Kudos to Bailey for inventing such a truly unique character. As it turns out, Chris, and his connections to otherworldly things, are exactly what Rich needs to support him while he breaks free of the evil entity inside.
Bailey did an admirable job of portraying the paranormal events in the story, especially Rich's feelings of absolute terror in the midst of his possession. Her interpretation of his exorcism was unique, but I liked the fact that the 'home town ghosts' were able to pitch in and help Rich while the humans were clueless, once again, helping out their humans. That was a nice touch.
'Wait Until Dawn' is the fourth installment of the 'Southern Spirits' series and can be read alone, but without having knowledge of the horrific events leading up to Rich's condition, its impact will reflect only a shadow of its seriousness. If you enjoy a story with lots of angst, terror, intensity, with lots hot sexual encounters in between, you will enjoy this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
November 1, 2015
Wow! The intensity of the series really ramped up in Wait Until Dawn. After finishing When the Dead Speak, I was expecting Matt and Rich to be the subject of All of the Voices. When Matt found his partner in book three, I assumed that Rich had been relegated to simply being support cast who wouldn't be back. Boy was I wrong. And so very glad of it.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Rich has spent nearly every day since he left McKinton reliving his attack at the hands of Laine's stalker. But Rich's torment isn't just because of his memories and nightmares. He's being attacked by the spirit of the man who nearly killed him. We learn that Rich's mental torture may actually be worse than the physical attack he survived when attempts to kill himself. Based on the bits of images from these mental invasions that are shared with the reader, his desperation is understandable. Fortunately he's unsuccessful and after his father gives him the help he's refused for the past year, he finds he's on his way to McKinton to face his demons. But the fates intervene and bring Chris into his life. As for Chris, boy howdy! Now THAT is a man I'd love to meet in real life. While the sexual tension is high, Rich considers himself grotesque because of the scars the attack left him with and doesn't believe that Chris could truly be attracted to him. Chris dispels that notion spectacularly and shows Rich just how stimulating body piercings can be. That Conner was so keen to see the piercings was hilarious.
What I liked about the relationship that develops between Chris and Rich is that the characters – Chris especially – acknowledge that it progresses quickly. The information given regarding Chris’s mother and her predictions helps ease the way in making the instant connection plausible. It doesn’t hurt that Rich is obviously vulnerable and his suffering calls to Chris’s protective side. The fact that Chris is a BIG man who makes Rich feel safe rather then threatened comes into play more than once in the story. As terrible as it was to see Rich’s suffering, the spiritual war (for lack of a better term) that takes place was intense and made for interesting reading. As expected, Bailey gives her men the happy ending they deserve and secured Wait Until Dawn a slot on my reread list. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
Unbeknownst to everyone, Rich has spent nearly every day since he left McKinton reliving his attack at the hands of Laine's stalker. But Rich's torment isn't just because of his memories and nightmares. He's being attacked by the spirit of the man who nearly killed him. We learn that Rich's mental torture may actually be worse than the physical attack he survived when attempts to kill himself. Based on the bits of images from these mental invasions that are shared with the reader, his desperation is understandable. Fortunately he's unsuccessful and after his father gives him the help he's refused for the past year, he finds he's on his way to McKinton to face his demons. But the fates intervene and bring Chris into his life. As for Chris, boy howdy! Now THAT is a man I'd love to meet in real life. While the sexual tension is high, Rich considers himself grotesque because of the scars the attack left him with and doesn't believe that Chris could truly be attracted to him. Chris dispels that notion spectacularly and shows Rich just how stimulating body piercings can be. That Conner was so keen to see the piercings was hilarious.
What I liked about the relationship that develops between Chris and Rich is that the characters – Chris especially – acknowledge that it progresses quickly. The information given regarding Chris’s mother and her predictions helps ease the way in making the instant connection plausible. It doesn’t hurt that Rich is obviously vulnerable and his suffering calls to Chris’s protective side. The fact that Chris is a BIG man who makes Rich feel safe rather then threatened comes into play more than once in the story. As terrible as it was to see Rich’s suffering, the spiritual war (for lack of a better term) that takes place was intense and made for interesting reading. As expected, Bailey gives her men the happy ending they deserve and secured Wait Until Dawn a slot on my reread list. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
May 6, 2011
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
This installment of the Southern Spirits series revolves around Rich and Chris. Rich was left scared both physically and mentally after the search for Laine's stalker in the book When the Dead Speak. A year later, Rich has withdrawn from his dad and all his friends. As the story begins we see Rich at his lowest point, haunted both figuratively and literally and ready to end it all by killing himself. However another presence stops him and with his pain meds and booze mysteriously gone he ends up in withdrawal. Found and nursed back to some semblance of life to his father, he's given the choice between going back to McKinton to stay with Laine or going home with his father, he chooses to go back to McKinton. On the way he meets Chris, a truck driver who ends up driving him to McKinton when his car dies. From the beginning Chris is drawn to Rich and thinks he might be "the one", while Rich can't figure out why Chris would want him. He sees himself as grotesque, and admits to himself that before the attack happened he wouldn't have looked twice at a man looking like he does now.
Chris can see people's auras and what he sees in Rich scares him and he's determined to help him. After getting to McKinton with the help of Laine, Sev, Mat and Carlin they start figuring out what's wrong with Rich and manage to save his life with the help of some ghosts from the previous books.
The book was a bit slow-paced imo, with a lot of sex thrown in. For example, once we find out about Chris's mom being able to help I thought Chris would call her asap, but no first we have to throw in some sex. Also, when the ghosts save Rich we aren't really given even a semblance of a proper explanation for what happened. Instead we have a fade to black, and that skip forward a couple of days and get another sex scene.
All in all, while I liked the book it could have been better if there was more substance to the story.
This installment of the Southern Spirits series revolves around Rich and Chris. Rich was left scared both physically and mentally after the search for Laine's stalker in the book When the Dead Speak. A year later, Rich has withdrawn from his dad and all his friends. As the story begins we see Rich at his lowest point, haunted both figuratively and literally and ready to end it all by killing himself. However another presence stops him and with his pain meds and booze mysteriously gone he ends up in withdrawal. Found and nursed back to some semblance of life to his father, he's given the choice between going back to McKinton to stay with Laine or going home with his father, he chooses to go back to McKinton. On the way he meets Chris, a truck driver who ends up driving him to McKinton when his car dies. From the beginning Chris is drawn to Rich and thinks he might be "the one", while Rich can't figure out why Chris would want him. He sees himself as grotesque, and admits to himself that before the attack happened he wouldn't have looked twice at a man looking like he does now.
Chris can see people's auras and what he sees in Rich scares him and he's determined to help him. After getting to McKinton with the help of Laine, Sev, Mat and Carlin they start figuring out what's wrong with Rich and manage to save his life with the help of some ghosts from the previous books.
The book was a bit slow-paced imo, with a lot of sex thrown in. For example, once we find out about Chris's mom being able to help I thought Chris would call her asap, but no first we have to throw in some sex. Also, when the ghosts save Rich we aren't really given even a semblance of a proper explanation for what happened. Instead we have a fade to black, and that skip forward a couple of days and get another sex scene.
All in all, while I liked the book it could have been better if there was more substance to the story.
October 26, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
Rich Montoya is not a stranger to this series and last time we were with him he was fighting for his life and after being tortured by Connor’s murderer. This book catches up with him about a year on from the attack and doesn’t find him in a good place. He has manipulated his friends and family into thinking he’s doing ok when in fact he’s very close to ending it all. He has been left with the scars both physical and mental but he also has one very angry and evil spirit haunting him that is pushing him ever closer to the edge.
This series is like settling in with the family as the characters continue to grow and move forward. I love the way the author has entwined so many minor characters into main stories and by doing so introduced some interesting angles.
Chris Neeland is the walking epitome of don’t judge a book by it’s cover. He is a big man with an even bigger truck and seems to have piercings everywhere. At first Rich is almost afraid of him but Chris is a huge softy with a big heart and might just be what Rich needs.
There is the usual instant attraction between the two men that this series favours but there was also a gentle giant who was able to look past Rich’s scars and worn down persona and see the man he once was. He was also man enough to stand up to Sheriff Laine!
I liked this one – it was awful to see Rich at the beginning but it was great to see him on the mend when he realised his friends and family really did care and weren’t going to take his bullshit anymore.
Rich Montoya is not a stranger to this series and last time we were with him he was fighting for his life and after being tortured by Connor’s murderer. This book catches up with him about a year on from the attack and doesn’t find him in a good place. He has manipulated his friends and family into thinking he’s doing ok when in fact he’s very close to ending it all. He has been left with the scars both physical and mental but he also has one very angry and evil spirit haunting him that is pushing him ever closer to the edge.
This series is like settling in with the family as the characters continue to grow and move forward. I love the way the author has entwined so many minor characters into main stories and by doing so introduced some interesting angles.
Chris Neeland is the walking epitome of don’t judge a book by it’s cover. He is a big man with an even bigger truck and seems to have piercings everywhere. At first Rich is almost afraid of him but Chris is a huge softy with a big heart and might just be what Rich needs.
There is the usual instant attraction between the two men that this series favours but there was also a gentle giant who was able to look past Rich’s scars and worn down persona and see the man he once was. He was also man enough to stand up to Sheriff Laine!
I liked this one – it was awful to see Rich at the beginning but it was great to see him on the mend when he realised his friends and family really did care and weren’t going to take his bullshit anymore.
July 15, 2011
3.5 stars
This is book 4 in a series, but you don't need to read the others to read this one, you get enough back story. Rich is a former cop who was tortured and nearly killed by a serial killer. His whole body was scarred and he's managed to push everyone away and try to bury his pain in a bottle of pills and booze. There is a paranormal aspect to this, where it seems that the evil soul of the killer invaded Rich and he has images of torture and rape and death. Just as he's about to kill himself, another ice-cold entity invades him and chases off the evil. His Dad shows up and helps him clean up, and as he's on his way back to where the attack happened, his car breaks down and he's rescued by huge tattooed, pierced trucker, Chris. There is an instant connection and Chris is the only one to make him feel safe, although the battling entities cause issues. His friend in the other town is with a man who speaks to ghosts and they struggle to find out how to get the "ghosts" out of Rich before he dies, including Chris' Wiccan high priestess mother. It's a sweet story and I did like how Chris was very protective of Rich and knew what he needed and wouldn't let him push him away like he had his friends. It's a bit gruesome at times with memories of the attack and Rich's detox isn't glossed over much, but if you like a bit of paranormal possession it's okay.
This is book 4 in a series, but you don't need to read the others to read this one, you get enough back story. Rich is a former cop who was tortured and nearly killed by a serial killer. His whole body was scarred and he's managed to push everyone away and try to bury his pain in a bottle of pills and booze. There is a paranormal aspect to this, where it seems that the evil soul of the killer invaded Rich and he has images of torture and rape and death. Just as he's about to kill himself, another ice-cold entity invades him and chases off the evil. His Dad shows up and helps him clean up, and as he's on his way back to where the attack happened, his car breaks down and he's rescued by huge tattooed, pierced trucker, Chris. There is an instant connection and Chris is the only one to make him feel safe, although the battling entities cause issues. His friend in the other town is with a man who speaks to ghosts and they struggle to find out how to get the "ghosts" out of Rich before he dies, including Chris' Wiccan high priestess mother. It's a sweet story and I did like how Chris was very protective of Rich and knew what he needed and wouldn't let him push him away like he had his friends. It's a bit gruesome at times with memories of the attack and Rich's detox isn't glossed over much, but if you like a bit of paranormal possession it's okay.
January 12, 2016
While I liked this book.... It just moved way to fast for me.
You have Richard who is battling a spirit that is attacking him after his was attacked and tortured trying to help Laine in book #2.
Then there was Chris who is a truck driver Richard meets on the way to Laines for help who also happens to be a wiccan.
Well I felt like they meet then the next scene then what felt like 20 minutes later they were getting it on in the back of Chris's truck already in love. While I love insta love books I just did not feel it with these two at all. Then the rest of the story gets so rushed the next thing you know Richard is all better and they are living happily ever after. I just felt like I really liked where this story was going but everything went so fast I was left with my head spinning from this one.
So all together I really liked where this Novella was going and the writing I just would have liked more of them together.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
You have Richard who is battling a spirit that is attacking him after his was attacked and tortured trying to help Laine in book #2.
Then there was Chris who is a truck driver Richard meets on the way to Laines for help who also happens to be a wiccan.
Well I felt like they meet then the next scene then what felt like 20 minutes later they were getting it on in the back of Chris's truck already in love. While I love insta love books I just did not feel it with these two at all. Then the rest of the story gets so rushed the next thing you know Richard is all better and they are living happily ever after. I just felt like I really liked where this story was going but everything went so fast I was left with my head spinning from this one.
So all together I really liked where this Novella was going and the writing I just would have liked more of them together.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
April 4, 2016
Reviewed by Christina for QUEERcentric Books
Wait Until Dawn is the fourth story in the Southern Spirits series by Bailey Bradford. This is probably also the darkest of the books so far.
We get to go back and re-visit Rich Montoya who was tortured by McAlister, the lunatic who was after Sheriff Stenley in the second book, When the Dead Speak.
When we first see Rich again he’s been holed up in his apartment. He’s suffering from PTSD from his experience and is self medicating with pain pills and whiskey.
Rich believes that during one of the two times he died McAlister entered his being.
Rich is having dreams or visions of McAlister’s past conquests. He can hear the man in his head taunting him.
One day Rich decides to finally end it all.
Read Christina's full review at QUEERcentric Books!
Wait Until Dawn is the fourth story in the Southern Spirits series by Bailey Bradford. This is probably also the darkest of the books so far.
We get to go back and re-visit Rich Montoya who was tortured by McAlister, the lunatic who was after Sheriff Stenley in the second book, When the Dead Speak.
When we first see Rich again he’s been holed up in his apartment. He’s suffering from PTSD from his experience and is self medicating with pain pills and whiskey.
Rich believes that during one of the two times he died McAlister entered his being.
Rich is having dreams or visions of McAlister’s past conquests. He can hear the man in his head taunting him.
One day Rich decides to finally end it all.
Read Christina's full review at QUEERcentric Books!
March 28, 2011
3.5 stars
I really love this book, you really can see the progression of this writer even in the short time the first to fourth book was released. I agree mostly with the review Laddie wrote.
Less one thing.
The guy is suicidaire, have problems with alcool and meds and his father let him go to McKinton by himself, on his car??? The only possible reason for that it's because it's serve the writer, she had an idea how she want the two MC to found themselves. Because that's completely illogical and a stupid think to do from his father. Would you act like that if it's was your son? Not me. You can't trust a person depressive or/and on drugs. It's not because you have an idea for a plot that's a good idea to used it.
I'm intrigued about who's going to the the next MC in the series! Maybe this mysterious Darren, the new server in the book three.
I really love this book, you really can see the progression of this writer even in the short time the first to fourth book was released. I agree mostly with the review Laddie wrote.
Less one thing.
The guy is suicidaire, have problems with alcool and meds and his father let him go to McKinton by himself, on his car??? The only possible reason for that it's because it's serve the writer, she had an idea how she want the two MC to found themselves. Because that's completely illogical and a stupid think to do from his father. Would you act like that if it's was your son? Not me. You can't trust a person depressive or/and on drugs. It's not because you have an idea for a plot that's a good idea to used it.
I'm intrigued about who's going to the the next MC in the series! Maybe this mysterious Darren, the new server in the book three.
September 16, 2015
Wait Until Dawn by Bailey Bradford
M/M
4 stars
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads for an honest review.
This book was about Rich, who was tortured in book two and Chris a truck driver who helped Rich out on the side of the road. Once again instant sex. You have too feel so bad for Rich for all he went through being tortured. Chris was a good choice for him, he was very caring.
The story seemed a little rushed, I'm still not sure how Rich got the spirits gone. But once again I liked the paranormal angle of the story, very entertaining.
M/M
4 stars
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads for an honest review.
This book was about Rich, who was tortured in book two and Chris a truck driver who helped Rich out on the side of the road. Once again instant sex. You have too feel so bad for Rich for all he went through being tortured. Chris was a good choice for him, he was very caring.
The story seemed a little rushed, I'm still not sure how Rich got the spirits gone. But once again I liked the paranormal angle of the story, very entertaining.
March 26, 2011
3.5 - 4.00
Really good holds your attention till the end. The ending seemed really rushed. The whole story Matt is battling these spirit(s) within himself. But when we get to the part getting rid of them it was over within a couple paragraphs.
Would have liked to seen less sex scenes with Laine and Sev, I liked they were in the story but could have done without their sex scenes and more on Matt's story.
Over all I really like this series, the ending on this one was just too rushed.
Really good holds your attention till the end. The ending seemed really rushed. The whole story Matt is battling these spirit(s) within himself. But when we get to the part getting rid of them it was over within a couple paragraphs.
Would have liked to seen less sex scenes with Laine and Sev, I liked they were in the story but could have done without their sex scenes and more on Matt's story.
Over all I really like this series, the ending on this one was just too rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2011
The beginning was difficult, the suffering Rich is still going through is painful to read about.
The insta-attraction between Rick and Chris was done well.
The book was too short to really get into Rich's withdrawal, since I believe he would have to go through more than just the few days he did, and the ending felt really rushed, like I was missing how/what/when/ the "spirits" did or went? Are they gone? What happened?
But it was a good read, And I will definitely read the next one.
The insta-attraction between Rick and Chris was done well.
The book was too short to really get into Rich's withdrawal, since I believe he would have to go through more than just the few days he did, and the ending felt really rushed, like I was missing how/what/when/ the "spirits" did or went? Are they gone? What happened?
But it was a good read, And I will definitely read the next one.
October 31, 2011
Liked the characters, especially Rich's Dad. I hope he visits McKinton in a future book. It was nice getting a glimpse of some of the earlier characters, especially Sev. I would have rated it higher, but the ending lacked the detail of the beginning of the book, almost as if the author got tired of the story and wanted to get it over with.
June 29, 2011
3,5 stars
March 17, 2011
3,5 stars.
March 20, 2011
Great characters, interesting story.
April 27, 2011
Wait Until Dawn is creepy scary and sexy all rolled into one engrossing book. To read the rest of this review, please visit http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...
November 12, 2013
I really wanted to see Rich's story, and Chris is perfect for him. I just wish this one had been longer and that things hadn't been resolved so quickly.
June 22, 2014
3.5 suddenly finished -.-
August 17, 2012
3.5 stars
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