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Altered States #1
Deep Blues Goodbye
The world might not have been ready for vampires when NOPD Detective Travis Boudreaux had the bad taste to sit up at his own funeral, but two years later, the new cause célèbre is civil rights for preternatural beings and most humans are on the bandwagon. Except whoever is killing vampires and wannabes.
Detective Sam Garrett hates all things preternatural. Having your undead partner try to make you his first meal will do that to a guy. One final screw-up gets Sam banished to the Paranormal Criminal Investigations Unit—the Odd Squad—under the oversight of Detective Danny Burkette.
Now it’s up to Burkette to work with Garrett by day and Boudreaux by night as they follow a trail of clues that leads from the historic cemeteries of New Orleans to the bayous of southern Louisiana. Under the all-too-interested gaze of a Master vampire and the local werewolf pack Alpha, they discover some lessons in life—and death—take longer to learn…and not all second chances are created equal.
Warning: This is an erotic urban fantasy. In this series the vampires don’t sparkle, werewolves kill, and the men sometimes have sex. With each other.
Detective Sam Garrett hates all things preternatural. Having your undead partner try to make you his first meal will do that to a guy. One final screw-up gets Sam banished to the Paranormal Criminal Investigations Unit—the Odd Squad—under the oversight of Detective Danny Burkette.
Now it’s up to Burkette to work with Garrett by day and Boudreaux by night as they follow a trail of clues that leads from the historic cemeteries of New Orleans to the bayous of southern Louisiana. Under the all-too-interested gaze of a Master vampire and the local werewolf pack Alpha, they discover some lessons in life—and death—take longer to learn…and not all second chances are created equal.
Warning: This is an erotic urban fantasy. In this series the vampires don’t sparkle, werewolves kill, and the men sometimes have sex. With each other.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2012
11 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Harner
12 books44 followersAlternate name for Laura Harner.
Raised in California, Laura likes it hot, which explains why she ended up in Arizona via such diverse places as Japan, Maine, and Florida, and many more places in between. After retiring from the US Navy, she found a niche working for land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Though she has held many jobs around the world, her favorite was working and living in Grand Canyon National Park. Working (and eating) in New Orleans was a close second. You will find many of her books are set against the rich backdrops provided by coastal Louisiana and northern Arizona.
When asked how she started writing, Laura tells of waking on Boxing Day a few years ago, with a woman named Elena MacFarland yammering in her dreams, demanding her story be told. Despite never attempting to write fiction before that morning, Laura ignored all of the holiday visitors and the Highland Destiny series was born. She doesn’t believe it was a coincidence that the great grandmother who died when Laura was just a baby was named Elena MacFarland. Destiny does play a hand.
Laura became a full-time writer in 2012, and now she spends her time writing, watching her Arizona Diamondbacks, and working on her very own version of the Willow Springs Ranch in northwestern Arizona.
Raised in California, Laura likes it hot, which explains why she ended up in Arizona via such diverse places as Japan, Maine, and Florida, and many more places in between. After retiring from the US Navy, she found a niche working for land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Though she has held many jobs around the world, her favorite was working and living in Grand Canyon National Park. Working (and eating) in New Orleans was a close second. You will find many of her books are set against the rich backdrops provided by coastal Louisiana and northern Arizona.
When asked how she started writing, Laura tells of waking on Boxing Day a few years ago, with a woman named Elena MacFarland yammering in her dreams, demanding her story be told. Despite never attempting to write fiction before that morning, Laura ignored all of the holiday visitors and the Highland Destiny series was born. She doesn’t believe it was a coincidence that the great grandmother who died when Laura was just a baby was named Elena MacFarland. Destiny does play a hand.
Laura became a full-time writer in 2012, and now she spends her time writing, watching her Arizona Diamondbacks, and working on her very own version of the Willow Springs Ranch in northwestern Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 11, 2017
**3.5 stars**
I was very excited about this book based on the killer prequel. Though this book was good and very very readable, I had some issues with it. I'm not a big fan of menage or partner switching in books. I tend to lean more towards the romantic side so when a character waffles around and carries on a physical relationship with multiple characters, it doesn't really work for me. I wouldn't really call this book a romance for that reason, something I wasn't aware of when I started this series. This book is more of UF erotica to me. I just didn't click as much with the characters as a result. These issues are largely personal taste so I can see why many people would give this book more stars than me.
Writing-wise, this book was great. The pacing and plot development were spot on and I really dug the world-building. Shifter and vampire books are like comfort reading for me so this was an easy book to enjoy. I will certainly move forward with the series, especially priced the way it is. I just hope Sam gets more romantic focus in the next book.
**Oh, and this is just a little thing, but from a dentist's perspective, why would the people who were trying to look like vampires have implants to make their canines look like fangs? Implants are for when teeth are missing, not to change the look of existing teeth. Those vamp wannabees would just get crowns. Just a tiny little detail but it bugged me each time that I read it. Dorky comments are over now :) **
I was very excited about this book based on the killer prequel. Though this book was good and very very readable, I had some issues with it. I'm not a big fan of menage or partner switching in books. I tend to lean more towards the romantic side so when a character waffles around and carries on a physical relationship with multiple characters, it doesn't really work for me. I wouldn't really call this book a romance for that reason, something I wasn't aware of when I started this series. This book is more of UF erotica to me. I just didn't click as much with the characters as a result. These issues are largely personal taste so I can see why many people would give this book more stars than me.
Writing-wise, this book was great. The pacing and plot development were spot on and I really dug the world-building. Shifter and vampire books are like comfort reading for me so this was an easy book to enjoy. I will certainly move forward with the series, especially priced the way it is. I just hope Sam gets more romantic focus in the next book.
**Oh, and this is just a little thing, but from a dentist's perspective, why would the people who were trying to look like vampires have implants to make their canines look like fangs? Implants are for when teeth are missing, not to change the look of existing teeth. Those vamp wannabees would just get crowns. Just a tiny little detail but it bugged me each time that I read it. Dorky comments are over now :) **
September 7, 2013
Life has a funny sense of humor.
You're a good cop and although you're a closet case, you still manage to make out with your flamboyant, pierced and café au lait colored partner, Sam Garrett. Then your case ends in disaster and the next thing you know you wake up in a casket, during your very own funeral, and find out that you're suddenly a vampire. You think things can't get worse than that for Travis Boudreaux?
You are wrong.
How about trying to make a meal out of your partner? That kind of behavior puts a damper on the potentially dirty good thing he and Sam had going.
Two years have passed since Travis’ died and woke up a vampire. And the world as we know it has changed a lot since then. Vampires and werewolves now roam the streets. Fast food restaurants serve Bat Bites instead of chicken tenders and Wolfy Wonder sandwiches. And someone is murdering both teens and vampires. At the same time, Travis is still trying to come to terms with the fact that he's no longer human. While Sam has a hard time adjusting to all these mythical creatures, bitter as he is about how everything played out between him and Travis.
As the PCIU, the Paranormal Criminal Investigation Unit, investigates the murders, Sam's colleague Danny Burkette asks Travis for help. Danny can't hide his infatuation with Travis. The vampire smells his arousal, just as he smells a peculiar scent at one of the crime scenes. And however he's reluctant to help Danny out, that scent also invokes vague memories about how he died..
Meanwhile, Sam's career is in the shitter. His only chance to not be condemned to a desk is to join the PCIU. Which means that he must overcome his aversion against the undead and risks bumping into the person he has avoided for two years, Travis. But how will he react when he discovers that Travis has maybe moved on...to his partner Danny?
Then Sam remembered the telltale bite marks in the early morning light. Jesus. Danny had let Travis feed from him. Had given fucking Travis Boudreaux blood. He closed his eyes as the hot water streamed over him and tried to image what that would feel like. Travis with his lips on his neck, licking, sucking, his teeth piercing him. He wanted to feel sick, to be disgusted by what Danny had let happen. So why was the sick feeling in his stomach more like jealousy than revulsion?
Deep Blues Goodbye is yummy junk food for the brain. You like your plate to be filled with steamy sex scenes, tough cops, sexy vampires and a pulpy plot? Then this is for you!
Personally, I'm usually not a big fan of fluffy PNR. The endless references to the various states of arousal the MC's are in and the emphasis on tight asses in tighter jeans tend to get on my nerves a little. And in Deep Blues Goodbye, there's plenty of that. Everyone wants to screw everyone, which results in a bunch of sizzling scenes (for example, Sam - who is now pierced in even more interesting places - gets manwiched between two bad-ass werewolves).
The downside of this is that if you're a romantic at heart, you might be in for disappointment. The story doesn't focus solely on Sam and Travis anymore, as was the case in the prequel. Instead, multiple new characters are introduced and they all want a piece of the MC's. Therefore, you'll find yourself wondering if it still makes sense to root for these guys, in the hope of them getting back together. There's so much going on plot-wise that you just don't know who is going to end up with who in the end or on the next page, and if it even matters.
Anyway, although I mentioned that PNR isn't normally my cup of tea, I found myself enjoying Deep Blues Goodbye way more than I had anticipated. Now that summer is on its way, I would absolutely recommend picking this one up if you're into the genre. It'll make a perfect, sexy and uncomplicated beach-read. Just remember to start with the free prequel!
You're a good cop and although you're a closet case, you still manage to make out with your flamboyant, pierced and café au lait colored partner, Sam Garrett. Then your case ends in disaster and the next thing you know you wake up in a casket, during your very own funeral, and find out that you're suddenly a vampire. You think things can't get worse than that for Travis Boudreaux?
You are wrong.
How about trying to make a meal out of your partner? That kind of behavior puts a damper on the potentially dirty good thing he and Sam had going.
Two years have passed since Travis’ died and woke up a vampire. And the world as we know it has changed a lot since then. Vampires and werewolves now roam the streets. Fast food restaurants serve Bat Bites instead of chicken tenders and Wolfy Wonder sandwiches. And someone is murdering both teens and vampires. At the same time, Travis is still trying to come to terms with the fact that he's no longer human. While Sam has a hard time adjusting to all these mythical creatures, bitter as he is about how everything played out between him and Travis.
As the PCIU, the Paranormal Criminal Investigation Unit, investigates the murders, Sam's colleague Danny Burkette asks Travis for help. Danny can't hide his infatuation with Travis. The vampire smells his arousal, just as he smells a peculiar scent at one of the crime scenes. And however he's reluctant to help Danny out, that scent also invokes vague memories about how he died..
Meanwhile, Sam's career is in the shitter. His only chance to not be condemned to a desk is to join the PCIU. Which means that he must overcome his aversion against the undead and risks bumping into the person he has avoided for two years, Travis. But how will he react when he discovers that Travis has maybe moved on...to his partner Danny?
Then Sam remembered the telltale bite marks in the early morning light. Jesus. Danny had let Travis feed from him. Had given fucking Travis Boudreaux blood. He closed his eyes as the hot water streamed over him and tried to image what that would feel like. Travis with his lips on his neck, licking, sucking, his teeth piercing him. He wanted to feel sick, to be disgusted by what Danny had let happen. So why was the sick feeling in his stomach more like jealousy than revulsion?
Deep Blues Goodbye is yummy junk food for the brain. You like your plate to be filled with steamy sex scenes, tough cops, sexy vampires and a pulpy plot? Then this is for you!
Personally, I'm usually not a big fan of fluffy PNR. The endless references to the various states of arousal the MC's are in and the emphasis on tight asses in tighter jeans tend to get on my nerves a little. And in Deep Blues Goodbye, there's plenty of that. Everyone wants to screw everyone, which results in a bunch of sizzling scenes (for example, Sam - who is now pierced in even more interesting places - gets manwiched between two bad-ass werewolves).
The downside of this is that if you're a romantic at heart, you might be in for disappointment. The story doesn't focus solely on Sam and Travis anymore, as was the case in the prequel. Instead, multiple new characters are introduced and they all want a piece of the MC's. Therefore, you'll find yourself wondering if it still makes sense to root for these guys, in the hope of them getting back together. There's so much going on plot-wise that you just don't know who is going to end up with who in the end or on the next page, and if it even matters.
Anyway, although I mentioned that PNR isn't normally my cup of tea, I found myself enjoying Deep Blues Goodbye way more than I had anticipated. Now that summer is on its way, I would absolutely recommend picking this one up if you're into the genre. It'll make a perfect, sexy and uncomplicated beach-read. Just remember to start with the free prequel!
August 5, 2015
This one follows on from the freebie 'Altered States' which introduced us to the characters of Travis Boudreaux
, newly fledged vampire and ex cop, and Sam Garrett, detective in the New Orleans PD and all round good guy. Loved it 4.5 stars
This book takes place 2 years after Altered States. Lots of new characters in this one...Danny Burkette, former lover of Sam and also a detective....not sure whether I like him or not, Henri du Champ, Master Vampire
all round bad guy (or is it vamp?) and wannabee governor of Louisiana, Russ and Jet....extremely hot werewolves, other vamps and werewolves too numerous to mention, and oh yes, some nasty vamps who go around killing people for a mob family called the Fontaines....the Fontaines then try and blame these murders on Monsieur du Champ and his vamps, tut tut!!This was a really good book, and I didn't want it to end...but it did and I then got started on 'Deadly Shades of Gold' immediately. Not going into any more detail about the plot and what happens, but unfortunately I still haven't got my HEA with Travis and Sam....maybe 3rd time lucky!!
August 27, 2012
First, the prequel had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, it was fast-paced and edgy, and I loved it. And then, the ending. Wow.
So this is more of what I loved about the first, with the addition of the paranormal aspect. It continues to be fast-paced and edgy. There is no fluff or insta-love here. Much of the book, you are trying to guess what will happen with who and where the story will go next.
Travis is just as smexy as ever, and I feel so bad for him and his circumstances. I really hope things turn around a bit for him in the future. Sam is all messed up, still from what happened with Travis in the first place and with adjusting to all the paranormal stuff as well. Not too sure how I feel about Danny. I like that he seems to have helped bridge the gap between Travis and Sam, but I'm afraid he is getting too involved. Henri is such a bad little twinky vamp. I really wish we learned more about him and what he has planned.
Oh my, and the werewolves. I'm really looking to find out more about them and their interest in all of this. Russ and Jet are super hot together, and we only just got a taste of them. So, yeah, more wolf action, please.
Again with the ending!!! I really hope we don't have to wait too long for more of this story.
So this is more of what I loved about the first, with the addition of the paranormal aspect. It continues to be fast-paced and edgy. There is no fluff or insta-love here. Much of the book, you are trying to guess what will happen with who and where the story will go next.
Travis is just as smexy as ever, and I feel so bad for him and his circumstances. I really hope things turn around a bit for him in the future. Sam is all messed up, still from what happened with Travis in the first place and with adjusting to all the paranormal stuff as well. Not too sure how I feel about Danny. I like that he seems to have helped bridge the gap between Travis and Sam, but I'm afraid he is getting too involved. Henri is such a bad little twinky vamp. I really wish we learned more about him and what he has planned.
Oh my, and the werewolves. I'm really looking to find out more about them and their interest in all of this. Russ and Jet are super hot together, and we only just got a taste of them. So, yeah, more wolf action, please.
Again with the ending!!! I really hope we don't have to wait too long for more of this story.
August 21, 2012
New authors in the M/M genre seem to be a dime a dozen these days--and a collaboration between a more established author and a newbie is also becoming commonplace. Well...the commonplace and business as usual adages stop here in this remarkable team effort, Deep Blues Goodby by T.A. Webb and Laura Harner. I have no doubt that Deep Blues Goodbye is one surefire hit and certainly adds new and pleasant twists to the rapidly becoming mundane genre--paranormal mysteries.
The story is involved so be forewarned, but I do believe this is due to the idea that we are seeing the beginning of a series from this dynamic writing pair and I, for one, am excited to see what they come up with next. However, before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you a bit about Deep Blues Goodbye.
Travis and Sam are partners on the New Orleans police force who have gone undercover to smoke out a killer who has a penchant for murdering gays. At the onset, we are made aware that Sam is openly gay but as their stakeout continues, Travis reveals he too is gay and is developing less than partner-like affection for Travis. As they are about to close in for the capture, Travis is jumped and bitten, turning him into a vampire.
Fast forward two years and since that time the Governor has not only enacted the Vampire Protection Law--a federal law protecting all paranormals and their rights but created a task force for the special job of hunting down and convicting said paras calling it the PCIU--Paranormal Criminal Investigation Unit. Part of this unit is a former buddy and sometimes bed partner of Sam's, Danny Burkette.
During the investigations of several murders where both vamps and humans have been staked and left in the sun, their fangs removed, these three men will explore the underbelly of the paranormal world. In true tough guy, investigative detective style, the story sets up for us a new world where wolves, vampires and humans all coexist--often peacefully.
Deep Blues Goodbye is a rich story that is woven with several stories of love lost and restored, of forgiveness and second chances. Most importantly, however, is the idea that cone day you may face a life-changing decision--hold someone's life and future in your hands and decide the fate of another--all very heavy yet amazingly fascinating stuff.
While this team had a bit of difficulty in the beginning with their co-writing coming off a bit stiff and confused, the problem quickly righted itself and they covered tremendous ground in setting up a complex and compelling story for us to enjoy. I look forward to future collaborations from Webb and Harner--for once they hit their stride, they certainly batted this one out of the park--a definite literary homerun!
I highly recommend Deep Blues Goodbye to you. An exciting read, and hopefully the beginning of a thrilling new series in m/m fiction.
The story is involved so be forewarned, but I do believe this is due to the idea that we are seeing the beginning of a series from this dynamic writing pair and I, for one, am excited to see what they come up with next. However, before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you a bit about Deep Blues Goodbye.
Travis and Sam are partners on the New Orleans police force who have gone undercover to smoke out a killer who has a penchant for murdering gays. At the onset, we are made aware that Sam is openly gay but as their stakeout continues, Travis reveals he too is gay and is developing less than partner-like affection for Travis. As they are about to close in for the capture, Travis is jumped and bitten, turning him into a vampire.
Fast forward two years and since that time the Governor has not only enacted the Vampire Protection Law--a federal law protecting all paranormals and their rights but created a task force for the special job of hunting down and convicting said paras calling it the PCIU--Paranormal Criminal Investigation Unit. Part of this unit is a former buddy and sometimes bed partner of Sam's, Danny Burkette.
During the investigations of several murders where both vamps and humans have been staked and left in the sun, their fangs removed, these three men will explore the underbelly of the paranormal world. In true tough guy, investigative detective style, the story sets up for us a new world where wolves, vampires and humans all coexist--often peacefully.
Deep Blues Goodbye is a rich story that is woven with several stories of love lost and restored, of forgiveness and second chances. Most importantly, however, is the idea that cone day you may face a life-changing decision--hold someone's life and future in your hands and decide the fate of another--all very heavy yet amazingly fascinating stuff.
While this team had a bit of difficulty in the beginning with their co-writing coming off a bit stiff and confused, the problem quickly righted itself and they covered tremendous ground in setting up a complex and compelling story for us to enjoy. I look forward to future collaborations from Webb and Harner--for once they hit their stride, they certainly batted this one out of the park--a definite literary homerun!
I highly recommend Deep Blues Goodbye to you. An exciting read, and hopefully the beginning of a thrilling new series in m/m fiction.
March 6, 2013
Well, well, this is just amazeballs!. This picks up 2 years after Altered States, we have Sam and Travis trying to reconcile their feelings about their lives and what has happened. Det. Danny Burkett is introduced, making me hope there is a threesome down the road. :) Not going to give this away, no spoilers, you just have to read it.
This is tightly written and if you like LEOs, vampires, werewolves, you have come to the right place. So glad to see werewolf love, they don't get enough in my opinion. Russ and Jet, who look to be the main werewolves, come in as protectors of Sam. (They need a book all their own. "hint".) Add to this mix, the "master" vampire Henri du Champ, who is the key to all that has/will happened.
"As the two men moved closer together, Sam's face was pressed tight against Jet's shoulder, and he was surrounded by the musky smell of man and something wilder, untamed....................."
"A hot mouth pressed kisses against his neck. The rough velvet pull of tongue smoothed over his head. He closed his eyes and knew he's never smelled anything like this on another mans's skin. Man? Wolf. Holy fuck."
There is the lovely back drop of New Orleans, which makes all this work for me. I give it a full moon of stars. On to #3, Deadly Shades of Gold.
A big thank you to T.A. Webb for turning me on to all this awesomeness. :)
This is tightly written and if you like LEOs, vampires, werewolves, you have come to the right place. So glad to see werewolf love, they don't get enough in my opinion. Russ and Jet, who look to be the main werewolves, come in as protectors of Sam. (They need a book all their own. "hint".) Add to this mix, the "master" vampire Henri du Champ, who is the key to all that has/will happened.
"As the two men moved closer together, Sam's face was pressed tight against Jet's shoulder, and he was surrounded by the musky smell of man and something wilder, untamed....................."
"A hot mouth pressed kisses against his neck. The rough velvet pull of tongue smoothed over his head. He closed his eyes and knew he's never smelled anything like this on another mans's skin. Man? Wolf. Holy fuck."
There is the lovely back drop of New Orleans, which makes all this work for me. I give it a full moon of stars. On to #3, Deadly Shades of Gold.
A big thank you to T.A. Webb for turning me on to all this awesomeness. :)
August 27, 2012
Yeah, I 'm hooked. When's the next due out because I can't wait.
December 10, 2012
A hot mess. Fun and sexy though, so 3 1/2? Will read the next installment because I'm now invested in these characters.
September 1, 2012
What a wonderful idea L.E. Harner envisioned. Vampires in America, here and now in New Orleans LA. The prequel is a must-read to meet Sam Garrett and Travis Boudreaux from the beginning. To see who they were, to feel the chemistry, the heat between them, and see what fate had in store for them.
The addition of T.A. Webb for Deep Blues Goodbye, Book 1, has added a measure of tough darkness to the storyline. Characters come alive and the story is crisp and exciting.
If I had not read the prequel Altered States, this book's opening still really got my attention immediately! We are at a funeral. The police department was having a service for one of its fallen. Their Commander stood with her back to the casket to say a few words, and the deceased sat up and muttered, “What the hell is going on?". Things have changed in the Big Easy. With the advent of vampires, weres and other paranormals, we now have a Vampire Protection League, and an amended Civil Rights Bill, and our Police department has to serve and protect more than just humans.
Detective Danny Burkett is sent to ask Travis Boudreaux for help in a series of questionable homicides in which the deceased parties are both human and vampire. The electricity is immediate between the two men. I do not want to give away even one spoiler for this exciting story. The story's feel gets even darker as we delve into the Vampire relationships, the humans who lust after them. Danny and Sam become part of the Odd Squad, who handle Paranormal Criminal Investigations. They tie the killings to a vampire named Vincent Jourdain, whose sire is a Master Vampire, Henri du Champ. The web these two authors are weaving is spectacular, and you follow the clues with the men in blue from bayou to cemetery to Bourbon St., and in our travels meet a wonderful pair of hunky weres, Russ and Jet... Lord have Mercy! I should only be as lucky as Sam is to have them watching over me.
The story is difficult to read in some ways because each man is fighting to find himself. Sam who has to forgive himself for his fear and anger, Travis for hating who he is and what has happened to him. They had such potential...What if? Danny...is he the extra in the mix, what will become of him? The scenes between these men were so emotionally charged, sensual, and erotic. These men work hard and play hard.
The last scene is breath-taking as we all are in a dark alley. A vampire has found her mark and swoops off the roof top. One of our heroes is injured, surrounded by faces he knows, a hand is trying to stem the bleeding. He knows he is dying and a voice cries out “Decide now. It has to be now.” Painfully we fade to black.
Love. it . Want. more. Now!
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild
Note from author.Warning: In this series the vampires don’t sparkle, werewolves kill, and sometimes the men have sex. With each other.
The addition of T.A. Webb for Deep Blues Goodbye, Book 1, has added a measure of tough darkness to the storyline. Characters come alive and the story is crisp and exciting.
If I had not read the prequel Altered States, this book's opening still really got my attention immediately! We are at a funeral. The police department was having a service for one of its fallen. Their Commander stood with her back to the casket to say a few words, and the deceased sat up and muttered, “What the hell is going on?". Things have changed in the Big Easy. With the advent of vampires, weres and other paranormals, we now have a Vampire Protection League, and an amended Civil Rights Bill, and our Police department has to serve and protect more than just humans.
Detective Danny Burkett is sent to ask Travis Boudreaux for help in a series of questionable homicides in which the deceased parties are both human and vampire. The electricity is immediate between the two men. I do not want to give away even one spoiler for this exciting story. The story's feel gets even darker as we delve into the Vampire relationships, the humans who lust after them. Danny and Sam become part of the Odd Squad, who handle Paranormal Criminal Investigations. They tie the killings to a vampire named Vincent Jourdain, whose sire is a Master Vampire, Henri du Champ. The web these two authors are weaving is spectacular, and you follow the clues with the men in blue from bayou to cemetery to Bourbon St., and in our travels meet a wonderful pair of hunky weres, Russ and Jet... Lord have Mercy! I should only be as lucky as Sam is to have them watching over me.
The story is difficult to read in some ways because each man is fighting to find himself. Sam who has to forgive himself for his fear and anger, Travis for hating who he is and what has happened to him. They had such potential...What if? Danny...is he the extra in the mix, what will become of him? The scenes between these men were so emotionally charged, sensual, and erotic. These men work hard and play hard.
The last scene is breath-taking as we all are in a dark alley. A vampire has found her mark and swoops off the roof top. One of our heroes is injured, surrounded by faces he knows, a hand is trying to stem the bleeding. He knows he is dying and a voice cries out “Decide now. It has to be now.” Painfully we fade to black.
Love. it . Want. more. Now!
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild
Note from author.Warning: In this series the vampires don’t sparkle, werewolves kill, and sometimes the men have sex. With each other.
June 10, 2013
I read this and the prequel together but I'm still doubtful as to whether there is a complete story in there anywhere. It's not bad by any means and I was tempted to give it an extra star for effort but in the end the effort was all on my end. It's as If the authors were in a race against time, or being paid by character ( and I don't mean alphabetical ) , because they just kept introducing new guys, new plot bits, new scenes, new sexy moments.....none of which really connected emotionally or plotishly. So this was basically a mess but it had lots of potential and the guys (werewolves, vamps, hunky humans etc) were hot. Also, how is it that all the paranormal and human characters were gay? Is that something that's passed along with a vampire or werewolf's bite? Or, perhaps it's just another plot shortcut, to explain why there is no meaningful dialogue between Sam/Trav/Danny/Russ/Jet, they just do the taste or sniff test instead of using gaydar! Just writing this review makes me want to subtract another star....
August 26, 2012
In a word? Spectacular.
It has all the intrigue of the early Anita Blakes, coupled with the flair of the Dark Hunters. Throw in some Dresden-Files-esque sluething, and something unique about this collaboration of authors and you get one AWESOME read.
I had to force myself to put it down for all those mundane tasks, like eating, but wow... I was not away from it long.
Great work by Laura Harner and T.A. Webb. I'll be waiting for book 2.
It has all the intrigue of the early Anita Blakes, coupled with the flair of the Dark Hunters. Throw in some Dresden-Files-esque sluething, and something unique about this collaboration of authors and you get one AWESOME read.
I had to force myself to put it down for all those mundane tasks, like eating, but wow... I was not away from it long.
Great work by Laura Harner and T.A. Webb. I'll be waiting for book 2.
August 31, 2012
This one is kind of a mess. I enjoyed something about the tone/atmosphere of the prequel, Altered States, but this one seems to be all bits and pieces without real coherency. Also, I'm still cranky because the authors changed the narration from first person (in Altered States) to third person here. I enjoyed the first person narration, and changing it made this seem like a completely different story rather than a continuation of the first.
September 9, 2012
Co-authored by L.E. Harner and T.A. Webb, Deep Blues Goodbye is a good old fashioned murder mystery with a twist or two. When vampires came out in the open it was a mistake.
In a “my bad” moment, a young vampire was being escorted to transport in the day light, and poof, went up in smoke, right on national T.V. For Detective Sam Garret things that go bump in the night are still low on his radar, until while attending the funeral of a colleague, the deceased sits up in the coffin, looks him in the eye and asks what’s going on.
Two years later, and the Paranormal Criminal Investigations Unit of New Orleans has been formed (referred to as the Odd Squad), to ensure supernaturals are protected. Working with a new partner, Sam is handed a case of two vampire wannabes who were staked through the heart and left at a cemetery. Sam doesn’t enter the case into the Odd Squad database, since he thinks it isn’t supernatural related. Detective Danny Burkette of the Odd Squad thinks differently, and so does the captain, so he is assigned to partner with Sam. Thinking he needs all the help he can get, Danny enlists the help of Sam’s old partner Travis Bouderaux, who is no longer with the NOPD. Sam and Travis' partnership ended on a not so bright note, and they haven‘t spoken since. Now the three will have to work together to solve the case and try to stay out of the other’s way.
The world still isn’t sure what to do with the supernatural community, but Sam is sure he doesn’t like them, and certainly doesn’t trust them. Now, not only does he have to work with the Odd Squad, he has to deal with his old partner too. Neither Sam nor Travis are happy campers when Danny pulls them onto the case, but they are both good cops so they suck it up.
These three are all dynamic characters; each could have a full length novel written with them as the lead character and carry it off. Sam’s dislike of all things supernatural is tested when he meets up with a pack of very yummy werewolves and his reactions are fun to watch. Danny is dedicated to his job and he certainly has his work cut out for him dealing with both Travis and Sam. He’s man enough for the job though, and manages to wrangle both of them with finesse and a healthy sense of humor. Travis was a by the book cop, and retains some of his straight laced demeanor. Danny isn’t put off by him and their interactions are full of tension and innuendo. The werewolf pack leader Russ, and Jet, his Beta, are big, bold and in your face characters. I liked both of them from the start.
I enjoyed all the characters, even the nasty old master vamp Henri du Champ was fun to read, and the story had me hooked from the first sentence. My only complaint is this is a novella and I would have loved to have seen some more character development. There were moments when, even though I read the pre-quel Altered States, I was a little lost on the dynamics of Sam and Travis. Still, I love a good cop book, the setting was spectacular and the characters interesting, and so I did enjoy the book. I’m actually going to steal from the blurb for my usual warning... “Warning: In this series the vampires don’t sparkle, werewolves kill, and sometimes the men have sex. With each other.”
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
In a “my bad” moment, a young vampire was being escorted to transport in the day light, and poof, went up in smoke, right on national T.V. For Detective Sam Garret things that go bump in the night are still low on his radar, until while attending the funeral of a colleague, the deceased sits up in the coffin, looks him in the eye and asks what’s going on.
Two years later, and the Paranormal Criminal Investigations Unit of New Orleans has been formed (referred to as the Odd Squad), to ensure supernaturals are protected. Working with a new partner, Sam is handed a case of two vampire wannabes who were staked through the heart and left at a cemetery. Sam doesn’t enter the case into the Odd Squad database, since he thinks it isn’t supernatural related. Detective Danny Burkette of the Odd Squad thinks differently, and so does the captain, so he is assigned to partner with Sam. Thinking he needs all the help he can get, Danny enlists the help of Sam’s old partner Travis Bouderaux, who is no longer with the NOPD. Sam and Travis' partnership ended on a not so bright note, and they haven‘t spoken since. Now the three will have to work together to solve the case and try to stay out of the other’s way.
The world still isn’t sure what to do with the supernatural community, but Sam is sure he doesn’t like them, and certainly doesn’t trust them. Now, not only does he have to work with the Odd Squad, he has to deal with his old partner too. Neither Sam nor Travis are happy campers when Danny pulls them onto the case, but they are both good cops so they suck it up.
These three are all dynamic characters; each could have a full length novel written with them as the lead character and carry it off. Sam’s dislike of all things supernatural is tested when he meets up with a pack of very yummy werewolves and his reactions are fun to watch. Danny is dedicated to his job and he certainly has his work cut out for him dealing with both Travis and Sam. He’s man enough for the job though, and manages to wrangle both of them with finesse and a healthy sense of humor. Travis was a by the book cop, and retains some of his straight laced demeanor. Danny isn’t put off by him and their interactions are full of tension and innuendo. The werewolf pack leader Russ, and Jet, his Beta, are big, bold and in your face characters. I liked both of them from the start.
I enjoyed all the characters, even the nasty old master vamp Henri du Champ was fun to read, and the story had me hooked from the first sentence. My only complaint is this is a novella and I would have loved to have seen some more character development. There were moments when, even though I read the pre-quel Altered States, I was a little lost on the dynamics of Sam and Travis. Still, I love a good cop book, the setting was spectacular and the characters interesting, and so I did enjoy the book. I’m actually going to steal from the blurb for my usual warning... “Warning: In this series the vampires don’t sparkle, werewolves kill, and sometimes the men have sex. With each other.”
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
September 30, 2012
It was a fun read but not quite to my taste.
Most of the book was to setup how to world changed since the prequel. The MCs from the prequel, Sam and Travis seemed to be stunted emotionally since the end of the prequel. It was understandable since they only had one night together. It was hardly strong enough to bind them against the odd this size.
The book wasn't quite the romance novel I usually liked. As in the MCs were working toward being together. There are more distractions than you can shake your fists at to keep them apart, while at the same time, it seemed that they want things that way. I don't know if I should root for them to get back together or have them include Danny and became a menage or have them moved on to other people or what...
The book also ended with a rather major cliff hanger... Sam finally able to reconcile his feeling toward Travis it sucks that this getting in the way. It was a good place to end the book I realize but I hope we don't have wait long to see the next one.
Most of the book was to setup how to world changed since the prequel. The MCs from the prequel, Sam and Travis seemed to be stunted emotionally since the end of the prequel. It was understandable since they only had one night together. It was hardly strong enough to bind them against the odd this size.
The book wasn't quite the romance novel I usually liked. As in the MCs were working toward being together. There are more distractions than you can shake your fists at to keep them apart, while at the same time, it seemed that they want things that way. I don't know if I should root for them to get back together or have them include Danny and became a menage or have them moved on to other people or what...
The book also ended with a rather major cliff hanger... Sam finally able to reconcile his feeling toward Travis it sucks that this getting in the way. It was a good place to end the book I realize but I hope we don't have wait long to see the next one.
April 1, 2015
I was so ready to write a more positive review...and then I got to the halfway mark in the plot - or about 63%, to be exact - and the wheels came off. Unlike another title of Harner's that I criticized for how investigative procedures were handled and the flat dialogue between MCs, none of these issues arose in this story. I enjoyed fast forwarding into the lives of Sam and Travis who were introduced in the prequel.
This time it wasn't the writing as a craft, but rather the writing choices that kept me shaking my head. A series of plot turns simply felt contrived and sudden. These include the human detective who can't wait to get it on with a vampire in a crypt who has just awakened with the setting of the sun, to the sudden introduction of werewolves in a chapter which jumps into one of these supporting character's head to provide both the current POV and a whopper of a detour into his personal backstory...all without explaining HOW he and his brother "contracted" lycanthropy as children.
A few pages later the same detective sets his sights on making Sam a been-there-like-to-do-again situation, while Sam's new werebuddies show interest in a menage...all while Travis as a newly-turned vampire watches from the sidelines. The emotional whiplash of following these MCs and the sudden flares of desires for whatever muscled-bound, warm-bodied male was near them was too much. At 77% even the insta-love potion wore off and I stopped short.
This time it wasn't the writing as a craft, but rather the writing choices that kept me shaking my head. A series of plot turns simply felt contrived and sudden. These include the human detective who can't wait to get it on with a vampire in a crypt who has just awakened with the setting of the sun, to the sudden introduction of werewolves in a chapter which jumps into one of these supporting character's head to provide both the current POV and a whopper of a detour into his personal backstory...all without explaining HOW he and his brother "contracted" lycanthropy as children.
A few pages later the same detective sets his sights on making Sam a been-there-like-to-do-again situation, while Sam's new werebuddies show interest in a menage...all while Travis as a newly-turned vampire watches from the sidelines. The emotional whiplash of following these MCs and the sudden flares of desires for whatever muscled-bound, warm-bodied male was near them was too much. At 77% even the insta-love potion wore off and I stopped short.
March 19, 2019
2nd read - May 20, 2013
Doing a quick re-read because I finally have the next book and wanted a refresher.
Surprisingly, even though I knew it was coming the ending still annoyed me. Cliffhangers are the worst.
And again Travis and Sam don't get a chance to really connect. Having Burkette in the middle is just a little weird.
Mystery of why Travis' "master" has not claimed him has me stumped. But something is definitely special about Travis... now if Sam would just realize it and get with the program :)
1st read - Nov 06, 2012
Well, all I can say is AAARRRGGGGHHH!!! I hate cliffhangers. This was a club read so I don't know why I wasn't expecting to be left with one of the heroes possibly dying in the last paragraph.
Other than that it was a good read. I liked the characters and how things were working out for the newly discovered "supers".
I was pretty annoyed with Sam. If he cared for Travis as he said then I would have thought he would have been more tolerant of the accident of his becoming a vampire. Okay, so Travis did try to make a meal out of him, but Travis didn't know what was going on.
Now I hope that in the next books we'll learn that if everyone can just get along they might be able to solve the murders.
I'm going out to see if I can find book #2 :)
Doing a quick re-read because I finally have the next book and wanted a refresher.
Surprisingly, even though I knew it was coming the ending still annoyed me. Cliffhangers are the worst.
And again Travis and Sam don't get a chance to really connect. Having Burkette in the middle is just a little weird.
Mystery of why Travis' "master" has not claimed him has me stumped. But something is definitely special about Travis... now if Sam would just realize it and get with the program :)
1st read - Nov 06, 2012
Well, all I can say is AAARRRGGGGHHH!!! I hate cliffhangers. This was a club read so I don't know why I wasn't expecting to be left with one of the heroes possibly dying in the last paragraph.
Other than that it was a good read. I liked the characters and how things were working out for the newly discovered "supers".
I was pretty annoyed with Sam. If he cared for Travis as he said then I would have thought he would have been more tolerant of the accident of his becoming a vampire. Okay, so Travis did try to make a meal out of him, but Travis didn't know what was going on.
Now I hope that in the next books we'll learn that if everyone can just get along they might be able to solve the murders.
I'm going out to see if I can find book #2 :)
August 15, 2014
After having the audacity to sit up at his own funeral, Travis has spent the last two years on his own. Sam won't speak to him, which isn't terribly shocking since Travis kind of tried to eat him, he has no idea who his maker is, and he got booted off the force, leaving Travis with a lot of time on his hands.
Meanwhile, Sam is pretty miserable. He doesn't want to admit it, but he misses Trav. Sam gets recruited to work with an old 'friend with benefits' on the Odd Squad to investigate some murders of vamps and wannabes.
I love the cast of characters of this series. We have a hot ex-cop vampire, a couple big, hunky werewolves and a couple police detectives and it's a wonder any of them can keep their hands to themselves. And sometimes they don't! So, I'm enjoying this ride and the ending was rather fun, too.
Meanwhile, Sam is pretty miserable. He doesn't want to admit it, but he misses Trav. Sam gets recruited to work with an old 'friend with benefits' on the Odd Squad to investigate some murders of vamps and wannabes.
I love the cast of characters of this series. We have a hot ex-cop vampire, a couple big, hunky werewolves and a couple police detectives and it's a wonder any of them can keep their hands to themselves. And sometimes they don't! So, I'm enjoying this ride and the ending was rather fun, too.
April 28, 2013
'Trav grabbed the stereo remote, hit the power button, and the slow, sultry sounds of Billie Holiday greeted the night.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R64FBz...
Interesting, intelligent m/m para romance. Great premise to this one: Travis Boudreaux is a New Orleans cop turned vampire who wakes in his coffin at his own funeral..
"Shit Danny. He was my partner. The prick that turned him stole fucking everything important to Trav. He took his career, his future, his goddamn life. And then, just like he was pissing on the body, the bastard even stole Trav's badge."
Interesting, intelligent m/m para romance. Great premise to this one: Travis Boudreaux is a New Orleans cop turned vampire who wakes in his coffin at his own funeral..
"Shit Danny. He was my partner. The prick that turned him stole fucking everything important to Trav. He took his career, his future, his goddamn life. And then, just like he was pissing on the body, the bastard even stole Trav's badge."
August 28, 2012
i think i am in love with sam, travis, danny, russ and jet! not sure about henri yet and would love to learn more about talon :)
stayed away from the paras for a while but this is the kind of story that reminds me how great they can be.
there's vamps, were's and the odd squad, which are cops assigned to patrol the paranormals.
its written very well, there's relationship building, world building and other than a few typos the editors should have caught, its a solid story.
looking forward to the next
stayed away from the paras for a while but this is the kind of story that reminds me how great they can be.
there's vamps, were's and the odd squad, which are cops assigned to patrol the paranormals.
its written very well, there's relationship building, world building and other than a few typos the editors should have caught, its a solid story.
looking forward to the next
August 27, 2012
The majority of other reviews have covered how great this series is going to be and how detailed the world building is; *thumbs up to everyone spending so much time creating brilliant and detailed reviews* how refreshing the new view point, the feeling of excitement in seeing a new storyline......
...BUT, I got to the end, and, yeah,
.....I realise it's a cliff hanger
.........and, yeah I really, really need, seriously need R.F.N., the next in this series
.... ........BUT this book, IMHO....
..................felt unfinished.......and the edge of my seat is getting sharp.....
...BUT, I got to the end, and, yeah,
.....I realise it's a cliff hanger
.........and, yeah I really, really need, seriously need R.F.N., the next in this series
.... ........BUT this book, IMHO....
..................felt unfinished.......and the edge of my seat is getting sharp.....
September 25, 2012
The Altered States series has a very interesting premise: Supernaturals coexist openly with humans. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story.
The cast of characters kept me reading. These are tough, gritty men who work mean streets. They're rough and tumble, hard edged.
The story follows the investigation of a series of murders and I really enjoyed the procedural aspects of how the "Odd Squad" investigation unfolds.
It ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm really looking forward to what's next!
The cast of characters kept me reading. These are tough, gritty men who work mean streets. They're rough and tumble, hard edged.
The story follows the investigation of a series of murders and I really enjoyed the procedural aspects of how the "Odd Squad" investigation unfolds.
It ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm really looking forward to what's next!
October 14, 2014
5 freaking awesome stars! I love these books and thank god I waited because if I had to wait after each book and be left with the cliffies each time I might become homicidal. Only my 2nd trip into the world of paranormal book and OMG where have I been??? Ok and Hot Alpha wolves wow and I love Danny I hope he's getting it on again soon hopefully with Trav! Mmm sexy!
January 3, 2014
Such promise. I love this story line. The world created in this series is mesmerizing. I want more of Travis and Sam together. I want more of all the MCs together in all ways. I cannot wait to read the next installment.
August 19, 2012
Dang! Good plot and good characters. And another cliff hanger.... grrrr....
April 24, 2013
An excellent follow up from Altered states, bringing in more characters and establishing the parameters of the world while solving a minor mystery. There's no doubt there's bigger conflict ahead.
August 23, 2014
Deep Blues Goodbye (Altered States #1)
LE Harner and TA Webb
4 stars
I have already bought book 2 in the series, “Deadly Shades of Gold,” because my reading friends know what I like. I am always grateful for recommendations.
Having cut my teeth, so to speak, on gay vampire romance writing before it was an actual thing (late 1980s, in response to Anne Rice), I follow the various developments in gay vampire fiction with great interest.
But I am not all that easy to please, because my definition of what a vampire should be is not exactly what everyone else’s is. And I insist on good writing. I don’t need Hemingway (feh, homophobic straight guy), but I won’t read crap just because it’s gay/vampire/romance.
So Laura Harner and Tom Webb’s collaboration on “Deep Blues Goodbye” was very welcome. It sort of takes up the “True Blood” premise of supernormals becoming acknowledged, and thus creates a world that is like our own, but, you know, with vampires and werewolves.
The core characters in this book: Sam Garrett, Danny Burkette, and Travis Boudreau, are very different from each other, although tied together in complicated ways. But they are all cops trying to deal with the new reality of vampires and werewolves in the world; and with a series of gruesome murders in New Orleans cemeteries that seem to be related.
Oh, and Sam is trying to deal with Travis being turned into a vampire, which is how everything became public in the first place.
Awkward, right?
I love gay cop stories. I love gay vampire stories. Gay vampire cop stories…*swoon.” And Harner/Webb make a good team. In this novella-length launch to the series, they pack in plenty of action, set in a plausible and recognizable New Orleans (I have family in NOLA, and I love the city, not just the Quarter). The characters are not fully 3-D yet, but as we get to know them better, I’m sure they’ll get fleshed out more.
And, I have to note, the book ends on a cliff-hanger. But, for once, it’s a perfect cliff-hanger. It leaves you with little doubt about what will happen next, or at least that something good will happen next. Something exciting.
Can’t wait to turn the page.
LE Harner and TA Webb
4 stars
I have already bought book 2 in the series, “Deadly Shades of Gold,” because my reading friends know what I like. I am always grateful for recommendations.
Having cut my teeth, so to speak, on gay vampire romance writing before it was an actual thing (late 1980s, in response to Anne Rice), I follow the various developments in gay vampire fiction with great interest.
But I am not all that easy to please, because my definition of what a vampire should be is not exactly what everyone else’s is. And I insist on good writing. I don’t need Hemingway (feh, homophobic straight guy), but I won’t read crap just because it’s gay/vampire/romance.
So Laura Harner and Tom Webb’s collaboration on “Deep Blues Goodbye” was very welcome. It sort of takes up the “True Blood” premise of supernormals becoming acknowledged, and thus creates a world that is like our own, but, you know, with vampires and werewolves.
The core characters in this book: Sam Garrett, Danny Burkette, and Travis Boudreau, are very different from each other, although tied together in complicated ways. But they are all cops trying to deal with the new reality of vampires and werewolves in the world; and with a series of gruesome murders in New Orleans cemeteries that seem to be related.
Oh, and Sam is trying to deal with Travis being turned into a vampire, which is how everything became public in the first place.
Awkward, right?
I love gay cop stories. I love gay vampire stories. Gay vampire cop stories…*swoon.” And Harner/Webb make a good team. In this novella-length launch to the series, they pack in plenty of action, set in a plausible and recognizable New Orleans (I have family in NOLA, and I love the city, not just the Quarter). The characters are not fully 3-D yet, but as we get to know them better, I’m sure they’ll get fleshed out more.
And, I have to note, the book ends on a cliff-hanger. But, for once, it’s a perfect cliff-hanger. It leaves you with little doubt about what will happen next, or at least that something good will happen next. Something exciting.
Can’t wait to turn the page.
January 28, 2015
I have to be honest. That cover doesn't appeal to me at all and I almost passed this one over. But something in the description really grabbed my attention so I gave it, it's prequel Altered States, and sequel Deadly Shades of Gold a shot. I read them all in a day and spent most of that time fanning myself. Wow! That is some hot stuff right there. It is M/M, so you have to be into that sort of thing, but boy does it deliver. There is plot too. I don't want to suggest otherwise, but yeah...
Deep Blues Goodbye feels quite different from Altered States though. In that prequel both Sam and Travis were strong, confident men. In this one they were both a little bit broken. They felt fragile. Plus, while the first one focused on them, their investigation, and their attraction to one another, they avoid each-other for almost all of this book. There was still some Holy Mother hot sex involved, but not with one another. That was a little disappointing. But I understood it in context of the story.
What really struck me about the book is that it was unquestionably a steamy read, but it did this without all of the power plays. No one was dominated, subjugated, or abused in any fashion. There were no whips, blindfolds, or kinks of any sort, but the sex still smouldered. I don't mean to make grand sweeping generalities, but I kind of think modern erotica's frequent heavy dependence on fetishism is a plot crutch. Yes, it is titillating to read about exotic sex, but it takes a stronger story to keep the scene equally captivating without taping into people's sense of the taboo. This one didn't go there. It didn't need to.
I don't think I can give it higher praise than to say I raced right back to Amazon to see if there was a sequel, bought it and kept reading as if there hadn't been a $3.99 break in there.
Deep Blues Goodbye feels quite different from Altered States though. In that prequel both Sam and Travis were strong, confident men. In this one they were both a little bit broken. They felt fragile. Plus, while the first one focused on them, their investigation, and their attraction to one another, they avoid each-other for almost all of this book. There was still some Holy Mother hot sex involved, but not with one another. That was a little disappointing. But I understood it in context of the story.
What really struck me about the book is that it was unquestionably a steamy read, but it did this without all of the power plays. No one was dominated, subjugated, or abused in any fashion. There were no whips, blindfolds, or kinks of any sort, but the sex still smouldered. I don't mean to make grand sweeping generalities, but I kind of think modern erotica's frequent heavy dependence on fetishism is a plot crutch. Yes, it is titillating to read about exotic sex, but it takes a stronger story to keep the scene equally captivating without taping into people's sense of the taboo. This one didn't go there. It didn't need to.
I don't think I can give it higher praise than to say I raced right back to Amazon to see if there was a sequel, bought it and kept reading as if there hadn't been a $3.99 break in there.
November 27, 2014
Deep Blues Goodbye by L.E. Harner
I started this story without reading any reviews because I so enjoyed the teaser we got in Altered States the prequel. I had no idea what the ending was going to be like and thought please don’t leave me hanging again! But alas my pleas have gone unheard and I have to wait for the next book AGAIN! Good thing I’m hooked on this series with Travis and Sam.
I suggest reading the series in order so you too can experience the OMG moment at the end of Altered States that I did. It also helps to understand this book so much better and the relationship between Travis and Sam.
Two years have passed since Travis’ death and rebirth. On that day life and death as we know it changed and paranormals have come out of the shadows. This new world is something Sam is having a difficult time adjusting to and he still feels the loss of Travis and ‘what-might-have-beens’. Sam is harboring what I believe is survivors guilt in the form of anger towards Travis. It wasn’t Travis’s fault but anger and guilt have no reason.
Travis is still adjusting to his ‘undead’ status and his place in this new society. He too has thoughts of Sam and moments of ‘only ifs’. Travis is no longer a detective in the NOPD but can he get over his life changing and use his experience to help in the new division for paranormal crimes?
This series explodes with vampires and werewolves and more things that go bump in the night and not all of them human. Lots of new characters in this story and some really steamy guy on guy action. I’m loving it and look forward to the next one etc…
I started this story without reading any reviews because I so enjoyed the teaser we got in Altered States the prequel. I had no idea what the ending was going to be like and thought please don’t leave me hanging again! But alas my pleas have gone unheard and I have to wait for the next book AGAIN! Good thing I’m hooked on this series with Travis and Sam.
I suggest reading the series in order so you too can experience the OMG moment at the end of Altered States that I did. It also helps to understand this book so much better and the relationship between Travis and Sam.
Two years have passed since Travis’ death and rebirth. On that day life and death as we know it changed and paranormals have come out of the shadows. This new world is something Sam is having a difficult time adjusting to and he still feels the loss of Travis and ‘what-might-have-beens’. Sam is harboring what I believe is survivors guilt in the form of anger towards Travis. It wasn’t Travis’s fault but anger and guilt have no reason.
Travis is still adjusting to his ‘undead’ status and his place in this new society. He too has thoughts of Sam and moments of ‘only ifs’. Travis is no longer a detective in the NOPD but can he get over his life changing and use his experience to help in the new division for paranormal crimes?
This series explodes with vampires and werewolves and more things that go bump in the night and not all of them human. Lots of new characters in this story and some really steamy guy on guy action. I’m loving it and look forward to the next one etc…
December 29, 2012
Following on from the prequel written for the M/M Romance Group's LIAW event, Altered States, this novel takes place some 2 years after Travis rises up at his own funeral as a vampire. And given how the prequel finished, it came as no surprise that this novella also finishes with a cliffhanger. (Honestly, I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings, yet I've noticed more authors are starting to do it. I wonder if its being done with aim of ensuring the readers return to the next installment, but for me, it actually lessens the inclination to read another of the author's novels - I dislike being kept hanging!)
To continue, Sam and Travis are both reluctantly drawn into an ongoing police investigation of supernatural crime, although their reluctance is based on differing points of view. For Travis, being turned Vampire meant the immediate end of his career with NOPD. For Sam, it was a reluctance to deal with anything 'super' after losing his partner and lover when Travis was turned. But once their interest was captured, everything each believed needed to be reassessed, only in Sam's case, it appears to be too little and too late. Unfortunately though, we need to wait till the next release to see if that is indeed the case.
To continue, Sam and Travis are both reluctantly drawn into an ongoing police investigation of supernatural crime, although their reluctance is based on differing points of view. For Travis, being turned Vampire meant the immediate end of his career with NOPD. For Sam, it was a reluctance to deal with anything 'super' after losing his partner and lover when Travis was turned. But once their interest was captured, everything each believed needed to be reassessed, only in Sam's case, it appears to be too little and too late. Unfortunately though, we need to wait till the next release to see if that is indeed the case.
July 30, 2017
There's two things I don't do in my readings : 1- I'm not into vampires/werewolves and their equivalents... not even ghosts 2- I don't read ongoing series because I'm not patient and I want to know what's gonna happen next now. You must wonder now why I'm telling you my little tenets of reading, well, because I've broken both with this book. To my defence: I read the prequel first without knowing that people would turn out to be supers before I got to the page where if was revealed. All this defending and complaining done, let's talk about the book... I was expecting a little more, the story is pretty thin, but I think what is a little frustrating is that there is no ending: not all the crimes are solved, the mystery is still ongoing and this story is obviously an opening for the next chapter in the series. I don't mind series, I've liked them since I was a kid and discovered there was more than one Poirot's mystery out there, but I like some closure and there was total lack of it in this one. Does that mean I will not be reading the next book when and if it comes out? Absolutely not, I will be there just because the truth is I care about the characters (even though this is something that come from Altered states) and I still want to know what is going on in their world.
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