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Mojo Mysteries #1
Demon Dog
One juicy mystery, mustard and relish included.
Mojo Mysteries, Book 1
Three years after solving the hundred-year-old murder case that brought them together, Greg Woodhall and Adrian Broussard have settled into life together in the colorful college town of Chapel Hill. Adrian’s doctorate research and Greg’s two jobs keep them busy, but they have each other and life is good.
When Greg is offered the chance to help Bay City Paranormal scope out the historic PlayMakers Theater’s rumored spirits, he’s excited to get involved—at first. But as the protoplasmic trail unexpectedly shifts to DogOpolis, where Greg works part time, he senses something in the air besides the mouthwatering aroma of gourmet hot dogs.
There’s an entity that the team can’t quite get a handle on, but it’s creating havoc in Greg’s relationship with Adrian. Things that leave him doubting his own sanity. When the team finally uncovers the truth, no one is prepared for the danger—or what they’ll have to do to stop the thing plaguing DogO before it stops them. Permanently.
This book contains a spooky mystery, unusual hot dog toppings, and a fast food joint that may or may not be haunted. May cause random hot dog cravings.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2012
7 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blue
90 books449 followersAlly Blue penned her first tale at age eight, relating the breathless terror of her little sister’s not-quite-fatal encounter with a bee in the backyard. That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with storytelling. She now writes gay romance of all flavors, and has recently branched into writing her first love: horror. She continues her neverending quest to scare herself. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 19, 2016
Update (19-08-2015): I really wish I could say this was the review for this book but it's not. This is my review for the second book in this series, somehow I managed to miss doing a review for this one and over a year and more than 300 books later not much about this story has stuck with me other than the fact that I liked it more than book #2 and less than 'Bay City Paranormal Investigations' which was the series that this one originated from.
The rest of this is the review for 'A Ghost Most Elusive' Book #2
I really wish I could say differently but a fair chunk of this was a forced read. I love Ally Blue's Bay City Paranormal series and since this was a spin off I was wanting...hoping it would be the same. Book 1 was a 3 star read, so for me that's ok, it means a good solid enjoyable read not fantastic but enjoyable from start to finish and that's ok they don't all have to be 5 star reads.
This book gets 2.5 stars and just barely. A lot of the time I felt like I was spinning my gears on a story that seemed to be making no progress and as if that wasn't bad enough there were times that I wondered why Adrian & Greg were together, it almost felt forced. Their connection just didn't seem to be there.
In regards to the story there were times that it seemed sketchy and might have benefited from a bit more detail. Overall it just wasn't working for me the way the original series did or her stand alone book Adder which I absolutely loved!
I'm torn on whether or not I'll be continuing with this series, I guess time and my elusive interest will tell.
The rest of this is the review for 'A Ghost Most Elusive' Book #2
This book gets 2.5 stars and just barely. A lot of the time I felt like I was spinning my gears on a story that seemed to be making no progress and as if that wasn't bad enough there were times that I wondered why Adrian & Greg were together, it almost felt forced. Their connection just didn't seem to be there.
In regards to the story there were times that it seemed sketchy and might have benefited from a bit more detail. Overall it just wasn't working for me the way the original series did or her stand alone book Adder which I absolutely loved!
I'm torn on whether or not I'll be continuing with this series, I guess time and my elusive interest will tell.
October 9, 2013
Hmm.. I don't know what to say... On one hand this was a pretty interesting story. It is the beginning of a spin off series featuring Adrian and Greg. As a bonus we get to see a lot of the BCPI gang- although not Andre, who for some reason I remain really curious about. Adrian and Greg are making their way post graduation. Greg is working at a hot dog place and performing at the local theater and Adrian is still continuing his research. As most theaters are haunted, the BCPI gang comes in to investigate the haunting. Meanwhile Greg is experiencing weird things at his job as well and worries he may be losing it.
I loved seeing the whole BCPI gang again, and really I think it's because I never really felt like that series got an ending. It seemed to end once everyone got paired off. When it started as a series about paranormal things. But still you get some time with Bo, Sam, Cecile and Dean. You get to see some of the characters you met in the first Adrian and Greg book. And the story of the haunting and such was interesting.
What I didn't like? In general, this book was paced badly and jerky. And I didn't ever feel connected to either of the guys, despite the fact that the story shifted between both of their POVs. Well, first and I know I said this about their last book, but the fact that the story is set in the future feels so awkward to me. I think because being set in the future doesn't add anything to the story except to make Adrian an adult. Considering the years that have passed. almost 15 since the first BCPI story, they don't seem to know anything. I mean everything they know about the paranormal is still so uncertain. They seriously haven't learned anything concrete in all this time? It's frustrating as a reader to not seem to ever get any answers. Speaking of, in this book it seems that while some of the things Greg was experiencing at the hot dog place were explained, but the stuff at the theater wasn't really. And the whole Jon subplot was painfully awkward.
And finally the Greg and Adrian relationship feels rocky the way it was written. First of all every sex scene between the two was either interrupted or faded to black, except for one. And that one was so awkwardly placed that I was annoyed at having to read it then. Like all the other times the story was still establishing and I would have liked to see them together. But when we finally got it, the story had finally started to get momentum and the momentum ground to a halt and never quite picked back up. Plus I know that Adrian has to finish his research as part of the deal for his scholarship, but I want to know what the plan is. How much longer does he have? Greg wanted to go to Broadway, and now he's working in community theater and serving hot dogs. Which he would be doing in NY anyway, but... I just wonder. And finally in regards to these two, it seems that while the love is still there, they seem to be suffering in the truth department. Which makes it feel like they don't remember what they learned in the previous story.
So, this book rates 2.5, rounded to 3 because we did get to see the BCPI gang and there was sort of a conclusion. But I need to see more of the couple, because that's how we met these two. Will I read the next one? Probably, eventually, but I'm not rushing out to get it it.
I loved seeing the whole BCPI gang again, and really I think it's because I never really felt like that series got an ending. It seemed to end once everyone got paired off. When it started as a series about paranormal things. But still you get some time with Bo, Sam, Cecile and Dean. You get to see some of the characters you met in the first Adrian and Greg book. And the story of the haunting and such was interesting.
What I didn't like? In general, this book was paced badly and jerky. And I didn't ever feel connected to either of the guys, despite the fact that the story shifted between both of their POVs. Well, first and I know I said this about their last book, but the fact that the story is set in the future feels so awkward to me. I think because being set in the future doesn't add anything to the story except to make Adrian an adult. Considering the years that have passed. almost 15 since the first BCPI story, they don't seem to know anything. I mean everything they know about the paranormal is still so uncertain. They seriously haven't learned anything concrete in all this time? It's frustrating as a reader to not seem to ever get any answers. Speaking of, in this book it seems that while some of the things Greg was experiencing at the hot dog place were explained, but the stuff at the theater wasn't really. And the whole Jon subplot was painfully awkward.
And finally the Greg and Adrian relationship feels rocky the way it was written. First of all every sex scene between the two was either interrupted or faded to black, except for one. And that one was so awkwardly placed that I was annoyed at having to read it then. Like all the other times the story was still establishing and I would have liked to see them together. But when we finally got it, the story had finally started to get momentum and the momentum ground to a halt and never quite picked back up. Plus I know that Adrian has to finish his research as part of the deal for his scholarship, but I want to know what the plan is. How much longer does he have? Greg wanted to go to Broadway, and now he's working in community theater and serving hot dogs. Which he would be doing in NY anyway, but... I just wonder. And finally in regards to these two, it seems that while the love is still there, they seem to be suffering in the truth department. Which makes it feel like they don't remember what they learned in the previous story.
So, this book rates 2.5, rounded to 3 because we did get to see the BCPI gang and there was sort of a conclusion. But I need to see more of the couple, because that's how we met these two. Will I read the next one? Probably, eventually, but I'm not rushing out to get it it.
July 6, 2014
Demon Dog
OR
How Many Jokes About Wieners Can We Fit In This Book? (Hint, Not Enough)
The biggest problem with this book is pacing. This is a slow book, probably should have been a novella, not a novel. I don't think the author had quite enough material to fill out a full length novel, but tried anyway.
I've run into trouble with some m/m romances that speed through the 'slow' bits, the quiet moments of character interaction, the build up of the world and stage on which the characters interact. This book did not do that, it took its time, with hints of spooky and supernatural coming in as color beneath that and I generally enjoyed that aspect of it. Other readers, though, will probably be annoyed at the slow build, so fair warning.
However, when we hit the second half of the book, where we deal with our supernatural element... That dragged. That should NOT have dragged. That should have added some spice and excitement, but it did not. There was more discussion, drama, and introverted rambling than there was DEALING with things. The supernatural element was not handled with any kind of creativity, either in how the characters dealt with it or what the supernatural element did. It was all very bland and supernatural elements shouldn't feel BLAND.
Ultimately, this book didn't have any character growth or change. Everyone is basically at the same place as they were when they started the book, minus a couple of minor characters. Between the lack of change and the lack of anything creative, as a reader, I'm left wondering why I picked up the book. There's not even enough sex to justify it as a smut read. The earlier part of the book teases a lot of sex, but does not put it on the page. I'm generally okay with and even prefer that, but there's a lot of teasing about using psychic powers in sex (hot), but little follow through even in the full sex scene.
Still, the writing is solid and there is real charm in the relationship. While I can't recommend this book to most people, I'll be giving the author's other books a shot. I think she has works worth reading, this was just not it.
OR
How Many Jokes About Wieners Can We Fit In This Book? (Hint, Not Enough)
The biggest problem with this book is pacing. This is a slow book, probably should have been a novella, not a novel. I don't think the author had quite enough material to fill out a full length novel, but tried anyway.
I've run into trouble with some m/m romances that speed through the 'slow' bits, the quiet moments of character interaction, the build up of the world and stage on which the characters interact. This book did not do that, it took its time, with hints of spooky and supernatural coming in as color beneath that and I generally enjoyed that aspect of it. Other readers, though, will probably be annoyed at the slow build, so fair warning.
However, when we hit the second half of the book, where we deal with our supernatural element... That dragged. That should NOT have dragged. That should have added some spice and excitement, but it did not. There was more discussion, drama, and introverted rambling than there was DEALING with things. The supernatural element was not handled with any kind of creativity, either in how the characters dealt with it or what the supernatural element did. It was all very bland and supernatural elements shouldn't feel BLAND.
Ultimately, this book didn't have any character growth or change. Everyone is basically at the same place as they were when they started the book, minus a couple of minor characters. Between the lack of change and the lack of anything creative, as a reader, I'm left wondering why I picked up the book. There's not even enough sex to justify it as a smut read. The earlier part of the book teases a lot of sex, but does not put it on the page. I'm generally okay with and even prefer that, but there's a lot of teasing about using psychic powers in sex (hot), but little follow through even in the full sex scene.
Still, the writing is solid and there is real charm in the relationship. While I can't recommend this book to most people, I'll be giving the author's other books a shot. I think she has works worth reading, this was just not it.
September 24, 2015
Very good paranormal mystery. Deals with an established couple and is a spin-off series from Bay City Paranormal series (where I guess these guys had their relationship start). I didn't realise this but it didn't marr my enjoyment of this book in any way.
There were enough red herrings to make me wonder where the evil originated and both the mystery and the relationship kept me interested right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I have the next book in this series but I'm actually considering going on to read the Bay City books next.
There were enough red herrings to make me wonder where the evil originated and both the mystery and the relationship kept me interested right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I have the next book in this series but I'm actually considering going on to read the Bay City books next.
October 10, 2013
a little too blah blah-y. I bet a full quarter of this book was just Adrian/ Greg and\or Sam/Bo trying to protect each other and getting mad at each other for putting themselves in danger. kind of annoying. but if you like the BCPI series, it's worth reading.
April 8, 2015
New spin off series felt like BCP next generation. Greg and Adrian fight off evil entity with the help of the BCP gang. I was hoping for something a bit more different, but I do see lots of potential for this new series. Enjoyable read.
May 10, 2017
I didn't realize that with Adrian growing up, this is now the future with new technology. This is science fiction.
Oh man, all the sex is fade to black.
Their day to day interactions and relationship feels very real. The sense of the setting such as them preparing hot dogs is done very well. The plot and action started from the very beginning. So why am I bored?
Doesn't Jon have an understudy?
Couldn't someone without powers have knocked the fan out of their hands with a stick or something? Plastic would be a better material to prevent transference.
An Episcopal priest is not the same. It's just a word for clergy that has specific connotations. I'm pretty sure the Episcopal (basically Anglican although I think slightly more liberal) church doesn't believe in possession. There's no way they're "trained to deal with demons". They also don't wear robes unless it's for a service of some kind, just the "dog collar." A Baptist holy roller might be a better choice.
There was stuff about Jon that was never explained like why he was looking guilty and why he suddenly was messing up his lines.
Final confrontation wasn't as big as I'd like but there were done good danger moments and a hospital scene.
Oh man, all the sex is fade to black.
Their day to day interactions and relationship feels very real. The sense of the setting such as them preparing hot dogs is done very well. The plot and action started from the very beginning. So why am I bored?
Doesn't Jon have an understudy?
Couldn't someone without powers have knocked the fan out of their hands with a stick or something? Plastic would be a better material to prevent transference.
An Episcopal priest is not the same. It's just a word for clergy that has specific connotations. I'm pretty sure the Episcopal (basically Anglican although I think slightly more liberal) church doesn't believe in possession. There's no way they're "trained to deal with demons". They also don't wear robes unless it's for a service of some kind, just the "dog collar." A Baptist holy roller might be a better choice.
There was stuff about Jon that was never explained like why he was looking guilty and why he suddenly was messing up his lines.
Final confrontation wasn't as big as I'd like but there were done good danger moments and a hospital scene.
March 19, 2017
Fun story, great character development with a paranormal twist & real family
March 7, 2022
This was my favorite of this spin off series. I really enjoyed it. I am bummed that the next two books in the series are no longer available. Maybe someday.
August 5, 2013
Fans of Ally Blue’s Bay City Paranormal series will find a new and very worthy series beginning in Demon Dog. Picking up with Bo’s son Adrian Broussard and his partner Greg Woodhall, the story centers on the mysterious flashes of what seems to be a malevolent ghost haunting Greg while he works at DogOpolis–a popular hot dog shop.
As the brushes with the strange entity become more frequent, Greg finally breaks down and tells Adrian the entire story. Adding to the mystery is the fact that the theatre where Greg rehearses in the evenings is also known in the local community as being haunted.
Between this and the disturbances at the restaurant, Adrian and Greg decide to call in Adrian’s Dads, Bo and Sam and their team to help figure out exactly what is attacking Greg. As they investigate, the origin of the disturbance not only becomes clear but unfortunately is also something none of them has ever encountered before and it is bent on destroying not only Sam but his friend Ellen as well.
Ally Blue has had a long string of success in this paranormal genre and this story is certainly worthy of being added to that illustrious list. The new focus on Adrian and Greg gives a fresh look at a longstanding story line and allows for fans to really get a sense of these new–yet old characters. Both characters are well written–and Ms. Blue gives us just enough background information to make the family connections easy to understand if you have never read any of the other series.
The story itself is compelling and a new twist–giving this series its first taste of what I hope will continue to be fascinating and unusual paranormal bad guys for these two men to go up against.
Perhaps the only sour note I had with Demon Dog was that I felt the novel stalled at times going too far into Greg’s misgivings over whether or not to share things with Adrian and, in turn, Adrian’s reluctance to step up and confront Greg and demand the truth.
There was admittedly some need for this type of tension, but for me, it seemed to go on and on–so much so that I felt it weighed the novel down. In the end, I felt the over analyzing of motives and subterfuge derailed what should have been a fast paced race to discover the source of the haunting.
Having said that, Demon Dog has all the makings of a solid beginning novel in another entertaining series by Ally Blue.
As the brushes with the strange entity become more frequent, Greg finally breaks down and tells Adrian the entire story. Adding to the mystery is the fact that the theatre where Greg rehearses in the evenings is also known in the local community as being haunted.
Between this and the disturbances at the restaurant, Adrian and Greg decide to call in Adrian’s Dads, Bo and Sam and their team to help figure out exactly what is attacking Greg. As they investigate, the origin of the disturbance not only becomes clear but unfortunately is also something none of them has ever encountered before and it is bent on destroying not only Sam but his friend Ellen as well.
Ally Blue has had a long string of success in this paranormal genre and this story is certainly worthy of being added to that illustrious list. The new focus on Adrian and Greg gives a fresh look at a longstanding story line and allows for fans to really get a sense of these new–yet old characters. Both characters are well written–and Ms. Blue gives us just enough background information to make the family connections easy to understand if you have never read any of the other series.
The story itself is compelling and a new twist–giving this series its first taste of what I hope will continue to be fascinating and unusual paranormal bad guys for these two men to go up against.
Perhaps the only sour note I had with Demon Dog was that I felt the novel stalled at times going too far into Greg’s misgivings over whether or not to share things with Adrian and, in turn, Adrian’s reluctance to step up and confront Greg and demand the truth.
There was admittedly some need for this type of tension, but for me, it seemed to go on and on–so much so that I felt it weighed the novel down. In the end, I felt the over analyzing of motives and subterfuge derailed what should have been a fast paced race to discover the source of the haunting.
Having said that, Demon Dog has all the makings of a solid beginning novel in another entertaining series by Ally Blue.
December 20, 2012
I'm a huge fan of the BCPI series and Ally Blue so I was very excited to see this spin-off mystery series featuring Adrian and Greg from Love Like Ghosts. I love that it's futuristic without being so far into the future to make it difficult to relate to but I found myself skimming through this book and not as invested in the characters as I'd hoped.
I know this is a new series and it's a mystery book but I was hoping for more full sex scenes between Adrian and Greg since they're such sexual beings and getting just the one was disappointing. I loved seeing Bo and Sam and Cecile and my favorite BCPI character Damian Delaporte, but at the same time, felt like I was getting disjointed scenes from them.
There were a few obvious editorial mistakes too which was really surprising to see in a Samhain Publishing book. All in all, I gave it a 2 because it was an ok read but not as good as I'd hoped. Hopefully the next one in the series will be a bit meatier.
I know this is a new series and it's a mystery book but I was hoping for more full sex scenes between Adrian and Greg since they're such sexual beings and getting just the one was disappointing. I loved seeing Bo and Sam and Cecile and my favorite BCPI character Damian Delaporte, but at the same time, felt like I was getting disjointed scenes from them.
There were a few obvious editorial mistakes too which was really surprising to see in a Samhain Publishing book. All in all, I gave it a 2 because it was an ok read but not as good as I'd hoped. Hopefully the next one in the series will be a bit meatier.
January 15, 2014
This review was originally written for Joyfully Jay Reviews.
4 stars
Demon Dog is the first in Ally Blue’s Mojo Mysteries series. This series is a spinoff of her Bay City Paranormal Investigations series. If you haven’t read the BCPI series, you don’t necessarily have to in order to read this series, although this book does have a cameo from several of the characters from that series.
I am a fan of Ally Blue and enjoy many of her work contemporary and paranormal. So, yes, I was very excited to learn of this BCPI spinoff. Adrian and Greg were both introduced in the seventh BCPI book, Love, Like Ghosts. Demon Dog picks up three years later. Greg and Adrian are leading a happy life in North Carolina when the paranormal world creeps in once again. This story is fun and as always very creative.
Read Crissy's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Demon Dog is the first in Ally Blue’s Mojo Mysteries series. This series is a spinoff of her Bay City Paranormal Investigations series. If you haven’t read the BCPI series, you don’t necessarily have to in order to read this series, although this book does have a cameo from several of the characters from that series.
I am a fan of Ally Blue and enjoy many of her work contemporary and paranormal. So, yes, I was very excited to learn of this BCPI spinoff. Adrian and Greg were both introduced in the seventh BCPI book, Love, Like Ghosts. Demon Dog picks up three years later. Greg and Adrian are leading a happy life in North Carolina when the paranormal world creeps in once again. This story is fun and as always very creative.
Read Crissy's review in its entirety here.
August 11, 2016
A cute story with the couple set mostly around the fast food joint that Greg works at. Weird things are going on but they aren't sure if they are connected to Greg or the location or what. Adrien's parents come up to check it out but don't find much either. Finally all hell breaks loose and my worst way of being injured (deep fat fryer) raises it's ugly head. Gawd.
Anyway, these guys just seem a little too perfect and lovey. They are young but they are just the most perfect two boys for each other ever. Not a bad thing I suppose but sometimes I wanted to smack them a bit.
Anyway, these guys just seem a little too perfect and lovey. They are young but they are just the most perfect two boys for each other ever. Not a bad thing I suppose but sometimes I wanted to smack them a bit.
April 19, 2017
Love the continuation of this series which is focusing more on Adrian & Greg. This was scary with the big bad hurting individual people. My only questions are, why they didn't . Anyway, hot sex, scary big bad and we get to see Bo & Sam which made me happy. It was nice to see Adrian & Sam working together using their gifts. On to the next one :)
September 2, 2016
3.5 stars
Overall I really enjoyed this, I just don't get why the priest needed to do an exorcism when they just banned the Demon after it, would have been much easier to just throw the entire fan into the dimension hole thingy.
Looking forward to the next book though.
Overall I really enjoyed this, I just don't get why the priest needed to do an exorcism when they just banned the Demon after it, would have been much easier to just throw the entire fan into the dimension hole thingy.
Looking forward to the next book though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2013
Reviewed for RT Book Reviews November 2013 issue: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/demon-dog
February 6, 2014
3.5 stars
November 20, 2014
Demo Dog is the first in a series featuring Adrian and Greg. They are so great together. I love the foundation Ally is building with these two.
September 15, 2015
too loooonnnng for nothing
April 10, 2014
3.5 Stars. Wonderful characters, I'll definitely read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews