Graveyard Dog: A Charley Davidson Novella

Charley Davidson #13.9

by Darynda Jones

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Darynda Jones comes a new story in her Charley Davidson series…

Michael Cavalcante has one thing on his mind when he knocks on Izzabel Walsh’s door at two in the morning, half-dressed and a bit toasted: fix the woman’s heater and get back to bed. He’d vowed never to cover for his maintenance tech again, especially after he got tased and knocked out with a frying pan for his efforts.

Izzy thought she was safe. She’d dyed her hair, changed her name, and moved 1,500 miles away. And still they’d found her. When a member of her ex’s motorcycle club knocks on her door in the middle of the night, supposedly to fix a perfectly good heater, Izzy panics. Not only have they found her, but they will soon discover she has a daughter. Aka, leverage. She needs time to think. To plan. To figure out how to keep the sexy neanderthal quiet. But she has no idea how, short of murder. Can she win him over to her side? Or will he be just like all the others once he finds out what she is capable of?

Michael has one chance to convince Izzy he doesn’t want to harm her or her daughter, but more than that, he wants to know who does. And why. And where he can find them. After all, how else is he going to make sure the two sprites who have wound their way into his heart are safe?

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Novella, Audiobook

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. She penned the international bestselling Charley Davidson series and is currently working on several beloved projects, most notably the Sunshine Vicram Mystery Series with St. Martin's Press and the Betwixt and Between Series of paranormal women's fiction. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

Click here to read one of the more popular short stories by Darynda called The Monster:
https://theneverneath.com/2018/02/02/...

She can be found at http://www.daryndajones.com

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Charley Davidson's world and I love even more the fact that Darynda Jones keeps giving these amazing snippets of said world.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Thank you, Darynda Jones.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard Dog
Charley Davidson, Book 13.9

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Audible
Dates Read: 3/25/25 - 3/27/25
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Narrator(s): Traci Odom


The Characters:

Michael Cavalante
Isabel Walsh:
Pickle, Beep, and other members of the Davidson extended family

The Story:

Sweet little Pickle was the star of the show. Ms Jones excels at writing precocious young ones. I hope to see more of this little family in the future.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always fun spending time in Charley's world where her tricksy daughter maneuvers people she believes will be needed in the upcoming battle on a game board only she can see. Admittedly, I don't KNOW only Elwyn can see it. Maybe others can too. But the powerful kiddo sees things and she puts things in motion to make those things come to fruition.

This time around, she KNOWS Michael and Izzy would be perfect for one another so she orchestrates a meeting between them. One in which Izzy brains Michael with a frying pan, ties him to her dishwasher, and makes plans to escape before anyone realizes anything is wrong. HA. Yeah, Michael's not thrilled with the braining part.

He is, however, enchanted by both Izzy and her too-wise-for-her-years daughter. Between Izzy's abilities and the walk-in setting up camp in her kiddo, he starts to get an inkling that maybe Elwyn had a hand in bringing them together. This is ultimately irrelevant since Izzy needs his help and he's not one to abandon people who need him.

A feisty spirit who might be older than they think, a kiddo who's good at trusting her gut, a bad guy with a birdhouse fetish, a man who is a protector to the core, and a lady who has a hard time trusting when good things happen to her. *thumbs up* all around.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

I an not so sure about the reason why I keep reading this series, I don't even remember any of the characters anymore except Beep. The good times of Charley and Reyes are long gone, and honestly it's not like I'm really looking forward to jumping into another series where there's going to be a " final" war against the devil.

Non so nemmeno tanto bene cosa continuo a leggerla a fare questa serie, non mi ricordo nemmeno piú uno dei personaggi tranne Beep. I bei tempi di Charley e Reyes sono ormai passati e sinceramente non é che proprio non veda l'ora di buttarmi in un'altra serie dove ci sará la guerra contro il demonio.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the humor this author includes in her stories.

Doesn't matter how dire the situation there's always a snarky humerous remark to make you smile and cheer you up. All Darynda Jones characters have this ability, Charlie Davidson is a master of the snarky comment as is Sunshine Vikram but all her characters have it to one degree or.another, it's what allows them to.deal.so.well with falling down the rabbit hole that is Charley Davidson's world. A world full of supernatural beings hiding in plain sight ............... Maybe eve sitting next to you on a plane or a train? who knows?. This excerpt sees Michael (one of Beeps (Charlie's daughter) protectors) being called out to an apartment he owns in the early hours only to be greeted by a wild woman wielding a frying pan. Turns out the woman is in hiding and thinks Michael has come for her ............. She does not intend to give in without a fight......... She can't her daughter's life depends on her..............

[Katie Reus · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! I love being back in the Charley Davidson world and seeing where everything is leading for Beep. But really, I loved this couple SO MUCH. With Jones' trademark humor and a little spice at the end, this was the perfect escape. (I'm hopeful the publisher will take all the novellas and put them into a special edition print version)

[Megan Riverina Romantics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥
Narrator Performance: 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars 🌟

While this is a standalone novella, it is really part of an overarching storyline in the world created by Ms. Darynda Jones. I still think that you can read it on its own and it will make sense, but you will be missing SO MUCH in the grand scheme of things and honestly, there is so much more to the story if you truly understand the world and the characters involved.

With that being said - Beep, otherwise known as the daughter of Charley and Reyes ( let's just say that they are not your normal every day parents, or for that matter, let's call them parents who are each in their own right "Extremely powerful" in the supernatural world - no spoilers) Anyway, Beep, who is now 14 years old going on 40, is beginning to exert some of those powers that she was born with. It appears that she is beginning to find and recruit her "army" for the war to come (SEE, this is why the back stories are so important). Anyway, unbeknownst to anyone else, one of her friends/protectors Michael Cavalcante was manipulated into knocking on the door of one of his tenants at 2:00 in the morning. Granted, he was not really a landlord, but Beep had persuaded him that he needed to buy a building because of....taxes, investments...I don't really remember. Either does he- but he bought the building. So, he's this new landlord, and knocks on the door to a tenant supposedly needing emergency help, only to discover that the call was a farce. BUT, in the course of their meeting, he discovers that Izzabel Walsh is in some kind of trouble.

Izzy also has a 5 year old daughter Emma and something about the two of them immediately provokes his protective instincts. Things then explode when an event occurs with little Emma and she is rushed to the hospital. Michael can feel himself becoming completely invested when things take another awful turn. That is only the beginning. It becomes apparent that both Emma and her mother both have "special skills" and it just so happens that Michael is fully aware that such things exist in the world - heck, he was recruited to fight in Beep's army and has been by her side since she was a baby so nothing suprises him.

Izzy, on the other hand, has lost the ability to trust because she has been used by people who were supposed to love her for her entire life - all because of her ability. Her only goal in life is to protect and hide her daughter from those who would take them and use them - and not for the side of good. She is shocked when Michael believes her immediately, with no qualms or doubts. The story takes off from there.

First of all, I LOVE this world that Ms. Jones has created and while we really didn't get to see Charley or Reyes in this one, there was a brief fly by with Beep (well, actually a couple). I absolutely LOVED this story and the introduction of these new people. It is also exciting to add two more people (three I guess if you count the other being sharing Emma's life with her) who will be joining our wonderful and crazy motley crew.

As usual, I listened to this on audio and the one thing that kept this from being perfect for me was the change in narrators. To me, Lorelei King has just been the voice for this series since the beginning. She is the voice I hear in my head. This time this novella was narrated by Traci Odom. While Ms. Odom didn't do a terrible job (she did fine) it just wasn't the same. Even silly things like reading the funny memes at the beginning of each chapter- which happens to be one of my ABSOLUTE favorite things - IYKYK - they were just..... well,..... flat. I can't think of another way to explain it. Those chapter beginnings are usually hilarious and definitely meant to be read with the snark and dry wit that Ms. Jones definitely intended,

Other than that, I was sorry when this story it ended. Yes, it was only a novella, but boy, I would have loved another 100 pages or so as they always fly by so fast (That is a complement)

Now the wait begins for the next book. Things are definitely heating up and oh my goodness, Beep is growing up WAY too fast.

[Summer Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre ordered this short story that is part of the Charley Davidson series so long ago and read it way too fast. 🥲

I’m ready for the war to happen and the last and final book!

I love all these short stories and getting to know everyone in Beeps army on a deeper level, but I miss Charley and Reyes.

[River · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, although I was constantly struggling to figure out who was saying what and I kind of felt like I was getting whiplash, cause things moved so quickly and I didn’t always know what was going on.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

GRAVEYARD DOG by Darynda Jones is a contemporary, adult paranormal romance novella set in the author’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON series, and a part of the multi-authored 1001 DARK NIGHTS series. This is Michael Cavalcante, and single mother Izzabel Walsh’s story line. GRAVEYARD DOG can be read as a stand alone but for cohesion and back story I recommend reading the series in order or having some background knowledge of the series.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Michael and Izzabel) GRAVEYARD DOG follows in the wake of the attack against our story line hero. Michael Calvalcante owns the building wherein single mother Izzabel Walsh and her daughter Emma reside but a late night phone call finds Michael struggling with an attack by our story line heroine. Izzabel and her daughter Emma are on the run, and Michael’s appearance threatens their safety and their future but Izzabel and Emma are more than they appear to be, and it is Izzabel’s special abilities that keep her on the run, ahead of anyone trying to control her life. When the past returns, Izzabel struggles to keep Emma safe, and knows in her heart, Michael is willing to do anything to protect Izzabel’s daughter.

The world building covers approximately twenty-four hours in the life of our story line couple as Michael begins to suspect his presence in Izzabel’s life has been ordained by the heavens, or at the very least, the daughter of two powerful gods 😉. Izzabel is desperate to keep her daughter safe but it is Izzabel’s special abilities that have placed a target on their backs.

The relationship between Izzabel and Michael is one of immediate attraction but Izzabel’s attack on Michael has left our hero with a number of questions. Unaware that Michael is more than capable of accepting the specialities in both Izzabel and Emma’s lives, Izzabel struggles with revealing the truth, a truth that Michael and his ‘friends’ are able to see. The lone $ex scene is passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are familiar and flirty, powerful and determined. We are reintroduced to Donovan St. James and Sia, Elwyn aka Beep, Eric Vause, and Agent Carson. I am so pleased that Darynda had plans for Donovan and the MC.

GRAVEYARD DOG is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, magic and the supernatural, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and inviting ; the characters are animated and determined; the romance is limited but seductive. There is a slight twist you won’t see coming.

copy supplied for review

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU GUYS!!! Darynda Jones is back with another installment in the Charley Davidson world! This was an epic tale about a guy just trying to do his job when he gets whacked with a frying pan. After that, he finds himself firmly in the fire with a rambunctious little girl and her captivating frying pan-wielding mother. I loved every second of it!
~Tanja

*Thank you to @1001darknights for sharing this title with me.


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[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this reader, Graveyard Dog was exactly what it says on the tin, an introduction to a particular author and the world they’ve created, in this case Darynda Jones and her Charley Davidson series. I’m not a huge fan of paranormal/supernatural tales as a rule but there was something about the characters in this novella that may just have converted me. Michael and Izzabel had a semi meet cute or as cute as it can get when it involves a frying pan, a taser and physical violence but with her daughter to protect Izzy was more about acting first and asking the questions after Michael was incapacitated especially when he looked like a member of the gang she was running from. When Michael hears her story and meets her cute daughter Emma, his hero complex engages, and he’s determined to help them. In an action-packed story, they’ll face secret abilities, hitchhiker entities, dashes to the emergency room, kidnapping and bank robberies all in the short space of twenty-four hours and along the way indulge in some fantastic dialogue. Perhaps their story ended a bit abruptly, but I don’t really care, if Graveyard Dog is anything to go by, I’ve found a new author to binge, and I can't wait to discover what role Izzy and Emma are going to play in the Charley Davidson universe

[Angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a paranormal romance novella in the Charley Davidson series. The story follows Michael Cavalcante, and single mother, Izzabel Walsh.

Michael becomes entangled in their dangerous situation. Izzabel's special abilities put them at risk, and when the past resurfaces, she must protect Emma with Michael's help.

The relationship between Michael and Izzabel is complicated by secrets and danger. The story unfolds over twenty-four hours, revealing the characters' vulnerabilities and strengths. The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, with familiar faces making appearances. The plot is a tale of magic, love, and betrayal, with a surprising twist. The fast-paced plot and engaging characters make for an intriguing read.

While it can be read as a standalone, familiarity with the series is recommended for context. Told from Michael and Izzabel's perspectives, the novella was a nice addition to the series.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 5th novella from the Charley Davidson series. Jones takes a minor character from the series and updates you as to what is going on with them. Beep is assembling these minor characters for an upcoming battle. That became apparent in this novella.

In this novella, Michael Cavalcante, who owns an apartment complex in Santa Fe, New Mexico, gets a call to fix a heat unit in one of the apartments. His maintenance person is out due to a pregnancy. When he arrives at Izzy's unit, he is tased and hit over the head with a frying pan. Izzy says she never asked for maintenance. Izzy has a cute kid, and she is convinced that someone wants to do her and her daughter harm. She also has powers that have been used by others for evil since she was young.

Michael and Izzy get it on, much to the happiness of Beep, who is behind all of this. The last chapter is soft-core porn, but you should expect that by now if you have read any of the books in the series.

[Corinne Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graveyard Dog

Izzy thought she was safe. She’d dyed her hair, changed her name, and moved 1,500 miles away, and still they found her. When a member of her ex’s motorcycle club knocks on her door in the middle of the night, supposedly to fix a perfectly good heater, Izzy panics. Not only have they found her, but they would soon discover she has a daughter. Michael is sent to Izzy’s house to “fix” her heater, but soon finds out there’s nothing wrong with er heater and there is more going on then he bargained for at 2:00 in the morning. A series of events puts them and Izzy’s daughter in serious danger. Can they figure out what happened in time to save her? I loved this book! ⭐️🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Vannessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in this series. This one focuses on Michael Cavalcante and one of the tenants in the apartment block he owns. When he first meets Izzy, he ends up being tied up. Something is not right with her and eventually Michael manages to gain her trust enough for her to explain what is going on. She has a special ability and Michael will do everything he can to help her especially when something drastic happens to her daughter.

Izzy tries to deal with things on her own, which doesn't go too well, but luckily for her she has Michael and a bunch of his friends looking out for her.

A quick read and has definitely left me wanting more of these characters and this world. When will Beep's series be coming out?!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another peek into the world of Charley Davidson, via Elle.

Michael arrived at the place who'd called him to fix their heater.

Only to wake up with his hands tied and his face hurting, thanks to a frying pan upside his head.

Then he spots the person who whacked him and the little girl with a British accent playing near him.

Not long after Izzy tries to run with her daughter, named Pickle at the time, thinking her ex had found them. Only to find things go to hell in a hand basket not long after.

Who is she running from?

Why does Michael feel a pull to both of them?

Wow, what a fantastic book.

Loving that the ex Bandits are getting their HEA, to a degree.

Elle is building her army, which I hope will be enough.

Waiting (im)patiently for the next fab book.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the weird cover image choice, there is no bondage in here. Michael winds unconscious and tied to a washing machine after Izzy takes him down Rapunzel style.
This had all the usual fun you’d expect from this universe (though less on the outlandish side), and I must say, Michael has really grown on me over the course of these novellas. We get all the characters that I think will play a role in a Beep spinoff (if that occurs) but basically it’s her ever expanding squad at play. There’s quite a few of them to keep track of now, but there were enough prompts to make me feel like I maybe had an inkling who they all were. It’s very insta everything in here but the pacing is excellent and it kept me enthralled.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read.

Michael gets a call in the middle of the night to go take care of an apartment in the building he owns. When he gets there he is smacked in the head with a frying pan and tied to the oven.

Seems Izzy thinks he is sent by her ex to bring her back to him. This puts her and her daughter, "Pickle," in serious danger. Michael's tattoo has her believing he and her ex belong to the same motorcycle gang. At one time Michael did but as we know, not now. Izzy just doesn't trust him.

Things have been happening that indicate she has been found and she is very afraid. After an incident with Pickle, Izzy realizes that Michael is going to protect her and her daughter.

The story is good. Just know that Beep is at it again :).

Enjoy!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy and her daughter, Emma are complex characters. The special abilities that they have were intriguing. It is no wonder that someone is after Izzy and Emma. Emma is one of those adorable children that steals the story. As soon as I met her, I instantly loved her and her "fake" British accent.

Michael is the type of guy you don't mind him protecting you. The interactions he and Emma shared are entertaining. Where Michael and Izzy are concerned, there is low spice. I felt for Izzy getting to know her and her background story.

This is a quick read with engaging characters. I always enjoy visiting the Charley Davidson world.

[Gator Girl Eaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ebook owned
3 stars

It’s a short story so insta-everything. Not a fan of that but knowing what these are…I’m cool with it.
So we get Michael, (the real big guy of the biker club that Charley and Reyes ask to watch over Beep. Donovan and Eric are the other two. We already have their short stories. And Elwyn/Beep is basically playing matchmaker with them and therefore adding to her ‘army’ that will help her save the world.) and Izzy’s story. Izzy has a daughter Emma. They’re both special in unique ways.

Good story. I liked the twist at the end where Michael and Izzy had met when they were pre-teens. (The smexy time was…..interestingly intimate for a first time. For me.)

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael isn’t certain what to expect when he receives a call that one of the tenants at the building he owns needs help but it certainly wasn’t that he would be attacked by her or that his only priority would become keeping her and her daughter safe.

Izzabel has spent most of her life trying to distance herself from the men in her life who force her to do their bidding because of her special gift. Her only concern is protecting her daughter, and Michael might just be the man she can trust to keep them both safe.

The surprises keep coming and the suspense keeps you on edge as Michael shows that he is the perfect man for both Izzabel and her daughter.

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a quick read that gives you all the feelings and some spice, this is it.

I have not read any books from Darynda Jones, but after reading this novella I will absolutely be adding the entire series to my TBR.

Her writing style is fun and engaging, and her characters have personalities so big that they jump off of the page. I was engrossed from page one and I devoured every page after.

Izzy and Michael are so cute, and their banter is awesome. I really really hope that I'll get to see more of them in the other books in the series!

Overall: definitely recommend!

[RomanceBookLoverinSeattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. I was completely unsure what to expect as I’m not really familiar with this author or this world, but I had no problem being thrown right in and being able to follow along. The action starts right away from the first paragraph and keeps up right until the end. I loved Izzy, her daughter, Michael and the way the three of them interacted with each other. The attraction between Izzy and Michael is clear from the start and I loved the way Michael is somewhat claiming her daughter almost from the beginning. This really worked for me!

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graveyard Dog was relatively short. The story's events happened swiftly and briefly—there were no time lapses. Izzy and her daughter are on the run. Though she initially believes Michael is somehow involved, she does accept help, especially when her daughter’s life becomes compromised and other strange things accumulate, which was exciting to read.

All those strange things are tied into the theme of supernatural abilities in the plot of Graveyard Dog. Though I don’t typically read in the third person, I eventually got used to it. There is only one steamy scene, and it was good.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was cute, more so after you are done reading and can see all the connections. So much of this one required the characters to take a leap of faith in trust. It was really hard for Izzy, but when her daughter was at risk, she had nothing to loose.

Izzy's story came out in drips and draps, drove me nuts, I wanted her to trust Michael right away, knew he could help her. Instead, she almost lost it all. So glad that in the end things ended well and this couple realized a forgotten moment in time, one that is everything to them now.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will fall in love with Michael, Izzy and Emma

Another great visit to the world of Charley Davidson. This time Michael gets his story. This is a fast paced read full of intrigue, suspense and humor. Michael calls in some of the guys and their new loves to help him. I highly recommend you read this short story and all of the others by Darynda Jones in the 1001 Dark Nights universe. To find out how Michael and his friends got to this place protecting their charge, start at the beginning by reading the Charley Davidson series.

[Silver James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd novella about the three bikers who came to Charley's aid back in the day. Now they are part of Beep's "security" force. Each one has a special "super power." Are they supernatural? Or not? Only the gods know for sure. This story takes Michael full circle. It's fun. He's a hottie. Izzy is spicy. Emma is a doll. It's a fun read.