Blackjack + Moonshine

by Sirius .

PRAISE FOR BLACKJACK + MOONSHINE

"Sirius’s Blackjack and Moonshine is a humid, horrific and sexy southern gothic romp that’s sure to leave you thirsty for more than just root beer. Blossoming with lush descriptions that jump off the page, Bee and Jessie’s tale of crossroads bargains, bad bets and dark hearts offer up a devilish good time."

- Wendy Dalrymple, author of White Ibis


THE DEVIL IS GOING TO SET JESSIE FREE.

On a hot Southern morning, Jessie Livingston signed away his soul to a crossroads devil who made him an offer he could not refuse. Now Jessie’s voice is dropping, his chest is flattening, and there are hairs sprouting on his chin. He is becoming the man he always wanted to be seen as. Meanwhile, the only thing the devil, Bee, asks for in return is to come collect his due in Jessie’s bedroom every Sunday.

Yet, if there is one thing about the devil, it is that he is never satisfied. Bee is determined to push Jessie until he breaks. From Texas to Louisiana in a whirlwind of playing cards, tumbling dice, and flashing casino lights--Jessie finds himself struggling against the snare while falling deeper into iniquity. Yet, when an offer of salvation extends its hand, will he be willing to abandon his only desire to take it?

**Includes exclusive short story, SLICK AS THE DEVIL ON SUNDAY.

Genres: Horror, Queer, LGBT, Novella, Transgender, Adult, Erotica

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2024

About the author

Sirius is a lover of glory, gore, and monsters. They are a queer, nonbinary artist living in the hot and bothered South; currently residing in a little spot that has been dubbed ‘Halloweentown’, North Carolina. They are the writer of The Draonir Saga, The Gentlemen Demon Series, and The Dread South Series.

When they are not writing, they work as a professional drag performer, weaving the characters from their stories into visual art for the stage.

Reviews

[seasalted.citrus (Topaz, Oliver) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book to be the first (published) erotica I’ve read in full, LMAO! Thank you to my Instagram mutual for recommending this (you know who you are, hopefully). It was a wild ride. I read the first 69% in one sitting (haha) where I stayed up until 3am.

(Sidenote: I love that this is inspired by a drag performance the author did?!?! Or is it the series as a whole? Either way that makes so much sense in retrospect!)

“Blackjack + Moonshine” is as sexy as it’s advertised to be, but it’s dark and tense in equal measure. The unabashedly Southern setting is stuffy in several ways, from the unrelenting heat, to Jesse’s inability to be himself in an unkind environment. (It’s surprisingly character-focused, but maybe I should’ve expected that from a novella with a smaller cast, and following a “descent into the river of oblivion”.) And despite the story’s focus on debauchery and devils, religious trauma isn’t a massive focus of the book? Not to say it doesn’t exist, though. It’s just reserved for the underlying discomfort beneath the constant references to Christianity throughout. (Maybe if I give this a reread I’ll look those over and revise my review.)

Bee, what a bastard. I enjoyed his devilish charm (haha) and suaveness, usually I find characters of his nature to be annoying, but it sells how he was able to con Jesse. (Bee definitely has a (kinda) hidden attachment to him, their relationship is a little too mutually codependent for that to not be the case…) While I don’t think it was surprising the lengths he’d go to ensnare him, I was surprised at how the story continued to roll with the gradually escalating violence and horror. It was definitely merciless. I feel like the story started ending just when things were taking a turn for the seriously bleak and bizarre, though, but hey—the author said there’s more to Bee and Jesse’s story, and I’m definitely going to read it all.

Jesse, on the other hand, while I could empathize with his desperation, I think he frustrated me too much for me to be able to latch onto him as much? Though, maybe that comes from him also being a pawn in his own story. (I feel like I enjoyed the other characters and how their relationships/dynamics fucked with him more than Jesse himself.) However! I was also pleasantly surprised at the author’s dedication to writing Jesse as physically disabled for the last third of the book after That Incident. It seemed written from experience. (His disability, not the cannibalism(?), for context.)

Only other thing I was bummed by was that the plot wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be. Jesse’s strange transition itself wasn’t really talked about in more specific terms until the 67% mark, for instance. Though, that’s on me for going into literal erotica for the plot. (And also not knowing there wouldn’t really be body horror, at least with the MC. Not much of his body is talked about in detail.)

This definitely isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. But! I still enjoyed it a lot. Glad to read some messed up trans stories like this. I will be looking forward to the rest of the Dread South novellas.

[Frida · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Reading Blackjack + Moonshine feels like sitting on the porch of a crumbling southern gothic mansion at midnight—there’s moonshine in your cup, blood on your shirt, a contract in your pocket, and the devil himself lounging in your favourite chair, wearing your best smirk.

This book is macabre in the best way. Equal parts Faustian fever dream and queer horror with a southern-fried twist, it’s sticky with atmosphere and sharp with wit. The story follows Jessie, a man at the end of his rope (and then some), who signs his soul away to Beelzebub—“Bee,” if you’re nasty. And B is nasty. A charming, bastardly, manipulative devil who oozes charisma and knows exactly how to worm his way into your psyche and stay there.

Jessie, meanwhile, is not so much surviving as unravelling—except the unravelling comes with a strange, almost sacred twist: step by step, his transition begins. The question that lingers like smoke in the air is: what did Jessie actually sell, and what exactly did he get in return?

There appears to be a co-dependence between Jessie and Bee that is deliciously grotesque. Not romance. Not an obsession, really. Not just lust. More like a spiritual parasite masquerading as a fondness, layered in need and hunger and that gnawing, feral desire to be seen and accepted—even if the gaze is demonic and scorching.

But here’s where the bones start to show. This is so character-driven, so thick with tension and philosophical rot, that the plot sort of… wanders off somewhere. You keep waiting for the story to bite, and there are two essential scenes that had the potential, but the danger felt too distant. The spice, while present, could have leaned harder into the despair, the doom, the inevitability.

Still. What Sirius does well—damn well—is tone. That gritty, sweaty, sarcastic prose that slinks across the page like cigarette smoke and bad decisions. I didn’t know where the story was going, but I was happy to ride shotgun all the same.

3.5 stars because this was weird in the exact kind of way that keeps you up at night wondering if you, too, would say yes to the devil if he called you pretty enough times. And I’ll definitely be watching Sirius because I can’t wait to see what hell they summon next.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just how far would you go to be the "real" you? Would you condemn your soul and make a deal with the devil?

This book was fascinating and very unique. Obviously, the concept of "crossroads" and deals with the devil are not new, but this story brought a fresh take. Not to mention that it is freaking HOT!

Bee is the devil you love to hate, and Jessie is a poor soul who only wanted to be their true self. Desperation can make you do some very questionable things. And unfortunately for him, Jessie's deal leads him down a sex fueled road drenched in blood.

I would also like to say that if you happen to grab a physical copy of this title, it is absolutely gorgeous. It's truly a fantastic story wrapped up in the most beautiful package. Sirius really outdid themselves with this one!

I personally can't wait to check out more from Sirius! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Andreas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a lot different in tone than I expected (a lot darker, especially towards the end), which was a fun turn of events. Despite that, I unfortunately did not enjoy the book very much. The premise is great, writing is good, the characters are interesting. But why does every single book that I read featuring sex scenes with a trans man overuse the words clit & cunt?? Do authors writing about trans men not run things by multiple trans man sensitivity readers? And yes different trans people have different terminology preferences for their genitals, but I know I’m far from the only trans man made uncomfortable by this. I wouldn’t be as bothered if it were one or two sex scenes or if the terminology were switched up a little, but it was over and over again in at least five separate sex scenes, and it completely pulled me out of enjoying this book. From now on I’m honestly probably only gonna stick to reading erotica written by trans men.

[Ravven White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackjack + Moonshine is the southern gothic story I didn't know I'd been waiting for. Sirius' masterful character development and gift of storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat and begging for more. I read this in one sitting and was delighted and devastated. Raw, gritty, visceral, Blackjack + Moonshine is Sirius' best work to date and is a story I will continue to come back to. Jessie, in all his misery, is a character I hope to see more of in Sirius' Dread South universe. If you're looking for an erotically thrilling read about deals with the devil, I highly recommend this novella.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so gritty and unsettling and gross in all the best ways, no punches were pulled here

[Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously fvcked up. A story of what really happens when you sell your soul to the devil.

The southern gothic atmosphere, Bee’s undeniable charm, Jessie’s effort to uphold the deal he’s made, the rock solid side characters, the spice that was SPICY, it was all just perfection.

[Aimee Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a disabled reader, I first want to compliment the font and size. I find very little attention to detail is given to font in books, sometimes I’m unable to read them entirely.

I really enjoyed Bee’s personality. Confident, sassy, and taunting. Admittedly, I’m not well-read in my devil novellas; however, this kept me engaged and wanting more. I especially loved The Eleventh Hour. This book made me reflect heavily upon toxic relationships. What we are willing to trade our souls for—whether it be too small a price, or whether we ask too high of one. It can be so difficult to see what is not good for us when we are in the throes of it.

I feel like this is a book that should have been written so long ago, we need spicy, devilish novellas! Reading this, I couldn’t help but think how we find ourselves on the edge (literally or figuratively) of great things but back down because of society beating us back. This piece fills a void in queer literature. As an author in the community, I often find myself asking what story needs to be told. What can we contribute to the greater landscape of storytelling? Sirius is a true storyteller and I’m confident there will be so much more in the near future we can look forward to.

[liminal cryptid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, dark, unhappy(?) read and I loved it. The characters were flawed, messy, not great people, but that’s what you get with deals with devils. And I’m aways a huge fan of devils and demons. I too would sell my body and soul to transition how I wanted.

The dialogue felt a bit off to me. I’m always thrown when modern people don’t use contractions most of the time, they end up sounding wrong to me. So that was a bit distracting in an otherwise quite good novella.

[Sinclair Legend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sirius sets the novels' tone before the first chapter begins with carefully curated imagery and typography.  That dread south vibe - stuffy, dusty, suffocating - builds as this expertly paced novel unfolds. Everything about this book feels real. Authentic. Lived in. And the ride it took me on was wild. Unpredictable. Everything about this timeless lore of a crossroads devil was fresh and exhilarating.


There's a smoothness to the prose. Each sentence served a function in establishing the setting, moving the story along, or giving us peaks beneath the surface but the words were so carefully chosen, there was a musicality about it. I binged page after page, eager to keep consuming the story, until the very end. I finished the novel and the bonus short story within hours of starting. I forgot everything else I was doing. I felt the southern heat on my neck. I saw the glint of the gold tooth. I was transported because the story was so wholly immersive. Beautiful and haunting.


"This is a house of sinners," Jessie warns. But you won't need the reminder. The novel follows Jessie as he discovers the answer to, "What happens after you make a deal with a devil?" And despite reading the harrowing journey unfold, one conversation with Blackjack would be enough to lure me in.


Jessie's story is gripping. Lonely. Heart wrenching. More excitement than he bargained for. And all too relatable in what we'd do to be wholly accepted for who we are. "One stranger interaction at a time was pretty much all he was equipped to handle, and Leslie was the one who could bring him coffee." I found myself thinking, "me too, me too" after each dry (and soggy) observation. 


Blackjack was cunning, charming, and too insightful. Too keenly aware to be anything but predatory and dangerous beneath the surface. But that promise of something better, some life changing opportunity coming at just the right, desperate moment makes him damn near irresistible. I found myself drawn in with his antics. Often Blackjack is so mesmerizing, it's easy to forget he's a predator. The apex predator. And everyone's deepest secrets, darkest vices turn them into prey. 


When Jessie and Blackjack collide, it's violent and intense like a wildfire. The banter is fresh, witty, sarcastic. I felt like I was holding my breath through the hostility only to release it during the familiarity of old mistakes Jessie couldn't quite let go. And the spice was feral at times, needy and playful at other times. But exceptionally well done each time. 


When I had to reluctantly set down the book, I kept thinking about the scenes and the little details Sirius wove into the story. The dust of red fire. The feeling of a new addiction forming. The way Abel's observations pinned both Jessie and me. 


 I kept telling myself, "just one more page." This book will crawl its way into your veins and take root. Its imagery and story will linger for days. And you'll find yourself itching for news of a sequel because it's hard to walk away from Jessie and Blackjack. 

Disclosure: I was an arc reader but these opinions are my own. I wholly endorse this novel.

[Lennox Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader, the Devil has always been one of my favourite characters (all that folklore I was raised on, no doubt), and I love seeing how different authors chose to portray God’s former golden child. Sirius does not disappoint with Bee, who is irresistible, ruthlessly manipulative, and remarkably human as much as he is devil. I also enjoyed how Sirius gave readers a hint of the cutthroat nature of soul trading. The idea of an Eleventh Hour and what it entails was a fun, clever surprise.

Something that I really appreciated was the sensitivity of the sex scenes. It’s always a bit tricky for me as a transman, reading AFAB characters in that context. All that attention on making readers excessively aware of female anatomy often pulls me out of the story and sometimes sets off my gender dysphoria. I personally felt that there wasn’t all that much focus spent on making sure readers knew who has what, and the specific language that was used to describe trans bodies felt, to me, somehow less rigidly binary than what I’m used to seeing. I felt guided to focus on the pleasure the characters felt over the mechanics of their bodies, which made for a much more enjoyable reading experience.

Obviously, this isn’t the first crossroads deal story I’ve come across, nor will it be the last. It’s a truly special one for me, though, and I loved it. Anyone can understand the basic concept of desperation, but I feel like the vast majority of people still can’t quite comprehend the desperation of living life as a counterfeit self that the world insists is real. Enter Jessie to expose the truth of it. I’m thrilled that Blackjack + Moonshine is only the start of something, and can’t wait to see what Jessie and Bee get up to next.

Mark your calendar for January 30th 2024!

I received an ARC of this and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Freddie The Bard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gritty, brutal, twisted, and spicy. BLACKJACK + MOONSHINE succeeds in showing the perils of a deal with the Devil through Jessie, a man who sold his soul in order to be himself. But at what cost? Bee is charming, dangerous, and horribly manipulative. His twisted nature is clear from his first appearance on page and it only gets worse as the story unfolds. A fantastic character in his merciless cruelty.

The grimy, stifling atmosphere is described masterfully and the sense of misery and oppression Jessie revels in is remarkably conveyed. Jessie needs Bee as much as Bee needs Jessie. Both characters are as unpredictable as morally questionable.
The sex scenes are as gritty and visceral as the rest of the story and so well-written they kept my eyes glued to the page.
The writing style was perfect. Elegant, yet harsh and straightforward like the story itself.

I loved BLACKJACK + MOONSHINE deeply. I found a new favourite author and I can’t wait to read everything by Sirius!

[Kayli Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an advance copy of Sirius's Blackjack + Moonshine. I'm always saying indie horror tells the better stories and Blackjack + Moonshine is no exception. It's a queer, southern, spookshow romp that'll leave the reader at Bee and Jessie's heels with every shadowy turn. The story is as polished as the mood is dreadful, authentic to the south and all of its twists and turns, sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively. The dialog is snappy and realistic. Hands down, I loved the shadows that envelope Bee's, our crossroads devil, dwellings - "invisible to anyone that didn't know what they were looking at". The southern backdrop to our power clashing duo is a fun ride as rich and nightmarish as you'd expect from the devil himself. By the end you'll ask yourself the question, too, "What does the devil have to be embarrassed about?"

[The Delightful Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book won't be for everyone and that's okay! It has lots of spice, definitely some creepy, gut-churning moments, and an interesting premise.
You can tell through the writing that the author really knows the characters and is truly invested in painting a picture of who they are in the present story. It definitely made me want to learn even more about who they were before striking a deal—especially Jessie.
It's a novella, so there's a lot to cram into the story, so the pacing was a little fast for me.
The last half of the book shines as the tension rises between characters. I think the writing and storytelling is the strongest here.
Not to give any spoilers, but a scary, gross thing happens and the description of it is just *chef's kiss.*
Also Abel is my favorite and I would read a whole book just about them.

[Fiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that's a lot of sex in 100 pages, well-written but I feel like as a result there wasn't room for much else. A shame, since the setting is vividly described and the character dynamics are the good kind of bad vibes. I just had a hard time feeling like the big choice at the end was much of one at all given the brief amount of time we get with everyone.

[Book Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment in this, like all the dread south they have me in a choke hold and i just need more and more. I adore jessie with my whole heart. Bee and Abel! Ugh love them too, this book was messy, real and over all sourthern at its finest.

[Drew Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. Couldn't put it down. My only real gripe (and it didn't stop me from devouring this book in one sitting) was that there wasn't much of a real plot or character development, but the characters were interesting enough to keep me hooked.

And the erotica...delicious.

[Link Nevermore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are well written, relatable and charming. Dare to say even devilish. You'll be pleased to read this and it will leave you wanting to read more of it!

[Sarah Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what I was in for either this book, but I absolutely enjoyed the ride. Erotic and gripping and refreshingly inclusive. An amazing read.

[petiteghoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

sick and twisted. loved it.

[Bowie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely spellbinding. I haven’t read a whole book in one sitting in a while, but I did with this one. Excellent writing and incredible detail. I’m excited to see what comes next in this series!

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

So f*cking weird and so good

[Revy · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh, this is glorious.

[Kienn Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

transmasc makes a deal with a demon- jessie is a fun character and bee is pretty terrifying

[Amanda Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t ever read a Southern horror book before reading Blackjack + Moonshine, but by the end of the story the author had me begging for a sequel. It’s both erotic & grimy, as most deals with devils probably are. There’s so much emotion packed into this book, I had to sit and process it for awhile after finishing it. There is queer and disability representation in this story, which as a queer disabled person I very much appreciate.