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The Thompson Agency #1
Dealing With the Dead
Being the seventh son of a seventh son is no easy task. Neither is the fact Jayden Thompson is the most powerful necromancer his country has ever seen, which is why Jayden has kept it to himself. Then Noah Michaels throws a spanner in Jayden's quiet, orderly existence.
Noah has recently suffered the death of his twin and needs help in completing his brother's final work. The only person capable of this is a young man with blue streaked hair. Noah doesn't expect to fall for the guy, but fall he does.
Loving Jaden is easy, watching the havoc Jayden's powers create, not so much.
This is lucky for Noah Michaels when he walks into the Thompson Agency and finds out the sexy man with blue-streaked hair is the only one who can take his case.
Falling in love with Jayden is easy, but watching him try to deal with the havoc his powers create isn’t.
Please note: this is a previous release.
Noah has recently suffered the death of his twin and needs help in completing his brother's final work. The only person capable of this is a young man with blue streaked hair. Noah doesn't expect to fall for the guy, but fall he does.
Loving Jaden is easy, watching the havoc Jayden's powers create, not so much.
This is lucky for Noah Michaels when he walks into the Thompson Agency and finds out the sexy man with blue-streaked hair is the only one who can take his case.
Falling in love with Jayden is easy, but watching him try to deal with the havoc his powers create isn’t.
Please note: this is a previous release.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2012
11 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Toni Griffin
47 books512 followersToni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.
Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.
Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.
Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.
Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 24, 2013
3.85*
I liked the world this was set in and I would love to know more about it.
Jayden is a necromancer, he can communicate with the dead, it's a talent all the men in his family have. And there are a lot of men in his family, he is the youngest of seven boys, he is also the most powerful of them all.
Noah needs help and it seems Jayden is the one to do it, which comes in handy since they are mates, but since Noah is human Jayden needs to find a way to share that little bit of info with him. He also has to put up with rude and annoying brothers and some bad guys and a lot of dead people.
It was a fast, interesting read with practically no angst or conflict.
I look forward to the next one in the series.
Little niggle, this book had the misfortune of being read right after a book where the older MC kept calling his younger partner 'brat'. And yes, even lovingly I do not like Noah calling Jayden a brat. *sigh* fortunately it was only 2 or 3 times.
I liked the world this was set in and I would love to know more about it.
Jayden is a necromancer, he can communicate with the dead, it's a talent all the men in his family have. And there are a lot of men in his family, he is the youngest of seven boys, he is also the most powerful of them all.
Noah needs help and it seems Jayden is the one to do it, which comes in handy since they are mates, but since Noah is human Jayden needs to find a way to share that little bit of info with him. He also has to put up with rude and annoying brothers and some bad guys and a lot of dead people.
It was a fast, interesting read with practically no angst or conflict.
I look forward to the next one in the series.
Little niggle, this book had the misfortune of being read right after a book where the older MC kept calling his younger partner 'brat'. And yes, even lovingly I do not like Noah calling Jayden a brat. *sigh* fortunately it was only 2 or 3 times.
October 3, 2015
This review is a little random with good things mixed in with the not so good things.
Cute story, lots of one guy taking care of the other guy because of something happening to him. Liked the world and the fact that some pieces were just mentioned in passing (like vampire and witches) even though they weren't particularly relevent to the story. This made the world seem more fully fleshed out. They never explain why ghost raising has to be after dark, either, and there's a scene where something happens that raises ghosts that it's not clear it's dark, either.
I LOVE that this takes place in Australia and not in a huge well-known city, either. This was very refreshing.
I wasn't impressed with the women at all. Mom had no powers, and did the cooking, and had been a waitress. They referred to her as being the disciplinarian in a way but it was very traditional. "You're lucky your mother's not out here to hear this or there would be hell to pay." She was inside cooking when the rest of the family, 8 males, sat outside talking. Only the guest, Noah, offered to help. Two women at the beginning were rude and bitchy. At the very end was a powerful character that had a gender neutral name who could have been female but no pronouns were used. My sister lives in Australia, though, in a big city, and says that roles are much more traditional there and that there's a lot more sexism than anywhere she or I have lived in the US and Canada. Granted, we grew up in very liberal Seattle and I lived in New York and then in Canada was in grad school which tends to be liberal.
At one point Jayden has nightmares that are odd and never explained.
Yet again there was an unnecessary extreme age difference. Had Jayden been even a couple of years older, the story still would have worked and it would have been more reasonable to me.
The family was great and the brothers' reactions mostly believable. In fact, I think everyone was a little harsh on the brothers in the beginning when they were impolite to Jayden but there was a huge age difference, he was the youngest, and it felt like typical brother behavior. Not acceptable but not so horrific, either.
I liked that after Jayden was beyond exhausted at one point, before they had had sex, the author didn't make him suddenly fine enough to do so. I've seen other authors do this and it's really improbable.
The mating bond is described as feeling like electric currents running under the skin. That sounds like how a panic attack feels and doesn't sound remotely pleasant. The first time mates touch, it's like sticking your finger in an electric socket. Ow! I do like how different it is from the usual way fantasy does these things.
The book was quite sweet. I was worried at first because one of Noah's earliest thoughts was that Jayden would "look absolutely gorgeous underneath him" which doesn't sound romantic. But that was the only time. The rest was very sweet, if a bit fast and unbelievable and not a lot backing up anything but the physical attraction. I excused it with the idea of true mates.
The writing was a little stilted in the beginning, although that improved dramatically. I find that is often the case with books. It's hard to get a story started.
This was a sweet line I thought, although a bit on the controlling side:
"You need to live with me so I can hold you every night when we fall asleep and I can wake up every morning to your beautiful eyes."
There was a bit of telling not showing, like after an important scene Jayden tells Noah what he had been thinking, rather than having us feel it with him. At one point Jayden overhears a conversation (pretending to be asleep which is dishonest and bothers me) which would have worked just as well with our being in Noah's head and hearing his thoughts as he's talking.
I noticed that the author was good with being aware of the physical space. Like this minor spoiler:
Funny little irrelevant side: There is a character named Eric Benson. I once worked with and was friends with a fun gay guy with the same name.
My biggest issue was that this needed to be twice as long. There needed to be more development between the characters, a better feel for who Noah was as a person, why they loved each other so much. (You don't have to immediately fall in love with someone you're bonded with in this world.) I wanted the danger scene to be longer, I wanted to be in Noah's head during it, too.
This happens at the very end but you know it's coming from the first 25%:
Overall, it was a good enjoyable read.
3.5 rounded up to 4 because I think it would have been even higher if it had been twice the length.
Cute story, lots of one guy taking care of the other guy because of something happening to him. Liked the world and the fact that some pieces were just mentioned in passing (like vampire and witches) even though they weren't particularly relevent to the story. This made the world seem more fully fleshed out. They never explain why ghost raising has to be after dark, either, and there's a scene where something happens that raises ghosts that it's not clear it's dark, either.
I LOVE that this takes place in Australia and not in a huge well-known city, either. This was very refreshing.
I wasn't impressed with the women at all. Mom had no powers, and did the cooking, and had been a waitress. They referred to her as being the disciplinarian in a way but it was very traditional. "You're lucky your mother's not out here to hear this or there would be hell to pay." She was inside cooking when the rest of the family, 8 males, sat outside talking. Only the guest, Noah, offered to help. Two women at the beginning were rude and bitchy. At the very end was a powerful character that had a gender neutral name who could have been female but no pronouns were used. My sister lives in Australia, though, in a big city, and says that roles are much more traditional there and that there's a lot more sexism than anywhere she or I have lived in the US and Canada. Granted, we grew up in very liberal Seattle and I lived in New York and then in Canada was in grad school which tends to be liberal.
At one point Jayden has nightmares that are odd and never explained.
Yet again there was an unnecessary extreme age difference. Had Jayden been even a couple of years older, the story still would have worked and it would have been more reasonable to me.
The family was great and the brothers' reactions mostly believable. In fact, I think everyone was a little harsh on the brothers in the beginning when they were impolite to Jayden but there was a huge age difference, he was the youngest, and it felt like typical brother behavior. Not acceptable but not so horrific, either.
I liked that after Jayden was beyond exhausted at one point, before they had had sex, the author didn't make him suddenly fine enough to do so. I've seen other authors do this and it's really improbable.
The mating bond is described as feeling like electric currents running under the skin. That sounds like how a panic attack feels and doesn't sound remotely pleasant. The first time mates touch, it's like sticking your finger in an electric socket. Ow! I do like how different it is from the usual way fantasy does these things.
The book was quite sweet. I was worried at first because one of Noah's earliest thoughts was that Jayden would "look absolutely gorgeous underneath him" which doesn't sound romantic. But that was the only time. The rest was very sweet, if a bit fast and unbelievable and not a lot backing up anything but the physical attraction. I excused it with the idea of true mates.
The writing was a little stilted in the beginning, although that improved dramatically. I find that is often the case with books. It's hard to get a story started.
This was a sweet line I thought, although a bit on the controlling side:
"You need to live with me so I can hold you every night when we fall asleep and I can wake up every morning to your beautiful eyes."
There was a bit of telling not showing, like after an important scene Jayden tells Noah what he had been thinking, rather than having us feel it with him. At one point Jayden overhears a conversation (pretending to be asleep which is dishonest and bothers me) which would have worked just as well with our being in Noah's head and hearing his thoughts as he's talking.
I noticed that the author was good with being aware of the physical space. Like this minor spoiler:
Funny little irrelevant side: There is a character named Eric Benson. I once worked with and was friends with a fun gay guy with the same name.
My biggest issue was that this needed to be twice as long. There needed to be more development between the characters, a better feel for who Noah was as a person, why they loved each other so much. (You don't have to immediately fall in love with someone you're bonded with in this world.) I wanted the danger scene to be longer, I wanted to be in Noah's head during it, too.
This happens at the very end but you know it's coming from the first 25%:
Overall, it was a good enjoyable read.
3.5 rounded up to 4 because I think it would have been even higher if it had been twice the length.
October 6, 2012
3.5 Stars
As much as I enjoyed this book, the storyline has the makings of a novel and it was disappointing that it was all crammed into minimal pages. I don't know if the publisher sets a word count, but its frustrating when the book could be so much more.
As much as I enjoyed this book, the storyline has the makings of a novel and it was disappointing that it was all crammed into minimal pages. I don't know if the publisher sets a word count, but its frustrating when the book could be so much more.
September 10, 2014
As other reviewers have said, this was very sweet and quite angst-free. Also as wonderfully un-scary as a book about a person who's supernatural gift is raising the spirits of the dead could possibly be.
Jayden and Noah are lovely together, the mates element was handled in a creative way. Also as other reviewers have mentioned, having the brief mentions of other supernatural beings helped the world feel more fleshed-out. I enjoyed that each of the different types of being had a different way of recognizing their mate; it made it feel fresh and interesting again.
Sweet story.
Jayden and Noah are lovely together, the mates element was handled in a creative way. Also as other reviewers have mentioned, having the brief mentions of other supernatural beings helped the world feel more fleshed-out. I enjoyed that each of the different types of being had a different way of recognizing their mate; it made it feel fresh and interesting again.
Sweet story.
July 21, 2016
Necromancy has many variations, most of them dark, but the one most associated with it is the ability to raise the dead using magical incantations, circles, and other such arcane methods. But the necromancers in 'Dealing with the Dead' by Toni Griffin take an entirely different approach to the art. Jayden and his father and brothers have a business, The Thompson Agency. Clients come to them who, for one reason or another, need to contact their dearly departed. To help them achieve this goal, they use their powers of Necromancy. Noah Michaels comes to the Thompson Agency because he desperately needs to contact his deceased twin brother. His request is almost denied, that is, until Jayden, the youngest son, speaks up. Although his brothers scoff at the idea, his father decides to give Jayden a chance.
Jayden is the seventh son of the seventh son. According to legend, this means his magic is more powerful. Before this, his family treats him like the baby of the family which he detests, especially when his mom insists on calling him baby even though he's twenty years old and living on his own. Jayden's family mostly ignores him, gives him the clients no one else wants, so he continues to develop his powers on his own, which include frequent visits to the cemetery to talk with his grandfather. This might seem creepy to some, but there are many times, now that my father is gone, when I'd love to be able to visit him, but, of course, I can’t. When he was younger, Jayden's gift frightened him. He vividly recalls an incident when he was young: “He shuddered as he remembered walking home past the pet cemetery and seeing the forms of not just one, but nearly every pet in the place.” He was only fourteen at the time, so he screamed and ran away. Raising the dead is not easy; Jayden knows this when he agrees to help Noah, but not even he knows his limits and pushes himself beyond what's reasonable. He and Noah couldn't be more different, but they are still attracted to each other right away; it is not until Jayden touches him that he realizes that Noah is his mate.
Noah is on a mission. He needs to contact his brother in order to finish his last book. He has the notes and storyboard, but needs his brother's help to put it all together. Noah knows his brother will never rest knowing he left his readers hanging, waiting for the last book in his current series! Coming to the Thompson Agency is a last resort. Noah is discouraged when they tell him they can't help. When the beautiful young man with a great body and blue-streaked hair speaks up to say that he can, Noah is ecstatic, in more ways than one. He knows it's not professional, but he wants Jayden. After Jayden tells Noah that he is his mate, instead of being afraid of the commitment, he's in total agreement with the arrangement. His visit to Jayden's house for a family dinner opens his eyes to what Jayden has been dealing with all of his life. Jayden's family is downright hostile to him and jealous that he, the youngest, finds his mate before they do. Noah defends him, but Jayden is so hurt that he walks away from the controversy at home and into another threatening situation which makes his family realize what he means to them and brings them closer together.
This is a sexy love story, with a unique premise. I'd never have imagined a Necromancer in a positive light before reading this book. It is well-written and has great characters as well. Jayden's family is close, but also dysfunctional. It takes their younger brother to put things in perspective and help the family get back on the right track. Even though a bit dark, I appreciate the humor which is interspersed with lots of hot sexual interludes as Jayden and Noah get to know each other. If you like stories that are a bit offbeat, include magic, necromancy, hot sex, and excitement, then this book may be for you. Since it's listed as book number one, I'm assuming that I will get to revisit these characters and I can hardly wait. Thanks, Toni, for a very entertaining read.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jayden is the seventh son of the seventh son. According to legend, this means his magic is more powerful. Before this, his family treats him like the baby of the family which he detests, especially when his mom insists on calling him baby even though he's twenty years old and living on his own. Jayden's family mostly ignores him, gives him the clients no one else wants, so he continues to develop his powers on his own, which include frequent visits to the cemetery to talk with his grandfather. This might seem creepy to some, but there are many times, now that my father is gone, when I'd love to be able to visit him, but, of course, I can’t. When he was younger, Jayden's gift frightened him. He vividly recalls an incident when he was young: “He shuddered as he remembered walking home past the pet cemetery and seeing the forms of not just one, but nearly every pet in the place.” He was only fourteen at the time, so he screamed and ran away. Raising the dead is not easy; Jayden knows this when he agrees to help Noah, but not even he knows his limits and pushes himself beyond what's reasonable. He and Noah couldn't be more different, but they are still attracted to each other right away; it is not until Jayden touches him that he realizes that Noah is his mate.
Noah is on a mission. He needs to contact his brother in order to finish his last book. He has the notes and storyboard, but needs his brother's help to put it all together. Noah knows his brother will never rest knowing he left his readers hanging, waiting for the last book in his current series! Coming to the Thompson Agency is a last resort. Noah is discouraged when they tell him they can't help. When the beautiful young man with a great body and blue-streaked hair speaks up to say that he can, Noah is ecstatic, in more ways than one. He knows it's not professional, but he wants Jayden. After Jayden tells Noah that he is his mate, instead of being afraid of the commitment, he's in total agreement with the arrangement. His visit to Jayden's house for a family dinner opens his eyes to what Jayden has been dealing with all of his life. Jayden's family is downright hostile to him and jealous that he, the youngest, finds his mate before they do. Noah defends him, but Jayden is so hurt that he walks away from the controversy at home and into another threatening situation which makes his family realize what he means to them and brings them closer together.
This is a sexy love story, with a unique premise. I'd never have imagined a Necromancer in a positive light before reading this book. It is well-written and has great characters as well. Jayden's family is close, but also dysfunctional. It takes their younger brother to put things in perspective and help the family get back on the right track. Even though a bit dark, I appreciate the humor which is interspersed with lots of hot sexual interludes as Jayden and Noah get to know each other. If you like stories that are a bit offbeat, include magic, necromancy, hot sex, and excitement, then this book may be for you. Since it's listed as book number one, I'm assuming that I will get to revisit these characters and I can hardly wait. Thanks, Toni, for a very entertaining read.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 31, 2012
Dealing with the Dead by Toni Griffin
The Thompson Agency, Book 1
4 Stars
Reviewed for www.heartsonfirereviews.com
The Thompson’s are a large family of very powerful necromancers that run an agency for people who need to contact the dead. Unbeknownst to everyone, twenty year old Jayden is the most powerful necromancer in the world. At the age of thirteen, his powers surpassed everyone he knows and not wanting to be seen as a freak, he has kept his abilities hidden. While all other necromancers are only able to raise the dead for about fifteen minutes without completely draining all of their energy, Jayden’s powers have never been drained no matter how long he communes with a spirit. He frequently visits his dead grandfather and spends hours talking with him and this is how he learned what makes him different. Let me clarify here that the necromancers are raising ghosts/spirits not zombies.
Noah Michaels contacts the Thompson agency a month after the death of his twin brother. His brother was working on his ninth and final book of a long running series when he was killed in a car accident. Noah knows that his brother would want to finish the series for his fans and he will do anything to make that happen.
Jayden comes into the office and finds the hottest man he has ever seen in his life talking with his father James. James tells Noah that what he wants is just not possible, no one can raise the dead long enough to finish a novel. Looking at Mr. Hotness, Jayden just can’t help saying “I can” and revealing his secret to his family. The attraction between the men is immediate and powerful. When Jayden shakes Noah’s hand after agreeing to help him, he feels like he has been shocked with electricity, the only thing that could possibly signify is that Noah is Jayden’s mate.
Jayden and Noah make a wonderful couple. Both men are wonderful in their own right and they are fantastic together. There is no angst at all and Noah doesn’t bat an eyelash at being told that Jayden is his mate, he already knows that he has never felt this way about another person in his life and there is nowhere else he’d rather be with. The only negative response to this news is by several of his older brothers who are initially jealous that the youngest of them has found his mate and they haven’t. Needing to clear his head after the way his brothers treated him he takes a walk and gets into a situation that puts his life in danger. I was sorry that this situation was not expanded upon because there was some action and it was exciting. The author could have done a lot more with these circumstances and the story would have been even better.
I really enjoy the world that Ms. Griffin has created here where it is a well known fact that necromancers, shifters, vampires and witches exist. There is so much potential for future installments of this series to stay fresh and interesting and I am anxiously awaiting the next book.
The Thompson Agency, Book 1
4 Stars
Reviewed for www.heartsonfirereviews.com
The Thompson’s are a large family of very powerful necromancers that run an agency for people who need to contact the dead. Unbeknownst to everyone, twenty year old Jayden is the most powerful necromancer in the world. At the age of thirteen, his powers surpassed everyone he knows and not wanting to be seen as a freak, he has kept his abilities hidden. While all other necromancers are only able to raise the dead for about fifteen minutes without completely draining all of their energy, Jayden’s powers have never been drained no matter how long he communes with a spirit. He frequently visits his dead grandfather and spends hours talking with him and this is how he learned what makes him different. Let me clarify here that the necromancers are raising ghosts/spirits not zombies.
Noah Michaels contacts the Thompson agency a month after the death of his twin brother. His brother was working on his ninth and final book of a long running series when he was killed in a car accident. Noah knows that his brother would want to finish the series for his fans and he will do anything to make that happen.
Jayden comes into the office and finds the hottest man he has ever seen in his life talking with his father James. James tells Noah that what he wants is just not possible, no one can raise the dead long enough to finish a novel. Looking at Mr. Hotness, Jayden just can’t help saying “I can” and revealing his secret to his family. The attraction between the men is immediate and powerful. When Jayden shakes Noah’s hand after agreeing to help him, he feels like he has been shocked with electricity, the only thing that could possibly signify is that Noah is Jayden’s mate.
Jayden and Noah make a wonderful couple. Both men are wonderful in their own right and they are fantastic together. There is no angst at all and Noah doesn’t bat an eyelash at being told that Jayden is his mate, he already knows that he has never felt this way about another person in his life and there is nowhere else he’d rather be with. The only negative response to this news is by several of his older brothers who are initially jealous that the youngest of them has found his mate and they haven’t. Needing to clear his head after the way his brothers treated him he takes a walk and gets into a situation that puts his life in danger. I was sorry that this situation was not expanded upon because there was some action and it was exciting. The author could have done a lot more with these circumstances and the story would have been even better.
I really enjoy the world that Ms. Griffin has created here where it is a well known fact that necromancers, shifters, vampires and witches exist. There is so much potential for future installments of this series to stay fresh and interesting and I am anxiously awaiting the next book.
September 12, 2013
All right. It wasn’t offensive. Just kind of… uneventful.
I mean, this story puzzles me. It has necromancers! Something exciting is going to happen, right? Um. Not really. Boy meets necromancer-boy, there’s sex, it’s fated love. Done.
The best part to me lies in when Jayden raises a spirit – but that fills only one scene and, while interesting, it’s not particularly climactic.
Actually, no; something does happen. Near the end spontaneously and completely out of nowhere drama and danger erupt. @.@ Not only is it disconnected from anything else in the book before and after (except for the earlier explanation on how Jayden’s necromancy works), but the likelihood of it happening at all is so miniscule as to give me dizzy spells. Oh well, the whole “meeting your only possible mate in the whole world during your lifetime” thing is unlikely to begin with so maybe all of this is fate.
So yeah, structurally this was not particularly enticing. (Even if I enjoyed that resurrection I mentioned. But what happened to Jayden’s mysterious nightmares? That was promising!)
Aside from that, things predictably go fast, which sort of worked for this type of story.
Only, what do you mean, “after only three days”?
And jeez. Only a few pages after Jayden thinks to himself how he loves it when Noah calls him Jay since no one else does it, one of Jayden’s brother uses that abbreviation of his name.
Finally, what is this “large age difference” between the youngest and oldest in the family? Ten years are not that unusual. I know plenty of siblings that come in twos or threes with that gap. In fact, if you have seven kids, a decade is a really tiny gap. That poor mother.
Well, obviously what complaints I have are negligible.
The characters are mostly likeable (Jayden is; I did not get much of a grasp on Noah’s personality), and there are some sweet moments. As I said, not offensive in any way and not a waste of reading time either. It just could have been so much better with more attention to detail and a longer format.
Plus, I’m thinking the end really should have included Jayden’s grandpa. >_> It would seem like the occasion for it, especially since they’re supposed to be close.
I mean, this story puzzles me. It has necromancers! Something exciting is going to happen, right? Um. Not really. Boy meets necromancer-boy, there’s sex, it’s fated love. Done.
The best part to me lies in when Jayden raises a spirit – but that fills only one scene and, while interesting, it’s not particularly climactic.
Actually, no; something does happen. Near the end spontaneously and completely out of nowhere drama and danger erupt. @.@ Not only is it disconnected from anything else in the book before and after (except for the earlier explanation on how Jayden’s necromancy works), but the likelihood of it happening at all is so miniscule as to give me dizzy spells. Oh well, the whole “meeting your only possible mate in the whole world during your lifetime” thing is unlikely to begin with so maybe all of this is fate.
So yeah, structurally this was not particularly enticing. (Even if I enjoyed that resurrection I mentioned. But what happened to Jayden’s mysterious nightmares? That was promising!)
Aside from that, things predictably go fast, which sort of worked for this type of story.
Only, what do you mean, “after only three days”?
And jeez. Only a few pages after Jayden thinks to himself how he loves it when Noah calls him Jay since no one else does it, one of Jayden’s brother uses that abbreviation of his name.
Finally, what is this “large age difference” between the youngest and oldest in the family? Ten years are not that unusual. I know plenty of siblings that come in twos or threes with that gap. In fact, if you have seven kids, a decade is a really tiny gap. That poor mother.
Well, obviously what complaints I have are negligible.
The characters are mostly likeable (Jayden is; I did not get much of a grasp on Noah’s personality), and there are some sweet moments. As I said, not offensive in any way and not a waste of reading time either. It just could have been so much better with more attention to detail and a longer format.
Plus, I’m thinking the end really should have included Jayden’s grandpa. >_> It would seem like the occasion for it, especially since they’re supposed to be close.
September 25, 2013
I wish I could say that this book held my interest but that would be overstating things. Jayden, a necromancer was gifted far beyond the rest of his family. He could not only raise the dead as they did but he could speak with them for hours as opposed to their few minutes. When Noah comes to his family's agency for help in raising his dead bother, Jayden is assigned the case. Of course, the two end up as mates.
At this point what had begun as an interesting story morphed into page after page of sex. The sex was hot but I had so little interest in the characters and, unfortunately, the pot just stopped cold in order for the sex to take center stage.
What bothered me most with this story is that some plot points seemed to just get lost. For instance, early on while Jayden is raising Noah's brother, Noah mentions that Jayden had recurring nightmares...then...nothing. We never find out why he had nightmares that left him screaming no less than four times in on night.
Then there was the constant belittling Jayden endured from his six brothers. I got that he was the youngest, but his siblings were down right rude and the parents would address it but it seemed to happen again and again with the parents present. And I didn't get the purpose of the arc of that particular plot point as it really just happened and then happened again with a final quick resolution at the end.
I think this story had real possibilities but no steam. It just meandered, and the sex drove the plot--and that right there is truly a no-go for me.
Sadly this book was just so-so for me.
At this point what had begun as an interesting story morphed into page after page of sex. The sex was hot but I had so little interest in the characters and, unfortunately, the pot just stopped cold in order for the sex to take center stage.
What bothered me most with this story is that some plot points seemed to just get lost. For instance, early on while Jayden is raising Noah's brother, Noah mentions that Jayden had recurring nightmares...then...nothing. We never find out why he had nightmares that left him screaming no less than four times in on night.
Then there was the constant belittling Jayden endured from his six brothers. I got that he was the youngest, but his siblings were down right rude and the parents would address it but it seemed to happen again and again with the parents present. And I didn't get the purpose of the arc of that particular plot point as it really just happened and then happened again with a final quick resolution at the end.
I think this story had real possibilities but no steam. It just meandered, and the sex drove the plot--and that right there is truly a no-go for me.
Sadly this book was just so-so for me.
October 7, 2012
This was pretty sweet. In true Toni Griffin style this is a feel good light read that allows one to escape a stress free world.
December 11, 2012
I loved it and they were so sweet and hot together. A very great start to a series;-) It's not surprising since I really enjoy Toni Griffin's writing.
January 11, 2017
I haven't read to many necromancer stories. The story was really good. Loved it from the start to the end.
October 6, 2012
4 1/2 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Jayden is a necromancer, a very powerful necromancer. But, he has kept that power hidden from everyone around him, especially his family. But, when sexy Noah comes to the agency for help, Jayden spills out that he can help. What shocks Jayden even more is that Noah is his mate. Noah needs a necromancer desperately and only Jayden can help. Discovering the extent of his connection to the sexy man doesn’t bother him, but the toll that Jayden’s powers take does.
Wow. Toni Griffin has created a new series that is unique and extremely interesting. I love when we find a new series and we can discover a new world within the pages of a book. this world that we are introduced to is just like yours or mine, but it has the added wonder of Necromancers, Shifters, Witches, Vampires and Fey (although we only meet necromancers in this one). We are given detailed information about what a necromancer does (so no zombies floating about) and the mating details as well.
Jayden and Noah make a great couple and slip into their relationship pretty easily. There was no angst or outside interference which in this instance, I found appealing. Jayden’s reaction to finding his mate was amusing and I liked the way that the mating was described as something different from having to instantly mate. Jayden does have some problems with his family, but they are minor in a way, although it affects Jayden emotionally. That is something that Noah helps with when, he sees how Jayden’s brothers treats him.
There is some danger that comes from a very unexpected direction. (Who’d have thought that a walk around the neighborhood would end like that, huh?) Everything gets wrapped up nicely and Noah and Jayden are hot together… they make a lovely couple. I loved that necromancers are shown in a very favorable light, and that the paranormals don’t seem to be shunned, but seemed to be embraced by society. a refreshing change from having to hide or being hunted. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, so I can get to know the brothers better.
I recommend this to those who love the paranormal, alternative worlds, necromancers, hot men, a great storyline, hot sex and a very, very happy ending. This is a very easy story to read and you can just relax and enjoy so give it a go.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Jayden is a necromancer, a very powerful necromancer. But, he has kept that power hidden from everyone around him, especially his family. But, when sexy Noah comes to the agency for help, Jayden spills out that he can help. What shocks Jayden even more is that Noah is his mate. Noah needs a necromancer desperately and only Jayden can help. Discovering the extent of his connection to the sexy man doesn’t bother him, but the toll that Jayden’s powers take does.
Wow. Toni Griffin has created a new series that is unique and extremely interesting. I love when we find a new series and we can discover a new world within the pages of a book. this world that we are introduced to is just like yours or mine, but it has the added wonder of Necromancers, Shifters, Witches, Vampires and Fey (although we only meet necromancers in this one). We are given detailed information about what a necromancer does (so no zombies floating about) and the mating details as well.
Jayden and Noah make a great couple and slip into their relationship pretty easily. There was no angst or outside interference which in this instance, I found appealing. Jayden’s reaction to finding his mate was amusing and I liked the way that the mating was described as something different from having to instantly mate. Jayden does have some problems with his family, but they are minor in a way, although it affects Jayden emotionally. That is something that Noah helps with when, he sees how Jayden’s brothers treats him.
There is some danger that comes from a very unexpected direction. (Who’d have thought that a walk around the neighborhood would end like that, huh?) Everything gets wrapped up nicely and Noah and Jayden are hot together… they make a lovely couple. I loved that necromancers are shown in a very favorable light, and that the paranormals don’t seem to be shunned, but seemed to be embraced by society. a refreshing change from having to hide or being hunted. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, so I can get to know the brothers better.
I recommend this to those who love the paranormal, alternative worlds, necromancers, hot men, a great storyline, hot sex and a very, very happy ending. This is a very easy story to read and you can just relax and enjoy so give it a go.
January 26, 2017
When I was reading this book as well as the preview it reminded me of a movie that I once saw that have the exact same theme with the seventh son. I don't remember the name of the movie cause it was a long time ago and the difference between this book and the movie is the age difference with Jayden being twenty and I believe the main character in the movie was around fourteen, the boy was a mage while Jayden is a necromancer, there was no romance since it was a kids movie while this one does, and finally the boy thought he was the sixth son not knowing that he has a twin brother that was kidnap while he was young making him the seventh son while in the book it is the father who believe that he is the sixth son not knowing that he has an older brother that past away.
Now that I put that away I enjoy this book. Granted there were time when I wanted to choke,hit, kick and yell at his older brothers for being jerk to Jayden and while its been known that the older does tease the youngest, I feel it was more like bully then teasing. Of course it wasn't anything bad but it does hurt his feeling and brothers should not do that only because Jayden is stronger then all six together and he was the one to find his mate first then the rest of his brother only because he was the youngest were they making a big deal out of it. Lucky Noah, his sexy, caring, loving, and handsome mate, was there for him every step of the way and will do anything to make sure his mate is happy which make him an idea mate.
I'm debated if I should read the next book cause its about Jackson, while I understand him being the oldest he has a lot more responsible then his brothers but that gave him no right for being a jerk and having a bad personalty. I'll think about but until then I really enjoy this book.
Now that I put that away I enjoy this book. Granted there were time when I wanted to choke,hit, kick and yell at his older brothers for being jerk to Jayden and while its been known that the older does tease the youngest, I feel it was more like bully then teasing. Of course it wasn't anything bad but it does hurt his feeling and brothers should not do that only because Jayden is stronger then all six together and he was the one to find his mate first then the rest of his brother only because he was the youngest were they making a big deal out of it. Lucky Noah, his sexy, caring, loving, and handsome mate, was there for him every step of the way and will do anything to make sure his mate is happy which make him an idea mate.
I'm debated if I should read the next book cause its about Jackson, while I understand him being the oldest he has a lot more responsible then his brothers but that gave him no right for being a jerk and having a bad personalty. I'll think about but until then I really enjoy this book.
May 20, 2014
I really enjoyed the characters and the world concept of this book and will probably reread it. Jayden and Noah make a lovely couple and I found the plot of raising the dead twin brother to help him finish his last book interesting. I gave the story four stars instead of five because I felt like it had the potential to be a much deeper and richer story. The author sets the stage for witches and shifters (they have different methods of determining true mates) but beyond a brief reference to a feline shifter by one of the characters, never introduces them.
Even though I wish this world had been developed more fully, I am looking forward to additional books in this series and hope that the author will delve more deeply into the other supernaturals in subsequent books.
Even though I wish this world had been developed more fully, I am looking forward to additional books in this series and hope that the author will delve more deeply into the other supernaturals in subsequent books.
April 25, 2016
I really enjoyed Dealing with the Dead, it was just a nice, light, entertaining read. Being the youngest in a family of 7, I found I could relate to Jayden's family dynamics. The sex scenes were mild and left more to the imagination than not, which was also a refreshing break as was the fact that the sex was pretty much plain vanilla and sometimes vanilla is a really good flavor. Best of all Jayden's parents rocked and it was a nice change from the books I was reading previous to this where everyone had parents that could have been used as examples of 'how not to parent'. I look forward to the next book in this series.
January 27, 2014
3.5 Stars
I liked this, but I thought it was too rushed. I loved necromancer aspect though. Jayden was just too adorable and I really liked him. Noah was a little too perfect for me, but he was good for Jayden. His brothers on the other hand...GRRRR. I did not like them, well, I liked Jonas. I did want to know more about Jayden's nightmares though. It was like it happened once and then it wasn't mentioned again :(
Overall, I was kind of wanting a little more since I've never read a necromancer book. Come on, being able to communicate with the dead. AWESOME!!!
I liked this, but I thought it was too rushed. I loved necromancer aspect though. Jayden was just too adorable and I really liked him. Noah was a little too perfect for me, but he was good for Jayden. His brothers on the other hand...GRRRR. I did not like them, well, I liked Jonas. I did want to know more about Jayden's nightmares though. It was like it happened once and then it wasn't mentioned again :(
Overall, I was kind of wanting a little more since I've never read a necromancer book. Come on, being able to communicate with the dead. AWESOME!!!
December 4, 2014
I enjoyed this brief look into the Thompson family of necromancers. Jayden being the seventh son of a seventh son was gifted with enormous powers. I would have liked to read more about Noah balancing Jayden's wild magic rather than about all the mate stuff and the insta-love. I would have liked this story to be longer with Jayden talking with Francis Blackwood and how Noah's family reacted to the sudden mating. I'm hoping that this will be explored more in the next book.
July 19, 2015
This book is hollow.
No real connection between the characters, the action at the end of the book come from nowhere...
This book is disappointing from start to finish. there's nothing going on in this book, we do not see the interactions between characters, we do not see changing feelings.... everything is rushed and poorly finished.
I put two stars because the idea of the book is interesting...
No real connection between the characters, the action at the end of the book come from nowhere...
This book is disappointing from start to finish. there's nothing going on in this book, we do not see the interactions between characters, we do not see changing feelings.... everything is rushed and poorly finished.
I put two stars because the idea of the book is interesting...
September 26, 2013
I tend to really enjoy Toni Griffin books but don't really love the detective stories so I was a little worried about this. I shouldn't have been. There is no crime solving in this one, just a guy who comes in to the agency to talk with his dead brother where me meets his wonderfully twinkish mate. And then it's on!! Very cute story and a great beginning to a new series I now must read. *groans*
October 8, 2012
This is a sweet light romance between Jayden Thomson, who is a necromancer, and Noah Michaels, who comes into the Thompson Agency as a client. The story is to light, bland and predictable. I liked the necromancy as a subject for a storyline, but what we got here is to undeveloped. And way to sweet for my taste.
July 2, 2014
The book was okay. It was a different take on necromancer in a book. Most of the time they are evil not a sweet young thing like Jayden. I liked this part of the book. I did not like the instant love. I know mates and all but did like that they took their time in moving forward. The ending was strange. Serial killers thrown in and a hurried ending.
October 10, 2012
2.5 stars rounded up because it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
I liked the story and characters and since this seems to be the start of a series, I'll most likely be buying the next one. :)
I liked the story and characters and since this seems to be the start of a series, I'll most likely be buying the next one. :)
October 7, 2012
I'm not usually a fan of necromancy books but I decided to read this as I like the authors work. I found it to be an excellent read and while it could have been longer the story flowed nicely and met my expectations of this author.
December 12, 2012
This was a great short story, I would have liked it more if it was longer, but overall I loved it. I thought Jayden was a great character, and the chemistry between him and Noah was felt even though they were different. Like the saying says, opposites attract!
March 9, 2016
Great Read
The book was different, but keep me reading. I finished it in less than and hour, then I read it again. I have also read second book in series, about Jackson and it to is very good. Be glad when next one comes out, enjoy.
The book was different, but keep me reading. I finished it in less than and hour, then I read it again. I have also read second book in series, about Jackson and it to is very good. Be glad when next one comes out, enjoy.
October 12, 2012
Totally loving it!!!
October 23, 2012
This story was spoiled for me by its failure to establish a sense of place. It was supposed to be in Darwin, Australia, but it reads like Anytown, USA. What was the point?
October 6, 2012
Pleasant but kind of predictable.
October 22, 2014
I just loved it. The story was refresing and the characters were well developed and lovely.
October 10, 2012
Next book in this series please..... There will be another book, right?? Right????
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