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Between the Shadow and the Soul
Ryan Jackson doesn’t expect too much from his weekend at the Shadows and Souls fan convention in Tahoe—he wants to meet his online friends, engage in a few heated debates about the plot for the upcoming season, and maybe shake the hand of the TV show’s star, Johnny Marlowe. But his weekend goes off course almost immediately after his arrival. First, the hotel loses his booking. Then Johnny Marlowe talks to him like they’re actual friends. And while his head is still spinning, a ghost attacks him in the elevator.
Despite fighting ghosts every week on television, Johnny Marlowe does not believe in the spirit world. He does, however, believe he should get to know Ryan better. Fan or not, the man is not only gorgeous, he’s down-to-earth, fun, and makes Johnny forget about the fake life he’s forced to lead and the ex-boyfriend who refused to participate in the charade. Unfortunately, every time Johnny tries to get close to the handsome ginger, something explodes or the earth shakes or lights blink out—and none of that is as sexy as it sounds.
Johnny doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he knows he has to get to the bottom of this haunting if he ever wants to get close to his biggest fan.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2014
20 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Craig
112 books173 followersJamie Craig is actually a pen name for the collaboration of authors
Vivien Dean http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... and
Pepper Espinoza http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
ABOUT JAMIE CRAIG
Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza have been writing and publishing together as Jamie Craig since 2006. They have published with Juno Books, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, and multiple titles with Amber Quill Press.
Pepper Espinoza has been writing and publishing erotic romance since 2005. She grew up in Utah and lives there now, where the landscape and history provide a great deal of inspiration for her work. Besides writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Vivien Dean returned to writing in 2005, and has published with Liquid Silver Books, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press. She currently resides in northern California with her husband and two children.
Vivien Dean http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... and
Pepper Espinoza http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
ABOUT JAMIE CRAIG
Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza have been writing and publishing together as Jamie Craig since 2006. They have published with Juno Books, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, and multiple titles with Amber Quill Press.
Pepper Espinoza has been writing and publishing erotic romance since 2005. She grew up in Utah and lives there now, where the landscape and history provide a great deal of inspiration for her work. Besides writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Vivien Dean returned to writing in 2005, and has published with Liquid Silver Books, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press. She currently resides in northern California with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 14, 2014
2.5 Stars
This may well go down as my weirdest, most imprecise review ever. I enjoyed the premise of Between The Shadow and The Soul, I just don’t think it was executed well. There was no POW, no oomph to it. Maybe it’s just me because I’m a reviewer, but when a book is good I sort of start writing the review in my head as I go, if it’s really good I get swept away and invest in the characters and want to share it with everyone. It’s usually not a great sign when neither happens and I’m stumped as to how to review it. That’s what happened here. It’s not that I hate it or anything, it just didn’t happen for me.
I don’t normally review this way, but a list was… well, it’s all I got.
Cons
■ The ghost storyline wasn’t fleshed out well. Wait, that doesn’t sound right. Erm… It wasn’t satisfying; it felt underdeveloped.
■ There was no “hook” to suck me in. I found myself easily distracted and basically making up excuses to do really important things like check Tumblr.
■ The dialogue veered into cheeseville periodically.
■ The relationship between Ryan and Johnny relies heavily on telling rather than showing. I want you to show me why it feels like you’ve known each other forever. Don’t tell me that it’s so.
Pros
■ Not instalove. It’s a nice start to a possible relationship between two people, who are definitely hot for each other, but they still have things to work out and on. Both realize this which leads me to pro #2.
■ Neither MC is a crazy train. Thank you, Jamie Craig.
■ The shower scene. Woof. Nice.
Essentially, I felt like this was the skeleton of a story that needed some meat on its bones. It’s somewhere between 2-3 Stars for me, so I guess I’ll split the difference and give it 2.5.
Reviewed for
This may well go down as my weirdest, most imprecise review ever. I enjoyed the premise of Between The Shadow and The Soul, I just don’t think it was executed well. There was no POW, no oomph to it. Maybe it’s just me because I’m a reviewer, but when a book is good I sort of start writing the review in my head as I go, if it’s really good I get swept away and invest in the characters and want to share it with everyone. It’s usually not a great sign when neither happens and I’m stumped as to how to review it. That’s what happened here. It’s not that I hate it or anything, it just didn’t happen for me.
I don’t normally review this way, but a list was… well, it’s all I got.
Cons
■ The ghost storyline wasn’t fleshed out well. Wait, that doesn’t sound right. Erm… It wasn’t satisfying; it felt underdeveloped.
■ There was no “hook” to suck me in. I found myself easily distracted and basically making up excuses to do really important things like check Tumblr.
■ The dialogue veered into cheeseville periodically.
■ The relationship between Ryan and Johnny relies heavily on telling rather than showing. I want you to show me why it feels like you’ve known each other forever. Don’t tell me that it’s so.
Pros
■ Not instalove. It’s a nice start to a possible relationship between two people, who are definitely hot for each other, but they still have things to work out and on. Both realize this which leads me to pro #2.
■ Neither MC is a crazy train. Thank you, Jamie Craig.
■ The shower scene. Woof. Nice.
Essentially, I felt like this was the skeleton of a story that needed some meat on its bones. It’s somewhere between 2-3 Stars for me, so I guess I’ll split the difference and give it 2.5.
Reviewed for
September 11, 2014
Ryan is a big fan of the TV show Shadows and Souls and has been looking forward to ShadowCon for months. He'll get to meet all the friends he's made with the fans online and hopefully get to at least shake hands with the beautiful star of the show, Johnny Marlowe. When he arrives at the convention, he finds that the hotel has lost his reservation and of course they're booked up for the weekend. But things immediately take a turn for the better when Johnny overhears Ryan's predicament and offers him his extra room.
Johnny was looking forward to this weekend too. His show had been picked up for a second season and he was excited to meet the fans. Not only that, he also had planned to spend time with his boyfriend at the beautiful hotel on Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, Johnny no longer has a boyfriend which is why he has the extra room. His now ex was no longer willing to stay in the closet with Johnny. What better way to distract himself from being lonely than by sharing a room next door to a big, handsome ginger. And even if Ryan isn't gay at least he's great eye candy.
But when these two start to explore their attraction things start to get really weird. Seems the hotel is haunted and the ghosts don’t like it when Ryan and Johnny start to get hot and heavy. Johnny may hunt ghosts on TV he has no idea how to deal with them in real life but he has to do something if he wants to get to know Ryan.
I really liked this story. It was fun and funny and Ryan is completely adorable. It’s short, so there’s not a lot of relationship development or background but it’s a sweet and hot beginning. They may only be together for a weekend but I really did feel the connection between them. The mystery with the ghosts was a bit predictable but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed the ride.
**Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Johnny was looking forward to this weekend too. His show had been picked up for a second season and he was excited to meet the fans. Not only that, he also had planned to spend time with his boyfriend at the beautiful hotel on Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, Johnny no longer has a boyfriend which is why he has the extra room. His now ex was no longer willing to stay in the closet with Johnny. What better way to distract himself from being lonely than by sharing a room next door to a big, handsome ginger. And even if Ryan isn't gay at least he's great eye candy.
But when these two start to explore their attraction things start to get really weird. Seems the hotel is haunted and the ghosts don’t like it when Ryan and Johnny start to get hot and heavy. Johnny may hunt ghosts on TV he has no idea how to deal with them in real life but he has to do something if he wants to get to know Ryan.
I really liked this story. It was fun and funny and Ryan is completely adorable. It’s short, so there’s not a lot of relationship development or background but it’s a sweet and hot beginning. They may only be together for a weekend but I really did feel the connection between them. The mystery with the ghosts was a bit predictable but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed the ride.
**Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
August 25, 2014
3.5 Stars
I love ghost stories and this is a goodie. The characters are charming, especially Ryan. A gentle ginger giant? Yes please. The mystery wrapped itself up a little too abruptly after a really good buildup. Kind of a "Wait, are we done? Are they gone?" moment that took away from the resolution a little. But, the REALLY hot shower scene made up for a lot of that.
I love ghost stories and this is a goodie. The characters are charming, especially Ryan. A gentle ginger giant? Yes please. The mystery wrapped itself up a little too abruptly after a really good buildup. Kind of a "Wait, are we done? Are they gone?" moment that took away from the resolution a little. But, the REALLY hot shower scene made up for a lot of that.
August 1, 2014
4 STARS
Reviewed by Vicki
I did not know the women writing as Jamie Craig were back! This makes me happy…. One of my favorite paranormal series is by Jamie Craig, a few years ago I read pretty much everything m/m published under that name and hadn’t seen anything published for a while. They wrote some m/f but that’s not really my thing so I stopped checking for new books some time ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see this one come out!
It is a fun story! I remember why I like Jamie Craig books, well written, great characters, with interesting plots.
Ryan Jackson shows up for the Shadows and Souls convention set at an awesome hotel in Tahoe, that I hope is real! He’s been planning this trip since it was announced, he’s a big fan of the ghost fighting show and can’t wait to meet his favorite stars and fellow fans. Of course the hotel has no record of his reservation, even though he has proof he paid (I did find that bit a little hard to believe, honestly, but that’s ok!), fortunately he is rescued and offered a room by the star of the show, and Ryan’s crush, Johnny Marlowe.
Johnny Marlowe is the pretty star of Shadow s and Souls, has recently been dumped by his boyfriend because he isn’t willing to be open about his relationship, and is now stuck at a fan convention for the weekend. His plan is to get drunk and have fun. He spies the large red headed man at the desk arguing with the desk clerk, hears his issue and spontaneously offers him his extra room. They head up the elevator to get settled in and things get weird….
So the hotel is haunted, they have an adventure and a weekend of some naughty sex. I can’t say it was the most unique plot I’ve read, it was a bit predictable, but it was fun anyway. I’ve been to a couple of conventions and similar events, I appreciated the setting and the fans. I’ve been one of them! The connection between Ryan and Johnny was fast to develop, as it needed to be in this short of a story, and was fun to watch. There isn’t a lot of background or details about either of them, but it wasn’t really needed. Johnny makes Ryan his personal assistant for the weekend, so he can make him sign a confidentiality agreement once they start to flirt, and Ryan really does try his hardest to be cool and not let on that Johnny is gay. It’s not his fault it all goes to hell! I liked the additional characters, June the organizer and Pam, a fellow fan, added some realism to the story. Paul, the obnoxious desk clerk certainly played a big part as well, plus Rachel, the hero of the story of course!
There’s isn’t a lot of sex in this story, it’s short, and more sex wouldn’t have fit. It takes place over a busy weekend, and the boys have other things going on. Namely being stalked by a couple of crazy ghosts! I can’t say much about the ghosts without giving the story away, other than to say they were creepy but sweet, once you figure out what is going on. I guess this felt a bit like an episode of a ghost hunting story, short and quick, a good plot, good connection between the main characters, a fun setting, and a satisfying ending. Both for the ghosts and for Ryan and Johnny. The writing was great, Jamie (Vivian and Pepper!) get to the point, tell a story with not a lot of extra fluff, give us a plot, characters and a solution quickly and cleanly. I hope they are back to writing m/m together as Jamie Craig, I’d certainly buy more books!
Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews guest posts and giveaways!
Reviewed by Vicki
I did not know the women writing as Jamie Craig were back! This makes me happy…. One of my favorite paranormal series is by Jamie Craig, a few years ago I read pretty much everything m/m published under that name and hadn’t seen anything published for a while. They wrote some m/f but that’s not really my thing so I stopped checking for new books some time ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see this one come out!
It is a fun story! I remember why I like Jamie Craig books, well written, great characters, with interesting plots.
Ryan Jackson shows up for the Shadows and Souls convention set at an awesome hotel in Tahoe, that I hope is real! He’s been planning this trip since it was announced, he’s a big fan of the ghost fighting show and can’t wait to meet his favorite stars and fellow fans. Of course the hotel has no record of his reservation, even though he has proof he paid (I did find that bit a little hard to believe, honestly, but that’s ok!), fortunately he is rescued and offered a room by the star of the show, and Ryan’s crush, Johnny Marlowe.
Johnny Marlowe is the pretty star of Shadow s and Souls, has recently been dumped by his boyfriend because he isn’t willing to be open about his relationship, and is now stuck at a fan convention for the weekend. His plan is to get drunk and have fun. He spies the large red headed man at the desk arguing with the desk clerk, hears his issue and spontaneously offers him his extra room. They head up the elevator to get settled in and things get weird….
So the hotel is haunted, they have an adventure and a weekend of some naughty sex. I can’t say it was the most unique plot I’ve read, it was a bit predictable, but it was fun anyway. I’ve been to a couple of conventions and similar events, I appreciated the setting and the fans. I’ve been one of them! The connection between Ryan and Johnny was fast to develop, as it needed to be in this short of a story, and was fun to watch. There isn’t a lot of background or details about either of them, but it wasn’t really needed. Johnny makes Ryan his personal assistant for the weekend, so he can make him sign a confidentiality agreement once they start to flirt, and Ryan really does try his hardest to be cool and not let on that Johnny is gay. It’s not his fault it all goes to hell! I liked the additional characters, June the organizer and Pam, a fellow fan, added some realism to the story. Paul, the obnoxious desk clerk certainly played a big part as well, plus Rachel, the hero of the story of course!
There’s isn’t a lot of sex in this story, it’s short, and more sex wouldn’t have fit. It takes place over a busy weekend, and the boys have other things going on. Namely being stalked by a couple of crazy ghosts! I can’t say much about the ghosts without giving the story away, other than to say they were creepy but sweet, once you figure out what is going on. I guess this felt a bit like an episode of a ghost hunting story, short and quick, a good plot, good connection between the main characters, a fun setting, and a satisfying ending. Both for the ghosts and for Ryan and Johnny. The writing was great, Jamie (Vivian and Pepper!) get to the point, tell a story with not a lot of extra fluff, give us a plot, characters and a solution quickly and cleanly. I hope they are back to writing m/m together as Jamie Craig, I’d certainly buy more books!
Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews guest posts and giveaways!
October 12, 2014
So usually ghosts aren't my normal go to but I got this book as part of a bundle and I decided this was the perfect time of the year to read this book. This was a great blend of mystery, ghosts, and new romance.
October 18, 2015
This was great fun. A little dash of fanboy geekery, a little dash of spooky haunting, a delightfully entertaining combo.
Favorite Quote:
At least, that had been the plan before he saw the freaky dead guy on the elevator.
Favorite Quote:
At least, that had been the plan before he saw the freaky dead guy on the elevator.
August 20, 2014
rating: 4 - 4.5
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews