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Bay City Paranormal Investigations #4
Paranormal Investigations 4: Nähe
Buch 4 der »Paranormal Investigation«-Serie
Sam ist glücklich. Endlich steht Bo vor dem BCPI-Team zu ihrer Beziehung und Sam hat ihn in ihrem gemeinsamen Urlaub ganz für sich allein. Bis Bo vom neuen Ermittlungsauftrag ganz in ihrer Nähe erfährt und das Team prompt ins Ferienhaus einlädt. Doch nicht nur das stört die traute Zweisamkeit, auch Bos plötzliche Visionen wecken in Sam böse Vorahnungen...
Entspricht 236 Romanseiten.
Sam ist glücklich. Endlich steht Bo vor dem BCPI-Team zu ihrer Beziehung und Sam hat ihn in ihrem gemeinsamen Urlaub ganz für sich allein. Bis Bo vom neuen Ermittlungsauftrag ganz in ihrer Nähe erfährt und das Team prompt ins Ferienhaus einlädt. Doch nicht nur das stört die traute Zweisamkeit, auch Bos plötzliche Visionen wecken in Sam böse Vorahnungen...
Entspricht 236 Romanseiten.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2008
9 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blue
90 books449 followersAlly Blue penned her first tale at age eight, relating the breathless terror of her little sister’s not-quite-fatal encounter with a bee in the backyard. That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with storytelling. She now writes gay romance of all flavors, and has recently branched into writing her first love: horror. She continues her neverending quest to scare herself. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 3, 2015
Good story, pacing, plot. One of the better ones, probably the most consistent and well-written. I like the characters and I like how they interact. I like that some are uncomfortable by the things other characters are saying and doing even though they like each other. It isn't like some books where everyone just loves everyone else and is happy all the time. It was good that they added another woman character even if she's just a stereotypical caricature of a secretary.
I don't like where part of it is going: .
But as always, the book never quite finishes what it stars, or just glosses over whatever. For example, danger scenes are over within a few sentences. The climax was better than usual here, but it was mostly dealing with the aftermath of the actual problem. The build up was also too fast, the thing that alerted Sam that something was wrong, didn't get to a critical stage that it should have. That kind of thing bugs me. I just want things fleshed out better. I think the books are always a little too short.
The thing that really bothers me is that Sam always blames himself when Bo is unreasonable. Usually Bo sort of apologizes and occasional Sam realizes that he didn't do anything wrong, but not usually. It just irritates me to hell.
For example, (this happens in the second chapter I think)
But I did enjoy it and I do want to read the next one. 3+ rounded up to 4 because it was better than average.
I don't like where part of it is going: .
But as always, the book never quite finishes what it stars, or just glosses over whatever. For example, danger scenes are over within a few sentences. The climax was better than usual here, but it was mostly dealing with the aftermath of the actual problem. The build up was also too fast, the thing that alerted Sam that something was wrong, didn't get to a critical stage that it should have. That kind of thing bugs me. I just want things fleshed out better. I think the books are always a little too short.
The thing that really bothers me is that Sam always blames himself when Bo is unreasonable. Usually Bo sort of apologizes and occasional Sam realizes that he didn't do anything wrong, but not usually. It just irritates me to hell.
For example, (this happens in the second chapter I think)
But I did enjoy it and I do want to read the next one. 3+ rounded up to 4 because it was better than average.
December 7, 2008
Definitely better than the previous part of the series that simply simmered out without any climax at all. This book was suspenseful and creepy and very horror-like, though again, it felt like the big finale toward which the whole book was headed, didn't happen. I thought that there would be a bigger showdown with the gate. Also, after what happened, the cops didn't show up at all? That little detail kind of bothered me, maybe because mysteries are my second favorite genre :)
September 27, 2022
My Review: As always, Ms. Blue has turned out a thoroughly entertaining novel about love, lust, and the pursuit of other-worldly beings. This time, she's delved right back into the angst I like so much. The kind where every action seems predestined, and yet I'd really like to take the main characters' heads and smack 'em together just to knock some sense into them. Just when you think they're about to cross that line into too foolish to be real, one of them goes and does something perfectly reasonable, and it only makes the lovers dilemmas that much more interesting.
The mystery this time, while still following along the lines of the previous volumes, is made much more personal because of the BCPI's previous encounters with the mysterious creatures. There are much more personal stakes in this installment, now that not only Sam, but Bo, as well seem to be somehow connected to the frightening other dimension. The fear that their relationship might not withstand the strains being placed on it both from inside and without, is what the book is really about, and where the tension becomes greatest, though. Ms. Blue's ability to write sympathetic characters who deserve a happy outcome make reading her work a pleasure.
My Recommendation: Once again, this is a perfect summertime vacation read, with just the right amount of emotional impact and hot man on man to make it a fun and fantastic read.
The mystery this time, while still following along the lines of the previous volumes, is made much more personal because of the BCPI's previous encounters with the mysterious creatures. There are much more personal stakes in this installment, now that not only Sam, but Bo, as well seem to be somehow connected to the frightening other dimension. The fear that their relationship might not withstand the strains being placed on it both from inside and without, is what the book is really about, and where the tension becomes greatest, though. Ms. Blue's ability to write sympathetic characters who deserve a happy outcome make reading her work a pleasure.
My Recommendation: Once again, this is a perfect summertime vacation read, with just the right amount of emotional impact and hot man on man to make it a fun and fantastic read.
June 13, 2015
Oh I do love these books, paranormal ghost hunting with a M/M theme is definitely required.
November 14, 2017
This book was so boring. Until it picked up the pace near the end, I was ready to label this a disaster.
April 8, 2024
ally blue
I’m a huge fan oh her BCPI books. She needs to do more with the series. I looking forward for finishing the series
I’m a huge fan oh her BCPI books. She needs to do more with the series. I looking forward for finishing the series
October 16, 2012
Not the best in the series, but I’m already hooked at this point
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- This volume has some really sweet sex scenes. There’s more sex in this book than in the previous volumes because Sam and Bo are on “vacation” (at the beginning, anyway), so they don’t have much else to do besides entertain each other in bed. One sex scene, though, is…NOT sweet. That issue’s dealt with, though, so overall, things work out.
- I’ve come to terms with the fact that some of the secondary characters are never going to be terribly fleshed out. And Blue is being smart about focusing her attention on the one secondary character who is pretty well-rounded: Dean has a little fling of his own in this book, and once again, it’s Dean, Sam, and Bo who are present during the climax when the rest of the team has already returned home. There are also a couple of hints in this book about some psychological trauma from Dean’s past that I’m excited to hear more about.
- I like that Sam and Bo are in it for the long haul. They argue and even come to blows (more or less) occasionally, but they always make up, and at the end, we finally see Sam interacting with Bo’s sons. There’s also an interesting story thread coming up on that front.
CONS:
- The characters are less likeable in this volume. Luckily for me, I’ve already read Books 1, 2, and 3 and know that there’s a good guy deep down inside of both Bo and Sam, but those deep-down good guys don’t appear as often in this book. TRUE, one of the guys is basically possessed the whole time, so his nasty actions aren’t really his fault, but the other guy is frustrating much of the time too. And all he has to blame his childish attitude on is jealousy.
- The main plot element of the series is becoming a little old-hat to me. Each book has its own story arc, and there are small additions to the main plot conflict with each volume, but I’m getting just a bit exasperated when I discover toward the end of each book that the evil interdimensional creatures introduced in Book 1 are back AGAIN.
Overall comments: As a separate book, I honestly can’t say whether this volume has the potential to really hook readers who haven’t yet read the prior volumes. Because I HAVE read the prior ones, though, this one’s just one more log on the fire of my admiration for the BCPI series.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- This volume has some really sweet sex scenes. There’s more sex in this book than in the previous volumes because Sam and Bo are on “vacation” (at the beginning, anyway), so they don’t have much else to do besides entertain each other in bed. One sex scene, though, is…NOT sweet. That issue’s dealt with, though, so overall, things work out.
- I’ve come to terms with the fact that some of the secondary characters are never going to be terribly fleshed out. And Blue is being smart about focusing her attention on the one secondary character who is pretty well-rounded: Dean has a little fling of his own in this book, and once again, it’s Dean, Sam, and Bo who are present during the climax when the rest of the team has already returned home. There are also a couple of hints in this book about some psychological trauma from Dean’s past that I’m excited to hear more about.
- I like that Sam and Bo are in it for the long haul. They argue and even come to blows (more or less) occasionally, but they always make up, and at the end, we finally see Sam interacting with Bo’s sons. There’s also an interesting story thread coming up on that front.
CONS:
- The characters are less likeable in this volume. Luckily for me, I’ve already read Books 1, 2, and 3 and know that there’s a good guy deep down inside of both Bo and Sam, but those deep-down good guys don’t appear as often in this book. TRUE, one of the guys is basically possessed the whole time, so his nasty actions aren’t really his fault, but the other guy is frustrating much of the time too. And all he has to blame his childish attitude on is jealousy.
- The main plot element of the series is becoming a little old-hat to me. Each book has its own story arc, and there are small additions to the main plot conflict with each volume, but I’m getting just a bit exasperated when I discover toward the end of each book that the evil interdimensional creatures introduced in Book 1 are back AGAIN.
Overall comments: As a separate book, I honestly can’t say whether this volume has the potential to really hook readers who haven’t yet read the prior volumes. Because I HAVE read the prior ones, though, this one’s just one more log on the fire of my admiration for the BCPI series.
Read
November 18, 2012It took me a long time to arrive to this novel since, as I told for the previous book, you really have to read them in order to fully grasp the evolution of Bo and Sam’s story. There is a slow, but direct change in focus, from the paranormal elements of the story towards the more romance novel. That is clear from the beginning of this book, when we find Bo and Sam’s sharing a vacation together as a couple, far from their careers as paranormal investigator and far from Bo’s family obligations. This is an important detail since from the previous novels, it can appear that Sam is rejecting Bo’s family, wife and sons, seeing them as the reason why Bo is not committing with him and their relationship. So it’s important that they share this vacation, but it’s also important that, later in the novel, the author will present proofs that Sam is not trying to distancing Bo from his sons, on the contrary, he is trying to help him regain a relationship with them.
In a way, I think the author is trying to make both Bo than Sam more appealing to the reader, since, well, they are not really “nice” characters. I have always found Bo’s reluctance to commit a little unnerving, and in a way it helped me to understand Sam’s behavior, that sometime was all the same unnerving, especially when it seemed he was letting go of Bo and their relationship too easily, like he was not fighting for it too much. This novel helped me to understand that both Bo and Sam believe in their love, and that it’s only a question to understand how they can overcome all the obstacles to their story, both ordinary than paranormal.
If you considering I’m reviewing this book 3 years later its release, maybe this comment is not so important, but for the first time in the 4 series books I had the feeling there was a closing point between Sam and Bo; not totally is perfected, and right in the last pages the author opens a new possible thread related to Sam and Bo, but not focused on them as a couple. I’m not totally sure we will not find these two in other books, maybe this time as supporting characters.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605041440/?...
In a way, I think the author is trying to make both Bo than Sam more appealing to the reader, since, well, they are not really “nice” characters. I have always found Bo’s reluctance to commit a little unnerving, and in a way it helped me to understand Sam’s behavior, that sometime was all the same unnerving, especially when it seemed he was letting go of Bo and their relationship too easily, like he was not fighting for it too much. This novel helped me to understand that both Bo and Sam believe in their love, and that it’s only a question to understand how they can overcome all the obstacles to their story, both ordinary than paranormal.
If you considering I’m reviewing this book 3 years later its release, maybe this comment is not so important, but for the first time in the 4 series books I had the feeling there was a closing point between Sam and Bo; not totally is perfected, and right in the last pages the author opens a new possible thread related to Sam and Bo, but not focused on them as a couple. I’m not totally sure we will not find these two in other books, maybe this time as supporting characters.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605041440/?...
February 20, 2016
Okay over all I love this series. This book kind of made me angry at times. You are on vacation. Why do you call the team to find out how they are doing? And then you invite them to stay with you & Sam? Really Bo? And then how he treats Sam was just inexcusable. Okay I know why he was acting the way he was but still there wasn't ever a real conversation about it. And the big bad, was short & rushed. They briefly discuss the "others" and why things happened but it is all sort of glossed over. Need more in depth conversations and really work out what happened. It was traumatic both with what happened between the two of them and what happened with the "others". Also Sam needs to get over his issues with the boys. Bo doesn't get them all that often and being in a relationship with him comes with the boys so deal with it. The story was intense but I need more in regards to the portals, monsters/others and why they are popping over into our dimension. Off to the next book.
December 11, 2015
Nachdem die Beziehung von Sam und Bo eine positive Entwicklung vollzogen hat, geht es den beiden eigentlich gut. Wenn da nur nicht die Sache mit den Dimensionstoren wäre. Und dazu verhält ich Bo zunehmend seltsam, von dem immer härter werdenden Sex ganz zu schweigen. Irgendwas scheint anders zu laufen, und das merkt man das ganze Buch hindurch.
Eigentlich haben die Jungs sogar Urlaub, aber die restliche Crew untersucht einen Fall in der Nähe und die beiden werden in das Geschehen gezogen. Vor allem hier aber durch Bo, dessen Gedanken mal wieder undurchdringlich sind und man nicht weiß was er denkt. Das führt manchmal zu einem etwas stockenden Erzählfluss, wie ich finde.
Fazit:
Gruselfaktor ist so mittelmäßig, der Sex ziemlich hart, und irgendwie fühlte sich das ganze Buch dennoch in seiner Erzählung leicht seltsam an.
Daher nur 3 von 5 Punkten.
Eigentlich haben die Jungs sogar Urlaub, aber die restliche Crew untersucht einen Fall in der Nähe und die beiden werden in das Geschehen gezogen. Vor allem hier aber durch Bo, dessen Gedanken mal wieder undurchdringlich sind und man nicht weiß was er denkt. Das führt manchmal zu einem etwas stockenden Erzählfluss, wie ich finde.
Fazit:
Gruselfaktor ist so mittelmäßig, der Sex ziemlich hart, und irgendwie fühlte sich das ganze Buch dennoch in seiner Erzählung leicht seltsam an.
Daher nur 3 von 5 Punkten.
January 4, 2012
This is the book which has most of the conflict and the most of the asshole-ish behavior by Bo. But it was -oh-so-good! I always wondered why there wasn't any repercussions of the creature's bite on Bo. But the author solved that problem too. The story line was much more realistic regarding the developing relationship. There are no more rose tinted glasses and there are enough conflicts and complaints to make me smile and think that "this is how the real life relationships are". I have to say that I was pretty exasperated the way Bo and Sam both behaved. But, again, this was written pretty well.
September 7, 2009
3.5 stars
I have kind of a love-hate relationship with this series. Well, okay, more like "like-don't like as much."
I'm a huge Ally Blue fan. I love her writing and I love her characters, and that's still true with this series. I love Sam and Dean and Bo is starting to grow on me... and her writing is great.
But the actual paranormal aspect of this series does nothing for me. I don't really know why, it just bores me. So I read this series for the characters, but I sometimes have a hard time getting through it. But I'll soldier on, because Ally's worth it.
I have kind of a love-hate relationship with this series. Well, okay, more like "like-don't like as much."
I'm a huge Ally Blue fan. I love her writing and I love her characters, and that's still true with this series. I love Sam and Dean and Bo is starting to grow on me... and her writing is great.
But the actual paranormal aspect of this series does nothing for me. I don't really know why, it just bores me. So I read this series for the characters, but I sometimes have a hard time getting through it. But I'll soldier on, because Ally's worth it.
April 2, 2013
2.5 stars
My least favorite book so far of the whole series. I really started hating on the MC's a bit in this one because there was so much drama going on between Bo and Sam between the sickly sweet moments. I kind of had moments of immense dislike for Bo because I felt he was being a selfish jerk. On the supernatural front it was intriguing to learn about what was going on with Bo and what consequences his previous injuries caused. But overall I couldn't ignore the conflicts between Bo and Sam, it brought down the quality of the story for me.
My least favorite book so far of the whole series. I really started hating on the MC's a bit in this one because there was so much drama going on between Bo and Sam between the sickly sweet moments. I kind of had moments of immense dislike for Bo because I felt he was being a selfish jerk. On the supernatural front it was intriguing to learn about what was going on with Bo and what consequences his previous injuries caused. But overall I couldn't ignore the conflicts between Bo and Sam, it brought down the quality of the story for me.
May 22, 2015
I do enjoy this series. This time Bo and Sam are taking a vacation at a beach house and much to Sam's annoyance Bo invites the rest team to stay with them while they investigate a nearby fort.
The fort is a standard haunting but Bo starts to get strange visions and dreams and Sam is worried about Portal energy. Their relationship takes a lot of strain with the too of them fighting a lot. There are some interesting developments concerning the portals but the main focus is really on their relationship. I will continue with this series.
The fort is a standard haunting but Bo starts to get strange visions and dreams and Sam is worried about Portal energy. Their relationship takes a lot of strain with the too of them fighting a lot. There are some interesting developments concerning the portals but the main focus is really on their relationship. I will continue with this series.
September 14, 2010
Difficult to give it a good rating, because the series is beginning to irritate me now. Very predictable. You know theres going to be an interdimensional portal, because thats what the last 3 books were about. I know theres going to be a portal, it's not scary or exciting. And Bo is all 'what are you talking about,theres nothing suspicious'. bah. shove a sock in his mouth and bend him over. The sex redeems the book.
September 21, 2013
Oh how I missed the days when I could just sit and read a book from start to finish, but I just did and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. This book, the 4th in the series finally found the way to weave the investigation and the main character's personal relationship together in a nice balance. And for a change the main paranormal mystery feels resolved with something left to build on and what seems like a nice set up for the next book. An all around good story.
June 24, 2010
This book was definitely more intense than the last one. Again, the reader gets to see Sam and Bo's relationship progress even more, and a lot of things seem to happen to them again. Particularly Bo. He certainly gets the worst of it most of the time. But it kept me on my toes. I liked Dean's part as well, and I was glad he did get to have fun.
August 6, 2014
I'm really enjoying this series. Unlike so many others, not everything is sunshine and roses. Partner's faults are clearly pointed out and solutions are found to problems that occur in the relationship.
January 9, 2012
duh...i skipped the third one hoping things would have improved for Sam & Bo but oh no au contraire my friend.
Sam is just being a whiny b*tch and lost all sense of self respect. Bo is better but still..... can't be bothered any more. so long for the BCPI
Sam is just being a whiny b*tch and lost all sense of self respect. Bo is better but still..... can't be bothered any more. so long for the BCPI
October 11, 2012
I continue to enjoy this series. It lives up to my expectations. There has been continual new developments in our main characters and the plot line is very interesting. Looking forward to more.
Read
June 22, 2013If you like homo-erotic male fiction with a little supernatural twist thrown in, the BCPI series is great. Some really graphic scenes in both supernatural events & male-on-male encounters. I'd have preferred more events & fewer encounters ... but that's just me.
November 12, 2013
This fourth installment was just as intriguing as the first three. I'm still enjoying the evolution of Sam and Bo's relationship, but I keep wondering if Blue has something planned for the other characters. Dean and Andre definitely need their own stories.
September 18, 2015
Loved this installment. I love how Blue doesn't shy away from the realistic aspects of relationships, Sam's jealousy is fantastically rendered. I wondered if Bo's bite would have more than the previously mentioned pain. Loved the addition of the kids at the end, too.
July 4, 2011
Good paranormal m/m romance which finds Sam and Bo on vacation as Bo becomes increasingly erratic and obsessed with the nearby fort the rest of the BCPI crew is investigating.
April 4, 2012
I really like this series and our protagonists-Bo and Sam. Ms. Blue keeps a healthy balance between the romance and the main plot with plenty of hot smexy time in between.
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September 20, 2022
I recall enjoying this story. Alley Blue was the second gay fiction author I read after J.L. Langley.
January 28, 2013
I waited a long time to borrow this book. I still not feeling love Bo. Sam may have been a little naggy about things but I still feel like Bo is gonna do what works for Bo.
January 23, 2023
Interesting Story
An unusual twist on the ghost genre. The concept is well thought out and the characters are likeable as well.
An unusual twist on the ghost genre. The concept is well thought out and the characters are likeable as well.
August 16, 2008
Closer (Bay City Paranormal Investigations) by Ally Blue (no date)
July 29, 2011
3.75stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews