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Coastal Curves #1
Boat Wizard
The sun-kissed shores of Santo Domingo hide dark things in the shadows.
Five years after making an enormous mistake, Ryan Mitchell is just trying to rebuild his life along the beach. But opportunities are limited for a disgraced securities trader who moonlights as a sorcerer.
When a red-haired succubus seeks his help to avoid a murder rap, Ryan is pulled into a conspiracy between the Mexican drug cartels and darker forces from the Fae Wilds.
But Ryan is not without his own resources. With the help of a beautiful marine biologist and a cat-shifter federal agent, he has to find a way to stop a dangerous fae incursion into the magical underworld of Santo Domingo – and do it without blowing up his life again.
Because sometimes the best way to solve a mystery is with magic, hot girls, and a really nice boat.
Five years after making an enormous mistake, Ryan Mitchell is just trying to rebuild his life along the beach. But opportunities are limited for a disgraced securities trader who moonlights as a sorcerer.
When a red-haired succubus seeks his help to avoid a murder rap, Ryan is pulled into a conspiracy between the Mexican drug cartels and darker forces from the Fae Wilds.
But Ryan is not without his own resources. With the help of a beautiful marine biologist and a cat-shifter federal agent, he has to find a way to stop a dangerous fae incursion into the magical underworld of Santo Domingo – and do it without blowing up his life again.
Because sometimes the best way to solve a mystery is with magic, hot girls, and a really nice boat.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2025
About the author
Michael Dalton
87 books369 followersMichael Dalton is a professional journalist and editor.
Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.
Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.
Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.
Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 28, 2025
Rather misleading title to my mind, but not critical. Well written as Dalton's stuff usually is, and a quick read set in the larger Fae wilds universe. The MC is decent and sensible, having a firm understanding of his strengths and weaknesses, avoiding trouble whenever possible since he's on probation.
Looks like a slow-burn harem arc with potential to overlap some other Santo Domingo shenanigans, so I'll check out book 2 when it arrives.
Looks like a slow-burn harem arc with potential to overlap some other Santo Domingo shenanigans, so I'll check out book 2 when it arrives.
October 25, 2025
Another Banger from Michael
I'm loving this story so far. I love how it is kinda towing the line between Bikini Days and some of Michael's more fantasy action books. It's kinda a cool middle ground and I hope it stays in that zone. Will definitely be reading the next one!
I'm loving this story so far. I love how it is kinda towing the line between Bikini Days and some of Michael's more fantasy action books. It's kinda a cool middle ground and I hope it stays in that zone. Will definitely be reading the next one!
October 26, 2025
Great new series from one of my favorite authors.
I'm really looking forward to the next installment. The characters are very believable and there is just enough action to keep it spicy. Great mens fiction.
I'm really looking forward to the next installment. The characters are very believable and there is just enough action to keep it spicy. Great mens fiction.
December 14, 2025
Really fun
Really cool idea for a story, the concept is great. Fun story, action packed, loveable characters. Really looking forward to the next one.
Really cool idea for a story, the concept is great. Fun story, action packed, loveable characters. Really looking forward to the next one.
February 17, 2026
Rating 4.0 stars
Pretty good from an author I really like. This is probably one of the weaker books I have read though.
Pretty good from an author I really like. This is probably one of the weaker books I have read though.
April 12, 2026
Alright, so this is one of those books that sneaks up on you a bit—like you think you’re just dipping a toe in, and next thing you know you’re waist-deep going, “Well… guess I live here now.” It’s got this really strong Magnum P.I. meets urban fantasy thing going on, and somehow that combo doesn’t explode in its own face. It just… works. Like, suspiciously well.
What got me was how grounded everything felt. The supernatural stuff isn’t kicking the door down yelling “look at me, I’m magic!”—it just sort of slips into the world like it’s always been there. You buy it. Not in a “yeah sure, whatever” way, but in a “wait, why wouldn’t this be normal?” kind of way. That’s a hard trick to pull off, and this nails it.
Characters? Proper memorable. The kind where you can picture them doing mundane stuff and it’d still be interesting. And the MC—he’s got that Raymond Chandler energy. Not a full-on anti-hero, but definitely not the guy you’d trust to hold your wallet either. He’s got edges. Questionable decisions. Probably a few skeletons doing yoga in his closet. But it works, because he feels real.
Now, fair warning—it’s a slow burn. Like slow slow in places. I kept waiting for it to kick up a gear, and sometimes it just… didn’t. But weirdly, I didn’t hate that? It’s more of a simmer than a sprint.
And that ending. That cliffhanger. If I could reach through the page and throttle the author, I absolutely would… but only because it’s so effective. It doesn’t just end—it opens doors. Dangerous, curiosity-fuelled doors. And yeah… I’m probably walking straight through them.
What got me was how grounded everything felt. The supernatural stuff isn’t kicking the door down yelling “look at me, I’m magic!”—it just sort of slips into the world like it’s always been there. You buy it. Not in a “yeah sure, whatever” way, but in a “wait, why wouldn’t this be normal?” kind of way. That’s a hard trick to pull off, and this nails it.
Characters? Proper memorable. The kind where you can picture them doing mundane stuff and it’d still be interesting. And the MC—he’s got that Raymond Chandler energy. Not a full-on anti-hero, but definitely not the guy you’d trust to hold your wallet either. He’s got edges. Questionable decisions. Probably a few skeletons doing yoga in his closet. But it works, because he feels real.
Now, fair warning—it’s a slow burn. Like slow slow in places. I kept waiting for it to kick up a gear, and sometimes it just… didn’t. But weirdly, I didn’t hate that? It’s more of a simmer than a sprint.
And that ending. That cliffhanger. If I could reach through the page and throttle the author, I absolutely would… but only because it’s so effective. It doesn’t just end—it opens doors. Dangerous, curiosity-fuelled doors. And yeah… I’m probably walking straight through them.
October 26, 2025
Diet Dresden
I really enjoy the world that the author has created. It has spanned many different series and is really well done. Some of these series have had their ups and downs, completely understandable, but overall they have been pretty good.
This one just feels very meh. Ryan comes across as an attempt at adding Dresden, a magical PI, into the world since that seems pretty clearly where it’s going. He will be hired to find things, while also reporting to the authorities when something big happens. It’s been many years since I read any of the Dresden books, but the similarities are blatant, sorcerer gets in trouble with the magical authorities and then becomes basically a PI to pay his bills and he is being monitored.
I’d say one of the key differences though, Dresden is capable of holding his own in a fight, whereas Ryan seems fairly useless. It’s early in the series obviously, but the MC just isn’t interesting. He is a typical white collar criminal who is as exciting as plain toast.
I’m hoping the series gets better because right now, it is just fairly boring.
I really enjoy the world that the author has created. It has spanned many different series and is really well done. Some of these series have had their ups and downs, completely understandable, but overall they have been pretty good.
This one just feels very meh. Ryan comes across as an attempt at adding Dresden, a magical PI, into the world since that seems pretty clearly where it’s going. He will be hired to find things, while also reporting to the authorities when something big happens. It’s been many years since I read any of the Dresden books, but the similarities are blatant, sorcerer gets in trouble with the magical authorities and then becomes basically a PI to pay his bills and he is being monitored.
I’d say one of the key differences though, Dresden is capable of holding his own in a fight, whereas Ryan seems fairly useless. It’s early in the series obviously, but the MC just isn’t interesting. He is a typical white collar criminal who is as exciting as plain toast.
I’m hoping the series gets better because right now, it is just fairly boring.
April 23, 2026
This is the starting book in a new haremlit series by Michael Dalton set in Santo Domingo -- his version of San Diego.
Ryan Mitchell has just gotten out of a 5-year prison sentence for a sorcery-based financial scam (and, yeah, he basically got busted for not knowing when to stop). He has a beach house, a hot car, and a boat from his father's estate, and now he needs a gig that won't drop him back into the slammer.
So he becomes a private dick. It makes sense, and is leading into good "Dresden Files" antics.
Meanwhile he picks up one hot girlfriend and there very clearly are two more on the way.
Very slice of life. With a lot (but not too much) of the author's interests in hot cars and fishing.
Ryan is not overpowered (like Jimmy Kaplan in _Demon Hunter_). If anything, he is underpowered. Which is fine.
Anyways, lots of fun. More books are coming. A very nice and enjoyable read.
Ryan Mitchell has just gotten out of a 5-year prison sentence for a sorcery-based financial scam (and, yeah, he basically got busted for not knowing when to stop). He has a beach house, a hot car, and a boat from his father's estate, and now he needs a gig that won't drop him back into the slammer.
So he becomes a private dick. It makes sense, and is leading into good "Dresden Files" antics.
Meanwhile he picks up one hot girlfriend and there very clearly are two more on the way.
Very slice of life. With a lot (but not too much) of the author's interests in hot cars and fishing.
Ryan is not overpowered (like Jimmy Kaplan in _Demon Hunter_). If anything, he is underpowered. Which is fine.
Anyways, lots of fun. More books are coming. A very nice and enjoyable read.
June 16, 2026
This is a really fun read. (4 stars I only give 5 stars to truly exceptional literature). This is the first of the series and I hope to read the entire series. Main character is a good guy who helps a lot of nice women who are human with magical connections. The women are magically attracted to him a bit, but stay with him because of how good he is to them an dhow wonderful he makes them feel, in and out of bed. Fun read with female characters who have backgrounds, feelings and agency. Not sure if it would pass the Bechtel test.
November 15, 2025
Very mid. Slow and very wordy dialogue that over explains.
There really wasn't any surprises here very Mid. Basic tropes of any TV cop show never really got into the main character as he wasn't that memorable. Basic plot line for this genre, maybe on 8th grade level except for the adult content. The world's in the story just was very forgettable. I won't be reading book too because nothing interests me enough to care.
There really wasn't any surprises here very Mid. Basic tropes of any TV cop show never really got into the main character as he wasn't that memorable. Basic plot line for this genre, maybe on 8th grade level except for the adult content. The world's in the story just was very forgettable. I won't be reading book too because nothing interests me enough to care.
November 19, 2025
This is a good book for me
I’ve enjoyed this authors Santa Domingo (San Diego) series setting and resident characters. It’s like visiting great natural settings and familiar good time friends. The women cannot be over rated and are a guilty pleasure all there for the enjoyment. Food is surprisingly an appealing topic. This series should be continued and there is a whole host of characters from other books that would make for a page turning new book. Best wishes
I’ve enjoyed this authors Santa Domingo (San Diego) series setting and resident characters. It’s like visiting great natural settings and familiar good time friends. The women cannot be over rated and are a guilty pleasure all there for the enjoyment. Food is surprisingly an appealing topic. This series should be continued and there is a whole host of characters from other books that would make for a page turning new book. Best wishes
October 29, 2025
For me, his best book yet.
Like all of his books, well researched and written. Ryan is my favorite character of his by far. The whole interconnected world around Santo Domingo is pretty intricate, but the references to other plotlines are minimal. The way he postulates magic is comprehensible and believable. Can't wait for book two.
Like all of his books, well researched and written. Ryan is my favorite character of his by far. The whole interconnected world around Santo Domingo is pretty intricate, but the references to other plotlines are minimal. The way he postulates magic is comprehensible and believable. Can't wait for book two.
April 20, 2026
Coastal Curves Book 1
This was an interesting start to what I believe will be an fun series. The main character Ryan, a sorcerer who has just been released from prison after 5 years for Stock manipulation. His next door neighbor is a stunning woman, so you can guess at the high kind that ensues. I'm looking forward go the next book.
This was an interesting start to what I believe will be an fun series. The main character Ryan, a sorcerer who has just been released from prison after 5 years for Stock manipulation. His next door neighbor is a stunning woman, so you can guess at the high kind that ensues. I'm looking forward go the next book.
October 26, 2025
Dalton does it again
Another great addition to the Santa Domingo universe! I really like that the mc in this one is a sorcerer but doesn't have attack magic. FMC 1 is really good and the set up for two more is going to be very intriguing in the coming books.
Another great addition to the Santa Domingo universe! I really like that the mc in this one is a sorcerer but doesn't have attack magic. FMC 1 is really good and the set up for two more is going to be very intriguing in the coming books.
October 29, 2025
Very nice
Happy to be back in this world, didn’t expect to like the premise of this one as much as the others but I was quickly disabused of that. Looking forward to seeing where the next one goes.
Happy to be back in this world, didn’t expect to like the premise of this one as much as the others but I was quickly disabused of that. Looking forward to seeing where the next one goes.
November 2, 2025
Another awesome Dalton-verse adventure!
As I have coined Dalton-verse books incorporate the Santo Domingo paranormal vibe, with hot women, great passions and adventures that grab you and pull you in. Another win and can’t wait for more!
As I have coined Dalton-verse books incorporate the Santo Domingo paranormal vibe, with hot women, great passions and adventures that grab you and pull you in. Another win and can’t wait for more!
November 15, 2025
Very well written
I really enjoyed cruising through this book. Sure, the harem setup seemed a bit contrived, but it kind of has to be, right?
But the writing, the dialogue, and editing were very good. I only spotted one oops, and it was minor.
Looking forward to the next one!
I really enjoyed cruising through this book. Sure, the harem setup seemed a bit contrived, but it kind of has to be, right?
But the writing, the dialogue, and editing were very good. I only spotted one oops, and it was minor.
Looking forward to the next one!
November 18, 2025
lots of fun
This new series is a lot of fun. While it is a stand alone series there cameos from characters from his other Santo Domingo series. I really recommend giving this one a read.
This new series is a lot of fun. While it is a stand alone series there cameos from characters from his other Santo Domingo series. I really recommend giving this one a read.
January 3, 2026
The sorcery thing is awesome, just like it was in Demon Hunter, and the tie-ins from other series are excellent. Really great story, convincing characters, but CLIFFHANGER ENDING wtf???? Waiting impatiently for book 2.
February 28, 2026
Great start for a new series.
This is a well thought out novel to start a new series with. The characters felt real and the storyline flowed perfectly, blending their history and moving their individual dailies. I can't wait for the next installment!
This is a well thought out novel to start a new series with. The characters felt real and the storyline flowed perfectly, blending their history and moving their individual dailies. I can't wait for the next installment!
May 17, 2026
a very interesting plot line and it just gets better
Dalton spins another great yarn which caught my attention and still has not let go.
Boats, beasts, and babes must be the story board, it works.
Dalton spins another great yarn which caught my attention and still has not let go.
Boats, beasts, and babes must be the story board, it works.
October 25, 2025
starting over after a mistake can be hard, story keeps you reading.
October 25, 2025
Another great book
Great characters and an engaging story. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m eager to see where the story goes.
Great characters and an engaging story. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m eager to see where the story goes.
October 27, 2025
Review
I enjoyed the novel. The main characters are smart and likeable. The story is fast paced though a little short. Ends on a cliffhanger, my only real dislike.
I enjoyed the novel. The main characters are smart and likeable. The story is fast paced though a little short. Ends on a cliffhanger, my only real dislike.
October 27, 2025
Hybrid Vigor
Clever mix of the Fates world with some of the pacing of the Bikini books. Some things are more than the sum of their parts, like gin and tonic. Smart author.
Clever mix of the Fates world with some of the pacing of the Bikini books. Some things are more than the sum of their parts, like gin and tonic. Smart author.
October 28, 2025
Good Book!
Really good start to a new series. Interesting characters. Interesting premise. Hope it is not too long until the next book in this series comes out.
Really good start to a new series. Interesting characters. Interesting premise. Hope it is not too long until the next book in this series comes out.
October 31, 2025
Good stuff
I really enjoyed this one, gave me some early Dalton vibes. Would recommend if you’re looking for something fun, easy, and that flows well. Very likable main characters.
I really enjoyed this one, gave me some early Dalton vibes. Would recommend if you’re looking for something fun, easy, and that flows well. Very likable main characters.
October 31, 2025
It's nice to not have a goody-2-shoes protagonist.
So this is how those scoundrels keep their lifestyles when they get out of prison. He's a good guy with a felonious nature.
So this is how those scoundrels keep their lifestyles when they get out of prison. He's a good guy with a felonious nature.
November 1, 2025
Its a very good book but i felt like the author rushed to finish it. There are some places that felt rushed and some places that could have got improved.
November 5, 2025
Loving this one so far 🤘🏻
Can’t wait for the second book keep up the good work Mr. Dalton. I’m a big fan so don’t don’t let us down.
Can’t wait for the second book keep up the good work Mr. Dalton. I’m a big fan so don’t don’t let us down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews