Brandon e il felice Natale molto infestato (Mack's Marvelous Manifestations Vol. 1)

Mack's Marvelous Manifestations #1

by A.J. Sherwood

Appena reclutato dall’FBI, Brandon Havili viene subito affiancato a Donovan e al sensitivo a cui fa da àncora. L’FBI vuole che anche lui diventi un’àncora e a Brandon l’idea piace. Adora il fratello, Jon gli è simpatico, e tre settimane di osservazione e affiancamento sembrano un incarico davvero semplice.

E lo sono, finché non dà un passaggio per sbaglio a un’autostoppista… fantasma. Donovan non è affatto felice. Jon, invece, lo trova molto divertente.

Per risolvere la situazione, devono tornare a Eureka Springs, Arkansas, il luogo da cui il passeggero spettrale proviene. Il piano è incontrare un medium dell’FBI, esorcizzare il fantasma e rientrare a Nashville.

Mackenzie Lafayette non è affatto il tipo di medium che Brandon si immaginava. E all’improvviso non ha più così tanta fretta di tornare a Nashville. Prima c’è un affascinante medium da conoscere…

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Romance, Ghosts, Fantasy, Mystery, Christmas

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2019

About the author

AJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.

She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.

Reviews

[Jilly]

My family went on a walking ghost tour last night for Halloween so I was into a book about ghost hunting. Of course, our tour guide was trying a bit too hard to get us to believe in actual paranormal stuff and showed us tons of "photographic evidence" of the ghosts people saw on her tours (blurs and lights). We liked seeing the tree where witches were hung and the bullet hole from where Bonnie and Clyde robbed a bank, so the history lesson was worth it, but getting any of us to be afraid of something otherworldly? Yeah, that is not going to happen. We are science nerds who wouldn't believe in a ghost if it came up and introduced itself to us. We'd be looking for the real explanation, and probably would offend it tremendously within minutes.


Slut-shaming ghosts is the most effective way to get them to leave you alone.

This book was light and cute, but totally had a case of insta-love. I mean, wow, it was like lesbians on a second date - yes, a u-haul was in play. (Just joking. Don't get mad at me, lesbians. I am your ally.... and I'm a little afraid.)

Our heroes are Brandon and Mack. Brandon is a giant Tongan guy who is basically a sexy teddy bear. Mack is a medium-twink. Not medium sized - the ghost whisperer kind. They both are working for the paranormal division for the FBI and are partnered up. Because, yes, the truth is out there. Apparently.


How much of my tax money is going to this FBI "task force"? Unless it's zero, it's too much.

They fall in love about 20 seconds after meeting and make life-long plans the next day. They also do some ghost busting. It was short, light, fluffy and fun.



The next book should have them working a case, and I'll read it.

[Dani]

3.5

I think I actually prefer Mack and Brandon to Jon and Donovan!

I'm not usually that interested in stories with ghosts, maybe because it's a paranormal I actually believe in so I like to give ghosts a healthy dose of respect 🤔, but this was entertaining and a good introduction to Mack, so I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Barbara➰]

I was really excited we were getting Brandon's story and apparently him and Mac will have their own upcoming adventures. This is just the beginning of their relationship. I loved both characters and loved them together but I didn't quite get the "spark" that I got with Jon and Donavan. I'm hoping it will show in future books.

Just a side note...this wasn't really Christmasy. Other than the beginning with the snow globe, it all takes place after Christmas. Bummer.

[Len Evans Jr]

Excellent start to what looks to be an incredible series!

Have to say this is more of a series opener than a full fledged Christmas story. It takes place during the Christmas season but that is the setting rather than the story. I adore this cast of characters! I cannot wait to continue to get to know them better. The story is filled will plenty of humor, a boatload full of paranormal stuff including a number of ghosts. This was at on of fun to read and I can't wait to read book two!

[BWT]

Interested to see what happens next.

This ends a little abruptly, and I would have like to have seen them settled in Nashville and actually becoming partners, but what's here is pretty solid. Once again I really like AJ Sherwood's world building, Jon and Donovan both make an appearance which made me wildly happy, and love that Brandon is turning out to be just as much of a teddy bear as Donovan.

Dual POV, with a HFN ending, it'll be interesting to see whether this becomes an offshoot side series, or gets integrated into the Jon's Mysteries series. Either way I certainly hope for more Mack and Brandon.

[Rachel Emily]

OMG I love the Havili family :D These gentle giants are just such wonderfully good men, and I loved getting Brandon's story. He and Mack were just adorable, sweet, flirty fun together, and I completely loved reading this story.

I also loved getting more of Jon and Donovan, seeing how solid they are together. And I loved Donovan and Brandon together giving each other crap and all the teasing. Such brothers!

Can't wait for more with these two, I just love this series. So fun, creative, and sweet!

[Bookreader87(Amanda)]

More please ...

2.75 stars
A short spin off introducing new characters, Mack & Brandon. Mack is a medium who communicates with ghost. He is currently going through training for the FBI when a ghostly snowglobe is brought to him by Brandon. Brandon also happens to be training for the FBI. These two hit it off and decide to team up together.
It was a good short read. Look forward to reading a more in depth story with these two as this one barely scratches the surface.

[⚣Michaelle⚣]

I was so excited to get Brandon's book and while I liked it a lot, I didn't love it like I wanted to. But it was still humorous, hot and a little bit scary.

[Gerbera_Reads]

I enjoy Jon's Mysteries, and this one started off well. We got an introduction to Brandon Havili, Donovan's brother, and he was just as cute and cuddly as Donovan. The whole trouble with haunted snow globe was adorable. I liked Mack the medium. He was quirky and sweet. This book was very mellow and positive, but somewhere in the middle my interest fizzled out. I was not into the ghost hunting they had planned, so I just skipped the second part of the story mostly. It was a well written book with a bit of fun and lots of cutesy moments, and I wish I enjoyed it more.

[Janet (iamltr)]

I was reading the Jon series and got to the fourth book and it mentioned Brandon and Mack, so I paused that and hopped over to this series and I'm glad I did.

This was so freaking adorable.

I loved Brandon and Mack immediately. A gigantic sexy man and a tiny twink? Sign me up.

In this one Brandon accidentally gives Jon a haunted snow globe for Christmas which needs a medium to help the ghost move on. So Jon, Donovan, and Brandon head to Arkansas to meet up with Mack, who is a medium. He is also in need of an anchor, which is what Brandon is training to be with the FBI.

Thus starts the new spin off from Jon's series.

I'll be starting the next book immediately.

[Susan]

3.5 stars

The more I read by A.J. Sherwood the more I notice how her writing feels a bit simplistic to me at times. I would love a bit more show and a bit less tell.

These books are incredibly fluffy, and while I mostly love fluffy, these books do tend to bore me a bit. I think Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case is still my favorite.

[Mirian]

3.5

[Carola Ficarella]

breve ma, come tutti gli altri volumi della serie, davvero leggero e carinissimo

[Gustaf]

Short, fast and very much an extension of the Jon's mysteries series. I can't wait for more.

[Jess]

This is the first book in the series but the story starts after Jon's Spooky Corpse Conundrum where Donovan's (the MC's brother) was obviously uncomfortable with supernatural elements. I don't recommend starting this before starting Jon's mysteries series. It added a lot more humor and insights on the dynamic between Donovan and Jonathan's relationship which was mentioned a lot of times in this book. A very entertaining short read between Brandon and Marc. I like the supernatural elements and humor in this book and there's definitely no angst here. funny read and definitely a recommended read for those who enjoyed Jon's Mysteries series.

[Teresa]

Another series

This is the first book in this series that is a spin off of another. While I have read some in the second series, it took me a bit to connect the dots. However I think this book works as a stand alone. I found it humorous and different. Though it’s supposed to be Christmas themed, only the first chapter has anything to do with the holiday. Jon could have received the snow globe for any occasion and the story would work so I’m not sure it fits in the Snow Globe Christmas collection. I would like to see more stories with these characters; to see their relationship progress.

[Steven]

Meh. "Oh, I just met you. Let's change our entire lives around for each other." *eye roll*

Also, don't advertise something as a Christmas story when the only Christmas is in the opening chapter. Bah humbug.

[Grace]

I've had variable luck with this author/series, but I needed something short yesterday and was curious about the spin-off. Cute, more Jon/Donovan than I wanted because I've been annoyed with them from the other series, but I do really find this world interesting and it was fun to learn more about mediums.

[~nikki the recovering book addict]

3 stars

This is a spin off from Jon’s Mysteries which involve Donovan’s brother and a medium. It’s definitely a standalone but if I read this without reading Jon’s Mysteries, I would have found this way too sickly sweet and “perfect” in the sense that everybody is just so unbelievably nice and perfect and definitely rose-tinted glasses. Would NOT have enjoyed it.

But because it’s an offshoot of series I enjoy, I think it’s ok 😆

[Darcy]

With this book we get more with Brandon, Donovan's brother. I liked that there was a lot with Jon and Donovan too, it made a great way to introduce the new series and with the way that Jon was see into people he helped Brandon and Mack along. I look forward to reading more about them.

[Renée]

3.5 stars

[Jill]

3.5 stars

[Lisa]

A spin off from Jon's series. This focuses on Donavons brother, Brandon as he enters the FBI and meeting his partner, Mack.
Nice

[Ella]

Veramente bello e dolcissimo!!
Quì conosciamo meglio il fratello di Donovan, Brendon.
Brendon è un ex S.W.A.T. che ha dovuto dimettersi per il suo orientamento sessuale, non accettato dai suoi colleghi.
Su consiglio di Jon, il ragazzo sensitivo di suo fratello, è entrato a fa' parte dell'FBI studiando per diventare un àncora per un sensitivo/medium.
Per un regalo infestato regalato a Jon, incontrano Mack, un sensitivo che vede e parla con i fantasmi, che abbiamo conosciuto nel 5° volume della Serie e conosciamo meglio la sua storia.
Donovan è spaventato...
Un gruppo di cacciatori di fantasmi...
e la liberazione del fantasma 👻
💖💖💖💖💖

[Shelby]

I really enjoy the world of this spin off series. Getting to meet Mack and Brandon was a lot of fun. This was an entertaining Christmas tale. Of course it pushing all of Donovan's ghost buttons was amusing in its' own rights. But I liked Mack a lot. He's a good compliment to Brandon and I liked his commitment to helping the ghosts.

I'm looking forward to seeing what trouble these two can get into. :)

[Badh]

What's not to love?

Honestly, what's not to love about this book? We get Jon and Donovan, Donovan's hunky brother Brandon, plus a cute and funny new medium named Mack.

I laughed out loud at this one more than once, and I think Brandon and Mack are pure sweet.

[Chris]

3.5 stars ... cute, sweet, low angst & fluffy. A warm read hat makes you smile - ahhh love at first sight 👍

[Michelle]

Set in Eureka Springs, AR! Too cute!

[Liekos]

An unexpected detour

Ok, so what no one thought to mention ANYWHERE I could find written down is... this book seems to follow directly after book 3 of Jon's Mysteries series, but before book 4. That would DEFINITELY have been helpful information to know.

That being said, I was nervous about starting a new series. As much as I loved Jon's Mysteries, that doesn't mean I'd like this. I often don't enjoy spin offs, as I just want to get back to the main pair, and stop messing around with side characters. This wasn't that.

The book starts from Jon's perspective, and then switches to Brandon and Mack's for the rest of the book, but Jon still features prominently throughout. Books 2 and 3 of Jon's Mysteries switched perspective between Jon and Donovan, and this felt like a continuation of that.

It helped that Brandon is just as likeable as his older brother, and Mack is a surprisingly interesting character too. He has elements to his personality that mirror aspects of Jon's. I feel that we are only scratching the surface of whatever trauma he is carrying around with him, and honestly, I'm interested to know more about his back story.

The Havili insta-attraction strikes again, with even less basis than Jon/Don had... but, by this point, I'm ready to suspend my disbelief and just roll with it. It was cutesy, it was all a little to smooth sailing, and I think there is trouble brewing in future books, but for now, I'm content to wait and see.

The book didn't really have a proper case, and ended fairly suddenly. It was also a lot shorter than the previous books. It's quite obviously just a stepping stone along the way to later books, but heck if I'm not in it to enjoy every step of the way.

Life sucks at times, and sometimes a fairy tale happily ever after is good for making the world a little less bleak. This book genuinely made me laugh and smile. It wins points for that alone

[Rishika Aggarwal]

This was a follow-up read to the Jon's Mysteries series, because I really enjoyed the world that Sherwood created there.

This was a really cute novella, and I really enjoyed the introduction of the new characters. Brandon is just different enough from Donovan to be his own, distinct character, and I really loved Mack.

I also really enjoyed the introduction to the wider world that the characters reside in, with a proper introduction to mediums and ghosts in this one.

I really enjoyed the characters here. Brandon feels like a big kid with his enthusiasm for all things spooky, but at the same time, he's as supportive as an anchor (or prospective anchor) should be. Mack's much more gun shy, but he's confident in his own abilities, which makes him a really interesting character that I'm looking forward to get to know.

While it didn't get much page time - probably partly because of the length constraints of a novella, I'm guessing - I also really liked the storyline of Brandon's realisation of his sexuality and coming out as an adult. It was nicely handled, with an acknowledgement that even having the most supportive family in the world doesn't change the fact that coming to grips with your sexuality is still a big thing, especially when you're rethinking it as an adult who thought he knew himself for years.

The other thing that I'm really happy about it what seems to be the slow addition of Tongan culture into the series. So far it's been deeply limited despite Donovan being Tongan, but it looks like we're approaching things differently now, and I'm intrigued.

Also! Love the fact that it looks like this series is going to be more steamy than Jon's Mysteries - never a bad thing, IMO!

4/5 stars for me!