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The Paranaturalist
As a kid, Joseph Appleyard saw things hidden from others. Now he is The Paranaturalist, an investigator and cohost of a television show that seeks to prove the existence of the paranormal. Some think Joe is crazy, but they don’t realize he knows firsthand there’s more to the world than what most perceive. The trouble is, somewhere along the way, Joe lost his vision and it left his world flat and dull. One night an investigation goes horribly wrong, and a powerful ghostly manifestation sends Joe tumbling into a river. Spirit worker Owen Watson saves Joe’s life, and once they are back on dry land, whatever has been blocking Joe’s vision has been washed away.
When a haunting goes from annoying to dangerous, people turn to Owen Watson. He hates those infuriating hacks from TV, but when he pulls Joe from the river, his mind begins to change. Joe is scared and confused, and, Owen realizes, he might just be the real thing. Together, they work to understand the part of Joe that has been shut away for so long. But just as Joe is acclimating to his abilities, his career as a paranormal investigator is in danger of being ripped away. Owen would gladly battle a bloodthirsty spirit for Joe, but he’s out of his element in the world of reality television.
When a haunting goes from annoying to dangerous, people turn to Owen Watson. He hates those infuriating hacks from TV, but when he pulls Joe from the river, his mind begins to change. Joe is scared and confused, and, Owen realizes, he might just be the real thing. Together, they work to understand the part of Joe that has been shut away for so long. But just as Joe is acclimating to his abilities, his career as a paranormal investigator is in danger of being ripped away. Owen would gladly battle a bloodthirsty spirit for Joe, but he’s out of his element in the world of reality television.
340 pages, ebook
First published June 27, 2016
14 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Ki Brightly
91 books717 followersI spend most of my days writing, editing, and perfecting the craft of storytelling.
A note to readers: I don't hang out on Goodreads or social media, so if you have any questions about my books, please check out my website, which I host with M.D. Gregory.
A note to readers: I don't hang out on Goodreads or social media, so if you have any questions about my books, please check out my website, which I host with M.D. Gregory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 8, 2016
*2,5 STARS
The opening chapters were really good, I especially liked the prologue. It promised a very interesting story. Sadly, I’m afraid pointless drama and some of the side characters ruined it for me.
The premise was engaging. I found Joe to be likeable at first, and Owen was out of the ordinary in a good sense. The ghosts, spirits, mediums are elements I enjoy when done properly.
But somewhere along the way I started getting irritated by the constant drama with Scott. It dragged for so long it really got me tired. I thought the whole thing between Scott and Joe was so pointless. It didn’t help the fact that I dislike Scott a lot, I tend to have no patience for cheaters. I just couldn’t understand why Joe kept excusing and forgiving him. It got me so mad I debated DNFing because I couldn’t stand it.
A pity the author decided to go that way with the book, I feel it would have been so much more engaging and exciting if we had avoided all that drama and if she had rounded up a little better the second part of the book.
The opening chapters were really good, I especially liked the prologue. It promised a very interesting story. Sadly, I’m afraid pointless drama and some of the side characters ruined it for me.
The premise was engaging. I found Joe to be likeable at first, and Owen was out of the ordinary in a good sense. The ghosts, spirits, mediums are elements I enjoy when done properly.
But somewhere along the way I started getting irritated by the constant drama with Scott. It dragged for so long it really got me tired. I thought the whole thing between Scott and Joe was so pointless. It didn’t help the fact that I dislike Scott a lot, I tend to have no patience for cheaters. I just couldn’t understand why Joe kept excusing and forgiving him. It got me so mad I debated DNFing because I couldn’t stand it.
A pity the author decided to go that way with the book, I feel it would have been so much more engaging and exciting if we had avoided all that drama and if she had rounded up a little better the second part of the book.
August 24, 2016
3.5 Stars
Full Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I had a strange experience with this book because it seems like something I should have loved, it had the right ingredients, but it didn’t quite work for me, and I can’t figure out why.
First off, the three main characters, Joe (the protag), Owen (the love interest), and Scott (the best friend), all seemed realistic and three-dimensional… but I didn’t really like them. Joe had low self-esteem, was superficial, and was weak-willed with the way he let all of Scott’s behavior slide. Owen wasn’t a bad person, but he was a bit of a jerk sometimes (for example, he could’ve explained things to Joe instead of letting him flounder in the beginning). And Scott lied, cheated, manipulated, and treated people horribly (to be fair though, he wasn’t supposed to be likeable). So I appreciated that they were realistic, and all three of them showed growth and got more likeable by the end, but for some reason I just didn’t get completely invested in them.
There was one character I did love though: Otto. He was some sort of spirit, but he acted like a harmless poltergeist. He stuck his hands in the TV to mess up the picture while Owen was watching. He knocked a jar of beads onto the floor simply because he was bored, then laid on the floor so that Owen had to reach through his incorporeal body to get the beads because he knew Owen didn’t like that. He loved it whenever anyone paid him attention and would follow them around for a bit. In other words, he was kind of mischievous but funny and entertaining. Then he and Peter, another spirit, starting hanging out, and seriously, I want to know their story. Can I have a book about them?
Then there was the reality TV stuff. That was one of the things that drew me to the book—it was something I had never read about. And that too seemed realistic… it just turned out I didn’t like that either. It was petty and superficial and basically a crew who cared more about getting a good shot than they did about each other.
As for the romance between Joe and Owen, I felt conflicted. On the one hand, they had good chemistry, and the sex was hot. On the other hand, it happened fast, and they were far too distracted by each others’ smells/lips/hair and their constant need to tamp down their man parts when they had more important things that needed their attention.
The whole thing with Scott also detracted from the romance. The parts about Scott were another thing I feel like I should’ve loved because they had the most emotion, but I guess it just didn’t affect me that much because of how I wasn’t fully invested.
The plot was my only concrete issue. There was no clear goal, and then things started getting episodic near the end. I didn’t see the point of some of the parts included, and I wasn’t sure where the plot was going or why the book wasn’t wrapping up. There were also a few things that were thrown into the book but then never brought up again or explained.
But as I said the book felt pretty realistic (aside from the quickness of the relationship), the main characters were believably flawed and showed growth, and there was some emotional struggle. For whatever reason, the book just didn’t quite click with me, but that doesn’t mean it won’t click with other people, and it was by no means a bad read, so I’m still glad I read it!
Recommended For:
M/M paranormal romance readers who like realistically flawed characters and a bit of emotional complication.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Full Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I had a strange experience with this book because it seems like something I should have loved, it had the right ingredients, but it didn’t quite work for me, and I can’t figure out why.
First off, the three main characters, Joe (the protag), Owen (the love interest), and Scott (the best friend), all seemed realistic and three-dimensional… but I didn’t really like them. Joe had low self-esteem, was superficial, and was weak-willed with the way he let all of Scott’s behavior slide. Owen wasn’t a bad person, but he was a bit of a jerk sometimes (for example, he could’ve explained things to Joe instead of letting him flounder in the beginning). And Scott lied, cheated, manipulated, and treated people horribly (to be fair though, he wasn’t supposed to be likeable). So I appreciated that they were realistic, and all three of them showed growth and got more likeable by the end, but for some reason I just didn’t get completely invested in them.
There was one character I did love though: Otto. He was some sort of spirit, but he acted like a harmless poltergeist. He stuck his hands in the TV to mess up the picture while Owen was watching. He knocked a jar of beads onto the floor simply because he was bored, then laid on the floor so that Owen had to reach through his incorporeal body to get the beads because he knew Owen didn’t like that. He loved it whenever anyone paid him attention and would follow them around for a bit. In other words, he was kind of mischievous but funny and entertaining. Then he and Peter, another spirit, starting hanging out, and seriously, I want to know their story. Can I have a book about them?
Then there was the reality TV stuff. That was one of the things that drew me to the book—it was something I had never read about. And that too seemed realistic… it just turned out I didn’t like that either. It was petty and superficial and basically a crew who cared more about getting a good shot than they did about each other.
As for the romance between Joe and Owen, I felt conflicted. On the one hand, they had good chemistry, and the sex was hot. On the other hand, it happened fast, and they were far too distracted by each others’ smells/lips/hair and their constant need to tamp down their man parts when they had more important things that needed their attention.
The whole thing with Scott also detracted from the romance. The parts about Scott were another thing I feel like I should’ve loved because they had the most emotion, but I guess it just didn’t affect me that much because of how I wasn’t fully invested.
The plot was my only concrete issue. There was no clear goal, and then things started getting episodic near the end. I didn’t see the point of some of the parts included, and I wasn’t sure where the plot was going or why the book wasn’t wrapping up. There were also a few things that were thrown into the book but then never brought up again or explained.
But as I said the book felt pretty realistic (aside from the quickness of the relationship), the main characters were believably flawed and showed growth, and there was some emotional struggle. For whatever reason, the book just didn’t quite click with me, but that doesn’t mean it won’t click with other people, and it was by no means a bad read, so I’m still glad I read it!
Recommended For:
M/M paranormal romance readers who like realistically flawed characters and a bit of emotional complication.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 27, 2016
3.5 Stars ~ Though I have read paranormal books with a mildly similar premise, the twists and turns and overall situations Ki Brightly developed in this book made it unique enough that I was anticipating what may happen; along with the characters, it kept me engrossed and invested in the outcome.
Joe Appleyard and Owen Watson are fascinating characters in that they both have the ability to see beyond, into something… more. Their abilities aren’t exactly the same, and Owen has a little more training, but ultimately, once they meet they realize that they share a bond, that there is someone else out there who can finally—maybe—understand one another.
I don’t want to give too much of the story away, and I feel the blurb does a decent job of giving us the highlights of the novel. I will say I truly enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the book. It was entertaining and interesting to see the different types of beings out there beyond the normal human’s awareness, and seeing Owen and Joe figure one another out and begin to explore what they feel for one another.
I don’t like it when I don’t feel anything towards characters in a book. In this case, I had all kinds of feelings. The author did a great job with the MCs and creating characters that were realistic in their thought processes, and even sometimes stupidity. I hate it when characters are perfection, making them caricatures. Humans by nature screw up, misunderstand, have pet peeves and quirks. Joe and Owen are both anything but perfect. They make bad decisions, they make good ones, they say things that are misconstrued, and misconstrue what others say to them. But they were overall good men who were trying to do the best they could. The secondary characters were also well done, and there is quite a cast from Joe’s crew on his TV show (Scott, Cherry, and Margot) to Owen’s roommates and boss, along with some spirits that make it interesting. Some of the characters I was very fond of, other’s I wanted to do violent things to. Nothing says character development like me growling at a character’s actions or words.
I will say I feel this book spent a little too much time focusing on Joe and Scott’s situation, and Scott in general, than I would have liked. Although I understood the reality of the situation Joe was in, and that it made sense that it was a something Joe would internally struggle with, I had a difficult time figuring out why Joe cared about Scott to the level he did and frankly, was exasperated with Joe often. I got tired of reading about Joe’s thoughts on Scott, I got tired of his back and forth and really just wanted to get back to Owen and Joe. I think the author tried to expand and help the reader have a little more empathy towards Scott, and maybe understand Joe’s feelings, towards the end, but I had a difficult time wanting to do that, to even try to understand Scott’s actions and behavior.
Even though there was a little frustration on some of the focus, I have to say I truly did enjoy The Paranaturalist. If there is another book planned (and I hope there is), I would definitely pick it up because there is so much to be explored with the foundation set in this book.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Joe Appleyard and Owen Watson are fascinating characters in that they both have the ability to see beyond, into something… more. Their abilities aren’t exactly the same, and Owen has a little more training, but ultimately, once they meet they realize that they share a bond, that there is someone else out there who can finally—maybe—understand one another.
I don’t want to give too much of the story away, and I feel the blurb does a decent job of giving us the highlights of the novel. I will say I truly enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the book. It was entertaining and interesting to see the different types of beings out there beyond the normal human’s awareness, and seeing Owen and Joe figure one another out and begin to explore what they feel for one another.
I don’t like it when I don’t feel anything towards characters in a book. In this case, I had all kinds of feelings. The author did a great job with the MCs and creating characters that were realistic in their thought processes, and even sometimes stupidity. I hate it when characters are perfection, making them caricatures. Humans by nature screw up, misunderstand, have pet peeves and quirks. Joe and Owen are both anything but perfect. They make bad decisions, they make good ones, they say things that are misconstrued, and misconstrue what others say to them. But they were overall good men who were trying to do the best they could. The secondary characters were also well done, and there is quite a cast from Joe’s crew on his TV show (Scott, Cherry, and Margot) to Owen’s roommates and boss, along with some spirits that make it interesting. Some of the characters I was very fond of, other’s I wanted to do violent things to. Nothing says character development like me growling at a character’s actions or words.
I will say I feel this book spent a little too much time focusing on Joe and Scott’s situation, and Scott in general, than I would have liked. Although I understood the reality of the situation Joe was in, and that it made sense that it was a something Joe would internally struggle with, I had a difficult time figuring out why Joe cared about Scott to the level he did and frankly, was exasperated with Joe often. I got tired of reading about Joe’s thoughts on Scott, I got tired of his back and forth and really just wanted to get back to Owen and Joe. I think the author tried to expand and help the reader have a little more empathy towards Scott, and maybe understand Joe’s feelings, towards the end, but I had a difficult time wanting to do that, to even try to understand Scott’s actions and behavior.
Even though there was a little frustration on some of the focus, I have to say I truly did enjoy The Paranaturalist. If there is another book planned (and I hope there is), I would definitely pick it up because there is so much to be explored with the foundation set in this book.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
March 27, 2020
There are a few intriguing and rather unusual elements in this story about paranormal phenomena, and added to some prickly characters, more than one challenge to what each of them believes, and some ghostly appearances that had me shuddering, they made for an absorbing story. Hunting ghosts on TV is an unusual occupation, and working together changes both Joseph, who used to be able to see things hidden from most people, and Owen, who is the consummate skeptic where anything paranormal is concerned.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 30, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this fascinating, intriguing, simmering, gripping, and spooky twist on the standard paranormal storyline. Filled with mystery, danger, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, I was pulled in from the very first page, and I would recommend getting this awesome book for yourself.
August 21, 2018
4.5 stars ⭐️
February 20, 2017
Book – The Paranaturalist
Author – Ki Brightly
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 340
Cover – Perfect!
POV – 1st person present tense, dual POV
Would I read it again – YES!
Genre – LGBT, Paranormal, Supernatural, Contemporary, MM
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Okay, I have to say that I loved this. It was brilliant, with a few small niggles that required that one star taken off.
WRITING
First off, it was HUGE! Now, 340 pages to me doesn't sound like a long book, but this one literally took me all day to read and a little more on top of that. Sadly, it also felt like a long read, which is part of the reason I removed the last star, because it sagged just a little in places and it made the story drag out far longer than maybe it should have or that felt like a comfortable read. Now, the most similar style of story I've read to this would be the Duncan Andrews Thrillers series by Stephen Osborne. An awesome series that, because it was chopped up into individual adventures that sometimes linked, made it easier to read. I think this book could have used some of that. Maybe divided into two novels of a respectable 170 pages would have made it easier to digest. But, I do get that finding a dividing point would have been hard since I really feel that the last 70% was the part that didn't quite fit in as well as the rest of it.
I don't normally like 1st person, especially present tense, but this one was written so well that I couldn't stop myself from getting attached right from the start.
For now, let's go back to the beginning. Because I fell in love with the story and the characters the minute I read the Prologue. Told in Joe's POV, it shows the beautiful journey of fear, resolve and pain that he travels through while being a child dealing with the sight of supernatural creatures. His bond with Peter was just utterly emotive, saddening and perfect in ways that a short chapter shouldn't be capable of managing.
Then we travel into the future when he's older and searching for proof that his abilities as a child were real. Something which, we later discover, is impossible because the supernatural don't want to be filmed or recorded for Joe's Paranaturalist show.
I loved how Joe's mind was closed to the supernatural world and how it reopened again so suddenly, leaving him disorientated, shocked and unaware of this world lurking just beneath the thin veneer of the one he's always known, and unable to remember the reality of his childhood with clarity. It was handled so well that I worried with him, I feared for his sanity and I loved Owen just as much as Joe came to for the way he so stoically stood by his side and helped him through it all.
There were some editing issue, one instance of mislabelling when Ollie became Olive, and quite a few long or confusing sentences that I had to read more than once just to make sure I knew what was happening. There were also a few times when the dialogue wasn't labelled well enough to follow; I often had to re-read a section to figure out which of the two or three male characters was speaking. This was perhaps because there wasn't a definite division of one character per paragraph; sometimes Joe would be talking and Owen's reaction would be written in the text between his words or the same character would speak for two or three short paragraphs in a row without a clear indication of that. Despite being in 1st person, this happened a few times, especially when the likes of Scott was involved, adding in another 'he' to deal with.
CHARACTERS
When it comes to the characters, I fell in love with Joe instantly. He's the soft, squishy loveable teddy bear of a man that is a little afraid of himself, scared that he's too podgy, too undisciplined and just plain going crazy, while holding onto the steadfast belief that what happened to him as a child just had to be real. His insecurities make him real and loveable in so many ways.
Similarly, Owen is a little gruffer, more sure of himself and the big, bulky guy with a heart of gold. He's all these things but still sweet, caring, feisty and aware of the dangers. He's the solid rock that Joe clings to when his supernatural world reopens so unexpectedly. He's also a bit of a tease, offering light relief when it's needed and having a super sexy side that offers some pretty intense moments between the two of them.
Then there's Scott. *sigh* Scott is – and there's no delicate way to put this – a total man-wh*re. He just can't keep it in his pants and he's a bit of a waste of space for a lot of the story, not doing anything beyond causing trouble and complicating Joe's already complicated life. But don't go thinking he was useless to the story. He wasn't. He was well utilised and offered a very real human component to contrast with the paranormal situations Joe found himself in. There was always this concern that Scott might thing Joe had gone crazy, after the lights pinged back on in his brain.
When it comes to the characters as a whole, it's easy to rate them because of how well they were written. Each one, even the minor ones, were explored with a depth and attention to detail that was delightful to read (but definitely added to the page count). I loved Owen and Joe the most, no question. I hated and felt sorry for Scott equally, alternating between the two at various points along with Joe. I hated Margot, who gets no love from me whatsoever. Cherry, Kerrie, Wyatt, Duncan, Ollie and the guys from Owen's apartment are fun and add that human element to his side of the story, too. I loved Joe's mother! She was amazing.
PLOT
As well as the way that the paranormal on/off switch was handled, I loved the way that Owen stood up to Scott right from the beginning, showing Joe a different side to his best friend with the jealousy and the competition between the two that Owen never really engaged in.
The chemistry between Joe and Owen was off the charts! Right from the first time they met. I loved how they sparked, got to know each other, didn't delve too intimately into each other's lives despite their attention and that Joe's need to know his partners kept them at arms length for a while. I did have a slight issue with their first kiss where it felt more like Owen pushed the situation onto Joe when he didn't want it and I found their more intimate sex scenes a little rougher than I'd expected from them both. Nothing too violent, but definite tendencies to fly off into Need. Want. Take. territory. Some parts left me a little uncomfortable, because the build up to their relationship was so sensual and all about the mental, emotional connection and the energy they shared than anything physical.
I really liked that Joe's world of being The Paranaturarlist was explored with multiple scenes of filming, the process and the research involved in the show. Along with Owen watching it on TV, we got to see both of their opinions on the show. How Joe was excited to be out there, searching for proof that he hadn't been crazy as a child and Owen's frustration with just how badly they were F-ing the whole thing up. I loved that contrast and how the author was able to reach a balance between belief and scepticism that wouldn't alienate believers or non-believers within their reading audience.
At the same time, I loved the way that those two worlds clashed, bringing Joe and Owen together in a very normal, human way that wasn't just Owen simply searching out Joe or being introduced to him. It happened organically and, like Owen thought in his POV, like a twist of fate. Not unlike the many other 'fated' incidents that were likely orchestrated by Otto's hand.
The romance was nicely explored, through the beginnings of friendship, through offering support to each other and slowly coming together to help each other cope with things, before eventually becoming more and building into something strong and almost pre-destined. I did find the whole divine-touch aspect of their relationship hard to fathom since their getting together was all orchestrated by Otto in the first place and his part in the story was never really explained. Were they meant to be a couple and that was Otto's plan all along or was that merely an unexpected but delightful consequence of his real plan? It's hard to tell without knowing more about Otto, but it definitely felt like that was something left unexplained and that just felt a little too “planned” for my liking, when everything else had worked out organically.
OVERALL
There were some small editing issues, it was very long and there were frequent dips in my attention when it dragged in placed, but overall this was a fantastic story with a whole lot to love. If it had been cut in two it would have been easier to digest and work through, no doubt, but it still makes a great read and one that I'll revisit in the future. Except, I'll know to put more time aside for it then.
I loved the plot, the way it was slowly digested over time and the casual, comfortable flow from friendship to lovers that Joe and Owen journeyed through. The story had a supernatural edge but it never completely overshadowed the plot and removed the human element. It did, however, cleverly touch upon every aspect of their lives and prove that in small ways that only added to the authenticity of the research and time spent bringing it all together into an intriguing story. Honestly, I'd love to have seen more of Peter and Otto, as they were really only minor characters despite the huge impact they had on both MC's and it would have been nice to spend more time with them.
Due to the minor problems: editing, length and the dips in attention: I had to remove one star, but it doesn't diminish the fact that I loved the story told within the pages. On top of those points, however, I have a few unanswered questions. If you haven't read it yet, DON'T read any further.
*POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD*
What was Joe's reaction to Owen telling him about his history with Scott?
Did Margot's show take off or become a flop?
Who was Otto?
What was the “quest” that Otto made Owen swear himself to, because it was never properly explained?
Did Christa ever 'go into the light' by herself?
Were Otto and Peter boyfriends? Because it sure felt like it, half the time.
What did Officer Steven really know? I feel sure that he's got a touch of the sight in him, but it's never confirmed or challenged.
Did Owen ever get to travel to all those haunted places he wanted to visit?
Will there be another book? ← This one is really there because I have a sense that this isn't over. That there's so much more for them to do and discover, despite the 1 year on epilogue that attempted to but failed to answer some of these questions for me.
*RISK OVER*
~
Favourite Quote
““Peter?” I whisper into the shadows. “Peter?”
Silence.
“I love you.” I wipe at the tears that sneak onto my face, and sit watching the snow fall until the sky turns the steel gray of a snowy December morning.”
Author – Ki Brightly
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 340
Cover – Perfect!
POV – 1st person present tense, dual POV
Would I read it again – YES!
Genre – LGBT, Paranormal, Supernatural, Contemporary, MM
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Okay, I have to say that I loved this. It was brilliant, with a few small niggles that required that one star taken off.
WRITING
First off, it was HUGE! Now, 340 pages to me doesn't sound like a long book, but this one literally took me all day to read and a little more on top of that. Sadly, it also felt like a long read, which is part of the reason I removed the last star, because it sagged just a little in places and it made the story drag out far longer than maybe it should have or that felt like a comfortable read. Now, the most similar style of story I've read to this would be the Duncan Andrews Thrillers series by Stephen Osborne. An awesome series that, because it was chopped up into individual adventures that sometimes linked, made it easier to read. I think this book could have used some of that. Maybe divided into two novels of a respectable 170 pages would have made it easier to digest. But, I do get that finding a dividing point would have been hard since I really feel that the last 70% was the part that didn't quite fit in as well as the rest of it.
I don't normally like 1st person, especially present tense, but this one was written so well that I couldn't stop myself from getting attached right from the start.
For now, let's go back to the beginning. Because I fell in love with the story and the characters the minute I read the Prologue. Told in Joe's POV, it shows the beautiful journey of fear, resolve and pain that he travels through while being a child dealing with the sight of supernatural creatures. His bond with Peter was just utterly emotive, saddening and perfect in ways that a short chapter shouldn't be capable of managing.
Then we travel into the future when he's older and searching for proof that his abilities as a child were real. Something which, we later discover, is impossible because the supernatural don't want to be filmed or recorded for Joe's Paranaturalist show.
I loved how Joe's mind was closed to the supernatural world and how it reopened again so suddenly, leaving him disorientated, shocked and unaware of this world lurking just beneath the thin veneer of the one he's always known, and unable to remember the reality of his childhood with clarity. It was handled so well that I worried with him, I feared for his sanity and I loved Owen just as much as Joe came to for the way he so stoically stood by his side and helped him through it all.
There were some editing issue, one instance of mislabelling when Ollie became Olive, and quite a few long or confusing sentences that I had to read more than once just to make sure I knew what was happening. There were also a few times when the dialogue wasn't labelled well enough to follow; I often had to re-read a section to figure out which of the two or three male characters was speaking. This was perhaps because there wasn't a definite division of one character per paragraph; sometimes Joe would be talking and Owen's reaction would be written in the text between his words or the same character would speak for two or three short paragraphs in a row without a clear indication of that. Despite being in 1st person, this happened a few times, especially when the likes of Scott was involved, adding in another 'he' to deal with.
CHARACTERS
When it comes to the characters, I fell in love with Joe instantly. He's the soft, squishy loveable teddy bear of a man that is a little afraid of himself, scared that he's too podgy, too undisciplined and just plain going crazy, while holding onto the steadfast belief that what happened to him as a child just had to be real. His insecurities make him real and loveable in so many ways.
Similarly, Owen is a little gruffer, more sure of himself and the big, bulky guy with a heart of gold. He's all these things but still sweet, caring, feisty and aware of the dangers. He's the solid rock that Joe clings to when his supernatural world reopens so unexpectedly. He's also a bit of a tease, offering light relief when it's needed and having a super sexy side that offers some pretty intense moments between the two of them.
Then there's Scott. *sigh* Scott is – and there's no delicate way to put this – a total man-wh*re. He just can't keep it in his pants and he's a bit of a waste of space for a lot of the story, not doing anything beyond causing trouble and complicating Joe's already complicated life. But don't go thinking he was useless to the story. He wasn't. He was well utilised and offered a very real human component to contrast with the paranormal situations Joe found himself in. There was always this concern that Scott might thing Joe had gone crazy, after the lights pinged back on in his brain.
When it comes to the characters as a whole, it's easy to rate them because of how well they were written. Each one, even the minor ones, were explored with a depth and attention to detail that was delightful to read (but definitely added to the page count). I loved Owen and Joe the most, no question. I hated and felt sorry for Scott equally, alternating between the two at various points along with Joe. I hated Margot, who gets no love from me whatsoever. Cherry, Kerrie, Wyatt, Duncan, Ollie and the guys from Owen's apartment are fun and add that human element to his side of the story, too. I loved Joe's mother! She was amazing.
PLOT
As well as the way that the paranormal on/off switch was handled, I loved the way that Owen stood up to Scott right from the beginning, showing Joe a different side to his best friend with the jealousy and the competition between the two that Owen never really engaged in.
The chemistry between Joe and Owen was off the charts! Right from the first time they met. I loved how they sparked, got to know each other, didn't delve too intimately into each other's lives despite their attention and that Joe's need to know his partners kept them at arms length for a while. I did have a slight issue with their first kiss where it felt more like Owen pushed the situation onto Joe when he didn't want it and I found their more intimate sex scenes a little rougher than I'd expected from them both. Nothing too violent, but definite tendencies to fly off into Need. Want. Take. territory. Some parts left me a little uncomfortable, because the build up to their relationship was so sensual and all about the mental, emotional connection and the energy they shared than anything physical.
I really liked that Joe's world of being The Paranaturarlist was explored with multiple scenes of filming, the process and the research involved in the show. Along with Owen watching it on TV, we got to see both of their opinions on the show. How Joe was excited to be out there, searching for proof that he hadn't been crazy as a child and Owen's frustration with just how badly they were F-ing the whole thing up. I loved that contrast and how the author was able to reach a balance between belief and scepticism that wouldn't alienate believers or non-believers within their reading audience.
At the same time, I loved the way that those two worlds clashed, bringing Joe and Owen together in a very normal, human way that wasn't just Owen simply searching out Joe or being introduced to him. It happened organically and, like Owen thought in his POV, like a twist of fate. Not unlike the many other 'fated' incidents that were likely orchestrated by Otto's hand.
The romance was nicely explored, through the beginnings of friendship, through offering support to each other and slowly coming together to help each other cope with things, before eventually becoming more and building into something strong and almost pre-destined. I did find the whole divine-touch aspect of their relationship hard to fathom since their getting together was all orchestrated by Otto in the first place and his part in the story was never really explained. Were they meant to be a couple and that was Otto's plan all along or was that merely an unexpected but delightful consequence of his real plan? It's hard to tell without knowing more about Otto, but it definitely felt like that was something left unexplained and that just felt a little too “planned” for my liking, when everything else had worked out organically.
OVERALL
There were some small editing issues, it was very long and there were frequent dips in my attention when it dragged in placed, but overall this was a fantastic story with a whole lot to love. If it had been cut in two it would have been easier to digest and work through, no doubt, but it still makes a great read and one that I'll revisit in the future. Except, I'll know to put more time aside for it then.
I loved the plot, the way it was slowly digested over time and the casual, comfortable flow from friendship to lovers that Joe and Owen journeyed through. The story had a supernatural edge but it never completely overshadowed the plot and removed the human element. It did, however, cleverly touch upon every aspect of their lives and prove that in small ways that only added to the authenticity of the research and time spent bringing it all together into an intriguing story. Honestly, I'd love to have seen more of Peter and Otto, as they were really only minor characters despite the huge impact they had on both MC's and it would have been nice to spend more time with them.
Due to the minor problems: editing, length and the dips in attention: I had to remove one star, but it doesn't diminish the fact that I loved the story told within the pages. On top of those points, however, I have a few unanswered questions. If you haven't read it yet, DON'T read any further.
*POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD*
What was Joe's reaction to Owen telling him about his history with Scott?
Did Margot's show take off or become a flop?
Who was Otto?
What was the “quest” that Otto made Owen swear himself to, because it was never properly explained?
Did Christa ever 'go into the light' by herself?
Were Otto and Peter boyfriends? Because it sure felt like it, half the time.
What did Officer Steven really know? I feel sure that he's got a touch of the sight in him, but it's never confirmed or challenged.
Did Owen ever get to travel to all those haunted places he wanted to visit?
Will there be another book? ← This one is really there because I have a sense that this isn't over. That there's so much more for them to do and discover, despite the 1 year on epilogue that attempted to but failed to answer some of these questions for me.
*RISK OVER*
~
Favourite Quote
““Peter?” I whisper into the shadows. “Peter?”
Silence.
“I love you.” I wipe at the tears that sneak onto my face, and sit watching the snow fall until the sky turns the steel gray of a snowy December morning.”
July 11, 2016
I persevered to the end as I really wanted to like this book..
Excellent idea for a story, and gramatically well written, but I found it had as much emotion/personality as reading a text book.. The characters were stilted and analytical. (I sort of liked Owen)
Sammy and Christa were the only lovable characters I connected with, and they were the ghosts
Excellent idea for a story, and gramatically well written, but I found it had as much emotion/personality as reading a text book.. The characters were stilted and analytical. (I sort of liked Owen)
Sammy and Christa were the only lovable characters I connected with, and they were the ghosts
July 2, 2018
1.5 Stars DNF
SIGH.....
This book makes me think of a particular type of movie. One that you've watched about halfway through, so you're mildly interested enough to know how it ends but not enough to actually watch the rest. So, you pop over to Wikipedia to read the article about it only to know the resolution.
This book has parts that are awesome, mainly those things are surrounding Owen's life. Owen and his backstory are intriguing. Joseph's life, other than the Peter thing is less interesting and a lot more annoying.
Scott, his whole character and the plot issues around him are VERY tiresome. Joseph's devotion to, and wishy-washyness (yes, I know, not a word) regarding him, really boggs the narrative down. Like a person learning to drive stick, the herky jerky Scott drama makes the developing relationship between Owen and Joseph seem super long, and not in the way I savor as a reader.
I found myself more interested in Owen's customers at the shop, his roommates, or even his boss Briony. I just don't have the time or patience to note the things I liked in the book while still reading and ignoring how frustrated I was that Scott was taking over the book. Scott needs his own book which I would be happy to NOT read.
SIGH.....
This book makes me think of a particular type of movie. One that you've watched about halfway through, so you're mildly interested enough to know how it ends but not enough to actually watch the rest. So, you pop over to Wikipedia to read the article about it only to know the resolution.
This book has parts that are awesome, mainly those things are surrounding Owen's life. Owen and his backstory are intriguing. Joseph's life, other than the Peter thing is less interesting and a lot more annoying.
Scott, his whole character and the plot issues around him are VERY tiresome. Joseph's devotion to, and wishy-washyness (yes, I know, not a word) regarding him, really boggs the narrative down. Like a person learning to drive stick, the herky jerky Scott drama makes the developing relationship between Owen and Joseph seem super long, and not in the way I savor as a reader.
I found myself more interested in Owen's customers at the shop, his roommates, or even his boss Briony. I just don't have the time or patience to note the things I liked in the book while still reading and ignoring how frustrated I was that Scott was taking over the book. Scott needs his own book which I would be happy to NOT read.
September 20, 2021
*audio review*
I love ghost stories and the prologue in this one was so intriguing. I was very excited to see what would happen, but unfortunately, it soon became boring and repetitive. I couldn't engage in the story and couldn't like any of the characters (main or side ones).
There was too much unnecessary drama, most of it was the same repetition around Joe and Scott. Joe's inner thoughts were all the time about how much he loved Scott, and how nobody understands Scott, and what a good friend Scott has been to him when he needed it... time and time again. Scott was a whining spoiled brat, who had too much page time and I don't understand why he had all that focus.
Owen was a dislike for me since he first appeared in the book. Rude and brody, although helped people using his abilities, he wasn't likable. His inner thoughts were so flat and he was horny all the time Joe was around him.
The narrator didn't help the case at all. I didn't feel the emotions (or maybe it's because the characters' emotions were so flat) and even in the scenes with more action, the pace was always the same - slow and boring.
17 hours that felt like 34.
I love ghost stories and the prologue in this one was so intriguing. I was very excited to see what would happen, but unfortunately, it soon became boring and repetitive. I couldn't engage in the story and couldn't like any of the characters (main or side ones).
There was too much unnecessary drama, most of it was the same repetition around Joe and Scott. Joe's inner thoughts were all the time about how much he loved Scott, and how nobody understands Scott, and what a good friend Scott has been to him when he needed it... time and time again. Scott was a whining spoiled brat, who had too much page time and I don't understand why he had all that focus.
Owen was a dislike for me since he first appeared in the book. Rude and brody, although helped people using his abilities, he wasn't likable. His inner thoughts were so flat and he was horny all the time Joe was around him.
The narrator didn't help the case at all. I didn't feel the emotions (or maybe it's because the characters' emotions were so flat) and even in the scenes with more action, the pace was always the same - slow and boring.
17 hours that felt like 34.
December 29, 2017
This is one I won and Iwas expecting it to be darker and more doom laden for some reason.
It was actually quite light in terms of paranormally things and for someone who is not normally into all that, I actually wanted more.
For me it was mostly about the convoluted relationship that Joe and Scott have - Scott is almost parasitic in his need to keep Joe handy whilst he spirals out of control. Owen and Joe have a certain something between them, though Joe kept pushing owne away when he could have been a greater support.
I also wanted to know more about Peter and Otto.
I did feel this was too long (for me) and it got lost between the paranormal elements and the freindship between Joe and Scott and all the other secondaries. Bits were fine and I liked the paranormal arc but wanted more behind them.
It was actually quite light in terms of paranormally things and for someone who is not normally into all that, I actually wanted more.
For me it was mostly about the convoluted relationship that Joe and Scott have - Scott is almost parasitic in his need to keep Joe handy whilst he spirals out of control. Owen and Joe have a certain something between them, though Joe kept pushing owne away when he could have been a greater support.
I also wanted to know more about Peter and Otto.
I did feel this was too long (for me) and it got lost between the paranormal elements and the freindship between Joe and Scott and all the other secondaries. Bits were fine and I liked the paranormal arc but wanted more behind them.
September 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the two main characters Joey and Owen and enjoyed the change in their relationship dynamics as they got to know each other. Owen was my favourite character, string and secure in who he was and caring and protective with Joey. I disliked Scott from beginning to end and was often annoyed at Joey and his behaviour towards Scott, I didn't understand how he could continue to love a selfish person like Scott. I enjoyed the whole ghost hunting, aspect and the spirit world of good and bad. A highly enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2020
There are a few intriguing and rather unusual elements in this story about paranormal phenomena, and added to some prickly characters, more than one challenge to what each of them believes, and some ghostly appearances that had me shuddering, they made for an absorbing story. Hunting ghosts on TV is an unusual occupation, and working together changes both Joseph, who used to be able to see things hidden from most people, and Owen, who is the consummate skeptic where anything paranormal is concerned.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
dnf
August 12, 2022No rating DNF at 77%. I honestly just can’t with this book anymore. I suppose I should’ve taken the rating seriously. Usually I love this authors work but this book was a wreck. I feel like every other chapter was Owen talking about how hot and perfect he thought Joe was and then Joe being unsure of what he was doing with Owen. And the whole drama with Joes best friend Scott… I can’t even really pinpoint one thing that I didn’t like it was quite a few things. I like the premise of the book but even at the 80% mark there was just too much that was unexplained and I am not in the mood to finish a book that is not holding my interest.
September 8, 2021
**Audio book edition** Good story. I enjoyed it quite a lot. Could have been edited a little; it seemed a little long for my taste in places. My main complaint with it, and the reason it didn't get 5 stars from me, is the narrator. Generally, I had to rely a lot on context cues to know who was speaking between the two main characters. This is the first time I've experienced the author's work, but it won't be the last. If you like paranormal-focused romance and adventure, I would suggest taking a look.
September 17, 2019
Joseph Appleyard, the Paranaturalist, is an investigator and co-host of a television show that seeks to prove the existence of the paranormal. Spirit worker Owen Watson saves Joe’s life after an investigation gone wrong.
The characters are well developed and interesting. The storyline was well written and involved the paranormal, ghost hunting, and some romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters are well developed and interesting. The storyline was well written and involved the paranormal, ghost hunting, and some romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 17, 2019
The Paranaturalist by Ki Brightly is an awesome story that I have fallen in love with from the very first page. This awesome book is writen by a brand new author for me to read and I can not wait to read what will come from this author next. I highly recommend this story to everyone who love reading about LGBT and paranormal romances in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 19, 2019
New author for me and one great story. You have a man who is able to help spirits move on however, working on his own show visiting haunted places has left him adrift from his natural talent. On one of his trips a man saves him from being drowned by a spirit. It’s this man who helps him reopen his eyes and regain control of his life and his gift. A really nice read.- Enjoy
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2022
The story was interesting and I really enjoyed it. Had a lot in there about dealing with toxic relationships and the struggle of trying to help someone who won't get help. Plus it had spooky stuff. I recommend reading this book and not listening to the audiobook. The audiobook was not good. The narrator was so monotone and boring with no inflection, it was bad. So definitely read this book not listen. The story is great and I kind of hope there ends up being a second book.
September 23, 2019
I like good mystery plus paranormal combo but the one ... Not really. It has good plot and characters. I especially like the ghost character. It's funny
.But overall I was expecting something different and definitely not so long. Definitely not a page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
.But overall I was expecting something different and definitely not so long. Definitely not a page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2016
Loved it! Great characters and really cool ghost-related content, plus surprise visits from characters from other books.
Also, I'm a sucker for redemption stories so I'd love to read Scott's story some day.
Also, I'm a sucker for redemption stories so I'd love to read Scott's story some day.
December 3, 2021
Mysterious & brooding / paranormal / ghost sightings / almost insta love / Demi sexual
Intense chemistry between the main characters. Dark and twisting and at times not sure it held together, but I still enjoyed it every step of the way.
Intense chemistry between the main characters. Dark and twisting and at times not sure it held together, but I still enjoyed it every step of the way.
February 15, 2022
What an interesting tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, though the premise was a bit off-setting. The relationship between Joe and Owen was almost unbelievable. I will admit that I did not like Joe's best friend. A great tale of the paranormal. Very enjoyable.
did-not-finished
June 29, 2020dnf. not for me
June 12, 2022
This book was a solid paranormal romance between two main characters, Owen and Joseph. I enjoyed it in the audible edition.
October 25, 2021
I struggled to get through this book. It started off pretty well but the second half was disjointed and it didn’t feel connected to the beginning of the story. It was just not for me.
July 21, 2016
First, let me say -- terrible cover art. No one is drawn to a book that has a dopey cover. With that obvious defect pointed out, let me say that the beginning of this book is a little disjointed because it is told with two different voices. Suffice it to say that you need to figure out who the narrator is for each chapter to understand how the story line is being pursued.
Joe is a young boy with a gift for seeing ghosts and the like, but he doesn't want that gift as a child. So his ghostly protector removes his abilities. It ends up the he becomes the star of one those paranormal shows (like Ghost Hunters) when he gets older. And his ghostly protector actually comes back to save him from a paranormal bad guy who likes to drown people in a river in rural Pennsylvania.
Owen also has an ability to see ghosts and the like, and he works in a store that deals with the paranormal. He watches Joe's television show, and he has a sort of crush on the star, Joe. One day, Joe's mother comes into Owen's store to buy some supplies, and invites him to her house to meet her son. (What a coincidence!)
As fate has it, Owen is warned by his ghostly protector, Otto, that he should go to the location in the river to save Joe from the bad spirits who are out to drag him under the water. Owen follows his protectors guidance and comes to the rescue of Joe after his paranormal contact. Joe ends up going to the hospital and leaves soon thereafter.
On the next night, Joe and Owen return to the river with the intention of destroying the evil that lives in the river. There is a paranormal battle of good versus evil, and good wins, but two little girls' bodies have been pulled from the river. A smarmy stereotypical police officer shows up at the scene, and Joe and Owen get in a tussle with the officer who draws his gun and points it at them. After a cool down period, the officer tells the two "boyfriends" to get out of the area. (All I know is that at this point, I am 150 pages into the book, and there is a huge amount of nonsensical crap in this book that makes the story hard to follow. But, I also realize that the author may have researched a lot of paranormal activity, but the author did no research concerning the conduct of police officers.).
The shifting points of view in every chapter is getting more than a little annoying at this point in the book. Moreover, they are trying to create a romance between Joseph and Owen. Since it is so hard to discern the point of view, it is damn near impossible to determine if there is any chemistry between the characters. These constant changes in the points of view make the story less interesting and MUCH longer than this book should be.
But, I digress . . . Let's hack through all of the extraneous crap and get back to the story. The producer of the television show that stars Joe, named Scott, is an oversexed animal -- he will screw anything that isn't nailed down. But, whether known to him or not, Joseph has a huge crush on him. For some unknown reason, which is not really stated in the book, Scott posts a video stating that Joseph's paranormal skills are all a fraud. That causes huge problems and can cost Joseph his job. Scott ultimately admits that he lied on the video so he could get into someone's pants, but by that point there are consequences to the lie.
Fast forward again . . . Please . . . Or how about just editing the book!!!!! It ends up that Joseph's true love is actually Owen because they share paranormal abilities and a passion that burns red hot between them. Joe strikes out on his own one day to try and prove to himself that he isn't a fraud, and an off-duty police officer offers him and Owen $1000 to investigate a story of some missing cows. They accept the offer of employment, and the two paranormal hunters are off on their personal adventure. The actual story with the off duty officer does nothing to drive the book forward, but it does demonstrate that Joe and Owen can work together to try and save souls of people who are lost.
It ends up, apparently, that Joe and Owen's job is to help souls cross over to heaven. That one statement greatly simplifies what they do, but that one sentence also saves the reader from spending hours trudging through pieces and bits of story while trying to figure out the second half of this book.
The second half of this book is very poorly written. The beginning of the book is much better than the ending, but that isn't saying much. The writing was confused in the first half of the book, but it seemed to have a purpose. The second half of the book meanders with no real purpose in mind. This book is crying out for a decent editing job! Until it is cleaned up, as it presently stands, it gets only 1.5 stars from me.
'S cow,
Joe is a young boy with a gift for seeing ghosts and the like, but he doesn't want that gift as a child. So his ghostly protector removes his abilities. It ends up the he becomes the star of one those paranormal shows (like Ghost Hunters) when he gets older. And his ghostly protector actually comes back to save him from a paranormal bad guy who likes to drown people in a river in rural Pennsylvania.
Owen also has an ability to see ghosts and the like, and he works in a store that deals with the paranormal. He watches Joe's television show, and he has a sort of crush on the star, Joe. One day, Joe's mother comes into Owen's store to buy some supplies, and invites him to her house to meet her son. (What a coincidence!)
As fate has it, Owen is warned by his ghostly protector, Otto, that he should go to the location in the river to save Joe from the bad spirits who are out to drag him under the water. Owen follows his protectors guidance and comes to the rescue of Joe after his paranormal contact. Joe ends up going to the hospital and leaves soon thereafter.
On the next night, Joe and Owen return to the river with the intention of destroying the evil that lives in the river. There is a paranormal battle of good versus evil, and good wins, but two little girls' bodies have been pulled from the river. A smarmy stereotypical police officer shows up at the scene, and Joe and Owen get in a tussle with the officer who draws his gun and points it at them. After a cool down period, the officer tells the two "boyfriends" to get out of the area. (All I know is that at this point, I am 150 pages into the book, and there is a huge amount of nonsensical crap in this book that makes the story hard to follow. But, I also realize that the author may have researched a lot of paranormal activity, but the author did no research concerning the conduct of police officers.).
The shifting points of view in every chapter is getting more than a little annoying at this point in the book. Moreover, they are trying to create a romance between Joseph and Owen. Since it is so hard to discern the point of view, it is damn near impossible to determine if there is any chemistry between the characters. These constant changes in the points of view make the story less interesting and MUCH longer than this book should be.
But, I digress . . . Let's hack through all of the extraneous crap and get back to the story. The producer of the television show that stars Joe, named Scott, is an oversexed animal -- he will screw anything that isn't nailed down. But, whether known to him or not, Joseph has a huge crush on him. For some unknown reason, which is not really stated in the book, Scott posts a video stating that Joseph's paranormal skills are all a fraud. That causes huge problems and can cost Joseph his job. Scott ultimately admits that he lied on the video so he could get into someone's pants, but by that point there are consequences to the lie.
Fast forward again . . . Please . . . Or how about just editing the book!!!!! It ends up that Joseph's true love is actually Owen because they share paranormal abilities and a passion that burns red hot between them. Joe strikes out on his own one day to try and prove to himself that he isn't a fraud, and an off-duty police officer offers him and Owen $1000 to investigate a story of some missing cows. They accept the offer of employment, and the two paranormal hunters are off on their personal adventure. The actual story with the off duty officer does nothing to drive the book forward, but it does demonstrate that Joe and Owen can work together to try and save souls of people who are lost.
It ends up, apparently, that Joe and Owen's job is to help souls cross over to heaven. That one statement greatly simplifies what they do, but that one sentence also saves the reader from spending hours trudging through pieces and bits of story while trying to figure out the second half of this book.
The second half of this book is very poorly written. The beginning of the book is much better than the ending, but that isn't saying much. The writing was confused in the first half of the book, but it seemed to have a purpose. The second half of the book meanders with no real purpose in mind. This book is crying out for a decent editing job! Until it is cleaned up, as it presently stands, it gets only 1.5 stars from me.
'S cow,
March 14, 2017
Started off promising but almost became a dnf. If focus had stayed on the paranormal aspect I would have liked it better, instead we get Scott for way too much of the book. it was incredibly long and felt like the author couldn't stay on track with anything and couldn't bring everything together to make sense. I did.not like any of the characters and felt the love was one-sided. disappointed
October 27, 2016
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews
The first couple of pages of this book did give me the creeps. As a child Joe saw things that weren’t there. His mother’s disbelief and the haunting images were frustrating and scary for me as a reader; I can’t imagine how Joe handled it until he decided he didn’t want to anymore. This is how the book starts – Joe losing his ability to see ghosts and other strange things that go bump in the night. Including the only entity that comforted him through his childhood, his friend Peter.
Fast forward to the future and Joe is a reality tv star. He’s “The Paranaturalist.” Working with his best friend Scott and two women who are in a relationship with each other, he goes to locations that report hauntings and tries to rid them of their specters. Owen who watches the show sees his methods as very unrealistic and the show as a joke. But he can’t help being attracted to Joe. In a weird chance of fate, Joe chases what he thinks is a lost boy into the water and is pulled under. It is an awakening for him; the curtain that had been closed between him and his abilities opened wide. Luckily, Owen happened to be fishing nearby and was able to pull Joe out.
Seeing this world through adult Joe’s eyes was less scary to me. He wasn’t as vulnerable as his younger self, and this time, he has someone who shares his ghostly visions. Owen has been attracted to Joe after watching him on television. Joe is attracted to Owen too, but he also has an unrequited love for his best friend and he doesn’t believe in kissing or doing other things with people he isn’t at least friends with. I’m not positive, but he might be considered demisexual. When Owen and Joe do begin to mean something to each other, I really did enjoy their chemistry. It’s like they’re both charged with mystical energies that combine to create some scorching hot love scenes.
Now, I didn’t find the story as scary as I thought I would from the first few pages, but I did think it was hella interesting. Joe and Owen are very alike, but very different from each other. Joe uses God and faith to fight off the things he sees. Owen is a pagan who uses salts and crystals to remove spirits. Meanwhile, the show that Joe is a part of is falling apart after betrayals rock their solid group of four. Together, Owen and Joe deal with several menacing presences, alive and dead. Though this is a stand-alone there does appear to be tie-ins to two books (The Shape of Honey and Threefold Love) this author has also written. I haven’t read them yet, but now I definitely want to.
At 340 pages, The Paranaturalist isn’t a quick read. A lot of things happen throughout, and I was completely drawn into the story. I do hope this isn’t the end of Owen and Joe’s story, though. There are a few issues that I felt were left open ended. Even though the story isn’t suffering from these questions I have, I feel like there is more that can be told. The different feelings that affect Joe and Owen when coming into contact with others and a family relationship that looks like it needs repairing. Also Joe’s unique strength when trying to fight off malevolent spirits. Ultimately, the story is definitely one I would recommend. I plan on checking out more from this author as well.
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
The first couple of pages of this book did give me the creeps. As a child Joe saw things that weren’t there. His mother’s disbelief and the haunting images were frustrating and scary for me as a reader; I can’t imagine how Joe handled it until he decided he didn’t want to anymore. This is how the book starts – Joe losing his ability to see ghosts and other strange things that go bump in the night. Including the only entity that comforted him through his childhood, his friend Peter.
Fast forward to the future and Joe is a reality tv star. He’s “The Paranaturalist.” Working with his best friend Scott and two women who are in a relationship with each other, he goes to locations that report hauntings and tries to rid them of their specters. Owen who watches the show sees his methods as very unrealistic and the show as a joke. But he can’t help being attracted to Joe. In a weird chance of fate, Joe chases what he thinks is a lost boy into the water and is pulled under. It is an awakening for him; the curtain that had been closed between him and his abilities opened wide. Luckily, Owen happened to be fishing nearby and was able to pull Joe out.
Seeing this world through adult Joe’s eyes was less scary to me. He wasn’t as vulnerable as his younger self, and this time, he has someone who shares his ghostly visions. Owen has been attracted to Joe after watching him on television. Joe is attracted to Owen too, but he also has an unrequited love for his best friend and he doesn’t believe in kissing or doing other things with people he isn’t at least friends with. I’m not positive, but he might be considered demisexual. When Owen and Joe do begin to mean something to each other, I really did enjoy their chemistry. It’s like they’re both charged with mystical energies that combine to create some scorching hot love scenes.
Now, I didn’t find the story as scary as I thought I would from the first few pages, but I did think it was hella interesting. Joe and Owen are very alike, but very different from each other. Joe uses God and faith to fight off the things he sees. Owen is a pagan who uses salts and crystals to remove spirits. Meanwhile, the show that Joe is a part of is falling apart after betrayals rock their solid group of four. Together, Owen and Joe deal with several menacing presences, alive and dead. Though this is a stand-alone there does appear to be tie-ins to two books (The Shape of Honey and Threefold Love) this author has also written. I haven’t read them yet, but now I definitely want to.
At 340 pages, The Paranaturalist isn’t a quick read. A lot of things happen throughout, and I was completely drawn into the story. I do hope this isn’t the end of Owen and Joe’s story, though. There are a few issues that I felt were left open ended. Even though the story isn’t suffering from these questions I have, I feel like there is more that can be told. The different feelings that affect Joe and Owen when coming into contact with others and a family relationship that looks like it needs repairing. Also Joe’s unique strength when trying to fight off malevolent spirits. Ultimately, the story is definitely one I would recommend. I plan on checking out more from this author as well.
9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars
October 2, 2021
I loved this book. If you love all things that go bump in the night this is the story for you. Joseph Appleyard is the Paranaturalist. He is a paranormal investigator and co host of a tv show. When a investigation go awry and man named Owen saves Joe. Owen is a spirit worker and see what many can't. He soon realizes Joe is the real deal. Owen will do anything to protect Joe and teach him what he can about his abilities. With the threat of losing his show because of his friends and learning about his abilities Joe realizes Owen is the only one who has his back.
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