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The Mystic Bay #1
Night's Fall
Things do go bump in the night.
Running from a tragic loss, worrying over a missing brother, and flustered about dreams he can’t explain, Michael James searches for a peaceful place to call home. A quaint little town on the Florida coast promises to be just what he needs to start a new life.
Then myth clashes with reality, and Michael’s life is upended. Vampires, werewolves, and other magical paranormals prowl the city of Mystic Bay, his new home.
And not all of them are friendly.
Clayton Night, a seductive, powerful vampire, desires more than Michael’s blood—he wants Michael for eternity. The mighty
Clay Night has fallen, but can his love keep Michael safe from an enemy seeking revenge?
As darkness closes in, Michael has a choice to make—a short mortal life or an eternity of love and danger?
*Previously published as Darkness Awaits. This book has been revised and expanded considerably from its original version to alter both characters and plot events to enhance the reader’s enjoyment.
Running from a tragic loss, worrying over a missing brother, and flustered about dreams he can’t explain, Michael James searches for a peaceful place to call home. A quaint little town on the Florida coast promises to be just what he needs to start a new life.
Then myth clashes with reality, and Michael’s life is upended. Vampires, werewolves, and other magical paranormals prowl the city of Mystic Bay, his new home.
And not all of them are friendly.
Clayton Night, a seductive, powerful vampire, desires more than Michael’s blood—he wants Michael for eternity. The mighty
Clay Night has fallen, but can his love keep Michael safe from an enemy seeking revenge?
As darkness closes in, Michael has a choice to make—a short mortal life or an eternity of love and danger?
*Previously published as Darkness Awaits. This book has been revised and expanded considerably from its original version to alter both characters and plot events to enhance the reader’s enjoyment.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2011
341 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Church
61 books678 followers M.A. Church is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
Member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
My Facebook: MA churh http://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Chur...
When not writing, she’s on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two grown children.
Member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
My Facebook: MA churh http://www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Chur...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 20, 2019
this was an okay book, but i thought the plot was way too simplistic and the antagonist too one-dimensional. i'm also really picky about my mate stories - i don't want the mate aspect to just be an excuse to throw instalove everywhere, which is what happened here.
June 13, 2021
**2.5 stars**
This was just okay for me but I kept reading to see what would happen. It was kind of your typical vampire book. I do want to know what happened to Mark so I’ll definitely read the next one when it’s out. This ends HFN with the baddie still at large.
This was just okay for me but I kept reading to see what would happen. It was kind of your typical vampire book. I do want to know what happened to Mark so I’ll definitely read the next one when it’s out. This ends HFN with the baddie still at large.
January 21, 2019
This series has promise. I liked the paranormal community of Mystic Bay, how they banded together and watched out for each other. I liked secondary characters, new paranormals like elementals and Guardians but the author didn't provide much background about them. It was a short sentence here and there and it wasn't enough.
I liked Michael and Clay as a couple, they were sweet and took a little time to get to know each other instead of jumping into bed right away. But separately not so much. Michael veered from this accepting attitude to mini meltdowns all the time, and Clay was classical vampire with all the cliche characteristics - dark too tight clothing, brooding and old-fashioned stilted speech which I don't normally mind but I just expected something different.
The whole conflict was a little overblown but still kept my attention. I am curious as to what happened with Michael's brother Mark whose name was thrown here and there in the book which was puzzling - what for? I was curious about him already but constant mention of him before something bad happened was unnecessary. Overall, this is a nice read. I will continue with the series.
I liked Michael and Clay as a couple, they were sweet and took a little time to get to know each other instead of jumping into bed right away. But separately not so much. Michael veered from this accepting attitude to mini meltdowns all the time, and Clay was classical vampire with all the cliche characteristics - dark too tight clothing, brooding and old-fashioned stilted speech which I don't normally mind but I just expected something different.
The whole conflict was a little overblown but still kept my attention. I am curious as to what happened with Michael's brother Mark whose name was thrown here and there in the book which was puzzling - what for? I was curious about him already but constant mention of him before something bad happened was unnecessary. Overall, this is a nice read. I will continue with the series.
September 13, 2011
The book left me somewhat annoyed. Overall impression - just another vampire story with a vampire as a dom, a human turned lapdog, then turned vampire, very little BD some abuse and a predictable story line.
There was also that constant feeling that Michael, the human, was originally meant to be a woman.
I came across so many WTH moments, that I lost count, but most memorable are:
There was also that constant feeling that Michael, the human, was originally meant to be a woman.
I came across so many WTH moments, that I lost count, but most memorable are:
January 21, 2019
Awesome
Loved this book. Great rewrite from the original short into a full length novel. Danger, action an mythical creatures combine to make a fantastic start to a new series.
Loved this book. Great rewrite from the original short into a full length novel. Danger, action an mythical creatures combine to make a fantastic start to a new series.
January 25, 2021
Looking back at this book it seems I read a lot of explanation interrupted by short threats and 2 kidnappings. The characters are mostly one-dimensional. Clayton's your typical romance vampire, old-fashioned, sensible, filthy rich and gorgeous but of course dangerous for his enemies. Michael, his human soul-mate, is cast as a slightly modern version of damsel in distress and plays that part with such devotion that the outdated gender lines were more than blurred.
December 14, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Giving us a world where paranormal beings are as common as humans, M.A. Church’s Night’s Fall is quite an action-packed story. There is a lot to unpack in this book, not the least of which is a world where not only things like vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, and elementals exist, but there is also a supernatural council that tracks their behavior and sends out its guardians to investigate and destroy any who get out of hand. Paul, Michael’s new landlord, is one such guardian. Andy, his lover, is a fire elemental, and the man in Michaels’s dreams, Clay, is a vampire.
While I really enjoyed the various paranormal beings, I did take notice that there is virtually no world building going on in this novel. I felt as though the lack of any backstory as to how this idea of an earth with such a defined hierarchy began and continues to exist is a weak point in the story.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Giving us a world where paranormal beings are as common as humans, M.A. Church’s Night’s Fall is quite an action-packed story. There is a lot to unpack in this book, not the least of which is a world where not only things like vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, and elementals exist, but there is also a supernatural council that tracks their behavior and sends out its guardians to investigate and destroy any who get out of hand. Paul, Michael’s new landlord, is one such guardian. Andy, his lover, is a fire elemental, and the man in Michaels’s dreams, Clay, is a vampire.
While I really enjoyed the various paranormal beings, I did take notice that there is virtually no world building going on in this novel. I felt as though the lack of any backstory as to how this idea of an earth with such a defined hierarchy began and continues to exist is a weak point in the story.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
January 27, 2022
How can I put this
If you want cliche, movie scene stealing, predictable, and kinda icky vampire romance - then yes. This is for you. Have you ever watched Lost Boys and loved hearing Keifer whisper in the wind "Miiiichael" ? Well, it is your lucky day because you get exactly that ! Verbatim.
The typos, grammatical errors, poor story development, missing words, predictable plot, bad dialogue and serious filler content just were not my cup of tea. Now in case you wanted some actual proof, please check out my highlights or just enjoy this glorious bit of ...... nonsense.
"By the time he found me, I was starving and damn near feral.” “What do you mean?” Michael asked." I think she meant she was starving and damn near feral Michael. I mean, obvious much?
This is actually a pretty solid example of the type of writing in this book. I honestly don't see how it has great ratings. The fact that this is apparently expanded and edited for content from the original version implies it was actually worse at some point, and that just makes me cringe. I tried to give this new to me author a chance but holy cow, HELL NO.
If you want cliche, movie scene stealing, predictable, and kinda icky vampire romance - then yes. This is for you. Have you ever watched Lost Boys and loved hearing Keifer whisper in the wind "Miiiichael" ? Well, it is your lucky day because you get exactly that ! Verbatim.
The typos, grammatical errors, poor story development, missing words, predictable plot, bad dialogue and serious filler content just were not my cup of tea. Now in case you wanted some actual proof, please check out my highlights or just enjoy this glorious bit of ...... nonsense.
"By the time he found me, I was starving and damn near feral.” “What do you mean?” Michael asked." I think she meant she was starving and damn near feral Michael. I mean, obvious much?
This is actually a pretty solid example of the type of writing in this book. I honestly don't see how it has great ratings. The fact that this is apparently expanded and edited for content from the original version implies it was actually worse at some point, and that just makes me cringe. I tried to give this new to me author a chance but holy cow, HELL NO.
June 27, 2021
1.5 Stars. What's there to say about this instant love typical vampire book except that the writing was abysmal and there was nothing really interesting about it. I really had to force myself to finish it. Michael's reactions to things were just so weird and the dialogue was so unrealistic I mostly just rolled my eyes. Definitely not a series I will continue.
June 30, 2021
Not the worst, but very cringey. The dialogue isn't the greatest and is full of awkward pet names. On the flip side, low angst and pretty cute.
August 31, 2011
1,5 stars
Poor Michael should have called van Helsing - asking for advice how to get rid off his asshole-vampire-dom-mate-lover Max...permanently!
Darkness Awaits started out -though unintentionally funny - as an o.k. read.Near the end it was a mess of bloodshed,violence and "who did what to whom?"...
Choppy writing and an increasingly ridiculous plot with sex scenes thrown in out of nowhere made it hard to finish - or even like.No,thanks...
Poor Michael should have called van Helsing - asking for advice how to get rid off his asshole-vampire-dom-mate-lover Max...permanently!
Darkness Awaits started out -though unintentionally funny - as an o.k. read.Near the end it was a mess of bloodshed,violence and "who did what to whom?"...
Choppy writing and an increasingly ridiculous plot with sex scenes thrown in out of nowhere made it hard to finish - or even like.No,thanks...
January 29, 2022
DNF at 6%
I found the writing to be distractingly choppy, from just between sentences to entire scene changes. Scenes were short and changed rapidly, for mood and content. Almost some weird whiplash bouncing back and forth.
Emotions - and there are allegedly a lot of them - are told, and not shown, so much that they're completely abstract. The character is an abstract. I already forgot his name. He's supposed to have Big Feelings but mostly I'm just confused. Death of his family plus emotional wandering the country should be big, no? It's an afterthought compared to weird fated mate sex dreams.
I usually give things a little more time before DNFing, but I don't see this suddenly developing depth, or interesting characters, or dynamic interactions, or anything really because everything and everyone is cardboard and I am tired.
I found the writing to be distractingly choppy, from just between sentences to entire scene changes. Scenes were short and changed rapidly, for mood and content. Almost some weird whiplash bouncing back and forth.
Emotions - and there are allegedly a lot of them - are told, and not shown, so much that they're completely abstract. The character is an abstract. I already forgot his name. He's supposed to have Big Feelings but mostly I'm just confused. Death of his family plus emotional wandering the country should be big, no? It's an afterthought compared to weird fated mate sex dreams.
I usually give things a little more time before DNFing, but I don't see this suddenly developing depth, or interesting characters, or dynamic interactions, or anything really because everything and everyone is cardboard and I am tired.
January 22, 2019
This was a fantastic start to what i Hope Will be a Great series it had everything altough this book reminded me a bit of the Twilight series i still loved it and clay and Michael were the perfect gay version of Edward and bella
dnf
February 9, 2019Blah...
Seriously... the first idk maybe first few chapters were literally the author explaining every little detail and walking us step by step through Michaels day or whatever he was going. I do not need a step my step description of what a man does when he goes to the bathroom.... To me it was wasted writing that would ruin any depth this story might have had.
Seriously... the first idk maybe first few chapters were literally the author explaining every little detail and walking us step by step through Michaels day or whatever he was going. I do not need a step my step description of what a man does when he goes to the bathroom.... To me it was wasted writing that would ruin any depth this story might have had.
July 4, 2021
Sounds like I may be in the minority, but I really enjoyed this. I can't wait to the next book. I need to know what happened!!
February 13, 2019
Enjoyed it, but just missed the mark.
I didn't read this before it was expanded, so I'm not sure what was added, but I think it got muddled in the process. The two stars are for the fact that I enjoyed it despite all the problems. Michael was so erratic in his thought processes it got annoying, minor inconsistencies throughout, the flow was very off. I think this is all a symptom of adding things without blending them into the story, I'd be interested to read it before it was expanded. What really got me was a major world building plot hole, if an author builds a world, and make the rules...they have to abide by them. So to completely disregard them-just to make it easier for a scene-annoys me, and really made me want to one star. But somehow I still enjoyed it, and would really like to know about all the threads left dangling.
I didn't read this before it was expanded, so I'm not sure what was added, but I think it got muddled in the process. The two stars are for the fact that I enjoyed it despite all the problems. Michael was so erratic in his thought processes it got annoying, minor inconsistencies throughout, the flow was very off. I think this is all a symptom of adding things without blending them into the story, I'd be interested to read it before it was expanded. What really got me was a major world building plot hole, if an author builds a world, and make the rules...they have to abide by them. So to completely disregard them-just to make it easier for a scene-annoys me, and really made me want to one star. But somehow I still enjoyed it, and would really like to know about all the threads left dangling.
February 8, 2019
Mysterious
Michael lost his parents to a senseless crime and his younger brother is missing. Distraught and alone he relocates to a small beach city. Michael gets comfort in his dreams by his mystery dream guy whose face he never sees. Clayton is a vampire and Michael is soul mate. Clayton patiently waits for Michael to learn more and make a decision. But someone else is stalking Michael and trying to harm him. Andy and Paul are two friends and supporting characters who are very interesting. I also liked Clayton and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Michael lost his parents to a senseless crime and his younger brother is missing. Distraught and alone he relocates to a small beach city. Michael gets comfort in his dreams by his mystery dream guy whose face he never sees. Clayton is a vampire and Michael is soul mate. Clayton patiently waits for Michael to learn more and make a decision. But someone else is stalking Michael and trying to harm him. Andy and Paul are two friends and supporting characters who are very interesting. I also liked Clayton and I look forward to the next book in the series.
August 11, 2021
Rating (All ratings use a Scale of 1-5) = 3 Stars
Blurb = 2. 5 due to no warnings
My Genre Scale = 5
Odds if not your genre = 1
Development of: =
*World = 3.5
*Plot = 3
*Characters = 2; to me they felt very 1 dimensional
What stood out = Nothing
Mood Type / Appeal to those looking for = A story featuring Vamps with others Supes and quite a few sex scenes.
Warnings = Torture scene quite graphic for those sensitive to it, but for me, not overly so.
HFN/HEA = Somewhat for the couple a HDN.
Series Notes = 1st of at least 3
*Reading on? Yes
*Reading back to back? N/A
*Can be easily read without the previous? N/A
Rating Notes = (SubPlots, thoughts, etc... ) The plot was interesting enough, but I never connected to the characters. I was entertained yet not engaged. I was instead just a casual observer, who had no problem putting the story down.
I am usually fine with fated mates and the Insta-love that often involves, but I struggled to really care about them as a couple even though I liked them as individuals. I never really felt it. It felt more like I was told about them, then I saw their love / bond. It felt like everything just moved to quickly friendships, events etc... So I guess it was a lack of depth, but it wasn't bad.
**************
Below is my philosophy on reviewing!
***************
1. I try to take into account and note common pet peeves often bemoaned by others.
2. "Brain candy' does not necessarily carry a negative connotation. (What is brain candy? Publishing industry 's version of pop music - Typically: formulaic, from a prolific author published often and quickly (like monthly), things escalate fast, and are often solved easily etc..) It has its uses: to pass time whet tired, on the beach, etc... The problem comes when "brain candy" is unexpected or even disguised.
3. Blurb rating purpose:
Like many readers, I do not like to think I'm reading one kind of story; just to end up with another. But...I also don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "_________", and I choose to read it; I shouldn't give it 2 stars based JUST on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.
4. Other Factors that effect my perspective when reviewing:
Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. I read at least 100+ books a year - with an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2021) was a 3.64 average for 1527 books. Which considering, one should be better at picking out books the more one reads, I feel is an accurate average. I have over 795 reviews within the m/m genre here on Goodreads.
Blurb = 2. 5 due to no warnings
My Genre Scale = 5
Odds if not your genre = 1
Development of: =
*World = 3.5
*Plot = 3
*Characters = 2; to me they felt very 1 dimensional
What stood out = Nothing
Mood Type / Appeal to those looking for = A story featuring Vamps with others Supes and quite a few sex scenes.
Warnings = Torture scene quite graphic for those sensitive to it, but for me, not overly so.
HFN/HEA = Somewhat for the couple a HDN.
Series Notes = 1st of at least 3
*Reading on? Yes
*Reading back to back? N/A
*Can be easily read without the previous? N/A
Rating Notes = (SubPlots, thoughts, etc... ) The plot was interesting enough, but I never connected to the characters. I was entertained yet not engaged. I was instead just a casual observer, who had no problem putting the story down.
I am usually fine with fated mates and the Insta-love that often involves, but I struggled to really care about them as a couple even though I liked them as individuals. I never really felt it. It felt more like I was told about them, then I saw their love / bond. It felt like everything just moved to quickly friendships, events etc... So I guess it was a lack of depth, but it wasn't bad.
**************
Below is my philosophy on reviewing!
***************
1. I try to take into account and note common pet peeves often bemoaned by others.
2. "Brain candy' does not necessarily carry a negative connotation. (What is brain candy? Publishing industry 's version of pop music - Typically: formulaic, from a prolific author published often and quickly (like monthly), things escalate fast, and are often solved easily etc..) It has its uses: to pass time whet tired, on the beach, etc... The problem comes when "brain candy" is unexpected or even disguised.
3. Blurb rating purpose:
Like many readers, I do not like to think I'm reading one kind of story; just to end up with another. But...I also don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "_________", and I choose to read it; I shouldn't give it 2 stars based JUST on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb.
4. Other Factors that effect my perspective when reviewing:
Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. I read at least 100+ books a year - with an average length of 220± pages; but the total number of books is usually much higher. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2021) was a 3.64 average for 1527 books. Which considering, one should be better at picking out books the more one reads, I feel is an accurate average. I have over 795 reviews within the m/m genre here on Goodreads.
February 8, 2019
This book had some odd moments for me, but it was enjoyable overall. It was a pretty standard fated-mate PNR, but that's what I'm in the mood for atm, so *shrug*. I almost dropped this book because I thought this book, like so many others do, was going to make the MC fall in love with the person who stalked and sexually assaulted. It turns out that wasn't the case, so I'm glad I kept going. I was decently entertained by the world; the MCs were fine and I liked the side character, particularly Andy. I'm hoping that book 2 focused on Mark or the ice guy introduced at the end, so I was kind of disappointed that book 2 wasn't out yet (also because I'm struggling to find stuff I want to read in the mm PNR genre atm, and that would have given me something to read next).
Some things about the book bugged me though.
1. "Jeez, someone was hung like a moose." Da fuq? Who says that?
2. A strange immortal vampire repeatedly sent a 16 year old sex dreams? I don't care if they're fated mates, that's not ok, but no one in the book seemed to agree with me.
3. It had a ton of section breaks in the beginning that kept interrupting the flow of the narrative.
4. Michael had some TSTL at times. For example, a strange vampire corners him on vacation and he's shocked to discover that it's the same vampire who has already been stalking and harassing him. Whotf else would it be?
5. The book started with a ton of telling instead of showing. For example, when we first saw Michael's dreams, he says that his dream guy was wicked and ruthless, but I never saw him act that way in the dreams. The following is one of the best examples, though: "Michael muttered some interesting threats. Mark laughed. 'Creative, but I don’t think that last one is physically possible.'" So they were interesting but not interesting enough to share with the class?
6. The book had some editing issues, particularly problems with verb tense in the second half of the book.
UPDATE: I just realized that this book has already been out for 8 years, so I guess I won't hold my breath for the sequel.
Some things about the book bugged me though.
1. "Jeez, someone was hung like a moose." Da fuq? Who says that?
2. A strange immortal vampire repeatedly sent a 16 year old sex dreams? I don't care if they're fated mates, that's not ok, but no one in the book seemed to agree with me.
3. It had a ton of section breaks in the beginning that kept interrupting the flow of the narrative.
4. Michael had some TSTL at times. For example, a strange vampire corners him on vacation and he's shocked to discover that it's the same vampire who has already been stalking and harassing him. Whotf else would it be?
5. The book started with a ton of telling instead of showing. For example, when we first saw Michael's dreams, he says that his dream guy was wicked and ruthless, but I never saw him act that way in the dreams. The following is one of the best examples, though: "Michael muttered some interesting threats. Mark laughed. 'Creative, but I don’t think that last one is physically possible.'" So they were interesting but not interesting enough to share with the class?
6. The book had some editing issues, particularly problems with verb tense in the second half of the book.
UPDATE: I just realized that this book has already been out for 8 years, so I guess I won't hold my breath for the sequel.
July 1, 2021
3.0 Stars
Not the worst book I've read, but most certainly not the best.
To be honest, this novel felt like a beginner's attempt. The prose was inundated with so many unnecessary elements that it literally bogged down the plot.
(Did we really need to be told every little detail about how Michael left his condo, locked up, and got into his car? From the text, I even know that he stuck his house key in his right pocket.)
Perhaps, I could have forgiven those minor issues if I got one simple thing from M.A. Church.
More bonding scenes between Michael and Andy!
I never fully grasped their relationship. It was clear they had steadily become good friends, if not best friends, over the course of the book. But most of their interactions took place off-page.
This, unfortunately, made the ending less impactful to me.
Without giving away spoilers, Michael and Andy were placed in a situation where they had to rely on their strong friendship to "save the day". Because this story lacked those pivotal scenes beforehand, I honestly wasn't as invested in whether or not they succeeded.
NOW. The biggest thing the author got right about this book was...
The Sex Scenes. Period.
M.A. Church definitely excelled at writing those steamy moments. They weren't too explicit or too cringy and possessed the perfect amount of heated innuendo to match the plot.
I only wish that same sort of raw talent was streamed throughout the rest of her novel.
———————————————
My Goodreads Rating
3.0 Stars
Rating Breakdown
🌕🌕🌖🌑🌑 2.9 Storyline
🌕🌕🌖🌑🌑 2.8 Character Depth
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑 3.1 Relationship Dynamics
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 3.0 World-Building
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑 3.2 Pacing
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 3.0 Writing Style/Prose
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑 3.2 Enjoyment
———————————————
Not the worst book I've read, but most certainly not the best.
To be honest, this novel felt like a beginner's attempt. The prose was inundated with so many unnecessary elements that it literally bogged down the plot.
(Did we really need to be told every little detail about how Michael left his condo, locked up, and got into his car? From the text, I even know that he stuck his house key in his right pocket.)
Perhaps, I could have forgiven those minor issues if I got one simple thing from M.A. Church.
More bonding scenes between Michael and Andy!
I never fully grasped their relationship. It was clear they had steadily become good friends, if not best friends, over the course of the book. But most of their interactions took place off-page.
This, unfortunately, made the ending less impactful to me.
Without giving away spoilers, Michael and Andy were placed in a situation where they had to rely on their strong friendship to "save the day". Because this story lacked those pivotal scenes beforehand, I honestly wasn't as invested in whether or not they succeeded.
NOW. The biggest thing the author got right about this book was...
The Sex Scenes. Period.
M.A. Church definitely excelled at writing those steamy moments. They weren't too explicit or too cringy and possessed the perfect amount of heated innuendo to match the plot.
I only wish that same sort of raw talent was streamed throughout the rest of her novel.
———————————————
My Goodreads Rating
3.0 Stars
Rating Breakdown
🌕🌕🌖🌑🌑 2.9 Storyline
🌕🌕🌖🌑🌑 2.8 Character Depth
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑 3.1 Relationship Dynamics
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 3.0 World-Building
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑 3.2 Pacing
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 3.0 Writing Style/Prose
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑 3.2 Enjoyment
———————————————
July 5, 2021
I struggled to connect with the characters, especially Michael, because all the conflict was externally driven. There is very little he has to work for or through and it all comes (too) easy to him in my opinion. I mean, supposedly he's still working through losing his family at the start of the book and looking for his missing brother but all that constantly takes a back seat and hardly ever comes up or influences Michael's actions or decisions. But I still don't even know or at least can't remember if Mark is older or younger than Michael or what connected them aside from sharing some genetics. And Michael's job doesn't seem to play into anything after like a week in Mystic Bay and while Clay certainly seems to be loaded I found it hard to believe that Michael would just give up his independence like that after sort of happily traveling whereever he wanted and suddenly being watched all the time and locked up at home...
I'm kind of curious about Nicholas but not sure if I'll continue the series. Maybe I'll give Mark a chance to make more sense than his brother.
Also: I read this as a Kindle Unlimited book and I know that they often have poor editing but this was one of the worst and really threw me out of the story almost once every other page.
CW:
I'm kind of curious about Nicholas but not sure if I'll continue the series. Maybe I'll give Mark a chance to make more sense than his brother.
Also: I read this as a Kindle Unlimited book and I know that they often have poor editing but this was one of the worst and really threw me out of the story almost once every other page.
CW:
November 15, 2022
Sigh, such weak men…
I seem to be hit or miss with Ms. Church. Loved the Make a Wish books, but couldn’t finish The Harvest. While I finished this one, I found myself frustrated with Michael like I was with Dale. For one, Clay has been seducing Michael in his dreams since he was 16 years old, knew Michael’s parents were killed and his brother was missing, and still didn’t show up until AFTER he was kidnapped and was told by a neighbor? Yeah, no. Clay failed on the soul mate thing and should have a lot of groveling to do for that and his uptight do-as-I-say attitude. I also find it hard to believe that Michael moved from NY to Florida to enjoy the ocean but is 100% okay with becoming a vampire who can never see the daylight again just to be with dickish Clay. Books like these should make you want to cheer for the couple to get together. After every turn, I want to smack Michael for being a WAP and letting Clay dictate everything. I’m 100% on board with instalove, and I can even get behind dubious consent, but idiocy from characters? Unbearable. I was sitting here crossing my fingers that Michael would say NO to becoming a vampire, move back into his own apartment, grow a set and make Clay jump through hoop after hoop to prove that they should be together. I’m so frustrated now, lol, and over a fictional couple!
I seem to be hit or miss with Ms. Church. Loved the Make a Wish books, but couldn’t finish The Harvest. While I finished this one, I found myself frustrated with Michael like I was with Dale. For one, Clay has been seducing Michael in his dreams since he was 16 years old, knew Michael’s parents were killed and his brother was missing, and still didn’t show up until AFTER he was kidnapped and was told by a neighbor? Yeah, no. Clay failed on the soul mate thing and should have a lot of groveling to do for that and his uptight do-as-I-say attitude. I also find it hard to believe that Michael moved from NY to Florida to enjoy the ocean but is 100% okay with becoming a vampire who can never see the daylight again just to be with dickish Clay. Books like these should make you want to cheer for the couple to get together. After every turn, I want to smack Michael for being a WAP and letting Clay dictate everything. I’m 100% on board with instalove, and I can even get behind dubious consent, but idiocy from characters? Unbearable. I was sitting here crossing my fingers that Michael would say NO to becoming a vampire, move back into his own apartment, grow a set and make Clay jump through hoop after hoop to prove that they should be together. I’m so frustrated now, lol, and over a fictional couple!
February 24, 2019
So fast paced the story gets left behind.
This is more of a 3.5 then a 3. The story was interesting enough that I will read the sequel, but it definitely wasn't a top of the list book. The pacing of this story was insane fast and it really hurt the story because of it. I never felt the romantic attraction between the main characters especially since it felt like they met and mates in like 2 days. While that is not what happened the author spends no time building the attraction between them or even just showing them getting to know each other at all. Dates happen in the span of a page or two leaving a sense of detachment towards the characters. The climax of the story wasnt even tense because of the same rushed telling. There was no slowing down to fill the scene with pain or terror and left it flat instead. It was a decent read, but probably not a book I would again in the future.
This is more of a 3.5 then a 3. The story was interesting enough that I will read the sequel, but it definitely wasn't a top of the list book. The pacing of this story was insane fast and it really hurt the story because of it. I never felt the romantic attraction between the main characters especially since it felt like they met and mates in like 2 days. While that is not what happened the author spends no time building the attraction between them or even just showing them getting to know each other at all. Dates happen in the span of a page or two leaving a sense of detachment towards the characters. The climax of the story wasnt even tense because of the same rushed telling. There was no slowing down to fill the scene with pain or terror and left it flat instead. It was a decent read, but probably not a book I would again in the future.
July 14, 2019
**2 stars**
Urban fantasy/shapeshifter/mystery/romance told in 3rd person with an interesting plot. Well, the potential to be interesting. It was unique enough that I was able to finish it, but just.
There were many misspellings, grammatical errors, and a time when the wrong character’s name was used. The sentences were simple, lacking in depth, and provided little in terms of world building.
I noted (4 times in total) where the prostate was referred to as ‘hot spot’ ...e.g. I almost came when he hit my hot spot or he nailed my hot spot over and over, etc. 🙄
And while in the throes of passion, consistently yelled out, “that’s it, give it to me good!”
This is a romance, mind you, not erotica. And barely even that. There is a mystery-a missing person. That story arc seemed a bit more intriguing, but I chose the book for the paranormal romance.
Ends with a HFN and I will just leave the series while I’m ahead.
Urban fantasy/shapeshifter/mystery/romance told in 3rd person with an interesting plot. Well, the potential to be interesting. It was unique enough that I was able to finish it, but just.
There were many misspellings, grammatical errors, and a time when the wrong character’s name was used. The sentences were simple, lacking in depth, and provided little in terms of world building.
I noted (4 times in total) where the prostate was referred to as ‘hot spot’ ...e.g. I almost came when he hit my hot spot or he nailed my hot spot over and over, etc. 🙄
And while in the throes of passion, consistently yelled out, “that’s it, give it to me good!”
This is a romance, mind you, not erotica. And barely even that. There is a mystery-a missing person. That story arc seemed a bit more intriguing, but I chose the book for the paranormal romance.
Ends with a HFN and I will just leave the series while I’m ahead.
April 15, 2021
Vampires, Elementals, and Guardians - Oh My!
I really loved M.A. Church's Harvest series so I was eager to jump into this one. I was not disappointed. This book is the perfect beginning to the Mystic Bay series. I was completely hooked from the start and I can't wait to dive into the next book. There's a lot of world building in this book but it's blended seamlessly into the plot. The characters are really compelling and I loved the different personalities that come through. Michael is perfect as a human who finds himself thrust into the world of paranormals and his reactions are completely believable. Clay, as a two hundred year old vampire, is the perfect blend of old world charm and modern ways. And Andy! I absolutely adore him and I hope we get to see more of him in the future. A really action packed read and I'm excited to see how things play out. I think we're just getting started!
I really loved M.A. Church's Harvest series so I was eager to jump into this one. I was not disappointed. This book is the perfect beginning to the Mystic Bay series. I was completely hooked from the start and I can't wait to dive into the next book. There's a lot of world building in this book but it's blended seamlessly into the plot. The characters are really compelling and I loved the different personalities that come through. Michael is perfect as a human who finds himself thrust into the world of paranormals and his reactions are completely believable. Clay, as a two hundred year old vampire, is the perfect blend of old world charm and modern ways. And Andy! I absolutely adore him and I hope we get to see more of him in the future. A really action packed read and I'm excited to see how things play out. I think we're just getting started!
February 24, 2019
I put this book down about 40% through because the male main character consistently acts and thinks exactly like a female.
I believe that gender is primarily in the mind and that sometimes people end up in the wrong body and if they want to fix that as much as they can, that's fine. But I don't believe there to be zero difference between genders. There is more than enough proof that men and women think and behave differently. There are patterns of thinking and behavior common to most men and patterns common to most women.
This main character thinks and acts like a female. Period. An annoying AF female at that. There is nothing that annoys me more in a m/m story than an author making a female character in a male body. We are not interchangeable. This is just amateur writing. It gives m/m a bad name. This is not m/m. It's m/f disguised as m/m and that's just wrong.
I believe that gender is primarily in the mind and that sometimes people end up in the wrong body and if they want to fix that as much as they can, that's fine. But I don't believe there to be zero difference between genders. There is more than enough proof that men and women think and behave differently. There are patterns of thinking and behavior common to most men and patterns common to most women.
This main character thinks and acts like a female. Period. An annoying AF female at that. There is nothing that annoys me more in a m/m story than an author making a female character in a male body. We are not interchangeable. This is just amateur writing. It gives m/m a bad name. This is not m/m. It's m/f disguised as m/m and that's just wrong.
June 19, 2020
Great intro to a new series.
First off, sexy erotic vampire shenanigans in dreamland. Sign me up!
I was hooked right from the beginning, with the whole dream setting, and It was exciting.
What I like Is that Michael wasn't a lovesick yes sir bite me, mark me MC.
I like a rational MC. So we got that.
CLAY, on the other hand was a bit of a let down. Infact, their entire meeting was a letdown after the great build up.
The story had enough suspense to let you finish the book.
The mystery with Mark is set up really good and I can't wait to read about him.
Nicholas is also a great addition, along with whatever he and Jonas have going on.
So good romance, a little on the subtle side, but major focus on the fantasy without being boring or repetitive. Just enough to get you through.
All in all an easy read. No angst, plain old world building charm.
First off, sexy erotic vampire shenanigans in dreamland. Sign me up!
I was hooked right from the beginning, with the whole dream setting, and It was exciting.
What I like Is that Michael wasn't a lovesick yes sir bite me, mark me MC.
I like a rational MC. So we got that.
CLAY, on the other hand was a bit of a let down. Infact, their entire meeting was a letdown after the great build up.
The story had enough suspense to let you finish the book.
The mystery with Mark is set up really good and I can't wait to read about him.
Nicholas is also a great addition, along with whatever he and Jonas have going on.
So good romance, a little on the subtle side, but major focus on the fantasy without being boring or repetitive. Just enough to get you through.
All in all an easy read. No angst, plain old world building charm.
February 8, 2019
Jetzt bin ich angefixt. Wann gehts weiter?
Als Michaels Eltern ermordet werden und sein Bruder als vermisst gemeldet wird, entscheidet er sich für einen Neuanfang. Er landet in Mystic Bay und muss kurz darauf erfahren, dass es mehr Wesen auf der Welt gibt, als er je für möglich gehalten hätte. Sein Gefährte ist ein Vampir, sein Vermieter ein Wächter und dessen Freund beherrscht das Element Feuer. Interessant wird das Ganze als sich kidnappende Werwölfe und ein sadistischer Vampir an seine Fersen heften.
Wieder eine nette Unterhaltung. Nichts Tiefsinniges, aber trotzdem spannend und romantisch. Auch wenn es überarbeitet wurde, merkt man deutlich, dass es eines ihrer früheren Werke ist. Trotzdem schön. Ich freu mich auf die Fortsetzung.
Als Michaels Eltern ermordet werden und sein Bruder als vermisst gemeldet wird, entscheidet er sich für einen Neuanfang. Er landet in Mystic Bay und muss kurz darauf erfahren, dass es mehr Wesen auf der Welt gibt, als er je für möglich gehalten hätte. Sein Gefährte ist ein Vampir, sein Vermieter ein Wächter und dessen Freund beherrscht das Element Feuer. Interessant wird das Ganze als sich kidnappende Werwölfe und ein sadistischer Vampir an seine Fersen heften.
Wieder eine nette Unterhaltung. Nichts Tiefsinniges, aber trotzdem spannend und romantisch. Auch wenn es überarbeitet wurde, merkt man deutlich, dass es eines ihrer früheren Werke ist. Trotzdem schön. Ich freu mich auf die Fortsetzung.
February 10, 2019
The beginning was a combination of erotic and eerie. Michaels dreams captured the strength of the bond he didn’t even know he had, perfectly. The eerie feeling came from Michael been stalked and watched - it gave me the chills.
Michael was thrown into the deep end yet he took it better than I thought he would.
I pictured a completely different Clay and was quite surprised that he was nothing like I imagined. His age showed which was evident from his behaviour yet I really I liked him - he was sweet, protective and romantic.
There were several unexpected twists and the author built up the suspense really well.
Fantastic story and I eagerly look forward to reading more from this series.
Michael was thrown into the deep end yet he took it better than I thought he would.
I pictured a completely different Clay and was quite surprised that he was nothing like I imagined. His age showed which was evident from his behaviour yet I really I liked him - he was sweet, protective and romantic.
There were several unexpected twists and the author built up the suspense really well.
Fantastic story and I eagerly look forward to reading more from this series.
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