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Mission: Magic #1
The Incubus Job
It’s tough to have a conscience when you kill for a living.
So six years ago, Mallory Jade gave up killing. Now she’s a fixer. Got a problem with a demon? She can help. Infestation of pixies? She’s got you covered. Kidnapped by an undead lich? She’s on her way. Anything you need, so long as she doesn’t have to kill. It’s her one unbreakable rule.
Aside from a few near-death experiences, her new life is good, until her job dumps her in the lap of the man she walked out on six years before. Law Stanger, her former partner and lover, wants her back in his life. He's not above playing dirty. But Mallory knows it can never work. She has secrets Law can never understand or forgive.
All Mallory wants now is to finish her job--track down an incubus and the precious box he stole--and get the hell out of town before Law shatters her heart again. But it wasn’t fate that drew her and Law together after all these years, it was cunning calculation. Now they must face an enemy more powerful than they can imagine, one that has no intention of leaving anybody alive.
So six years ago, Mallory Jade gave up killing. Now she’s a fixer. Got a problem with a demon? She can help. Infestation of pixies? She’s got you covered. Kidnapped by an undead lich? She’s on her way. Anything you need, so long as she doesn’t have to kill. It’s her one unbreakable rule.
Aside from a few near-death experiences, her new life is good, until her job dumps her in the lap of the man she walked out on six years before. Law Stanger, her former partner and lover, wants her back in his life. He's not above playing dirty. But Mallory knows it can never work. She has secrets Law can never understand or forgive.
All Mallory wants now is to finish her job--track down an incubus and the precious box he stole--and get the hell out of town before Law shatters her heart again. But it wasn’t fate that drew her and Law together after all these years, it was cunning calculation. Now they must face an enemy more powerful than they can imagine, one that has no intention of leaving anybody alive.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2016
37 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Diana Pharaoh Francis
44 books761 followersI was raised on a cattle ranch in Northern California (outside a town called Lincoln which is now part of an enormous sprawl). I taught myself to ride a horse at the age of six, as no one had the time to teach me—they were all busy learning how to irrigate, how to cajole an angry bull into another field, how to pull a calf… Afraid of heights, and absolutely sure I was going to die, I managed to scramble up on the back of a very patient and lazy strawberry roan destrier, and plod off into the sunset.
Thereafter, I spent much of my early life on horseback, or so far buried into a book that the rest of the world ceased to exist (much to the annoyance of my family—it took several attempts to get my attention). We all had very specific jobs on the ranch and mine was horses and cattle—out rounding up at dawn. And since I rode bareback, my standing request was to wake me up 5 minutes before everyone else headed for the barn—time enough to dress and eat my Wheaties, and no sleep time wasted on saddling.
After high school, I attended college after college, racking up a BA and MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature and theory. My very patient and supportive husband traipsed across the Midwest and back to Montana for me (though my husband insists that he’s been running and hiding and I just keep finding him), where I now teach at the University of Montana-Western. We also a son Q-ball, who in our humbly unbiased opinions, is the most wonderful son ever produced, and a daughter, Princess Caesar, who is the most wonderful daughter ever produced.
I have a fascination for the Victorians, weather, geology, horses, plants and mythology, I like spicy food, chocolate and cheesecake, and I have an odd sense of humor. (Or so I’ve been told. Often.) Incidentally, the Pharaoh is in fact my real name, and oddly enough, is of British origin.
Some of my current favorite sf/f writers are Ilona Andrews, Carol Berg, C.E. Murphy, Patty Briggs, Lynn Flewelling, Rachel Caine, David Coe, and Anne Bishop.
Thereafter, I spent much of my early life on horseback, or so far buried into a book that the rest of the world ceased to exist (much to the annoyance of my family—it took several attempts to get my attention). We all had very specific jobs on the ranch and mine was horses and cattle—out rounding up at dawn. And since I rode bareback, my standing request was to wake me up 5 minutes before everyone else headed for the barn—time enough to dress and eat my Wheaties, and no sleep time wasted on saddling.
After high school, I attended college after college, racking up a BA and MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature and theory. My very patient and supportive husband traipsed across the Midwest and back to Montana for me (though my husband insists that he’s been running and hiding and I just keep finding him), where I now teach at the University of Montana-Western. We also a son Q-ball, who in our humbly unbiased opinions, is the most wonderful son ever produced, and a daughter, Princess Caesar, who is the most wonderful daughter ever produced.
I have a fascination for the Victorians, weather, geology, horses, plants and mythology, I like spicy food, chocolate and cheesecake, and I have an odd sense of humor. (Or so I’ve been told. Often.) Incidentally, the Pharaoh is in fact my real name, and oddly enough, is of British origin.
Some of my current favorite sf/f writers are Ilona Andrews, Carol Berg, C.E. Murphy, Patty Briggs, Lynn Flewelling, Rachel Caine, David Coe, and Anne Bishop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 28, 2021
3.75 stars rounded up
This novella doesn't bother much with world building. However, I was still able to catch a glimpse about what happened through the conversations and arguments that Mal and Law had throughout.
Basically, Mallory enters a hotel with aim to look for an incubus who steals a magical box. But then havoc happens, her ex partner-slash-lover shows up, the incubus is dead, and they must work together again to investigate while navigating the hurt and anger and sexual tension that are still going strong
I'm a BIG-HUGE SUCKER for second chances or reunion romance. With Mal and Law had 'history' before, I loved reading about THAT relationship.
Law may not understand what Mal have been going through, and they have to work on that because Law has a different perspective about the supernatural beings that they have to kill. Not to mention that Mal's current situation indeed makes her vulnerable, despite her saying that she's competent enough and able to deal with it. I can understand why Law is concerned.
For a novella, this works really well for me. The ending feels "complete" enough. However, I know there is a novel and another novella already out in the world, so it could be a potential series that I can follow.
This novella doesn't bother much with world building. However, I was still able to catch a glimpse about what happened through the conversations and arguments that Mal and Law had throughout.
Basically, Mallory enters a hotel with aim to look for an incubus who steals a magical box. But then havoc happens, her ex partner-slash-lover shows up, the incubus is dead, and they must work together again to investigate while navigating the hurt and anger and sexual tension that are still going strong
I'm a BIG-HUGE SUCKER for second chances or reunion romance. With Mal and Law had 'history' before, I loved reading about THAT relationship.
Law may not understand what Mal have been going through, and they have to work on that because Law has a different perspective about the supernatural beings that they have to kill. Not to mention that Mal's current situation indeed makes her vulnerable, despite her saying that she's competent enough and able to deal with it. I can understand why Law is concerned.
For a novella, this works really well for me. The ending feels "complete" enough. However, I know there is a novel and another novella already out in the world, so it could be a potential series that I can follow.
January 25, 2016
Well, this exactly what I was in the mood for when I picked up this book. Tangled history between our hero and heroine wrapped in a very real danger in the here and now made for a good read. Mallory had good reasons for disappearing six years before and being thrown together with Law stirs up all the emotions she's been trying to bury.
Might I just say that Mal and Law had some very potent chemistry. Law was a wee bit overbearing (understandable given the circumstances under which Mallory disappeared before) and Mal was equal parts turned on by it and discouraged that he didn't trust her to watch her own back. Their push and pull was very fun to watch. and maybe a little sad because Mallory had no clue what was driving Law's actions until it was spelled out for her. Even then, she had a hard time believing it.
I liked the ghosts. I liked the world. I liked that some of the actions Mal witnessed weren't entirely black and white. I'm very curious to see how Mal's arrangement works out in the future.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Might I just say that Mal and Law had some very potent chemistry. Law was a wee bit overbearing (understandable given the circumstances under which Mallory disappeared before) and Mal was equal parts turned on by it and discouraged that he didn't trust her to watch her own back. Their push and pull was very fun to watch. and maybe a little sad because Mallory had no clue what was driving Law's actions until it was spelled out for her. Even then, she had a hard time believing it.
I liked the ghosts. I liked the world. I liked that some of the actions Mal witnessed weren't entirely black and white. I'm very curious to see how Mal's arrangement works out in the future.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
August 2, 2016
3 1/2
Short, short UF romance, plenty of action, not much world building (but you don't feel its lack). Mostly a bit of a story, but very intriguing.
Short, short UF romance, plenty of action, not much world building (but you don't feel its lack). Mostly a bit of a story, but very intriguing.
August 30, 2016
3.5
Kinda feels more like a novella more than a full length novel. Definitely caught my interest though, can't wait till the next book comes out! The plot was a bit all over the place but the characters made me keep reading.
Kinda feels more like a novella more than a full length novel. Definitely caught my interest though, can't wait till the next book comes out! The plot was a bit all over the place but the characters made me keep reading.
February 29, 2016
I liked these two - quick read - I would have liked a little better picture of the world - but good action with a growly hero. Review coming
August 2, 2022
Huge (perfect) amounts of angst. Absolutely candy for my brain, I read it once and immediately started over again. Also I like how the whole demon thing shakes out--the awareness of the power balance is, imo, addressed really well.
March 1, 2016
My Review:
Wow, I loved this book so, so much. I'm so happy that I accepted it for review because now I have a new series to obsess over (hint: I want book #2 yesterday!!)
This is the first book in a brand new series that features an incredibly creative paranormal world. Both the main characters are sorcerers. At one point in time they were partners in every way, but six years ago, Mallory left without a word. See, their specialty was exterminating ghosts. They basically killed them...again, if that's possible. Mallory developed a conscience. She couldn't keep doing that when she had no idea if sending them off was doing them harm...wiping them from existence. But she'd also fallen in love with Law and couldn't deal with him rejecting her when she told him that she'd had a change of heart. So she just left.
It's been six years and she's learned a lot by being out on her own. She's strong, smart, and independent...and still desperately loves Law although she hasn't seen him since she left. So she's shocked when her latest job brings her to him and it turns out he wasn't as emotionally removed as she thought. He was devastated by her leaving.
And this is where the author really excelled in writing this book. The book is written entirely from Mallory's point of view, but the reader can see just how much torment Law has gone through since Mallory left...even when she doesn't believe that he loves her. The emotion was incredibly and beautifully done. And I adore books that feature a lot of emotion, so that was huge for me. The two of them together were wonderful. There is so much want and love there. Every time they were in a scene together, I held my breath. Serious chemistry there. And all he wants is her to be safe...not so good when Mallory is throwing herself into danger about every other scene.
But the whole story is really incredible. Mallory and Law are two of very few sorcerers who can banish ghosts. They're very powerful. When Mallory stopped doing that, somehow she ended up taking ghosts under her wing instead. She has 17 that currently reside with her, and she's incredibly empathetic with them and the demon who arrives in the story later. I loved that about her. It made her such an amazing character/heroine. She cares...deeply, even for those who others would probably revile and hate. She can see things (their pain and needs) from their point of view. I seriously loved this about her. She's so incredibly strong.
Like I said when I started this review...I adored this book. And I HIGHLY recommend it. I'm not a huge paranormal reader. I enjoy them, but it's not a genre I actively seek out. This is a series that I will be haunting the authors blog looking for word of when the next book is coming out. When it comes to paranormal, that's not normal for me, but I've fallen in love with these two characters. I need more from them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Wow, I loved this book so, so much. I'm so happy that I accepted it for review because now I have a new series to obsess over (hint: I want book #2 yesterday!!)
This is the first book in a brand new series that features an incredibly creative paranormal world. Both the main characters are sorcerers. At one point in time they were partners in every way, but six years ago, Mallory left without a word. See, their specialty was exterminating ghosts. They basically killed them...again, if that's possible. Mallory developed a conscience. She couldn't keep doing that when she had no idea if sending them off was doing them harm...wiping them from existence. But she'd also fallen in love with Law and couldn't deal with him rejecting her when she told him that she'd had a change of heart. So she just left.
It's been six years and she's learned a lot by being out on her own. She's strong, smart, and independent...and still desperately loves Law although she hasn't seen him since she left. So she's shocked when her latest job brings her to him and it turns out he wasn't as emotionally removed as she thought. He was devastated by her leaving.
And this is where the author really excelled in writing this book. The book is written entirely from Mallory's point of view, but the reader can see just how much torment Law has gone through since Mallory left...even when she doesn't believe that he loves her. The emotion was incredibly and beautifully done. And I adore books that feature a lot of emotion, so that was huge for me. The two of them together were wonderful. There is so much want and love there. Every time they were in a scene together, I held my breath. Serious chemistry there. And all he wants is her to be safe...not so good when Mallory is throwing herself into danger about every other scene.
But the whole story is really incredible. Mallory and Law are two of very few sorcerers who can banish ghosts. They're very powerful. When Mallory stopped doing that, somehow she ended up taking ghosts under her wing instead. She has 17 that currently reside with her, and she's incredibly empathetic with them and the demon who arrives in the story later. I loved that about her. It made her such an amazing character/heroine. She cares...deeply, even for those who others would probably revile and hate. She can see things (their pain and needs) from their point of view. I seriously loved this about her. She's so incredibly strong.
Like I said when I started this review...I adored this book. And I HIGHLY recommend it. I'm not a huge paranormal reader. I enjoy them, but it's not a genre I actively seek out. This is a series that I will be haunting the authors blog looking for word of when the next book is coming out. When it comes to paranormal, that's not normal for me, but I've fallen in love with these two characters. I need more from them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 24, 2016
Very intriguing story. The great characters and interesting storyline keep you interested and with magic and ghosts involved where can you go wrong? The premise caught me from the beginning and I was very curious to see how everything would play out. It moved at a great pace and I couldn't wait to see what was going on and to see what happened next. It didn't really leave me hanging that much but enough to where I am ready for the next one. If you like something a bit different with some mystery and steaminess this one will be right up your alley!!
July 11, 2016
I've never read this author before but this book was mentioned on Ilona Andrews' blog, enticing me to read it! It was an enjoyable short story! It seems to be the prequel to a series! Mal was on a job to recover a box an incubus had stolen when one of the ghosts she shielded decided to have a melt down!
October 2, 2016
This book had a nice setting and a decent enough plot. Having said that the characters came off as sad and pathetic. Seeming very inept at time. overall was dissapointed in this book when I have loved so many of her others
March 24, 2016
A decent little modern fantasy. Nothing spectacular, but it fit my need for some light brain candy.
June 29, 2016
This could have easily been something I loved. I just got a little tired of the mistakes and drama from Mal. However, when the next book comes out I'll probably read it. :)
June 27, 2017
I finally got my act together and finished this book after a year - I had previously got through about 1/2 the book before getting distracted by other shiny books. This time I finished the whole thing.
An okay urban fantasy from the thriller, murder mystery, magic stand-point, I am dissatisfied with the love and love interest portion of this romantic story. First off Mallory Jade (the female love interest and main character) is a total whiner, yes she has reasons for whining, but the wallow of whining gets old. Second, Law Stranger (the male love interest) is an arrogant person who cannot understand Mallory. Mallory ascribes a bunch of assumptions about how Law views her, how they should interact, and all the other typical self-absorb keep-people-apart which romantic writers like so much (and teenagers and twenty-somethings do in the real world). Both of them have spent six years apart waiting for the other to make the first step, both of them so hopelessly in love with each other they have contemplated suicide rather than not be with their love one.
One or the other folks - get your mind together and go for it or walk away and let everyone move on. I hate this in books and want to slap people in the real world for acting the same way.
Aside from one of my biggest personal pet peeves of the Romantic genre throwing up all over the book, the Incubus Job is a readable action-packed urban fantasy.
Deleting from my kindle to make room for books I will enjoy rereading.
An okay urban fantasy from the thriller, murder mystery, magic stand-point, I am dissatisfied with the love and love interest portion of this romantic story. First off Mallory Jade (the female love interest and main character) is a total whiner, yes she has reasons for whining, but the wallow of whining gets old. Second, Law Stranger (the male love interest) is an arrogant person who cannot understand Mallory. Mallory ascribes a bunch of assumptions about how Law views her, how they should interact, and all the other typical self-absorb keep-people-apart which romantic writers like so much (and teenagers and twenty-somethings do in the real world). Both of them have spent six years apart waiting for the other to make the first step, both of them so hopelessly in love with each other they have contemplated suicide rather than not be with their love one.
One or the other folks - get your mind together and go for it or walk away and let everyone move on. I hate this in books and want to slap people in the real world for acting the same way.
Aside from one of my biggest personal pet peeves of the Romantic genre throwing up all over the book, the Incubus Job is a readable action-packed urban fantasy.
Deleting from my kindle to make room for books I will enjoy rereading.
May 5, 2021
I grabbed this book after reading the short story set in this world in the "Dirty Deeds" anthology. I really enjoyed Ms. Francis' Horngate Witches series also.
This series revolves around Mallory Jade. She is a sorcerer who had a nervous breakdown of sorts 6 years ago. As a result she left her job of exterminating and her partner who was also her lover. She made a vow to not kill any more and takes jobs as they come her way. Now she finds herself on the trail of an incubus with a stolen box who happens to land at a special hotel that caters to the magical set. In this world there are all sorts of ghosts and demons and magical creatures flitting around. They all want a nice place to vacation and this hotel is that place with people in power to insure the rules are followed.
This is on the lighter side of urban fantasy. I enjoyed the characters but the world building is not very complete. I would say this feels longer than a short story but not long enough to be a full length novel. The writing style and flow are very similar to Lisa Shearin's SPI Files. A lot of dialogue and interesting things happening while on the way to......
I did like the book and I am hoping that there are more in the series to look forward to in the future.
This series revolves around Mallory Jade. She is a sorcerer who had a nervous breakdown of sorts 6 years ago. As a result she left her job of exterminating and her partner who was also her lover. She made a vow to not kill any more and takes jobs as they come her way. Now she finds herself on the trail of an incubus with a stolen box who happens to land at a special hotel that caters to the magical set. In this world there are all sorts of ghosts and demons and magical creatures flitting around. They all want a nice place to vacation and this hotel is that place with people in power to insure the rules are followed.
This is on the lighter side of urban fantasy. I enjoyed the characters but the world building is not very complete. I would say this feels longer than a short story but not long enough to be a full length novel. The writing style and flow are very similar to Lisa Shearin's SPI Files. A lot of dialogue and interesting things happening while on the way to......
I did like the book and I am hoping that there are more in the series to look forward to in the future.
February 15, 2022
This was a quick, fun read. I've never read a Diana Pharoah Francis book before despite having heard good things about her stories. I think this one was only about 150ish pages long and it quickly got to the point of the story.
The pasts of the ghosts that attached themselves to Mallory were a little hard to read about--they died terrible, violent deaths. But it was a cool concept of having sorcerers attract ghosts. She used to exterminate them but then had regrets and started feeling like she was murdering the ghosts.
Anyway, I also loved Law and how powerful a sorcerer he seemed. Yes, he does manhandle Mallory a bit and tries to be a bit controlling at times, but I didn't care. They have some issues to work through but they were great together, and I'd love to read more about them.
Highly recommend if you want a quick, fun urban fantasy romance read!
The pasts of the ghosts that attached themselves to Mallory were a little hard to read about--they died terrible, violent deaths. But it was a cool concept of having sorcerers attract ghosts. She used to exterminate them but then had regrets and started feeling like she was murdering the ghosts.
Anyway, I also loved Law and how powerful a sorcerer he seemed. Yes, he does manhandle Mallory a bit and tries to be a bit controlling at times, but I didn't care. They have some issues to work through but they were great together, and I'd love to read more about them.
Highly recommend if you want a quick, fun urban fantasy romance read!
December 1, 2021
Ok
Well written and entertaining. The FMC was annoying, but not stupid. I did not like her “no kill” rule. It was black and white and did not matter if it was life threatening. I really liked the male MC. I agreed with most of his thoughts regarding the FMC. It was refreshing how he spent the years without her. This is not a love story where the man loves the woman but is still a man-whore while she waits with her legs permanently closed.
For that reason, I would continue reading this series.
Well written and entertaining. The FMC was annoying, but not stupid. I did not like her “no kill” rule. It was black and white and did not matter if it was life threatening. I really liked the male MC. I agreed with most of his thoughts regarding the FMC. It was refreshing how he spent the years without her. This is not a love story where the man loves the woman but is still a man-whore while she waits with her legs permanently closed.
For that reason, I would continue reading this series.
March 30, 2018
I quite liked this. It turned into a real page turner. Mallory used to be an exterminator. When her conscience caught up with her and she decided than ending lives was no longer her cup of tea, she moved on from that. Now she does some freelance work. This particular job requires her to return a stolen box to it's owner. When her mark is murdered, her job takes an unexpected turn.
*I was gifted this book. The review is my own honest opinion.
*I was gifted this book. The review is my own honest opinion.
March 23, 2017
This wasn't as exciting as I thought it'd be. I was hoping for something more from our protagonist but I felt like she just fell short. As soon as she lays eyes on her ex, she falls into bed with him. I get it, there's sexual tension. But there was so much internal dialogue on how she had the hots for her ex that it made me not care much for Law. There wasn't enough action or plot in this, it was all about how in love she was with Law and how she was making assumptions of what he thought of her.
August 1, 2021
Wow, it took me about 2 months to read this short story. I so wanted it to be better than it was. It turned out to be mostly an inner dialog of the female’s lack of self worth. Should she give up on herself and everyone who might care for her or not? There was a brief part that was entertaining (investigating a murder) but then it returned to her scared self talk.
October 10, 2021
Good story!
This book has a story line that grabs you and characters that make sense and stay true to their needs. Plus the writing is so good I have to admit I shed a few tears when a character died....
This book has a story line that grabs you and characters that make sense and stay true to their needs. Plus the writing is so good I have to admit I shed a few tears when a character died....
February 19, 2017
Extra 1/2 star.
July 9, 2017
Lovely
July 24, 2017
3.5 stars
February 25, 2024
2.5 stars. Can't stand the FMC. Too righteous, I know best, doesn't listen, it's my way or the highway. The plot is OK.
June 29, 2022
Great story
Fun story with excellent world building. It's still early in the series so I have tons of questions. I can't wait to read more and find the answers.
Fun story with excellent world building. It's still early in the series so I have tons of questions. I can't wait to read more and find the answers.
March 3, 2016
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Mallory Jade used to be an exterminator. You have a problem with the supernatural? Mallory and her partner Lawrence “Law” Stanger were the people to call. That is, until Mallory started to see more in the beings she was sent to exterminate than just your typical demons, ghosts, pixies, etc. At her breaking point, Mallory up and left six years ago without so much as a by your leave. Now she’s a “fixer.” Got a problem with the supernatural? She’s the one to call, just don’t ask her to kill.
Her latest assignment has led her to a posh hotel, catering to both the human and supernatural, where she’s on the trail of an incubus who stole a mysterious box from her client. The last thing Mallory expects is to run into her former partner, and flame, Law. Hopefully she can just get the job done and run, but she’ll soon find that Law has six years worth of irritation built up for Mallory, and he’ll be damned if she runs again.
I finished The Incubus Job in just a matter of hours. It’s a pretty quick read, but for all that it’s short, I really felt like Diana Pharaoh Francis did really well rounding out the characters. Even though the story is told from Mallory’s point of view, I feel like we still get a pretty accurate picture of Law’s feelings, what they were before Mallory left and what they are now that she’s returned. There are still many aspects of the world I’m interesting in learning about, but I think readers are given all the information needed to navigate this story and these characters themselves, and I appreciate that—cutting out the fluff so to speak.
I do love a story where the romantic interests have a past.
When Mallory decided she wanted to leave her extermination life behind, she was living under the assumption that Law wouldn’t understand her feelings. She was also under the impression that she cared more for him than vice versa. To a certain extent she was correct. At the time, Law didn’t understand that the jobs they were doing were emotionally affecting Mallory, but she didn’t talk to him about her feelings either. Instead of the back and forth between Mallory and Law becoming monotonous, every time they squared off about the past another layer of something they missed about the other was revealed. It was interesting to see them start to unravel where they both went wrong six years ago and try to figure out if they can still make things work despite both having changed over the years.
On the other side of the relationship, we have the job with the incubus. While things progress in an interesting, somewhat mysterious way, some of my interest was lost once we were finally clued in to what is going on. This is for the simple reason that things kind of tie into aspects of Mallory’s life/this world that aren’t as fleshed out, so it has very little emotional resonance for me. It’s difficult to make an impact on something that readers aren’t yet too familiar with. I do understand though that this first book is a setup. Based on how things transpire, I feel like there are a lot of places that Francis can take this series and these characters.
Mallory Jade used to be an exterminator. You have a problem with the supernatural? Mallory and her partner Lawrence “Law” Stanger were the people to call. That is, until Mallory started to see more in the beings she was sent to exterminate than just your typical demons, ghosts, pixies, etc. At her breaking point, Mallory up and left six years ago without so much as a by your leave. Now she’s a “fixer.” Got a problem with the supernatural? She’s the one to call, just don’t ask her to kill.
Her latest assignment has led her to a posh hotel, catering to both the human and supernatural, where she’s on the trail of an incubus who stole a mysterious box from her client. The last thing Mallory expects is to run into her former partner, and flame, Law. Hopefully she can just get the job done and run, but she’ll soon find that Law has six years worth of irritation built up for Mallory, and he’ll be damned if she runs again.
I finished The Incubus Job in just a matter of hours. It’s a pretty quick read, but for all that it’s short, I really felt like Diana Pharaoh Francis did really well rounding out the characters. Even though the story is told from Mallory’s point of view, I feel like we still get a pretty accurate picture of Law’s feelings, what they were before Mallory left and what they are now that she’s returned. There are still many aspects of the world I’m interesting in learning about, but I think readers are given all the information needed to navigate this story and these characters themselves, and I appreciate that—cutting out the fluff so to speak.
I do love a story where the romantic interests have a past.
When Mallory decided she wanted to leave her extermination life behind, she was living under the assumption that Law wouldn’t understand her feelings. She was also under the impression that she cared more for him than vice versa. To a certain extent she was correct. At the time, Law didn’t understand that the jobs they were doing were emotionally affecting Mallory, but she didn’t talk to him about her feelings either. Instead of the back and forth between Mallory and Law becoming monotonous, every time they squared off about the past another layer of something they missed about the other was revealed. It was interesting to see them start to unravel where they both went wrong six years ago and try to figure out if they can still make things work despite both having changed over the years.
On the other side of the relationship, we have the job with the incubus. While things progress in an interesting, somewhat mysterious way, some of my interest was lost once we were finally clued in to what is going on. This is for the simple reason that things kind of tie into aspects of Mallory’s life/this world that aren’t as fleshed out, so it has very little emotional resonance for me. It’s difficult to make an impact on something that readers aren’t yet too familiar with. I do understand though that this first book is a setup. Based on how things transpire, I feel like there are a lot of places that Francis can take this series and these characters.
March 9, 2016
I am a fan of Diana Pharoah Francis and will read anything she writes. She’s a master at world building, her characters have flaws, and growth, and the outcomes are usually twisty surprising. This book is a nice crossover of urban fantasy with a touch of romance and it didn’t disappoint. It has all that and more.
First, Mallory has big time trust issues as well as some powerful magical issues. None of that compares to her love and lost feelings for Law, exterminator of ghostly and otherworld things.
I found the give and take of their personal relationship to be honest, not smooth sailing and a complete delight in its variance from those formulaic romances. The only guarantee is that there is no guarantee; of happiness, of love, of true understanding and freedom from inner demons. Or any demons. The one sex scene is tasteful and not out of bounds for this genre. That the couple are physically attracted and yet her emotional confusion keeps coming up within that only adds to the “humanity” of her main character. She’s strong, has a career, and is independent and yet even in that she has self-doubts. In other words, she’s real.
Next, I love that, as a former exterminator, Mallory’s “reformed” and refuses to kill. That it means she now carries a few ghosts around with her and another icky being she sees only as a penance for what she’s done or who she was, adds a depth to her character. Law, her love interest, is supremely tortured and fully in love and a stupid man in many ways. Irritatingly fun that he makes mistakes and fumbles the ball and still is a worry-wort enough to cry over Mallory maybe dying. Well done!
Finally, what Francis does with her characters is maintaining integrity in growth. She doesn’t relent when the outcome seems to be heading toward an unhappy ending. We are lucky that she pulls it, the happy ending, off anyway! She pulls no punches in the character traits that are less attractive. Instead, she keeps us internal, highlighting that character changing within themselves, accepting, learning about or redefining those unfavorable traits for themselves and the other characters benefit (or not, in the case of bad guys) and in this Francis is making sure no character compromises just for the sake of a happy outcome. On top of all that is some great action, magic, weird creatures, torture and love. All in one little book!
First, Mallory has big time trust issues as well as some powerful magical issues. None of that compares to her love and lost feelings for Law, exterminator of ghostly and otherworld things.
I found the give and take of their personal relationship to be honest, not smooth sailing and a complete delight in its variance from those formulaic romances. The only guarantee is that there is no guarantee; of happiness, of love, of true understanding and freedom from inner demons. Or any demons. The one sex scene is tasteful and not out of bounds for this genre. That the couple are physically attracted and yet her emotional confusion keeps coming up within that only adds to the “humanity” of her main character. She’s strong, has a career, and is independent and yet even in that she has self-doubts. In other words, she’s real.
Next, I love that, as a former exterminator, Mallory’s “reformed” and refuses to kill. That it means she now carries a few ghosts around with her and another icky being she sees only as a penance for what she’s done or who she was, adds a depth to her character. Law, her love interest, is supremely tortured and fully in love and a stupid man in many ways. Irritatingly fun that he makes mistakes and fumbles the ball and still is a worry-wort enough to cry over Mallory maybe dying. Well done!
Finally, what Francis does with her characters is maintaining integrity in growth. She doesn’t relent when the outcome seems to be heading toward an unhappy ending. We are lucky that she pulls it, the happy ending, off anyway! She pulls no punches in the character traits that are less attractive. Instead, she keeps us internal, highlighting that character changing within themselves, accepting, learning about or redefining those unfavorable traits for themselves and the other characters benefit (or not, in the case of bad guys) and in this Francis is making sure no character compromises just for the sake of a happy outcome. On top of all that is some great action, magic, weird creatures, torture and love. All in one little book!
April 8, 2016
I received a free kindle edition of this book through Early Reviewers on LibraryThing.
As a first book in a series the author does a great job letting the reader in on the background of the characters and world the story is set in without overpowering the plot. The characters are well formed and show development throughout the book.
A supernatural locked room murder mystery sets the stage for our main female character to reconnect with the lover she left. Forced together by the circumstances and nature of their jobs they must work together to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt. The action packed pages held my attention from the very beginning and never let it go. All the way through to the cliffhanger of an epilogue I was turning pages as fast as I could. The characters feel real and the reader is easily able to relate to them.
The epilogue was torture to my avid desire to know more, it left the reader with a cliffhanger that will surely entice them to purchase the sequel when it is released.
A few minor spelling errors but nothing that kept me from really enjoying the book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. My expectations were completely met and I look forward to reading more of Diana Pharaoh Francis’s work in the future.
As a first book in a series the author does a great job letting the reader in on the background of the characters and world the story is set in without overpowering the plot. The characters are well formed and show development throughout the book.
A supernatural locked room murder mystery sets the stage for our main female character to reconnect with the lover she left. Forced together by the circumstances and nature of their jobs they must work together to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt. The action packed pages held my attention from the very beginning and never let it go. All the way through to the cliffhanger of an epilogue I was turning pages as fast as I could. The characters feel real and the reader is easily able to relate to them.
The epilogue was torture to my avid desire to know more, it left the reader with a cliffhanger that will surely entice them to purchase the sequel when it is released.
A few minor spelling errors but nothing that kept me from really enjoying the book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. My expectations were completely met and I look forward to reading more of Diana Pharaoh Francis’s work in the future.
March 7, 2016
I picked this up on a whim after seeing it in a new release list and I am so glad I did! Diana Pharaoh Francis is a new to me author and this certainly won't be the last I read of hers. The Incubus Job started at a run and never stopped. The world was fascinating and whilst we didn't get to see much of it I felt that there was enough to keep me informed to understand the story and yet whet my appetite leaving me wanting to know more. This story really focused around the two characters of Mallory and Law and boy was there chemistry! They have a past and how they managed to go over what went wrong and how to interact in the present, along with solving their case, was a fun and entertaining read. Plus one very scary and cool demon, a gaggle of ghosts and original world building! Flat out fun and I'm definitely on board for the next one.
May 4, 2016
I received an AR copy of The Incubus Job in return for an unbiased review.
The Incubus Job is a book I found very easy to read, as the style of writing flowed very nicely. I also found the flow of dialogue was really well done, especially between the two protagonists. The sense of passion between the protagonists was also very well written out. Sadly, the plot of the story felt somewhat lost to me. It seemed as if the story was only just beginning when it ended, and although I know this is because there is a sequel planned, it just left me feeling as if it was unfinished. That being said, if you're looking for a supernatural romance, this is definitely one of the better ones I have read. This is an author I definitely recommend you keep an eye out for, as her writing is very smooth and entertaining. I'm definitely going to be watching for the sequel.
The Incubus Job is a book I found very easy to read, as the style of writing flowed very nicely. I also found the flow of dialogue was really well done, especially between the two protagonists. The sense of passion between the protagonists was also very well written out. Sadly, the plot of the story felt somewhat lost to me. It seemed as if the story was only just beginning when it ended, and although I know this is because there is a sequel planned, it just left me feeling as if it was unfinished. That being said, if you're looking for a supernatural romance, this is definitely one of the better ones I have read. This is an author I definitely recommend you keep an eye out for, as her writing is very smooth and entertaining. I'm definitely going to be watching for the sequel.
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