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Bay City Paranormal Investigations #2
What Hides Inside
alternate cover edition for ISBN# 9781599984841
***This edition is no longer available***
Facing an alternate-reality horror: deadly. Facing their own secrets: much, much worse.
Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2
In one fateful, first week with Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Sam Raintree learned he’s psychic, possesses the power to open interdimensional portals and accidentally let loose an unimaginable horror. If that wasn’t a busy enough schedule, he also began a relationship with his boss, the firmly closeted Dr. Bo Broussard.
Three months later, Bo’s wedding ring is off, but he isn’t ready to come out. Sam, tired of hiding, can hear their relationship creaking under the burden of secrets. Cracks appear when Bo hires Dean, a new investigator who’s bi, out and openly interested in Sam. During an intense investigation into the mysterious disappearance of three students from South Bay High School, Bo’s stubbornly cold shoulder leaves Sam only one way to go: toward Dean.
As he wonders if he should continue the fight for Bo’s love, the team discovers shades of Oleander House echoing in South High’s halls. Sam pushes his new found psychic abilities to the limit—until an eruption of nightmarish proportions threatens to take the decision out of his hands. Permanently.
This book has been previously published.
Warning: This title contains explicit, male/male angry sex, break-up sex, make-up sex, violent creatures with a taste for human flesh, sex and down-and-dirty language.
***This edition is no longer available***
Facing an alternate-reality horror: deadly. Facing their own secrets: much, much worse.
Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2
In one fateful, first week with Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Sam Raintree learned he’s psychic, possesses the power to open interdimensional portals and accidentally let loose an unimaginable horror. If that wasn’t a busy enough schedule, he also began a relationship with his boss, the firmly closeted Dr. Bo Broussard.
Three months later, Bo’s wedding ring is off, but he isn’t ready to come out. Sam, tired of hiding, can hear their relationship creaking under the burden of secrets. Cracks appear when Bo hires Dean, a new investigator who’s bi, out and openly interested in Sam. During an intense investigation into the mysterious disappearance of three students from South Bay High School, Bo’s stubbornly cold shoulder leaves Sam only one way to go: toward Dean.
As he wonders if he should continue the fight for Bo’s love, the team discovers shades of Oleander House echoing in South High’s halls. Sam pushes his new found psychic abilities to the limit—until an eruption of nightmarish proportions threatens to take the decision out of his hands. Permanently.
This book has been previously published.
Warning: This title contains explicit, male/male angry sex, break-up sex, make-up sex, violent creatures with a taste for human flesh, sex and down-and-dirty language.
229 pages, ebook
First published April 10, 2007
12 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blue
90 books450 followersAlly Blue penned her first tale at age eight, relating the breathless terror of her little sister’s not-quite-fatal encounter with a bee in the backyard. That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with storytelling. She now writes gay romance of all flavors, and has recently branched into writing her first love: horror. She continues her neverending quest to scare herself. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 8, 2017
I absolutely love these types of M/M paranormal books, and to find an entire series of them is so good. They are not for everyone though, but if you love Ghost Adventure's type of shows then these are like that on crack with a sprinkle of the x-files, ∑8-)
October 3, 2015
I love Sam. I want to kick Bo's ass. I love Dean, I mean love him. He reminds me a little of Jory in A Matter of Time, just because he's so sweet and selfless and flirtatious. I want to kick Bo's ass. I love all the characters in this books. I want to kick Bo's ass. I wish the strong woman hadn't been in the last book and I wish the remaining woman weren't so weak and clingy, but I do like her and I want to kick Bo's ass.
I think you're getting where I'm coming from here. I'm telling you that for the first half of this book, and even a little for the rest, I wanted Sam to be with Dean. I don't understand Bo's appeal, I think he's a dick, and Sam deserves better. It's funny that I feel this way given that I love the assholes that other sweet guys like in similar series (Jory's Det. Kage for example), but Bo does nothing for me.
I did care by the end, though, and that's what counts, right? The one thing I do like about Bo that Sam says he understand but doesn't completely (which in turn is the one thing I don't like about Sam) is that for Bo, his kids come first as they should. But Bo is a coward and self-absorbed and, okay, I'm going to stop there, because it tells you nothing about the book.
The mystery wasn't really a mystery, not like last time. It's pretty obvious fairly early on what's happening, and it's not nearly as frightening as what was going on in the last book. The final battle is quite weak, actually. But the danger and peril, the "I can't lose him!" kind of crying by the hospital bed stuff I love was excellent. So overall the story was fine.
I feel these books are just a little light. They feel more like stand-alone romances in a generic romance series then a serial paranormal romance; you know the kind where each book is a different couple and they come together in basically the same way and the plot is very similar in each book, etc.? Yeah, that. It's like paranormal light.
But now we know there's going to be a theme running through this series, not just a one off like in most mysteries where you have a new house and a new kind of ghost. We've got more of an X-Files-y evil menace that we're going to learn about piece by piece I think. I like that a lot.
This wasn't nearly as good as the first one, but I want to continue on because I did enjoy it. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 because I want to kick Bo's ass.
I think you're getting where I'm coming from here. I'm telling you that for the first half of this book, and even a little for the rest, I wanted Sam to be with Dean. I don't understand Bo's appeal, I think he's a dick, and Sam deserves better. It's funny that I feel this way given that I love the assholes that other sweet guys like in similar series (Jory's Det. Kage for example), but Bo does nothing for me.
I did care by the end, though, and that's what counts, right? The one thing I do like about Bo that Sam says he understand but doesn't completely (which in turn is the one thing I don't like about Sam) is that for Bo, his kids come first as they should. But Bo is a coward and self-absorbed and, okay, I'm going to stop there, because it tells you nothing about the book.
The mystery wasn't really a mystery, not like last time. It's pretty obvious fairly early on what's happening, and it's not nearly as frightening as what was going on in the last book. The final battle is quite weak, actually. But the danger and peril, the "I can't lose him!" kind of crying by the hospital bed stuff I love was excellent. So overall the story was fine.
I feel these books are just a little light. They feel more like stand-alone romances in a generic romance series then a serial paranormal romance; you know the kind where each book is a different couple and they come together in basically the same way and the plot is very similar in each book, etc.? Yeah, that. It's like paranormal light.
But now we know there's going to be a theme running through this series, not just a one off like in most mysteries where you have a new house and a new kind of ghost. We've got more of an X-Files-y evil menace that we're going to learn about piece by piece I think. I like that a lot.
This wasn't nearly as good as the first one, but I want to continue on because I did enjoy it. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 because I want to kick Bo's ass.
June 7, 2009
I really liked this second book of the serie. The paranormal plot is really very well written: the book is fast-read and i was really enthralled by it.
But i can't connect or feel anything for Bo. His chemistry with Sam is barely inexistant. I found more in Dean and Sam's.
Because of it i'll give only 4 stars.
But i can't connect or feel anything for Bo. His chemistry with Sam is barely inexistant. I found more in Dean and Sam's.
Because of it i'll give only 4 stars.
April 17, 2012
While I enjoyed the paranormal aspects of the book, the romance between Sam and Bo left me cold. Bo's hot and cold weak willed attitude did nothing for me, and it will take some major growth on his part before I see myself warming to him at all. I'm not sure what besides lust binds these two together no matter how much they profess to be in love.
November 27, 2016
The Story was good but the Ghost part was more alien kind than actual Ghost.
April 13, 2010
Again, I want to thank Ms. Ally Blue, or just "Blue" as I have become to call her as of late, for so kindly and graciously sending me another wonderful novel. After I had finished Oleander house, book one, I was so eager to continue the series. I was more adapt at liking this book more than its predecessor. I only say this because of my opinions from that book in comparison to this one (see Oleander House by Ally Blue post), seemed to have grown up. If that makes sense? Ally's characters have evolved more, as the story has, which in my opinion makes the entire book a growth as well. (I am quite sure that is a run on sentence from hell, but shoot me!)
The only thing I can complain about in this book is in the beginning there's a scene where a character asks another to come in, that has already left? Maybe I just read it the wrong way? Now to the good stuff....
Like I said the continued story flows so well, at first I felt it had a missing gap in the end of book one to book two. However I realized it must have been written that way for dramatic effect? I found myself in book one despising the heinous bitch Cecile, only to find in book two how much she has matured. It was almost as if Blue has totally ripped Cecile out and replaced her with a new person. I really did enjoy Cecile's growth and at times I even felt like I could imagine her as one of my friends. With Blue replacing Cecile's HBS (Heinous Bitch Syndrome) into Janine, you still had the one character in every book you just love to hate.
I found myself looking at the chapter seperators one night in bed, and began to laugh hysterically. I think a large part was due to sleep deprivation, but I noticed how the seperators were the numerals six and nine. Leave it up to her to add a quirk that some people would have go unnoticed. After reading quite a few of Ally's books, I found myself skimming through future chapters hungry for what happens next.
The characters she writes about are just so vivid that any reader can imagine them as family members, friends, or even strangers on the street. Also there is a more in-depth feeling(?) with more knowledge of the supernatural beings from book one that return in book two. I enjoyed the ending to What Hides Inside way more than I did with Oleander House. It felt like there were no loose ends, yet it was open to continue to book 3, even tho Sam doesn't end up with who I wished he would be. Read the book for yourself and tell me who you think he should be with.
I am anxious to further continue the Bay City Paranormal Investigator series, and see what kind of trouble the team gets into next. ....
xoxo
The only thing I can complain about in this book is in the beginning there's a scene where a character asks another to come in, that has already left? Maybe I just read it the wrong way? Now to the good stuff....
Like I said the continued story flows so well, at first I felt it had a missing gap in the end of book one to book two. However I realized it must have been written that way for dramatic effect? I found myself in book one despising the heinous bitch Cecile, only to find in book two how much she has matured. It was almost as if Blue has totally ripped Cecile out and replaced her with a new person. I really did enjoy Cecile's growth and at times I even felt like I could imagine her as one of my friends. With Blue replacing Cecile's HBS (Heinous Bitch Syndrome) into Janine, you still had the one character in every book you just love to hate.
I found myself looking at the chapter seperators one night in bed, and began to laugh hysterically. I think a large part was due to sleep deprivation, but I noticed how the seperators were the numerals six and nine. Leave it up to her to add a quirk that some people would have go unnoticed. After reading quite a few of Ally's books, I found myself skimming through future chapters hungry for what happens next.
The characters she writes about are just so vivid that any reader can imagine them as family members, friends, or even strangers on the street. Also there is a more in-depth feeling(?) with more knowledge of the supernatural beings from book one that return in book two. I enjoyed the ending to What Hides Inside way more than I did with Oleander House. It felt like there were no loose ends, yet it was open to continue to book 3, even tho Sam doesn't end up with who I wished he would be. Read the book for yourself and tell me who you think he should be with.
I am anxious to further continue the Bay City Paranormal Investigator series, and see what kind of trouble the team gets into next. ....
xoxo
Read
January 27, 2011I will be sincere and I will state up-front that, even if I liked the first book in this series, I didn’t continue with the reading sooner because that book had an impact in me that took several day to fade. There are different level of paranormal romance, from the almost funny approach, where, more or less, you are not worried for your characters since you well know that nothing of tragic will happen to them, to the deep horror, where you are not sure of anything, let alone that your duo will arrive to the end together (or complete of every essential body part).
The Bay City Paranormal Investigation series edges very much on the second level, and truth be told, also in the romance development it was not “classic”: I clearly remember at the end of the first book that I thought, well, I’m not really sure that this couple will be together in the future. Where Sam was pretty sure of his feelings, Bo played the “straight” role for most of the story, and in the end, even if he came out to Sam, he was still deep in the closet to every one else, his family included. And above all he was married and his wife was not aware of his love for Sam.
Starting book 2 things are not really changed, other than Bo has introduced the possibility of asking a divorce to his wife Janine. But he has no intention of coming out, not to his family or his co-workers. Sam is still his little dirty secret, and even if when they are alone Bo is passionate and caring; Sam starts to feel the heaviness of the relationship. Doesn’t help that another man, Dean, joins the group and he is handsome, flirting and willing to have an open relationship with Sam. Sam is drawn to Dean, not really on a physical level I think, but more to the possibility of living in the open their love, no hiding, no lies.
As the subgenre of the story is more horror than romance, also the romance itself is not following the canonical rules: while Sam loves Bo, in a way the love is not unconditionally, and in the end, he will fall into temptation. What Hides Inside is a step more into the evolution of Sam and Bo’s relationship, but it’s not again the conclusive step: Bo has only partially resolved his issues, Sam is still asking for more than what Bo is willing to concede; what has changed is that Sam tested his love for Bo, and he had the chance to ponder it in comparison to other alternatives, so now, if he is into the relationship, he is more aware and convinced of it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1599984172/?...
The Bay City Paranormal Investigation series edges very much on the second level, and truth be told, also in the romance development it was not “classic”: I clearly remember at the end of the first book that I thought, well, I’m not really sure that this couple will be together in the future. Where Sam was pretty sure of his feelings, Bo played the “straight” role for most of the story, and in the end, even if he came out to Sam, he was still deep in the closet to every one else, his family included. And above all he was married and his wife was not aware of his love for Sam.
Starting book 2 things are not really changed, other than Bo has introduced the possibility of asking a divorce to his wife Janine. But he has no intention of coming out, not to his family or his co-workers. Sam is still his little dirty secret, and even if when they are alone Bo is passionate and caring; Sam starts to feel the heaviness of the relationship. Doesn’t help that another man, Dean, joins the group and he is handsome, flirting and willing to have an open relationship with Sam. Sam is drawn to Dean, not really on a physical level I think, but more to the possibility of living in the open their love, no hiding, no lies.
As the subgenre of the story is more horror than romance, also the romance itself is not following the canonical rules: while Sam loves Bo, in a way the love is not unconditionally, and in the end, he will fall into temptation. What Hides Inside is a step more into the evolution of Sam and Bo’s relationship, but it’s not again the conclusive step: Bo has only partially resolved his issues, Sam is still asking for more than what Bo is willing to concede; what has changed is that Sam tested his love for Bo, and he had the chance to ponder it in comparison to other alternatives, so now, if he is into the relationship, he is more aware and convinced of it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1599984172/?...
May 3, 2010
I find myself in the same struggle with the 2nd Bay City Paranormal Investigations that I did with the first: while I find Blue's writing interesting, entertaining and engrossing, I cannot stand half of her romantic pairing. I cannot stand Bo. I think he's selfish, self-serving and really unsympathetic. And while I really like Sam and feel for him, I mostly want him to get a backbone and find someone who will treat him better. So, it's a dilemma as the romance is a big part of the books.
I also don't like it much when an author writes the wife as an evil, vindictive, horrible person just to make it more palatable that her protagonist is or has moved on to a new relationship. I'm not saying it can't be a realistic characterization, but it does feel like one that's all too common and is more there to serve the plot (by making it a good thing that the protag is getting out of the relationship) than based on characterization. This seems especially true here because we have no real view on Bo's wife; she's not functionally present for the entire book.
All that being said, I did really enjoy What Hides Inside. Other than Bo's wife, Janine, Blue is generally very good at fleshing out the atmosphere and the secondary characters, making her world feel very dimensional. And the issues raised in Oleander House are still present here, without being glossed over like they never happened. I'll continue to read the series, but Bo/Sam is going to be a really difficult sell.
I also don't like it much when an author writes the wife as an evil, vindictive, horrible person just to make it more palatable that her protagonist is or has moved on to a new relationship. I'm not saying it can't be a realistic characterization, but it does feel like one that's all too common and is more there to serve the plot (by making it a good thing that the protag is getting out of the relationship) than based on characterization. This seems especially true here because we have no real view on Bo's wife; she's not functionally present for the entire book.
All that being said, I did really enjoy What Hides Inside. Other than Bo's wife, Janine, Blue is generally very good at fleshing out the atmosphere and the secondary characters, making her world feel very dimensional. And the issues raised in Oleander House are still present here, without being glossed over like they never happened. I'll continue to read the series, but Bo/Sam is going to be a really difficult sell.
February 20, 2016
Again I really enjoyed this one. We get a little more in the way of the "monsters". I like the theory . I'm not sure how I feel about . Not sure what Janine's real issue is. They haven't been living like husband & wife for a very long time. You would think she would be jumping for joy that he wants a divorce. I'm sure we will get more out of that in future books, no I haven't read any of the reviews or book descriptions on the rest of the books, which is a first for me. Anyway, OMG when I scared the crap out of two of my three cats because I jumped up in bed yelling & they were asleep next to me. What a b*%#@ Janine was for what she did, or rather didn't do. Now we have and I can't wait to see what they find out. Thank you my not so secret SS for purchasing this book for me :). Off to the next one.
February 2, 2008
This is the 2nd book in Blue's "Bay City Paranormal Investigation" series and the sequel to "Oleander House". This book was much more about romance and less about investigating evil things, though.
I have to admit, though that Blue creeps me out with her creatures. It's kind of weird - when there are witches and vampires prowling the streets, hunting demons is not as creepy as when the characters live in a normal world. To actually catch a supernatural being on film, to have a scientific prove is, at least in my opinion, more shudder-worthy than when you deal with them day in, day out and consider some of them your pals.
But there is the fact that this book did concentrate more on the sexual part and the ending did feel rather anti-climatic after the scary showdown in "Oleander House".
It's good, but "Oleander House" was better.
I have to admit, though that Blue creeps me out with her creatures. It's kind of weird - when there are witches and vampires prowling the streets, hunting demons is not as creepy as when the characters live in a normal world. To actually catch a supernatural being on film, to have a scientific prove is, at least in my opinion, more shudder-worthy than when you deal with them day in, day out and consider some of them your pals.
But there is the fact that this book did concentrate more on the sexual part and the ending did feel rather anti-climatic after the scary showdown in "Oleander House".
It's good, but "Oleander House" was better.
June 1, 2011
I like these characters, I like Ally Blue's writing, I want to read the next one. But somehow I don't find the plots in this series satisfying in the sense of people being smart and problem resolutions taking the right amount of space and effort. Things are horrible, and then fixed too easily on the metaphysical front, I think. Don't take my word for it though. Bo and Sam are cute together, (even if make-out sessions in the boss's office at work don't strike me as subtle behavior for a married guy in the closet). So try it if it interests you. YMMV. (Thank-you Ivan for the acronym.)
July 31, 2010
Book two in the series finds Sam shaken by his ability to open inter-dimensional portals. Sam also discovers that he's psychic. This time the team is investigating tunnels beneath a school which is the main story. Bo is still afraid to come out which is frustrating Sam. Dean, a new hunk on the team, eases some of Sam's tension in a m/m way.
January 9, 2012
Next one in the BCPI line: another decently written book. the focus is shifting from the haunting-story to the love-story between Sam & Bo and I'm not sure I'm that happy with this development. Sam is getting whiny and Bo is doing the spineless thing... frustration is growing :)
May 5, 2020
It was better than I feared! Which... might sound kind of weird, I suppose. I had my concerns, but they were unfounded, is what I'm trying to say.
Basically, there was no outright cheating — Bo DID separate from his wife (and no, I'm not counting Sam and Dean's tryst, seeing as Sam and Bo weren't together at that point) — and there was no real love triangle, either. Mainly because Dean is literally the best. I love Dean. I get why Sam can't get together with him instead of Bo (that would defeat the whole purpose of the romance arc), but I won't lie — I like Dean a lot more than Bo at this point. But I also respect Dean's wish to not have a relationship right now. Otherwise, I would totally have told Sam to go with Dean instead.
Bo is just tricky, since, again, we don't see his side of the story and, even if Sam might love him, Bo doesn't always act in a way that endears me to him. I'm not saying I can't understand how confused and frustrated he is — he's got a lot on his plate — but yeah. He's not my favourite character, that's for sure.
As for the plot, it was more or less a repeat of the first book. There's paranormal activity, they investigate it, romance drama, more investigations, more romance drama, and, at the end, there's an attack from the weirdass monsters and someone from the team gets hurt. The only major difference was the location of the investigation and the fallout of the attack at the end.
It was a bit repetitive, basically. Not bad, but not very exciting, either. I'm going to continue the series, though, since I already have it and I kinda DO wanna know more about the monsters. I just hope the plot gets a little more variety as well.
Basically, there was no outright cheating — Bo DID separate from his wife (and no, I'm not counting Sam and Dean's tryst, seeing as Sam and Bo weren't together at that point) — and there was no real love triangle, either. Mainly because Dean is literally the best. I love Dean. I get why Sam can't get together with him instead of Bo (that would defeat the whole purpose of the romance arc), but I won't lie — I like Dean a lot more than Bo at this point. But I also respect Dean's wish to not have a relationship right now. Otherwise, I would totally have told Sam to go with Dean instead.
Bo is just tricky, since, again, we don't see his side of the story and, even if Sam might love him, Bo doesn't always act in a way that endears me to him. I'm not saying I can't understand how confused and frustrated he is — he's got a lot on his plate — but yeah. He's not my favourite character, that's for sure.
As for the plot, it was more or less a repeat of the first book. There's paranormal activity, they investigate it, romance drama, more investigations, more romance drama, and, at the end, there's an attack from the weirdass monsters and someone from the team gets hurt. The only major difference was the location of the investigation and the fallout of the attack at the end.
It was a bit repetitive, basically. Not bad, but not very exciting, either. I'm going to continue the series, though, since I already have it and I kinda DO wanna know more about the monsters. I just hope the plot gets a little more variety as well.
September 15, 2017
Three month after the traumatic events at Oleander House, Sam Raintree and Bo Broussard are at an impasse. Bo has left his wife, but he insists on keeping their relationship secret from everybody, even their friends. Besides, Bo is so deeply closeted that Sam feels like he’s back at stealing kisses at school. With his frustration increasing, and the arrival of Dean, a new job mate who is bisexual and pursuits Sam openly, Sam feels he’s reaching his limit. Besides, he has to deal with being able to sense and open the portals, and feeling responsible for what happened at Oleander house. When a new investigation draws them near to a very dangerous portal, Sam has to decide if he lets his lover go or fights, not only for his love, but also for Bo’s life
This is undoubtedly a great series for those who like to mix romance and horror. The mystery is really intriguing, and the relationship between the characters continues evolving while they fight to find a way to close the dangerous portal opened in a High School. Dean is an excellent addition to the series, a very open and likeable character with lightens the mood at Bay City Paranormal Investigations.
I think one of the things that make this series really appealing is the very successful mix of suspense and romance. Both elements well-balanced, and the resulting story is both sweet and intriguing. I’ll certainly continue reading the series….
Very recommendable
This is undoubtedly a great series for those who like to mix romance and horror. The mystery is really intriguing, and the relationship between the characters continues evolving while they fight to find a way to close the dangerous portal opened in a High School. Dean is an excellent addition to the series, a very open and likeable character with lightens the mood at Bay City Paranormal Investigations.
I think one of the things that make this series really appealing is the very successful mix of suspense and romance. Both elements well-balanced, and the resulting story is both sweet and intriguing. I’ll certainly continue reading the series….
Very recommendable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2019
I read this book in two "sessions". Originally read over 80% of it and for some reason forgot about it for a year. I ended up restarting it this month and finally finished it.
I think that what bugged me the first time was the worry of a romantic triangle (I hate those) but that quickly got resolved, so everything went great with the re reading :D
I tend to read quickly over sex scenes so I can't tell, but I do like the characters, even the secondary characters, and the info about the investigation itself are super interesting.
I think that what bugged me the first time was the worry of a romantic triangle (I hate those) but that quickly got resolved, so everything went great with the re reading :D
I tend to read quickly over sex scenes so I can't tell, but I do like the characters, even the secondary characters, and the info about the investigation itself are super interesting.
November 2, 2017
Great story, the only thing I would change is the dirty talk. It's so cliché and not-even-funny that kind of brings the quality down.
January 1, 2021
I had a lot of fun reading this.
December 28, 2013
Okay, I first read OLEANDER HOUSE about two years ago. I knew that it was the first in a series, but I just never went on to the others when I was done. I'm not sure if it was because I wasn't so invested in the characters or because it seemed harder to find the rest in print form than it was to find in digital format. It was probably more the latter. But hey, I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas this year, so one of the first books I decided to pick up was book number 2 in the BAY CITY PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS series, which is WHAT HIDES INSIDE. And since I'm fighting a pretty nasty bug at the moment, I've been given opportunity to take it for a test drive. WHAT HIDES INSIDE was the first book I read on my Kindle. And it was really the perfect book for a day of being confined to bed. That may not sound like a compliment, but it is.
So it picks up shortly where OLEANDER HOUSE left off. Sam Raintree is still working for Bay City Paranormal, which is still reeling after the death of Amy during their Oleander House investigation, after opening an inter-dimensional portal brought forth a creature that mauled her to death. While Sam still loves his job, the problem is that he still loves his boss, Dr. Bo Brouchard. Even though Bo is now seriously looking to divorce his harpy of a wife, he's still very firmly in the closet. Outside of a few covert sessions of heavy petting here and there, their relationship isn't defined. Soon, however, Dean is hired on the team. He is an out and proud bisexual, whose charm and kindness is hard to resist. Oh, and there's also the fact that at a local high school kids are disappearing, and there might be another inter-dimensional portal involved. Will Sam and Bo work their relationship out? Will the portal end up just like Oleander House?
Okay, so let's be honest here, the reason I read these books isn't for the riveting plot, it's definitely for the smut. And while there was no lack of smut in this one (in fact I think that there was even more smut in this one than OLEANDER HOUSE), I was still not as into it as I was the first one. For a couple of reasons. First, Bo needs to get over himself. I never did care for the 'I'm so scared of being gay' trope, and while this character certainly has reason to be worried (evil ex-wife who could take his kids away), the way that he tries to have his cake and eat it too with Sam is just maddening. Also, Sam's complete devotion to this waffler of a man was frustrating for me. Have some self respect, man! I was most certainly rooting more for Dean to end up with Sam for good, even though I knew there was no way that was going to happen. Though I will say that the Sam and Dean scene was very satisfying nonetheless. I think that my biggest quibble, however, is that the resolution was very convenient. Bo's dying! No, he's not, he miraculously recovers because the biology of an inter-dimensional beast just happened to be on our side this time. And hey, remember the portal in the high school? It closes up for no real reason. Look, I know I said that I read it for porn purposes and not plot, but sheesh, even I am only willing to let it slide so far.
Those quibbles aside, I will probably keep going in the series, because Ally Blue does write some pretty hot scenes. And the side characters are all very likeable, even if I want to shake Sam and Bo over and over again. But wanting to shake them aside, I'm pretty much invested in them now.
So it picks up shortly where OLEANDER HOUSE left off. Sam Raintree is still working for Bay City Paranormal, which is still reeling after the death of Amy during their Oleander House investigation, after opening an inter-dimensional portal brought forth a creature that mauled her to death. While Sam still loves his job, the problem is that he still loves his boss, Dr. Bo Brouchard. Even though Bo is now seriously looking to divorce his harpy of a wife, he's still very firmly in the closet. Outside of a few covert sessions of heavy petting here and there, their relationship isn't defined. Soon, however, Dean is hired on the team. He is an out and proud bisexual, whose charm and kindness is hard to resist. Oh, and there's also the fact that at a local high school kids are disappearing, and there might be another inter-dimensional portal involved. Will Sam and Bo work their relationship out? Will the portal end up just like Oleander House?
Okay, so let's be honest here, the reason I read these books isn't for the riveting plot, it's definitely for the smut. And while there was no lack of smut in this one (in fact I think that there was even more smut in this one than OLEANDER HOUSE), I was still not as into it as I was the first one. For a couple of reasons. First, Bo needs to get over himself. I never did care for the 'I'm so scared of being gay' trope, and while this character certainly has reason to be worried (evil ex-wife who could take his kids away), the way that he tries to have his cake and eat it too with Sam is just maddening. Also, Sam's complete devotion to this waffler of a man was frustrating for me. Have some self respect, man! I was most certainly rooting more for Dean to end up with Sam for good, even though I knew there was no way that was going to happen. Though I will say that the Sam and Dean scene was very satisfying nonetheless. I think that my biggest quibble, however, is that the resolution was very convenient. Bo's dying! No, he's not, he miraculously recovers because the biology of an inter-dimensional beast just happened to be on our side this time. And hey, remember the portal in the high school? It closes up for no real reason. Look, I know I said that I read it for porn purposes and not plot, but sheesh, even I am only willing to let it slide so far.
Those quibbles aside, I will probably keep going in the series, because Ally Blue does write some pretty hot scenes. And the side characters are all very likeable, even if I want to shake Sam and Bo over and over again. But wanting to shake them aside, I'm pretty much invested in them now.
October 16, 2012
Relationship more fun to read about in this than in the first book
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The relationship picks up in intensity from the first volume to this second one. Not only are the characters more attracted to each other physically, but they’re also more passionately (or passive-aggressively, anyway) at each other’s throats when they disagree.
- There is sex in this volume (as opposed to the first volume, which doesn’t go beyond kissing), and as I hoped it would be, it’s incredibly sweet and passionate because the buildup to the relationship’s physical aspect is so slow and gradual. (It won’t seem as slow if you read this volume without reading Oleander House first.)
- The secondary characters are more fleshed out in this volume than the first, and I like especially the newest member of the investigative team. I wanted to smack him at the beginning of the book, but he endears himself throughout the rest of the story so that toward the end, I found myself wishing that Blue would write in a romance for him in one of the later volumes.
CONS:
- Not as eerie as the first book. Admittedly, I don’t go for thrillers and/or horrors all that often, but the first volume seemed to set a precedent of creepiness that this book doesn’t live up to. Put it this way: I got a little wigged out at one point reading Oleander House and had to stop reading it when it got too shadowy in my house, but I didn’t encounter that problem with this volume.
- The big, climactic, facing-the-evil-interdimensional-creatures scene ends a bit quickly (it lasts for about 2 pages, at the end of which I sort of stared at the page with a puzzled expression and thought, “That’s it?”), but to be fair, there is some dramatic fallout from that scene that takes up a good chunk of the story’s conclusion, so overall I didn’t feel all that cheated by the ending.
Overall comments: This book is quite enjoyable, as was the first volume, and this second one has a little bit of everything: an intriguing plot, likeable characters, sex, romance, and some good old-fashioned angst.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The relationship picks up in intensity from the first volume to this second one. Not only are the characters more attracted to each other physically, but they’re also more passionately (or passive-aggressively, anyway) at each other’s throats when they disagree.
- There is sex in this volume (as opposed to the first volume, which doesn’t go beyond kissing), and as I hoped it would be, it’s incredibly sweet and passionate because the buildup to the relationship’s physical aspect is so slow and gradual. (It won’t seem as slow if you read this volume without reading Oleander House first.)
- The secondary characters are more fleshed out in this volume than the first, and I like especially the newest member of the investigative team. I wanted to smack him at the beginning of the book, but he endears himself throughout the rest of the story so that toward the end, I found myself wishing that Blue would write in a romance for him in one of the later volumes.
CONS:
- Not as eerie as the first book. Admittedly, I don’t go for thrillers and/or horrors all that often, but the first volume seemed to set a precedent of creepiness that this book doesn’t live up to. Put it this way: I got a little wigged out at one point reading Oleander House and had to stop reading it when it got too shadowy in my house, but I didn’t encounter that problem with this volume.
- The big, climactic, facing-the-evil-interdimensional-creatures scene ends a bit quickly (it lasts for about 2 pages, at the end of which I sort of stared at the page with a puzzled expression and thought, “That’s it?”), but to be fair, there is some dramatic fallout from that scene that takes up a good chunk of the story’s conclusion, so overall I didn’t feel all that cheated by the ending.
Overall comments: This book is quite enjoyable, as was the first volume, and this second one has a little bit of everything: an intriguing plot, likeable characters, sex, romance, and some good old-fashioned angst.
September 27, 2022
My Review: I admit I enjoy reading angst, so when I read the blurb for this book, I anticipated a book I could enjoy, and I wasn't disappointed. The push and pull between the main characters in this second Bay City Paranormal series was very well depicted. Ms. Blue's men might be a trifle more in touch with their feelings than the average guy I know, but it's across the board. Even the straight guys are not just emotionally engaging, but willing to talk about their feelings. Odd, but refreshing.
The mystery was interesting, and the action, near the end, perhaps a little rushed, but it's what happens after the action that matters. Getting deep into Sam's head and heart was gut wrenching. I can only imagine it must have been draining to write the sequence of events that finally settled things between Sam and Bo.
Also, good on Ms. Blue for not backing away from the messier bits of human behavior. Sam turns out to be human after all, making mistakes, having regrets, and coming clean, being honest, and seeking forgiveness. And Bo, well, stubborn and fearful Bo could have gotten annoying, but his fretting and hesitancy is nicely balanced by his tenderness and his strength and the care he shows for his team.
No doubt about it, these books are about the characters. The mysteries and the paranormal elements are a nice back drop, but the strong characters, not just the main characters, but all of them, really carry this book, even more than the first one. I had a hard time putting it down.
My Recommendation: If you're looking for characters to fall in love with, men who aren't afraid of their inner demons, or their feelings, this is a great read.
The mystery was interesting, and the action, near the end, perhaps a little rushed, but it's what happens after the action that matters. Getting deep into Sam's head and heart was gut wrenching. I can only imagine it must have been draining to write the sequence of events that finally settled things between Sam and Bo.
Also, good on Ms. Blue for not backing away from the messier bits of human behavior. Sam turns out to be human after all, making mistakes, having regrets, and coming clean, being honest, and seeking forgiveness. And Bo, well, stubborn and fearful Bo could have gotten annoying, but his fretting and hesitancy is nicely balanced by his tenderness and his strength and the care he shows for his team.
No doubt about it, these books are about the characters. The mysteries and the paranormal elements are a nice back drop, but the strong characters, not just the main characters, but all of them, really carry this book, even more than the first one. I had a hard time putting it down.
My Recommendation: If you're looking for characters to fall in love with, men who aren't afraid of their inner demons, or their feelings, this is a great read.
April 24, 2015
A gay romance set against the background of a paranormal investigation case between bouts of rather nice gay sex. To be honest, the sex worked better for me than the plot. If you're a fan of Supernatural you might enjoy it- there's even a Sam & Dean to deepen the connection- but the novel failed to grab me. I was annoyed by frequent references to an earlier book I hadn't read (there's a sequel, too). A novel should stand alone even if part of a series, so as not to deter the casual reader, while continuing plot arcs, character development, etc.
Main characters Sam & Bo just didn't convince me as real men and as a result I didn't find them interesting enough to care much what happened to them. I quickly became bored and raced through without paying much attention to details. There are no surprises and the horror elements didn't scare or disturb me. Closet case Bo takes to man-sex with alacrity, and that's fine. Lots of feelings and manly emotion on display, with the firm message casual sex is fine & dandy but much better within a committed relationship, which is good. Yet the story lacked proper substance for my taste, though there's conflict and danger to overcome: a bitchy, vindictive soon-to-be ex-wife causes trouble, and nasty monsters from another dimension appear to snatch away unsuspecting victims. Pretty standard stuff.
I won't be bothering with the other books in the series. Then I've become really picky when it comes to m/m.
Main characters Sam & Bo just didn't convince me as real men and as a result I didn't find them interesting enough to care much what happened to them. I quickly became bored and raced through without paying much attention to details. There are no surprises and the horror elements didn't scare or disturb me. Closet case Bo takes to man-sex with alacrity, and that's fine. Lots of feelings and manly emotion on display, with the firm message casual sex is fine & dandy but much better within a committed relationship, which is good. Yet the story lacked proper substance for my taste, though there's conflict and danger to overcome: a bitchy, vindictive soon-to-be ex-wife causes trouble, and nasty monsters from another dimension appear to snatch away unsuspecting victims. Pretty standard stuff.
I won't be bothering with the other books in the series. Then I've become really picky when it comes to m/m.
May 29, 2011
3.5 stars.
Even if I still have little patience with both Bo and Sam, I enjoyed this second book of the series a little bit more.
The paranormal part is very interesting. I liked the story of the high school built on an abandoned monastery. I also think the concept of the portals and of Sam's powers is becoming clearer and it's adding a purpose to the story. However I don't think there was enough of this element in this installment. Unlike the first book, the investigation wasn't as prominent and it seemed as if the author couldn't wait to get to the romance part.
The romance. Mmmmh, ok, I've already told that both Bo and Sam were annoying. Bo is still fighting to come out, but at least he is not denying he is gay. Sam is less pushy, but I don't like when he apologizes for telling what I think is right, for expressing to Bo his legitimate doubts about their relationship. I can't see their chemistry, I totally can't see their love! I was happy when Dean entered the story, because Dean is blunt and almost uncomplicated. I think he is the more mature character and I loved him for his sincerity. I almost hoped there would be more Dean and Sam's time, because I felt they fit much better together.
At the end of the first book I wasn't sure I would continue to read this series, but I enjoyed this one, so I'll be reading the third.
Even if I still have little patience with both Bo and Sam, I enjoyed this second book of the series a little bit more.
The paranormal part is very interesting. I liked the story of the high school built on an abandoned monastery. I also think the concept of the portals and of Sam's powers is becoming clearer and it's adding a purpose to the story. However I don't think there was enough of this element in this installment. Unlike the first book, the investigation wasn't as prominent and it seemed as if the author couldn't wait to get to the romance part.
The romance. Mmmmh, ok, I've already told that both Bo and Sam were annoying. Bo is still fighting to come out, but at least he is not denying he is gay. Sam is less pushy, but I don't like when he apologizes for telling what I think is right, for expressing to Bo his legitimate doubts about their relationship. I can't see their chemistry, I totally can't see their love! I was happy when Dean entered the story, because Dean is blunt and almost uncomplicated. I think he is the more mature character and I loved him for his sincerity. I almost hoped there would be more Dean and Sam's time, because I felt they fit much better together.
At the end of the first book I wasn't sure I would continue to read this series, but I enjoyed this one, so I'll be reading the third.
June 23, 2010
What Hides Inside: A Bay City Paranormal Investigation by Ally Blue – Book Two in the series, which I have to admit is as far as I’ve gotten. Book One, Oleander House, was one of the ten to twelve gay-romance books I read before deciding whether or not to submit my own manuscripts to one of the many publishers of that new-fangled, e-book thingy I’d discovered while surfing Amazon back in the fall of 2008. (You can stop pointing your finger and mocking already – it was new to me!) I loved the first book, but What Hides Inside totally blew it out of the water. Blue brilliantly set up these characters amid a Ghost Hunter-esque backdrop; the married but unhappy closeted gay man and the out of the closet hopeless romantic are the perfect pairing to be the anchor of this long running series. And bringing in the new hottie bi-guy character in the second book was wicked smart. I was completely wigged out thinking, No! She! Didn’t! I know a series is good when I have to force myself to NOT read the next book, despite really, really wanting to! I hate tough-loving myself, but I’d never get any of my own writing done otherwise.
From my post, The Inside Reader on Elisa Rolle's Reviews & Ramblings -
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/98440
From my post, The Inside Reader on Elisa Rolle's Reviews & Ramblings -
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/98440
December 24, 2011
***Disclaimer - There are total of seven books in this series and I have read them all in the span of two to three days. So what will follow is a short but straight to point reviews of all the books****
Needless to say, this book picks up where the last one left.
I liked the way the author treated these characters - she gave them space, depth and enough time that the readers would be invested in them. Oh boy, what a ride this was! You know you have read a good book when you can see the balance in everything and every character. I liked the way the paranormal and the human interactions were balanced.
Bo's dilemma seemed so genuine that I didn't blame him when he didn't come our blazing out of the closet. In the same breath, I was also convinced about Sam's concerns - he was out of the closet but was it worth going back in for his lover?? Dean was such a breath of fresh air! I loved that boy! I found that even though there was lot of angst, it was all justified. Even Dean's role in Sam and Bo's relationship was a very pleasant interference. It made Bo realize that he CANNOT live without Sam.
I don't have ANY complaints in this story - even though Bo behaved like a jackass and Sam pouted like a jilted girl. :)
Needless to say, this book picks up where the last one left.
I liked the way the author treated these characters - she gave them space, depth and enough time that the readers would be invested in them. Oh boy, what a ride this was! You know you have read a good book when you can see the balance in everything and every character. I liked the way the paranormal and the human interactions were balanced.
Bo's dilemma seemed so genuine that I didn't blame him when he didn't come our blazing out of the closet. In the same breath, I was also convinced about Sam's concerns - he was out of the closet but was it worth going back in for his lover?? Dean was such a breath of fresh air! I loved that boy! I found that even though there was lot of angst, it was all justified. Even Dean's role in Sam and Bo's relationship was a very pleasant interference. It made Bo realize that he CANNOT live without Sam.
I don't have ANY complaints in this story - even though Bo behaved like a jackass and Sam pouted like a jilted girl. :)
May 17, 2013
Bo:
Sam:
Dean:
Sam:
Dean:
February 7, 2011
As I've come to expect from these books, it's about 30% supernatural "mystery" if you can call it that, and the rest is the man angst and man sex-ing. It's not really a mystery if they walk in either knowing or 80% sure that there's an inter-dimensional portal (no seriously, that's what they call it).
In a nice departure from the formula, our hero, Sam, gets a little loving early on in the book. Maybe Ally Blue's editors told her she had to make up for the "it was all a dream" sex scenes of the first book, who knows. Ally B delivers the sexy times.
The man sexing is hot, and an easier read that the angst, because it at least doesn't jar me out of the story or make me think, as I do with female romance protagonists, that I would never act in such a hare brained fashion, I don't care how sexy the object of my affections and lust happens to be.
And yet, I'm still reading... I'm on book 4 now.
In a nice departure from the formula, our hero, Sam, gets a little loving early on in the book. Maybe Ally Blue's editors told her she had to make up for the "it was all a dream" sex scenes of the first book, who knows. Ally B delivers the sexy times.
The man sexing is hot, and an easier read that the angst, because it at least doesn't jar me out of the story or make me think, as I do with female romance protagonists, that I would never act in such a hare brained fashion, I don't care how sexy the object of my affections and lust happens to be.
And yet, I'm still reading... I'm on book 4 now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2011
After the last investigation the dynamic in the BCPI team has changed completely. Missing a person among them they are in need to hire someone new and to get back into working together. Bo and Sam are hot and heavy but they need to hide their relationship from everyone around them. When Dean walks into the picture everything changes again. Dean is not subtle about his interest in Sam, and when Bo panics and breaks things off with Sam, Dean is who Sam turns to. Their new case involves another portal and the similarities to the case at Oleander House has everyone on edge, soon Sam discovers he's got more abilities that he knew of before...
A very good sequel! The characters, the plot, and the surrounding mysterious element builds excellently on the previous book. The relationship between Bo and the new triangle between Sam, Bo and Dean provides the story with a nerve that is capturing and exciting. I love the development and this book makes me want to keep reading the series!
A very good sequel! The characters, the plot, and the surrounding mysterious element builds excellently on the previous book. The relationship between Bo and the new triangle between Sam, Bo and Dean provides the story with a nerve that is capturing and exciting. I love the development and this book makes me want to keep reading the series!
December 11, 2015
Wie angemerkt haben die Cover von Band 1 und 2 den gleichen Stil, der sich dann nicht fortsetzt, was ich sehr schade finde.
In diesem Band haben wir nicht sehr viele romantische Aktion zwischen Bo und Sam, da Bo ständig hin und her gerissen ist, während Sam auch nicht total offen mit seiner Sexualität umgeht. Das Dean hinzukommt, und deutliches Interesse an Sam zeigt, gibt dem ganzen einen guten Kick. Er wirkt auch nicht direkt so als wäre er Mittel zum Zweck das Bo und Sam zusammen kommen, was ein starker Bonus ist.
In diesem Band hat man bei der Untersuchung des nächsten Falls eine eher gruselige Hintergrundstimmung. Das hebt für mich den Gruselfaktor doch gut an, auch wenn das Ende etwas abrupt kam. Dennoch ist auch hier wieder der Vorteil der Serie, dass sich Zeit genommen wird um die Beziehung der einzelnen Charaktere zu vertiefen.
Fazit:
Nette Romantik, netter Gruselfaktor und ich kann Dean wirklich echt gut leiden.
Daher 4 von 5 Sternen.
In diesem Band haben wir nicht sehr viele romantische Aktion zwischen Bo und Sam, da Bo ständig hin und her gerissen ist, während Sam auch nicht total offen mit seiner Sexualität umgeht. Das Dean hinzukommt, und deutliches Interesse an Sam zeigt, gibt dem ganzen einen guten Kick. Er wirkt auch nicht direkt so als wäre er Mittel zum Zweck das Bo und Sam zusammen kommen, was ein starker Bonus ist.
In diesem Band hat man bei der Untersuchung des nächsten Falls eine eher gruselige Hintergrundstimmung. Das hebt für mich den Gruselfaktor doch gut an, auch wenn das Ende etwas abrupt kam. Dennoch ist auch hier wieder der Vorteil der Serie, dass sich Zeit genommen wird um die Beziehung der einzelnen Charaktere zu vertiefen.
Fazit:
Nette Romantik, netter Gruselfaktor und ich kann Dean wirklich echt gut leiden.
Daher 4 von 5 Sternen.
November 23, 2013
I am further intrigued. I like the ghost hunter POV. It reminds me a lot of the anime/manga, Ghost Hunt. I usually read urban fantasy and fantasy novels; so, having a world that is devoid of most of it is interesting. This group lives in an otherwise normal world that have normal everyday problems, but they investigates extraordinary phenomena and stumble upon interdimensional gates to a seemingly demon world. I honestly am not sure of why it is intriguing but it is. It is probably for the same reason that I really liked Ghost Hunt.
Also, I really like Sam and Bo's slow building relationship. It was realistic and sometimes painful to read. I'm looking forward to the next story.
Also, I really like Sam and Bo's slow building relationship. It was realistic and sometimes painful to read. I'm looking forward to the next story.
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