Gallant Ghosts and Ghastly Gentleman: A Paranormal Mystery Novel (Lucy Westenra Book 2) by J.R. Rain and H.P. Mallory

 

So, that saying that goes: ‘when it rains, it pours’… yeah, it’s pretty much spot on. Not that I ever really had good luck, but I’m not sure how much worse my luck could get…

For the first time in a really looooong time, I’ve got a boyfriend—Dr. Henry Jekyll. And he’s everything you’d want a boyfriend to be—charming, sweet, loyal. Only problem is, I can’t be left alone with him.

Yeah, you heard that right. Ever since I agreed to becoming a full-time employee of the Holmwood Association (that apprehends monsters), I’m being kept under lock and key. If I’m allowed outside the compound, it has to be with a chaperone—all owing to the fact that I’m half-vampire.

But here’s the part where my luck takes a serious plunge… while on a date with Henry (and Simone—our chaperone), I notice a shadow lurking just outside the opera house. Thinking it’s none other than the bane of my existence—Dracula, himself—I follow it. And I nearly get killed by a collapsing parapet of bricks.

That’s when I realize this isn’t the work of Dracula, because Vlad would never kill me—not when he wants me to return to him forever (ahem, over my undead body).

Meanwhile, numerous people around Sacramento are spontaneously combusting and the finger seems to be pointing at Morfran—a demon who grants favors. Yet, when I start to investigate, I realize Morfran is involved, yes, but only in so much as he’s being targeted. Also targeted are all his clients who bear his mark… and guess who’s included in that esteemed crowd?

Yep, you guessed it.

Now, I’ve got to hurry up and figure out whodunit before I become another spontaneously combusting victim.

Le sigh.

Publication date : November 18, 2020
Print length : 251 pages
Publisher : Rain Press
ASIN : B08NWJH4JD
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Review:

I was thoroughly entertained by Gallant Ghosts and Ghastly Gentlemen. The Lucy Westenra series has shot up to the top of my favorites list. The paranormal elements, inclusion of characters from several different classic stories, mystery, and humor are a wonderful combination. I enjoyed Lucy's wit, sense of humor, and sarcasm. She may be half-vampire but she blends into the human world seamlessly. 

They mystery is fun and full of twists and turns. The characters are quirky, well-written, and some are quite complex. Other characters are in the background or we only get a brief glimpse. Hopefully, they are characters that we may see expanded on in future books.

Vlad's amorousness toward Lucy still has her see-sawing between her vampiric side wanting him and her human side detesting him and it takes an abrupt turn when memories begin to surface. Lucy has been battling against her vampire for generations, knowing that once she fully embraces her, she will go from the bounty hunter doing the hunting to being the vampire being hunted. She's clearly on team human but Vlad is a temptation threatening her ability to stay that way. Fortunately, Vlad is slowly losing his allure to Lucy (not to her inner vamp, though), as she now has a boyfriend in Henry Jeckyll.

If you're looking for a fun and fast-paced read by a wonderful pair of authors, look no further. Gallant Ghosts and Ghastly Gentlemen today!

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating: