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Brimstone #5
Beside a Black Tarn
Brimstone Series: Book Four
Preceded By: Shax's War
When Shax stumbles across rumors of an experimental house that responds to the occupant’s brain functions, creating scenarios to please and delight, naturally he wants to steal it. But with the return of a troubled and hunted Julian Parallax and an overabundance of Poe references, even Shax’s scheming may not be enough to get the Brimstone crew out alive this time.
Novella: 36,523
THE BRIMSTONE SERIES
Potato Surprise: A Brimstone Prequel
Hell for the Company
Fear of Frogs
Shax's War
Beside a Black Tarn
Preceded By: Shax's War
When Shax stumbles across rumors of an experimental house that responds to the occupant’s brain functions, creating scenarios to please and delight, naturally he wants to steal it. But with the return of a troubled and hunted Julian Parallax and an overabundance of Poe references, even Shax’s scheming may not be enough to get the Brimstone crew out alive this time.
Novella: 36,523
THE BRIMSTONE SERIES
Potato Surprise: A Brimstone Prequel
Hell for the Company
Fear of Frogs
Shax's War
Beside a Black Tarn
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2016
11 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Angel Martinez
96 books679 followersAngel Martinez currently lives part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware and full time inside her head. She has one husband, one son, two cats, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate.
Angel's alter ego writes the all-ages science fiction - Sandra Stixrude.
Angel's alter ego writes the all-ages science fiction - Sandra Stixrude.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 30, 2019
**3.5 Shax is an asshole stars**
Oh man...I have been loving this series. This band of misfits can get into some serious trouble but they always come out on top. Heckle was really the star of this one. I was glad to see Mac give him some sweet loving he deserved and for him to find his place and come into his own. I'm looking forward to more of those two.
But, I gotta say, I am not a fan of Shax's behavior with Julian and how he treated Ness. I am particularly picky. I know I can be, but the way Shax acted with Julian, kind of ruined it for me. And now Julian will be part of the crew. I am hoping this isn't going to be an issue later. If it is, I will be done with this series as much as I hate it. But we shall see. Hopefully it will all work out.
Oh man...I have been loving this series. This band of misfits can get into some serious trouble but they always come out on top. Heckle was really the star of this one. I was glad to see Mac give him some sweet loving he deserved and for him to find his place and come into his own. I'm looking forward to more of those two.
But, I gotta say, I am not a fan of Shax's behavior with Julian and how he treated Ness. I am particularly picky. I know I can be, but the way Shax acted with Julian, kind of ruined it for me. And now Julian will be part of the crew. I am hoping this isn't going to be an issue later. If it is, I will be done with this series as much as I hate it. But we shall see. Hopefully it will all work out.
April 14, 2019
What a crazy ride!!!
Each book in this series got wilder and wilder! I can only hope that there is a Brimstone 5 in the making at some future time!!!
This one has the ever-expanding crew of the Brimstone stopping for supplies and some fun on a planet. At the ballet, Shax meets an old friend who brings Ness’ jealousy to the surface. Talk about ruffling feathers!!
Who is this mysterious Julian? Why is Shax soooooo friendly with him? You will, I promise, want to strangle and punch Shax—i surely did!! Demons!
Although we get the POV of every character from the ship, the main focus is on Mac and our sweet imp, Heckles. They’ve got stuff brewing, but each is holding back. Don’t worry, they get their HFN, as does the rest of the crew.
However, their stories feel less than finished and these novellas only whet my appetite for more of the Brimstone crew and a bunch of galactic baddies who seem to have it out for them.
I simply adore this so very funny and crazy series!!
Each book in this series got wilder and wilder! I can only hope that there is a Brimstone 5 in the making at some future time!!!
This one has the ever-expanding crew of the Brimstone stopping for supplies and some fun on a planet. At the ballet, Shax meets an old friend who brings Ness’ jealousy to the surface. Talk about ruffling feathers!!
Who is this mysterious Julian? Why is Shax soooooo friendly with him? You will, I promise, want to strangle and punch Shax—i surely did!! Demons!
Although we get the POV of every character from the ship, the main focus is on Mac and our sweet imp, Heckles. They’ve got stuff brewing, but each is holding back. Don’t worry, they get their HFN, as does the rest of the crew.
However, their stories feel less than finished and these novellas only whet my appetite for more of the Brimstone crew and a bunch of galactic baddies who seem to have it out for them.
I simply adore this so very funny and crazy series!!
March 5, 2016
There will be more! =)
4.5 stars.
Despite an "it was dark and stormy night" opening which surprised a wtf moment out of me, yet amused Shax, the book is just as good as the previous ones.
A new character is introduced to motley crew of Brimstone: Maximilian (my favorite name!), a brave tiny bugger (quite literally) and a singer. He savesanother stormy night the day and all of Brimstone crew with Heck's help. AND, I hope I am not mistaken here, becomes Leopold's partner and Shax's son-in-law. Tho for the life of me I can't figure out how things can work between a hedgehog and a millipede @.@
This installment is an opening to many more grand and not so grand, but, I am sure, just as humorous adventures. Do not miss it :D
4.5 stars.
Despite an "it was dark and stormy night" opening which surprised a wtf moment out of me, yet amused Shax, the book is just as good as the previous ones.
A new character is introduced to motley crew of Brimstone: Maximilian (my favorite name!), a brave tiny bugger (quite literally) and a singer. He saves
This installment is an opening to many more grand and not so grand, but, I am sure, just as humorous adventures. Do not miss it :D
November 27, 2024
4⭐
When I restarted this series after only having read the second book years ago (at first it was the first book but another book slotted into the 1st place sneakily at some point) I did wonder why are we getting this story of Julian, who is not Ness. And now I see why.
This is good stuff, this world is so imaginative and funny (with some surprisingly dark sides to it). Shax is being a bit of an idiot here but he's just Shax, I was much more worried about this beforehand (having read some comments).
When I restarted this series after only having read the second book years ago (at first it was the first book but another book slotted into the 1st place sneakily at some point) I did wonder why are we getting this story of Julian, who is not Ness. And now I see why.
This is good stuff, this world is so imaginative and funny (with some surprisingly dark sides to it). Shax is being a bit of an idiot here but he's just Shax, I was much more worried about this beforehand (having read some comments).
July 6, 2018
Rating: 4 stars
Another good installment in the Brimstone series. I really love all the characters in this series and I’m glad that we got to see the story through each of their perspectives. This was a really good book that I felt was a bit too short and I really hope the author writes more in the series.
Another good installment in the Brimstone series. I really love all the characters in this series and I’m glad that we got to see the story through each of their perspectives. This was a really good book that I felt was a bit too short and I really hope the author writes more in the series.
July 27, 2019
Mac came up with the best game for Heckle with that "what color does this touch make you see" -- melted my little heart all to goo! I need more of this crew...
February 13, 2016
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. The review was written for and originally posted at www.lovebytesreviews.com.
These books are just so much fun….. This is the latest installment of the fantastically creative Brimstone series, following the trials and tribulations of Shax, the demon captain of a space ship called Brimstone. Shax, along with his fallen angel lover Ness, fellow demon Verin, Verin’s human lover Corny, and their latest crew members, Mac, Leopold, and Heckle, traipse around space working as pirates. We have seen them through stories involving floating cows, frogs, bugs, and now a mystery house. First it was just Shax and Verin, we watched as they found their lovers, then accumulated the other members of their crew. Leopold the giant pink hedgehog appeared as a byproduct of Ness’s imagination and some DNA, Mac and Heckle were rescued during the last book. We also have the return of the mysterious Julian, from the Brimstone prequel.
So, this story contains two mystery houses, a confused wizard, ballet, Edgar Allen Poe, a pink millipede, and some emotional torture. Heckle is really the star of this one though, he is a little lost imp, Shax offered him a job at the end of the last book, but Heckle wasn’t sure he had much to offer the captain. Turns out in this story he really does! He gets a little loving from a certain big mechanic, and maybe some confidence in his own abilities. Julian pops up to cause trouble between Shax and Ness, and cause some drama for the whole team. Leopold the hedgehog also comes in to his own a bit, especially with the help of his new pet.
It’s a bizarre story, makes no sense when I try to explain it, or really as I was reading it! But you have to follow along through the twists and turns of Angel’s mind, and by the end it all fits together! This is part of a series, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t make sense if you haven’t read the other books first. I did start to read this one, realize I didn’t remember enough of the last one to know who Heckle and Mac were, read it first then went straight in to this one. That was a great plan! I also recently listened to the first in the series as it was released in audio not too long ago. It was fun to revisit the Brimstone boys, and makes me want to read the other couple again. This is just a fun series of books, they are short, with quick creative plots, cool characters, occasional bits of drama and angst, a little sex, and fantastic writing. Angel Martinez is my go to girl for sci-fi and urban fantasy books, I absolutely love her books!
These books are just so much fun….. This is the latest installment of the fantastically creative Brimstone series, following the trials and tribulations of Shax, the demon captain of a space ship called Brimstone. Shax, along with his fallen angel lover Ness, fellow demon Verin, Verin’s human lover Corny, and their latest crew members, Mac, Leopold, and Heckle, traipse around space working as pirates. We have seen them through stories involving floating cows, frogs, bugs, and now a mystery house. First it was just Shax and Verin, we watched as they found their lovers, then accumulated the other members of their crew. Leopold the giant pink hedgehog appeared as a byproduct of Ness’s imagination and some DNA, Mac and Heckle were rescued during the last book. We also have the return of the mysterious Julian, from the Brimstone prequel.
So, this story contains two mystery houses, a confused wizard, ballet, Edgar Allen Poe, a pink millipede, and some emotional torture. Heckle is really the star of this one though, he is a little lost imp, Shax offered him a job at the end of the last book, but Heckle wasn’t sure he had much to offer the captain. Turns out in this story he really does! He gets a little loving from a certain big mechanic, and maybe some confidence in his own abilities. Julian pops up to cause trouble between Shax and Ness, and cause some drama for the whole team. Leopold the hedgehog also comes in to his own a bit, especially with the help of his new pet.
It’s a bizarre story, makes no sense when I try to explain it, or really as I was reading it! But you have to follow along through the twists and turns of Angel’s mind, and by the end it all fits together! This is part of a series, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t make sense if you haven’t read the other books first. I did start to read this one, realize I didn’t remember enough of the last one to know who Heckle and Mac were, read it first then went straight in to this one. That was a great plan! I also recently listened to the first in the series as it was released in audio not too long ago. It was fun to revisit the Brimstone boys, and makes me want to read the other couple again. This is just a fun series of books, they are short, with quick creative plots, cool characters, occasional bits of drama and angst, a little sex, and fantastic writing. Angel Martinez is my go to girl for sci-fi and urban fantasy books, I absolutely love her books!
September 19, 2018
Wow
4.5 stars - another great romp with the crew of the Brimstone! I felt bad for everyone’s nightmares, but Ness’s made me want to cry. This series is definitely open to more stories.
4.5 stars - another great romp with the crew of the Brimstone! I felt bad for everyone’s nightmares, but Ness’s made me want to cry. This series is definitely open to more stories.
July 9, 2016
Yep, more rollicking fun!
December 5, 2024
4.25 stars. Very fun space cowboy sci-fi fantasy story with demons, angles, assassins, lawless planets, spaceships, lovers, found family and a drag queen AI ship computer. Seven book series filled with fun circumstances, silly situations and wild solutions. Each book is 100-200 pages so very manageable and very binge-able. I read the series straight through and there was very little recap, so it’s actually a good idea to read them close together, especially after book 4 when the crew expands quickly. There are some smaller stories made into collections that I didn’t read. Book 6 refers to a past holiday party and a space rat addition to the crew that must have happened in the novellas, it left me feeling a bit left out but didn’t hinder the story overall. The novella collections are called “journals”, and their summaries on goodreads present them as something to read after the main books, not in between, which is odd if they’ve introduced a whole new character in there.
Easy to read, easy to follow along with the plots and antics. The book mostly focuses one one main couple for the first few books, but crew members pair off and we get some of their stories and bedroom scenes too, they even take over the POV for some chapters. By book 5, everyone has taken a turn giving their POV here and there. The author does a good job of letting us know whose head we’re in. Spice is mild/medium, only a few scenes but they are detailed. The low heat is offset by the huge personalities and wonderfully imagined adventures.
Space adventure, space travel, futuristic, sci-fi fantasy, demon, angel, cowboy, assassin, shenanigans, medium spice, vers, trans, thruple.
Easy to read, easy to follow along with the plots and antics. The book mostly focuses one one main couple for the first few books, but crew members pair off and we get some of their stories and bedroom scenes too, they even take over the POV for some chapters. By book 5, everyone has taken a turn giving their POV here and there. The author does a good job of letting us know whose head we’re in. Spice is mild/medium, only a few scenes but they are detailed. The low heat is offset by the huge personalities and wonderfully imagined adventures.
Space adventure, space travel, futuristic, sci-fi fantasy, demon, angel, cowboy, assassin, shenanigans, medium spice, vers, trans, thruple.
February 1, 2018
I've really been enjoying this series. It isn't perfect, but it's exactly what I wanted to read right now. I think I used this comparison about another of this author's books, but it reminds me a lot of Futurama, in style. It has more emotional depth, but about the same amount of over-the-top silliness.
This book focuses a lot on Heckle, the imp who was introduced in book three. He's a lovable character and I enjoyed reading his point of view.
Just like most of my favorite sci-fi comedies, though, this series crosses the lines of good taste sometimes, in my opinion. In this book,
Now that I'm all caught up, I'm going to read all of the many free shorts on the author's website. I'm so glad I discovered this series.
This book focuses a lot on Heckle, the imp who was introduced in book three. He's a lovable character and I enjoyed reading his point of view.
Just like most of my favorite sci-fi comedies, though, this series crosses the lines of good taste sometimes, in my opinion. In this book,
Now that I'm all caught up, I'm going to read all of the many free shorts on the author's website. I'm so glad I discovered this series.
December 3, 2019
Another frolicsome adventure with the Brimstone crew!
With many nods to Mr. Poe, Shax and company decide to steal an entire abandoned house -- which is sold to him as being an experimental holo-suite designed to grant people's fantasies sort of place. In reality, as you might guess, it is most definitely something else. Shax's arrogance, whilst befitting demonic royalty, is going to get him and his crew in trouble they can't get out of someday... But Heckle and ANOTHER new crewmate get to save the day!!
Annnnnd Julian is back! Hurrah! Ness is not as happy as I am.
With many nods to Mr. Poe, Shax and company decide to steal an entire abandoned house -- which is sold to him as being an experimental holo-suite designed to grant people's fantasies sort of place. In reality, as you might guess, it is most definitely something else. Shax's arrogance, whilst befitting demonic royalty, is going to get him and his crew in trouble they can't get out of someday... But Heckle and ANOTHER new crewmate get to save the day!!
Annnnnd Julian is back! Hurrah! Ness is not as happy as I am.
October 14, 2019
This is the fifth in a series of six books. Each story is an episode in the life of the 2 space pirates. Each book adds a character or two, to this growing crew of lovers, children and pets. Add in a few aliens and a thug kingpin and you have 6 wonderful stories that will keep you interested in what’s happening next and asking, “How will they get out of this one?”
July 7, 2019
I love the bigger crew and the craziness of it all. Demons, angels, imp, nephilim, human 19th century cowboy, talking pink hedgehog complete with talking pink millipede, and who knows what additions we can expect in the future. Loved the whole series and hope there will be more books.
July 28, 2020
Another delightfully quirky adventure for the Brimstone crew. I really wish these books were longer because I always want more, all in all a short but very enjoyable installment in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2018
This was my favorite of the series. Though I was wanted to smack Shax a couple times. Grr. I loved Heckle. I hope there are more books coming. I would happily read more about this band of misfits!
January 18, 2019
Interesting series. An unusual mix of Paranormal and sci-fi...
July 1, 2022
It's always fun going back to this characters and see what adventure they are going to share with us. This is such a fun read. I loved it. I listen to the audiobook and it was such a great narration.
March 3, 2021
*** 3.5 ***
I am angry. Shax is in a relationship with Ness and the moment he seems Julian again he snuggles up with Julian and they KISS and he thinks that, it "wouldn't be right to sleep with Julian right now but maybe Ness would be up for having a little fun with a third in the future" AND he thinks that it was a PITTY that there wasn't a little making out session included when they met. As I said I AM ANGRY. This is such a NONO for me. I REALLY hope this isn't going to be a thing or I am done with this series. OMG I hate Shax so much right now. As far as I know they are in a monogamous relationship and touching and kissing someone else without speaking to the significant other BEFOREHAND if that could be a thing is a Red Flag for me.
Hackle and Mac are the only saving grace in this book and why I kept reading. The stars are ONLY for them!
I am angry. Shax is in a relationship with Ness and the moment he seems Julian again he snuggles up with Julian and they KISS and he thinks that, it "wouldn't be right to sleep with Julian right now but maybe Ness would be up for having a little fun with a third in the future" AND he thinks that it was a PITTY that there wasn't a little making out session included when they met. As I said I AM ANGRY. This is such a NONO for me. I REALLY hope this isn't going to be a thing or I am done with this series. OMG I hate Shax so much right now. As far as I know they are in a monogamous relationship and touching and kissing someone else without speaking to the significant other BEFOREHAND if that could be a thing is a Red Flag for me.
Hackle and Mac are the only saving grace in this book and why I kept reading. The stars are ONLY for them!
October 13, 2016
4.0 stars
I LOVE this series but I got seriously pissed off at Shax with Julian. They were too close, chummy, and intimate for my liking. Ness should've decked them both.
Bottom line: Loving this series!
I LOVE this series but I got seriously pissed off at Shax with Julian. They were too close, chummy, and intimate for my liking. Ness should've decked them both.
Bottom line: Loving this series!
April 27, 2016
Another fun, exciting installment in a series I love. New crew member Max was a great addition and I enjoyed getting Heckle and Mac's perspectives. Julian was an intriguing character as well. The concept behind the house was cool and scary. As always Shax and Ness were wonderful despite some rocky times.
June 29, 2016
I absolutely love the universe Angel Martinez has created. Not only are the characters likeable, but the interactions between them are great. I eagerly look forward to the next installment of this series, and I dare anyone to read them and not wait with me!
March 3, 2016
You can read my review of “Beside a Black Tarn” at my web site.
March 8, 2016
3.1 stars.
December 11, 2019
Will definitely read again - very entertaining.
July 4, 2016
Fun addition to the Brimstone series. This author's strength is the character driven storylines, and this is no exception. Plot is, ...hrmm. Characters? Oh my!
January 13, 2017
Cannot wait for the next book :)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews