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Keith Curry's Case Files #2
Magically Delicious
Return to the world of Irregulars! Occult attacks against NIAD agents aren’t remotely Keith Curry’s department. But when his lover, Gunther, is assaulted, Keith refuses to just sit back and fill out paperwork. He’s on the case—even if that means enraging powerful mages, crossing leprechaun picket lines, or braving dinner with Gunther’s goblin parents. Includes bonus The Most Important Meal of the Day
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 25, 2019
Not quite as strong as the first for me, but the shock of new and good I felt with the first probably has a lot to do with that!
Something is striking down NIAD agents and when Gunther is the next in line, Keith Curry is not about to sit around pining - he's on the case. And as usual he's in for a world of snarky leprechauns, snooty mages, and seriously overconfident villains.
I particularly love that the perfect, incredibly sexy and unrealistically good looking love interest is done so well in these books. It's a trope that can get pretty old, but this series has the perfect explanation for it, and in quite short stories it adds a lot of depth. The world building overall is seriously good too, two (as I mentioned) very short stories in and already I know I'll remember this particular universe very fondly.
Something is striking down NIAD agents and when Gunther is the next in line, Keith Curry is not about to sit around pining - he's on the case. And as usual he's in for a world of snarky leprechauns, snooty mages, and seriously overconfident villains.
I particularly love that the perfect, incredibly sexy and unrealistically good looking love interest is done so well in these books. It's a trope that can get pretty old, but this series has the perfect explanation for it, and in quite short stories it adds a lot of depth. The world building overall is seriously good too, two (as I mentioned) very short stories in and already I know I'll remember this particular universe very fondly.
August 19, 2019
Aww, Keith and Gunther finally moved in together. After a year, during which Gunther was still living with his parents. I guess it's awkward to date a vegetarian when you're a goblin who lives on meat and cigarettes.
I love that there is a paranormal version of the FDA, as well the more usual, glamorous "secret agency" divisions. File that licensing paperwork on time, villains! Bureaucrats are watching you!
Also, am noticing a #mycatnow theme with Kimberling. ;)
I love that there is a paranormal version of the FDA, as well the more usual, glamorous "secret agency" divisions. File that licensing paperwork on time, villains! Bureaucrats are watching you!
Also, am noticing a #mycatnow theme with Kimberling. ;)
October 26, 2017
Leprechauns, Goblins and Pixies, Oh My!
While I will admit this read had it's share of whimsy and mystical charm, it simply was not my cup of tea. I enjoyed the author's unique take on the cultural diversity inherent in a world where various magical creatures must coexist while remaining peacefully hidden from the human world. Politics, prejudices and stereotypes between the magical races added an interesting dose of realism to a story which would otherwise be akin to a children's fairy tale.
The M/M romance portion of the story was sweet with a little sexy thrown in... not nearly naughty enough for my taste. But that's more of a statement about the depravity of my mind than the quality of the story.
I recommend this book for fans of the fantasy genre who enjoy sweet, non-explicit M/M Romance. For those who seek more erotic content in their M/M Romance, this may miss the mark for you.
While I will admit this read had it's share of whimsy and mystical charm, it simply was not my cup of tea. I enjoyed the author's unique take on the cultural diversity inherent in a world where various magical creatures must coexist while remaining peacefully hidden from the human world. Politics, prejudices and stereotypes between the magical races added an interesting dose of realism to a story which would otherwise be akin to a children's fairy tale.
The M/M romance portion of the story was sweet with a little sexy thrown in... not nearly naughty enough for my taste. But that's more of a statement about the depravity of my mind than the quality of the story.
I recommend this book for fans of the fantasy genre who enjoy sweet, non-explicit M/M Romance. For those who seek more erotic content in their M/M Romance, this may miss the mark for you.
October 3, 2017
When I saw that Kimberling wrote a sequel to the story from Irregulars for another anthology, I was delighted. Magically Delicious is set a about 2 years later, when the two agents live together in Washington, working in the same NIAD branch.
This is mostly Keith’s story in which he investigates magical attack on Gunther. The story is absolutely adorable. The mystery was nice and quiet developed for such a short story. But the best thing was to see changed Keith from depressive, lonely, scared character he was in Cherries into funny, happy, almost husband material. He still feels insecure of being Gunther’s partner sometimes, but the truth is - they are perfect together. And that’s exactly what Gunther tells him in the end. The e-book includes bonus story: The Most Important Meal of the Day little cute end-of-the-world before breakfast episode set between the Cherries and Magically Delicious with great twist and charming punch line ending.
This is mostly Keith’s story in which he investigates magical attack on Gunther. The story is absolutely adorable. The mystery was nice and quiet developed for such a short story. But the best thing was to see changed Keith from depressive, lonely, scared character he was in Cherries into funny, happy, almost husband material. He still feels insecure of being Gunther’s partner sometimes, but the truth is - they are perfect together. And that’s exactly what Gunther tells him in the end. The e-book includes bonus story: The Most Important Meal of the Day little cute end-of-the-world before breakfast episode set between the Cherries and Magically Delicious with great twist and charming punch line ending.
September 27, 2016
Mmmm, what a great cover! Keith and Gunther are terrific characters, and I love these stories about them. My most fervent hope is that someday we will get a full-length novel about these two and the NIAD world.
February 11, 2025
Read this second book of Keith Curry's Case Files for Reddit Fantasy's 2024 Bingo Square Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins - Oh My! This qualifies for hard mode as one of the 2 main characters, Agent Gunther Heartman, a transmorgified goblin with goblin traits but the looks of a male super model, begins the story by going nuts in a gym.
Turns out he's not the first Agent to go crazy, he's lucky to only end up in a hospital! Instead of beating himself out and wallowing outside the waiting room, his partner and on again boyfriend Agent Keith Curry takes it upon himself to ... go around the bureaucracy who deems he is too "emotionally involved" to fairly investigate who caused his lover to get hurt.
The intrepid Keith's investigation is fraught with complications - is Gunther's cousin, a pixie accused of dealing black market pixie dust involved? What about the leprechauns striking because pixies have taken their jobs at a food and beverage factory? Is there a food and drink angle to this whole thing? Spoiler: YES as you can see from the cover picture with the gun and bottle of mysteriously smoking liquid.
I loved how the partners while being largely apart for most of this book still have what seems to be quite a real relationship. One injured, the other having angst over his partner's parents come to visit taking over their home and worse yet, an area ex-Chef Keith considers his territory.
Well, Mama knows best? Soon we have the usual embarrassing childhood stories and revelations abound, just the normal in law stuff. It felt genuine, and heartfelt, showing us that a gay trans species relationship has similar struggles as any relationship when wider family is involved.
The world building again is top notch, but this time it's accompanied with many humorous takes since Leprechauns are involved! Author Kimberley Lemming takes their lore and twists it to fit her world view, seamlessly integrating everything into a very logical story and even more logical outcome. So of course I really enjoyed this novella, especially how all the food snobs are out in full force, once again.
Turns out he's not the first Agent to go crazy, he's lucky to only end up in a hospital! Instead of beating himself out and wallowing outside the waiting room, his partner and on again boyfriend Agent Keith Curry takes it upon himself to ... go around the bureaucracy who deems he is too "emotionally involved" to fairly investigate who caused his lover to get hurt.
The intrepid Keith's investigation is fraught with complications - is Gunther's cousin, a pixie accused of dealing black market pixie dust involved? What about the leprechauns striking because pixies have taken their jobs at a food and beverage factory? Is there a food and drink angle to this whole thing? Spoiler: YES as you can see from the cover picture with the gun and bottle of mysteriously smoking liquid.
I loved how the partners while being largely apart for most of this book still have what seems to be quite a real relationship. One injured, the other having angst over his partner's parents come to visit taking over their home and worse yet, an area ex-Chef Keith considers his territory.
Well, Mama knows best? Soon we have the usual embarrassing childhood stories and revelations abound, just the normal in law stuff. It felt genuine, and heartfelt, showing us that a gay trans species relationship has similar struggles as any relationship when wider family is involved.
The world building again is top notch, but this time it's accompanied with many humorous takes since Leprechauns are involved! Author Kimberley Lemming takes their lore and twists it to fit her world view, seamlessly integrating everything into a very logical story and even more logical outcome. So of course I really enjoyed this novella, especially how all the food snobs are out in full force, once again.
March 1, 2023
enjoyable, but the first was better imo
Rating: 4🌈
Magically Delicious moves the time frame of this series forward so that human agent Keith Curry and Gunther, his transmogrified snow goblin agent boyfriend have gone from newly reunited to established happily cohabiting couple. That’s quite the leap. And a big journey we missed out on.
They now live in DC (the wintery weather letting me know this wasn’t written recently), and working for different divisions with NIAD. That’s NATO Irregular Affairs Division. They police other-realm traffic, beings, and artifacts that come through portals to this world. If it’s committing crimes here? They handle it. Can’t have humans knowing that Others exist.
Almost immediately I miss certain aspects here that were narrative cornerstones of the first story that made Cherries Worth Getting seem a step or four out of the usual fantasy fare. Maybe it was the subject matter (cannibalism) or rawness of some scenes, perhaps the bleakness of Keith’s perspective and the fact that the pain of his past wasn’t far from his thoughts, that set that book aside so definitively.
But Magically Delicious takes a step back into familiar territory and less dangerous (and probably nauseating) elements, such as leprechauns and pixies and agent’s being targeted by an unknown group or enemy.
I sort of missed the butchered humans. At least that was a wild, out there element for a mystery.
Here everyone seems very excited about the possibilities. I liked the characters, I enjoyed the mystery and even the aspect of this storyline that magic , is a being, and capable of emotional response.
I very neat treat is the author’s addition of a short as an epilogue. Unexpected and a total delight. It’s a separate story which I think was terrific.
There’s so much here that I wish we could have had explored further. Gunther’s family is intriguing as well as Keith’s growing relationship with them. Love to know more about why they had that procedure done prior to coming to Earth.
Questions. I have questions.
Thankfully, I’ll have another soon. Until then, I’m recommending books 1 and 2. Enjoy both, and let me know your thoughts and favorite.
Keith Curry’s Case Files:
- [x] Cherries Worth Getting #1
- [x] Magically Delicious #2
- [ ] Grilled Cheese and Goblins:
Adventures of a Food Inspector
- [ ] Irregulars -a 4 story collection
Rating: 4🌈
Magically Delicious moves the time frame of this series forward so that human agent Keith Curry and Gunther, his transmogrified snow goblin agent boyfriend have gone from newly reunited to established happily cohabiting couple. That’s quite the leap. And a big journey we missed out on.
They now live in DC (the wintery weather letting me know this wasn’t written recently), and working for different divisions with NIAD. That’s NATO Irregular Affairs Division. They police other-realm traffic, beings, and artifacts that come through portals to this world. If it’s committing crimes here? They handle it. Can’t have humans knowing that Others exist.
Almost immediately I miss certain aspects here that were narrative cornerstones of the first story that made Cherries Worth Getting seem a step or four out of the usual fantasy fare. Maybe it was the subject matter (cannibalism) or rawness of some scenes, perhaps the bleakness of Keith’s perspective and the fact that the pain of his past wasn’t far from his thoughts, that set that book aside so definitively.
But Magically Delicious takes a step back into familiar territory and less dangerous (and probably nauseating) elements, such as leprechauns and pixies and agent’s being targeted by an unknown group or enemy.
I sort of missed the butchered humans. At least that was a wild, out there element for a mystery.
Here everyone seems very excited about the possibilities. I liked the characters, I enjoyed the mystery and even the aspect of this storyline that magic , is a being, and capable of emotional response.
I very neat treat is the author’s addition of a short as an epilogue. Unexpected and a total delight. It’s a separate story which I think was terrific.
There’s so much here that I wish we could have had explored further. Gunther’s family is intriguing as well as Keith’s growing relationship with them. Love to know more about why they had that procedure done prior to coming to Earth.
Questions. I have questions.
Thankfully, I’ll have another soon. Until then, I’m recommending books 1 and 2. Enjoy both, and let me know your thoughts and favorite.
Keith Curry’s Case Files:
- [x] Cherries Worth Getting #1
- [x] Magically Delicious #2
- [ ] Grilled Cheese and Goblins:
Adventures of a Food Inspector
- [ ] Irregulars -a 4 story collection
March 5, 2020
Very confusing with all the different types of supernaturals. But even though I didn’t understand a lot I liked it.
Keith is good and interesting. I like how he accepted his relationship with Gunther (unlike in the first book) and they are living together happily.
It shouldn’t have taken Keith so long to figure out that Gunther was poisoned by the energy drink.
I like how Keith described the men and women in charge of the magic maintenance.
“descended into the vaulted chamber beneath the scrotum of Honest Abe to meet Morticia and the funeral fashion of the mage gang.”
Keith has great descriptions of people. The leprechauns each have funny names. Like Carrot Beard/Top. And the bad guy Taylor’s look.
“He had a thick shock of hay-colored hair and a mustache that looked strong enough to jump off his face and go on safari by itself.”
I got pissed off for what the people in charge did to Keith. Then his supervisor takes his weapon. What the hell how is he supposed to defend himself.
I did start to feel bad for Carrot Beard/Top. But he was a great help in the end.
I didn’t like how Gunther wasn’t part of the investigation with Keith like in the last one. He’s not really apart of this book more on the sidelines
I love Cheeto he sounds so cute.
The short bonus story “The Most Important Meal of the Day” was good I liked it.
Keith is good and interesting. I like how he accepted his relationship with Gunther (unlike in the first book) and they are living together happily.
It shouldn’t have taken Keith so long to figure out that Gunther was poisoned by the energy drink.
I like how Keith described the men and women in charge of the magic maintenance.
“descended into the vaulted chamber beneath the scrotum of Honest Abe to meet Morticia and the funeral fashion of the mage gang.”
Keith has great descriptions of people. The leprechauns each have funny names. Like Carrot Beard/Top. And the bad guy Taylor’s look.
“He had a thick shock of hay-colored hair and a mustache that looked strong enough to jump off his face and go on safari by itself.”
I got pissed off for what the people in charge did to Keith. Then his supervisor takes his weapon. What the hell how is he supposed to defend himself.
I did start to feel bad for Carrot Beard/Top. But he was a great help in the end.
I didn’t like how Gunther wasn’t part of the investigation with Keith like in the last one. He’s not really apart of this book more on the sidelines
I love Cheeto he sounds so cute.
The short bonus story “The Most Important Meal of the Day” was good I liked it.
January 7, 2019
Read as part of the Charmed and Dangerous Anthology
Something about this world felt familiar, and I had a feeling I'd read a short story set in this verse in Irregulars, which I did! Though it's been long enough that it just sort of tugged at my brain. Overall I do feel like this felt like the continuation of a series/previous book in that it seemed to be kind of light on trying to get the readers emotionally invested in the characters, as if the author expected you to already know and love them. Which, if you don't, made for kind of a bland read.
Something about this world felt familiar, and I had a feeling I'd read a short story set in this verse in Irregulars, which I did! Though it's been long enough that it just sort of tugged at my brain. Overall I do feel like this felt like the continuation of a series/previous book in that it seemed to be kind of light on trying to get the readers emotionally invested in the characters, as if the author expected you to already know and love them. Which, if you don't, made for kind of a bland read.
February 19, 2023
3.75 stars M/M urban fantasy short story from the M/M anthology ‘Charmed and Dangerous’.
The world building is unique and can be icky.
Keith is a human working as a magical food inspector who is on a mission as his goblin hot boyfriend falls sick.
The plot focuses on the investigation more than the romance. There was one oral sex scene which was short.
The writing is pretty good and rich in details. The goblin dinner was icky but well written.
I liked Keith’s dry humor and Gunther sweetness.
I might seek the rest of the short stories for Keith and Gunther!
The world building is unique and can be icky.
Keith is a human working as a magical food inspector who is on a mission as his goblin hot boyfriend falls sick.
The plot focuses on the investigation more than the romance. There was one oral sex scene which was short.
The writing is pretty good and rich in details. The goblin dinner was icky but well written.
I liked Keith’s dry humor and Gunther sweetness.
I might seek the rest of the short stories for Keith and Gunther!
March 25, 2018
The funniest story I've read in ages. The humour, along with an engaging storyline / mystery plot, imaginative take on magical races including goblins, fairies, and leprechauns, and sweet established relationship background made for an utterly delightful read. Mss. Kimberling's got herself a new fan! By the way, I read this short story in the Charmed and Dangerous collection (and without the extra).
April 20, 2020
I love these characters and I love the world of the Irregulars. I find Keith and Gunther very believable and endearingly flawed in their own unique ways. However, I found the actual mystery too easy to solve, and the relationship didn't move me like I wanted it to. Things were sort of just too easy in this book. All that being said, I still enjoyed this book and I love the author's sense of humor. The weird little bites of comedy thrown in really make the world fun to read about.
June 19, 2017
Will review properly later. Meanwhile Dear Author, may we please have some more? :-)
September 2, 2020
I would read more of this universe any day.
Just so interesting, I hope there will be more Case Files!
I really like Keith and Gunther together! :)
Just so interesting, I hope there will be more Case Files!
I really like Keith and Gunther together! :)
April 21, 2021
Read in Grilled Cheese and Goblins
April 24, 2018
Magically Delicious ***
The Most Important Meal of the Day ****
The Most Important Meal of the Day ****
November 3, 2016
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this one. I liked the characters. The MCs were cute together. Keith had some insecurities because he thought he wasn't good enough for Gunther. But to Gunther he was perfect. There was a good mystery going on as well.
September 12, 2016
I didn't realise it was the same story as in Charmed and Dangerous :(
November 13, 2016
Enjoyable but not romance fueled.I liked this one, I own the irregulars bug have not read it where this couple first makes their debut.
December 3, 2016
Well written novella
March 17, 2017
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews