From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Spectred Isle (Green Men, #1)

K.J. Charles

Start date: June 1, 2018

Finish date: June 30, 2018

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

Why we're reading this: This will be our June 2018 read.
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What Members Thought

Jul 14, 2017 Susana rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Randolph Glyde does not believe in coincidences. So the second time he meets the same man in a suspicious situation, he knows he has to do something about him. But Saul Lazenby is no ordinary man, and soon Randolph will find himself in uncharted lands in more than one sense…
Saul Lazenby knows how it feels to be betrayed and abandoned by the people he loved. Trying to make a living despite his disgraced past, he stumbles into something unbelievable… Once and again. Maybe this is life giving him a Randolph Glyde does not believe in coincidences. So the second time he meets the same man in a suspicious situation, he knows he has to do something about him. But Saul Lazenby is no ordinary man, and soon Randolph will find himself in uncharted lands in more than one sense…
Saul Lazenby knows how it feels to be betrayed and abandoned by the people he loved. Trying to make a living despite his disgraced past, he stumbles into something unbelievable… Once and again. Maybe this is life giving him a second chance, however strange it may be…
A new series by KJ Charles is always good news. This one is linked to the story at The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, and I was delighted to find out that not only some of the characters but also some of the scenery (166 Fletter Lane) were known to me: Sam (who at the time of The secret Casebook was but a savvy ragamuffin) is now a seasoned ghost-hunter, and there are frequent references to Jo, Simon and Robert. The stories fit together nicely, this new one taking place in 1923, after the First World War, when not only is the society dealing with the aftershock of the battle. Occultists have to deal with a veil severely weakened by the excesses committed by sorcerers used by governments in an attempt to turn the tables on the conflict. Randolph Glyde is one of those occultists who fought for his country, before realising what a mistake they were making. The scion of one of the most powerful families England, he lost them all to the war. He's powerful, sarcastic and vicious, and he's got a job to do. Enter Saul, a damaged man who tries to make a living selling his service as an archaeologist to a fool looking for mystical treasures. Saul does not believe in magic, but he has to accept supernatural after some very close and dangerous encounters. From the moment these two meet, they feel undeniably attracted to each other, their chemistry off-charts. Together with the strange gang of men populating 166 Fletter Lane, which besides Sam includes Barney and Isaacs, two ex-soldiers severely altered by war (and when I say altered, I mean it...), Saul and Randolph have to face old evils to keep London safe, risking their lives for a greater good.
Masterfully written, there is nothing in this story I did not enjoy: The characters are likeable, the pace is fast and full of action and adventures, the world-built is rich and interesting, the mystery gripping, the feelings between the characters run deep, Saul kink's are delicious…
In short this is a fantastic book which did not disappoint, delivering even more than what I expected. I really loved it.
Highly recommendable.
...more

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Aug 21, 2017 Lois rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal_and_fantasy, lgtb, favorite_author, favorite_series

After reading approx everything from KJ Charles, I guess it's safe to say that she's one of my favorite, go-to authors. And Spectred Isle doesn't disappoint either.
Even though the Simon Fleximal book isn't an official part of the Green Men series, I read it as preparation for this book. I recommend that you do the same. It's not vital, but there are references and it helps with the understanding of the world building.
This book is mainly about Saul. During the Great War he was convicted as a wa After reading approx everything from KJ Charles, I guess it's safe to say that she's one of my favorite, go-to authors. And Spectred Isle doesn't disappoint either.
Even though the Simon Fleximal book isn't an official part of the Green Men series, I read it as preparation for this book. I recommend that you do the same. It's not vital, but there are references and it helps with the understanding of the world building.
This book is mainly about Saul. During the Great War he was convicted as a war criminal or traitor, he has been disgraced and pushed towards suicide and he's just hanging on with the top of his fingers. He managed to get a job with a amateur explorer of the paranormal/treasure hunter, but that's all he has in life. I'm not exactly sure what it is he does for Mr. Peabrain, and I'm not so sure that it is a coincidence that he is employed. It seems as though Saul quest is either a ghost, or destiny pulling the threads, or it's the Great Unknown Enemy pushing all the cards into place.
But never the less, during Peabrains investigation, Saul and Randolph is thrown together and sparks arise. Saul is a 'mugler' and Randolph is some kind of arcane aristocrat. Even though they kind of recent each other, there's an undeniable attraction (which might also be a reason for their resentment). In different ways, both have been burned by their past and hence they resigned themselves to a lonely life.
I like that Randolph's acceptance and diminishing of Saul's crime, helps Saul to accept himself more and makes him more 'like himself'.
Even though there is instant attraction and the events take place over fairly short time, it does not feel like Insta-love. Both Saul and Randolph heels themselves and each other and become more whole before embarking on a relationship together.
This book is in a series and the groundwork has been laid for a Big Bad Enemy, and a mysterium that will be a red herring throughout the series. Therefore I guess I will read the next book, even though it's more MF (or Male-Queer). ...more

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Aug 06, 2017 Dana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m

Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I have listened to the audiobooks of this author’s Society of Gentlemen series in the past and loved them. I have wanted to read the historical paranormal books in the Magpie series that she wrote, but time has always gotten away from me. When I heard about the new series and that we had a chance to review I was excited and jumped at the chance to take Spectred Isle.

The book takes place in the same “world” a Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I have listened to the audiobooks of this author’s Society of Gentlemen series in the past and loved them. I have wanted to read the historical paranormal books in the Magpie series that she wrote, but time has always gotten away from me. When I heard about the new series and that we had a chance to review I was excited and jumped at the chance to take Spectred Isle.

The book takes place in the same “world” as The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal. There is a group of men who work with the paranormal to protect England called the Green Men. One of them is the sort of nephew of Simon and his husband Robert Caldwell. Although he is not one of the main characters, he and this group of men are important to the story.

It’s after World War One and Saul Lazenby has returned from imprisonment and has take a job working for someone who is a believer in the mystical. Saul is more than skeptical but had to find work where he could. Despite his disbelief he begins to encounter things that can’t be explained and each time is marked by the presence of Randolph Glyde.

Randolph Glyde has lived his life among the occult, it is a family calling. He lost much in the war also and he has never really thought he would form a relationship with another man. But he is intrigued by Saul and suspicious of Saul’s boss. After it becomes clear that Saul is fated to be a part of what is happening, Randolph has to help him navigate this new world.

Saul is wary of trusting anyone again after what happened to him in the war but with Randolph he is forced to rely on him. I love the paranormal historical plot of this story. Inside of that there is a very sweet love story that is a bit of a slow burn with both of them tackling a force trying to reawaken after some time. Both men are slow to trust and through their adventures they both realize there is a deepening connection between them. I really loved reading about their growing trust and love.

The paranormal world that the author created was so interesting and I found myself pulled in. I can’t wait for not just the next books, but I am going to have to bump up the author’s other books.in my reading order. The rest of the green men are awesome and I can’t wait to see what their stories will be like. The next book looks to be a m/f story but I think there will be a bigger plot unfolding in the series that will make each book important to read. I can’t wait.

9/10 Pots of Gold (90% Recommended) – Compares to 4.5/5 Stars ...more

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Oct 28, 2017 Manda rated it liked it

I couldn't get into this one to start with, so put it down and went back to it later. Writing is good as always, just couldn't connect with the characters or the world.

There are some books by favourite authours you just don't dig, for me this was one. There are however heaps of wonderful reviews, so lots of people loved it. ...more

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Feb 02, 2018 Betsy rated it it was amazing

Characters: archaeologist, aristocrat
World Building: Really, really interesting. England's mythology and Green Men. 1920s London
Plot: Stopping a supernatural big bad
Sex: Medium
Read another: Always
...more

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