Winter (The Haunted Heart, #1) in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Aug 27, 2013 Leanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: autobuy-author, series, hurt-comfort, mm, romance, contemp-romance, paranormal, josh-lanyon, trauma-abuse, best-of-2013

This was quintessential Lanyon and I loved it. Beautiful writing, two complex, interesting characters- each so consumed with dealing with their own demons and past traumas they don't appear to need each other at all. Except they do ...and such wonderful dialogue from that delicious push and pull- the snark and dry humour and then the gradual (and swoon-worthy)glimpses of warmth and grudging affection as the two begin to open up more to each other. I loved the slow reveal of why Flynn appears to ...more

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Sep 15, 2013 Chris, the Dalek King rated it really liked it

Shelves: mc-pairing-mm, missing-senses-broken-things, arts-and-letters, magic-and-supernatural, murder-and-mystery, owned-ebook-or-audio, kindle-loaned-r

Flynn Ambrose has inherited a lot of things from his uncle. A run-down house. A taciturn boarder. A basement full of junk, a living room full of antiques, and a bathroom gestating the next plague. Nothing a little bleach, care, and tactful avoidance can't fix. But Flynn can't help but think that his uncle could have done without leaving him that lovely mirror holding the ghost of one seriously pissed-off lady. Or at least left a note on how to go about exorcising her. Because running down the st ...more

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Aug 26, 2013 Lady*M rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, mystery, m-m-romance, contemporary

Four seasons. Four ghosts. Two hearts.

I wanted to write a dazzling review for this book, but I find myself staring at the blank screen. That's not a bad thing. It just means I'm unable to capture in words what makes Josh Lanyon - Josh Lanyon and his protagonists so special. At least not in a way which will dazzle you. XD

So, instead of coherent review - random thoughts:

- Flynn's loss is palpable and believable. Heartbreking too. And, although I think suicide is never an answer, I was still a litt Four seasons. Four ghosts. Two hearts.

I wanted to write a dazzling review for this book, but I find myself staring at the blank screen. That's not a bad thing. It just means I'm unable to capture in words what makes Josh Lanyon - Josh Lanyon and his protagonists so special. At least not in a way which will dazzle you. XD

So, instead of coherent review - random thoughts:

- Flynn's loss is palpable and believable. Heartbreking too. And, although I think suicide is never an answer, I was still a little impressed by his determination. There is steel beneath his “sweet, sensitive, funny” surface and I can't wait for Flynn to rediscover it, which could happen when it comes to dealing with Kirk's ghosts.

- I like Lanyon's gruff manly men characters with a heart of gold and problems they are NOT dealing with in a sensible manner one of which is obviously Kirk who is dealing with PTSD through self-isolation.

- The chemistry between the two men is clouded by Flynn's grief (and somewhat Kirk's standoffish behavior), but that's a good thing. It's realistic. They are in the process of becoming friends and that is what both of them need at this point.

- The ghost story was a great way of bringing these two together. The writing was lovely, the banter witty, atmosphere appropriately spooky and wintry and a hook for the next installment (or overreaching arc - we'll see) was stellar.

- I'm hanging my head in shame for not recognizing at first who Stephen and Mark were. In my defense, I never thought about Stephen as Dr. Thorpe. It was hilarious to see them through Flynn's eyes, especially Mark (who "sounded like he should be introducing Masterpiece Theater").

- All this said, I can rarely bring myself to rate a story that is part of the unfinished series with 5 stars, when there is so much left unknown and unresolved (though there are exceptions, including the one about a bookstore owner and a closeted cop) and almost never in a case of setup book. But, this is a classic Lanyon and therefore a must-read. ...more

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Aug 14, 2013 Morgana rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, mystery, death-of-a-lover-husband, ghosts, suspense, josh-lanyon

Wow! This was really good! Can't wait for the next installment.

4.5 stars ...more

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Oct 27, 2013 Julz rated it really liked it

Shelves: angsty, 2013, m-m, paranormal, left-hanging, deceased-husband-or-om, male-author, damaged-goods, ghosts-and-spirits

3.5 stars

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Sep 06, 2013 k reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: queer, read-2013, fav2013

Contains all the elements that make me such a fan of Josh Lanyon.

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Aug 31, 2013 Kyra rated it really liked it

4.5 stars

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Dec 13, 2013 Francesca rated it it was amazing

Really loved it!
Once again Mr. lanyon can make me love his character so much I don't want to see the end of the story.
I hope to see a sequel. ...more

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