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

Jul 23, 2014 Meep rated it really liked it

Shelves: favourite, fantasy-paranormal-shifter, heart-warming, dealing-with-death, age-difference

Poignant, creepy little tale with the start of a good relationship but no sudden declarations - I look forward to the other seasons.

We meet the characters al la A Ghost of a Chance and there's the feel of The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks about the spooky house, ex-military character and sofa surfing. Personally I'd have liked more information on the house, at least a clearer concept of how it was set-up with what appears to be self-contained apartments. The couple dynamic is standard Lanyon and there Poignant, creepy little tale with the start of a good relationship but no sudden declarations - I look forward to the other seasons.

We meet the characters al la A Ghost of a Chance and there's the feel of The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks about the spooky house, ex-military character and sofa surfing. Personally I'd have liked more information on the house, at least a clearer concept of how it was set-up with what appears to be self-contained apartments. The couple dynamic is standard Lanyon and there's a nice visit from familiar faces (view spoiler).

There's a creepy air of expectancy coupled with secrets of loss and hurt, an argreement when revealed is a doozy both a clever concept and a heartbreaking one. A friendship forms slow despite both men's best intentions and when they come together (unintentional pun!) it's intense while being heart-wrenchingly sweet. They both find strength for the other.

As the story says everyone experiences loss at some point and you can't outrun grief, for anyone who has lost anyone this, just this. Ines pain was vivid, undimmed by decades, as real as Flynn's fresh hurt; Kirk has losses of his own that he's holding close for now.

This is the first 'season' there's more to come and I believe each will bring changes. While there's no explicit HEA with this, it would be too sudden, the end has a quiet satisfying feel to it that promises good things.

'a slow tentative introduction to an unfamiliar melody'

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I read the wattpad version originally and while I can't list changes this has a far more finished feel and is worth the re-read. ...more

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Aug 27, 2013 Rhys Ford rated it it was amazing

Back after a hiatus with a stunning novella, Lanyon once again paints fantastically romantic and eerie pictures with his words. The plot in this book is solid and the characters, Flynn and Kirk, are both at odds and entangled. This is the first of four novellas for these characters and the poetry of their relationship is wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

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Feb 19, 2014 Susana rated it really liked it

The Haunted Heart. Winter is one of Lanyon’s little masterpieces. It tells us the story of Flynn Anbrose, a young antique dealer who does not want to live after his lover’s death. He’s tried to commit suicide, gone through a mental institution and presently on a leave after reaching an agreement with his parents. He is to stop to trying to kill himself for a year. With this in mind, he has moved to Chester Connecticut to sort out the inheritance bestowed on him by a distant relative. That’s wher ...more

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Jan 28, 2014 Darkm rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, m-m, mystery

I am usually not a great fan of ghost stories, knowing the author though, I decided to give it a try.
It's beautiful, the characters felt real to me, as their interactions. Now I can't wait to read the other parts, and even the wait is worth it. ...more

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Apr 26, 2014 Kay Sachse rated it really liked it

Shelves: schwulenromane, ebooks, fantasy

After his friend’s death his boyfriend Flynn doesn’t see any sense in living anymore, but decides to go through the old stuff of his deceased uncle house. In the secluded place he encounters a strange mirror that reveals that the dead and departed still can interfere with our lives. Is there a ghost? Shocked and terrified Flynn flees his room and stumbles into the enigmatic tenant Kirk. Well, can those two deal with the mirror upstairs. And one another.
A very intimate story about those two men w ...more

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Aug 27, 2013 JustJen "Miss Conduct" rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, mm, paranormal

This is my first ever Josh Lanyon book, and it certainly won't be my last. I really enjoyed the writing and storytelling here. I loved the characters and how they ended up being friends and helping each other through some of their issues (they each have some pretty big issues they're dealing with). I even really liked the paranormal mystery and watching them try to solve or fix the problem.

I was definitely hoping for their relationship to progress more than it did, but given the underlying probl ...more

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Sep 19, 2013 Grandmat rated it it was amazing

Lanyon is back!!!! And worth the wait. There is a fine line between emotionally riveting and purple sap. Lanyon hits the mark perfectly. Now, darn his eyes, I have to wait some more for the next book in this enthralling series.

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Sep 02, 2013 Ann32 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m

Very rarely do I end up unsatisfied by this writer, and today is not the case. Thank you Mr Lanyon for writing literary gay mysteries which are both interesting and hot.

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