The Gravedigger’s Son by Darynda Jones Blog Tour

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Darynda Jones comes a new story in her Charley Davidson series…

The job should have been easy.

Get in. Assess the situation. Get out. But for veteran tracker Quentin Rutherford, things get sticky when the girl he’s loved since puberty shows up, conducting her own investigation into the strange occurrences of the small, New Mexico town. He knew it would be a risk coming back to the area, but he had no idea Amber Kowalski had become a bona fide PI, investigating things that go bump in the night. He shouldn’t be surprised, however. She can see through the dead as clearly as he can. The real question is, can she see through him?

But is anything that’s worth it ever easy?

To say that Amber is shocked to see her childhood crush would be the understatement of her fragile second life. One look at him tells her everything she needs to know. He’s changed. So drastically she barely recognizes him. He is savage now, a hardened—in all the right places—demon hunter, and she is simply the awkward, lovestruck girl he left behind.

But she doesn’t have time to dwell on the past. A supernatural entity has set up shop, and it’s up to them to stop it before it kills again.

While thousands of questions burn inside her, she has to put her concern over him, over what he’s become, aside for now. Because he’s about to learn one, undeniable fact: she’s changed, too.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Don’t miss our reviews of other books in the Charley Davidson series!
For books #1 – #12, click HERE to check out our Charley Davidson series post.
For book thirteen, Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, click HERE.

 

 

Book 13.6
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)

 

 

“Intruder!” Kyle said from behind him, a day late and a dollar short.

Quentin glared at him, and Kyle stepped back reflexively. Then he refocused his glare on Amber.

“What?” she asked, her hackles rising as hackles are wont to do.

“What are you doing here?” Again, his signs were sharp with irritation.

As Amber sat in utter astonishment—He Who Must Not Be Named was literally the last person on Earth she’d expected to see today—she used the break to take him in.

How much could a guy change in five years?

If Quentin Rutherford was any indication, a hella lot.

She barely recognized him. He’d hardened—in all the right places. His shoulders had widened more than most twenty-seven-year-olds. He’d always been muscular, even when they were kids, but either he’d been hitting the gym, or he’d been magically photoshopped. The hills and valleys that covered his body to exquisite perfection could be seen through the long-sleeved T-shirt he wore, his biceps stretching the seams to their limits. And the jeans, the ones with a few holes here and there, were not a fashion statement so much as a favored pair of work pants.

“Ms. Kowalski?” Kyle said.

Quentin turned to him, and Amber caught a glimpse of two things: the profile of his steely buttocks that had developed as much as the rest of him, and a particularly well-placed rip in the worn jeans that showed part of the indentation in his left ass cheek. The fact that he wasn’t wearing underwear was a bonus. How could anyone she hated so much be so startlingly drop-dead sexy? Life was not fair.

Then she realized something. He’d heard Kyle. Quentin had turned when Kyle spoke, and she wondered if he’d finally gotten a pair of hearing aids. They’d never helped him that much before, so he never wore them, but technology had advanced a lot since then. Maybe they had more powerful aids now that could help him hear.

She snuck a glance but didn’t see any mechanical earpieces. Interesting.

When he turned back to her, she couldn’t get over how much he’d changed. His hair was shorter now and a little darker but still a rich, tawny blond. And he’d either started wearing it spiked, or he had bedhead. Either way, he was even more gorgeous than before. Full mouth. Straight nose. Deep blue eyes like the cobalt on a ceramic bowl.

Damn it.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
I was so excited to revisit Charley Davidson's world, and this was the perfect little story to do it with!

I want to mention that every single story I've read in the 1001 Dark Nights series has been the perfectly sized (on the shorter side), complete story, and has yet to disappoint.

Anyway, back to the story...

If you've read any of the Charley Davidson series, then you know who Quentin is, and you may also remember Amber. (If you have not read the series, what are you waiting for? It was fantastic!)

I won't spoil anything, but I loved everything about this: the supernatural angle, the investigation, the snarkiness, and the characters.

If you're looking for a quick, yet complete story or if you'd like a glimpse into this series, then definitely check this out.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
Oh, what a great treat to get even a little return to the world of Charley Davidson! If you have not read any of the series yet, then this will give you a little insight into the complexity of the storylines, but I do not believe would spoil your enjoyment of it. To fans of the books, this is a cheeky little return to the crazy, without delving too deep – and we always knew that Amber and Quentin were destined to meet again.

For a short story, this packs a lot of punch in its demonic plotlines – a really clever double bluff in a way. But the real treat is finding Quentin is on the demon's tracks and this leads him back to Amber. Neither of them has forgotten the other, but only he knows why he disappeared and what happened to him. It makes for quite distressing reading, and wait till you find out about Rune!

Amber doesn't care about any excuses Quentin may have, she still loves him, and once the danger has passed, she is going to make sure he doesn't believe anything but that fundamental truth.

Oh, I do hope you enjoy this little dip back into Darynda Jones' fun and fascinating writing.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a quick, fun introduction to Charley Davidson’s world. Fans of the series who have watched Amber grow up will remember Quentin, her teenage love interest. In this book, Amber and Quentin are all grown up and they meet unexpectedly while hunting the same demon.

I think an Amber-focused spinoff series could be fantastic. Amber will remind fans of the Grim-Reaper Charley at the start of her series. Amber seems a little more grounded and a little less kooky – but she’s confident and engaging. Quentin is an unexpected treat in this novella – he brings a unique supernatural skillset to his demon hunting. The chemistry is fabulous between these two, even if the story feels a little insta-love. I really enjoyed this short read and I look forward to more books about Amber and Quentin.

 

 

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author DARYNDA JONES won a Golden Heart and a RITA for her manuscript First Grave on the Right. A born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

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Facebook Group: The Grimlets

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Gravedigger’s Son (Charley Davidson #13.6) by Darynda Jones to read and review for this tour.