From
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Darynda Jones
comes a new story in her Charley Davidson series…
Eric Vause is done.
Done with ghosts. Done with hellhounds. And definitely done with asshole
demons, mostly because he’d been possessed by one. Even now, five years later,
the rage he absorbed from the creature has yet to wane, so he decides a road
trip is in order. Surely some cool air, great scenery, and a case of Dos Equis
will shake things loose. Unfortunately, supernatural events happen everywhere.
When he meets up with a friend whose partner’s daughter needs help with a pest
problem—aka, a ghost—Eric takes that as his cue to leave.
Until he sees her.
He can tell Halle’s house isn’t the only thing that is haunted. The
hopelessness behind her eyes tugs at something deep inside him. Something all
too familiar. The fact that she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen has
nothing to do with his change of heart. And he vows to leave her in his
rearview the minute he takes care of the poltergeist. Then again, vows were
never his strong suit.
**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..
For the novella, The Gravedigger’s Son, click HERE.
For the novella, The Graveside Bar and Grill, click HERE.
Book
13.8
Buy Links
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Au ~ Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US) ~ Paperback (US)
“What do the notes say?”
She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, stalling. She stalled some more when she said, “I can’t always read them.”
“Halle,” I warned.
Her shoulders deflated as she released a surrendering sigh. “At first, they were just numbers. They started right after my mom died. The number twelve kept popping up. But a month later, it changed to an eleven. Then a ten. Then a nine.”
“A countdown.”
“Yes. Every month for the last year, he’s been counting down. And now we’re at number two.” She leveled an accusing gaze on me. “And you’ve known since the first time you laid eyes on me.”
“Not the first time,” I said, slightly offended. “What makes you think they’re death threats? They could mean anything.”
“Because the other note he leaves is pretty explicit. It’s just one word. Payback.”
Ah. Now we were getting somewhere. “Halle, what happened seventeen years ago? What changed your life so dramatically? And who wants payback?”
She shook her head and looked away, tears shimmering in her eyes.
I leaned onto my elbows and put a hand over hers. “Halle, I know this is hard, but please trust me.”
“It’s not that. It’s not that I don’t trust you. You’ve earned that and then some. But if I tell you what happened, what I did, you won’t want to have sex with me anymore.”
I almost snorted. Clearly, she didn’t understand the male thought process.
But I needed to chill. I was pushing her too hard. I wanted her to bend. Not break.
The furball started whimpering at her feet. Halle picked her up, nuzzled her, then set her in the box she’d brought along with a dry towel from the bathroom. With a full belly, the furball settled immediately and went to sleep.
Halle straightened and walked over to stand in front of me. “Is that a yes?”
“No,” I said, taking in every curve she had to offer. She smelled sweet, like jasmine. “It’s a hell yes.” I put a hand on her hip, the heat from her body soaking into my skin as she straddled me.
With hesitant fingers, she tested the abrasion on my jaw. “Are you sure this is okay? You were hit by a truck yesterday.”
“I was sideswiped by a truck. Huge difference.”
She nodded and grew thoughtful as though making calculations in her head. Now was not the time for math.
“I’m pretty sure you’re a supernatural being,” she said, completely serious. “That you’re not real and will disappear as soon as all of this is over.”
“I have several friends who are supernaturally inclined. I am not one of them. And I’m not going anywhere.”
She buried her fingers in my hair and covered my mouth with hers. I’d never welcomed a kiss more in my life.
Shelby
– ☆☆☆☆☆
I adore the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones; honestly, I love anything
written by Darynda Jones! This shorter story is no exception.
No need to catch up on the series if this is your first, but I would highly
suggest checking it out.
Eric has an ability, of the paranormal variety, to see a person's cause and
time of death. While this power can be useful, it cannot be shut off. Choosing
to use this power for good, Eric can save people!
This has everything: mystery, humor, seriously sarcastic humor (worth
mentioning again), romance, quirky characters, and hellhounds. I would expect
no less from this author!
Ruthie
– ☆☆☆☆
I am a huge, huge fan of the Charley Davidson series, and am delighted that
these novellas give me another taste of that world. I do think that you would
understand it best if you are up to date, or at least read a few, so that you
get the premise of the world we are entering – such as Aunt Lillian and her
muumuu dresses!
Eric has a talent which I am not sure anyone would really want – he can tell
when someone is going to die. Not just an estimate, but an absolute time and
method. This story gives him a number of opportunities to use this knowledge to
good – and after the past he has had, he will take the wins.
Summoned by an old college buddy, Jason, he makes his way to what I have to say
sounds like a super cool bar – with a road running through the middle to give
bikers a chance to ride through and show off their rides. Here he sees two
people who are not long for this world unless he does something about it. As we
get to see him uncover the truth for Halle, we also see how the two of them
complement each other – and have to hold on for the ride in the hope that our
wishes match their destinies.
Always happy to jump back into all things Charley Davidson, thank you!
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.
Connect with
Darynda Jones!
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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided
a free copy of The Grave Robber (Charley Davidson #13.8) by Darynda Jones to read
and review.
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