Susan Mac Nicol

Review by Karen, posted at ScuttlebuttReviews.com

Despite being British, Susan Mac Nicol is yet another author whose work I’m not familiar with, and I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Quinn and Cade meet on Hampstead Heath and are immediately attracted to each other, but Cade is suspicious of the immediacy. However Quinn, who understands some of the reasons for this intense attraction, manipulates circumstances to orchestrate another meeting and sparks really do fly!

Quinn is a warlock, and it turns show more out that Cade is something more than human. Cade’s heritage combined with Quinn’s creates an irresistible pull between the two that is nearly deniable, providing a certain magyck potion is imbibed. Despite imbibing this, Quinn continues to pursue Cade.

There is a lot going on in this book, world building, romance, suspense, all of which develop together extremely well. The swiftness of the relationship between Quinn and Cade is explained by the warlock/other chemistry, but it’s firmly grounded in plausibility as well. Despite the searing chemistry there is insecurity, vulnerability, and some lovely ‘humanizing’ little touches – such as Quinn needing his reading glasses and Cade’s gentle jealousy. Insta-love generally doesn’t work for me, but here with the magycle reasons it did, and in fact it’s integral to the continuance of the plot.

Other than the romantic elements there is a really strong and interesting suspense, based on real events. The persecution of witches and warlocks which started in the English civil war has continued to the present day, with descendents of Matthew Hopkins carrying on his work in London. Intertwined with this is a revenge element, which starts to explain some of Quinn’s’ emotional reticence. There is also the concept of the Withinner (is exactly what it says on the tin) an eternal spirit that exists symbiotically within the warlock, a spirit that shares it’s experiences with the warlock but is still individual and when required can become corporeal.

The secondary characters are well written as well, and although the majority of the focus is on Quinn and Cade these supporting characters are not one dimensional. As well as Quinn’s Withinner, Taliesin there is Quinn’s business partner, Jomo, completely unaware of the magyickle connotations; Percy -Quinn’s second in command, and Mary, a witch who stand out.

Although there is no cliffhanger, the scene is set for a sequel with some pointed teasers, so that when you finish the book you are anticipating what will happen next.

While I really enjoyed the fast pacing and the lovely developing relationship, it was not without a couple of irritants, which may be specifically because I’m British. The use of ‘gotten’ went against the grain in the dialogue, as did a couple of other Americanisms, but I suspect that other readers would not even notice them.

Really enjoyable, fast paced, romantic and yes, quite a lot of sex (also well written) show less

This was an intriguing mix of a Sherlock-type mystery with a cast of characters from the London Fetish Community. Clay and Tate are partners in love and business. They run a private investigation company based on their backgrounds in the military and law enforcement. These two lovely characters came to life in a previous series of books by the author: Men of London. I haven't read the first series but I found that I could make my way through this novel easily. What I will say is that I'm show more curious about the backstories of these two men in particular so I may well be going back and getting the other books!

This twisted tale begins with a body being found in an alley. This is when the involvement with the Fetish community begins because the body is encased in a Fox suit! Yes! A furry! Local club owner and retired soccer player, Aurelio, contacts his ex-lover Clay and asks for some assistance in the case. There's some lovely tension created by the fact that Tate is quite a possessive lover and very jealous of Clay's ex.

Mac Nicol weaves in a variety of supporting characters as Tate and Clay unravel the mystery surrounded the Fox's death. Many of the side characters are intriguing and the chosen-family of the Investigators is vibrant and entertaining! There is a lot of witty banter, some scorching sex and some healthy UST. IF you are a fan of M/M romance, then you definitely won't want to miss this one.

In all this is a great read as a stand-alone, or if you want to read the whole series ... then save this one until you get caught up!

Merged review:

This was an intriguing mix of a Sherlock-type mystery with a cast of characters from the London Fetish Community. Clay and Tate are partners in love and business. They run a private investigation company based on their backgrounds in the military and law enforcement. These two lovely characters came to life in a previous series of books by the author: Men of London. I haven't read the first series but I found that I could make my way through this novel easily. What I will say is that I'm curious about the backstories of these two men in particular so I may well be going back and getting the other books!

This twisted tale begins with a body being found in an alley. This is when the involvement with the Fetish community begins because the body is encased in a Fox suit! Yes! A furry! Local club owner and retired soccer player, Aurelio, contacts his ex-lover Clay and asks for some assistance in the case. There's some lovely tension created by the fact that Tate is quite a possessive lover and very jealous of Clay's ex.

Mac Nicol weaves in a variety of supporting characters as Tate and Clay unravel the mystery surrounded the Fox's death. Many of the side characters are intriguing and the chosen-family of the Investigators is vibrant and entertaining! There is a lot of witty banter, some scorching sex and some healthy UST. IF you are a fan of M/M romance, then you definitely won't want to miss this one.

In all this is a great read as a stand-alone, or if you want to read the whole series ... then save this one until you get caught up! show less

This return to Fetish Alley is just as much fun as the first book in the series. A friendship with alley club owner, Relio, and a solved fetish murder have lead M&W Investigations to be considered friends. When there’s another suspicious death in London’s Fetish Alley the two men are called in again. They are trusted and respected and that goes a long way in the Fetish community.

I love the quirky banter in the books and particularly, the relationship between Clay and Tate. Things show more haven’t always been smooth sailing for the couple, but they’ve found their way to a loving, supportive, hot partnership in business and life.

The details MacNicol puts into her characters is what makes them so interesting. Tate’s past still haunts him and I love that it’s still a presence in his life. I really enjoy the way that MacNicol discusses the emotions that catch the men off guard at times. And… little details like playing rock, paper, scissors to see who gets to drive the motorcycle make me love them even more.

The case isn’t too complex, it’s more a case of hunting down the evidence. But, as the clues unfold, it becomes clear that Clay and Tate’s relationship has been evolving. I still feel as though there is a lot I don’t know about Tate and Clay… I would definitely enjoy a flashback to their past.

These books are very enjoyable. The characterizations are wonderful, the plot advances at a great pace and the sex scenes are hot and don’t take over the plot! Loved it! show less

This return to Fetish Alley is just as much fun as the first book in the series. A friendship with alley club owner, Relio, and a solved fetish murder have lead M&W Investigations to be considered friends. When there’s another suspicious death in London’s Fetish Alley the two men are called in again. They are trusted and respected and that goes a long way in the Fetish community.

I love the quirky banter in the books and particularly, the relationship between Clay and Tate. Things show more haven’t always been smooth sailing for the couple, but they’ve found their way to a loving, supportive, hot partnership in business and life.

The details MacNicol puts into her characters is what makes them so interesting. Tate’s past still haunts him and I love that it’s still a presence in his life. I really enjoy the way that MacNicol discusses the emotions that catch the men off guard at times. And… little details like playing rock, paper, scissors to see who gets to drive the motorcycle make me love them even more.

The case isn’t too complex, it’s more a case of hunting down the evidence. But, as the clues unfold, it becomes clear that Clay and Tate’s relationship has been evolving. I still feel as though there is a lot I don’t know about Tate and Clay… I would definitely enjoy a flashback to their past.

These books are very enjoyable. The characterizations are wonderful, the plot advances at a great pace and the sex scenes are hot and don’t take over the plot! Loved it! show less