Catch a Ghost

by SE Jakes

Hell or High Water (1)

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Everyone knows that Prophet — former Navy SEAL, former CIA spook, full-time pain in the ass — works alone. But his boss at Extreme Escapes, Ltd. has just assigned Proph a new partner and a case haunted by ghosts from Proph's past. Suddenly, he has to confront both head-on.

Tom Boudreaux — failed FBI agent, failed sheriff, full-time believer in bad luck — is wondering why the head of a private contracting firm has hunted him down to offer him a job. Still, he's determined to succeed show more this time, despite being partnered with Prophet, EE's most successful, lethal, and annoying operative, on a case that resurrects his own painful past.

Together, Prophet and Tom must find a way to take down killers in the dangerous world of underground cage matches while fighting their own dangerous attraction. When they find themselves caught in the crossfire, these two loners must trust each other and work together to escape their ghosts...or pay the price.

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GirlMisanthrope If you love the formula of two alpha males working for some government agency, yet with their own agendas, AND they fall in love, these books are quite similar.

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31 reviews
Besides the moments of confusion I experienced and the plot jumping around a bit incongruently in this book, I really, really, REALLY enjoyed it and was pumped, hurt, and all twisted around by the end of it. (I love me my emotional reactions! I need my high, gorram give it to me!)

And, reading the synopsis for the second just makes me want to dive in. With a bottle of Adderall and no bathroom breaks. Which I will do...soon...once I take a breather. This was pretty damn raw and intense, with characters that have serious emotional and psychological damage, so it will be fascinating to see them change as they come together more. Hopefully minus some of the stupidity and stubbornness that was their downfall here. *meaningful looks directed show more towards both MCs*

Action and blood and sex galore. Hot and hardcore and violent. Oh the fantasies that will spring forth in my mind now...
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4.5 stars.

As a longtime fan of SE Jakes, I have been eagerly anticipating Prophet's book and I am thrilled to say, it was SO worth the wait! In Catch a Ghost, we finally learn what makes this inscrutable man tick. He also meets his match in his new (and unwanted) partner Tom Boudreaux. And since this is the first installment in the Hell or High Water series, I am sure there are a few remaining secrets to uncover about both men.

Prophet is gruff, grumpy and haunted, both literally and figuratively, by a mission that went horribly wrong years ago. As an operative for Extreme Escapes, his skills are unsurpassed. There is little he won't do when someone's life is on the line. Even if that means impulsively acting on his own despite orders to show more the contrary. Preferring to work alone, Prophet goes through partners on a regular basis, so when his boss assigns newbie Tom Boudreaux to work with him, Prophet is less than thrilled.

Tom does not have a stellar track record with partners either, so he is not exactly happy with his new partnership with Prophet either. Like Prophet, Tom is also emotionally wounded but he is more approachable and definitely more tactful. Due to the circumstances surrounding their current case, most of Tom's issues are revealed fairly early. Although Tom's past may be out in the open, this does not necessarily mean he has made his peace with it. And it plays a direct role in a decision he makes at the novel's end.

Both Tom and Prophet are alpha males so their partnership is a battle of wills. In the beginning, Prophet's stubbornness forces them to work independently of one another. But when their investigations lead them to the same place, they reluctantly join forces. It soon becomes clear that the case is somehow tied to Prophet's past but the reasons remain unclear.

With both men attracted to one another, it is inevitable that their relationship is going to take a personal turn. Following the same pattern as their professional partnership, Prophet and Tom are soon vying for dominance in the bedroom. This results in sex scenes that are rough with each man fighting to take control but there is also a certain degree of tenderness as well.

Just as things are heating up in bedroom, SE Jakes throws in some surprising plot twists which take the story in very unexpected directions. Prophet and Tom are not the typical romance characters and the storyline reflects this. Some of the plot is wrapped up while some of it is left up in the air. The ending of Catch a Ghost is not neat and tidy but it is guaranteed to leave readers impatiently awaiting Long Time Gone, the next novel in the Hell or High Water series.
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A Hearts On Fire Review

FOUR & A HALF STARS--Confession: On the paranormal totem pole, psychic...well psychic anything are pretty much at the bottom for me. When others go wild over psychic law enforcement reads, I stare blankly and try to tiptoe very softly away. And you know what else I'm not a fan of? Ghosts in my romance. In fact, the psychic P.I./detective hybrids are right there with ghosts. I've read them but they're not really my go-to type of read. I can count on one hand how many of those reads that I really loved.

And...I'm also not a fan of series that follow the same couple for the entire series. I like variety. I'll read them but it's just not what I gravitate to. Those kinds of reads typically collect dust on my TBR.

So show more imagine my surprise as I'm reading S.E. Jakes' "Catch a Ghost", book #1 of the new Hell or High Water series that:

1) the entire series will be following same two alpha male characters (this I knew)
2) one of them gets premonitions! (*raises eyebrow*)
3) the other one sees a ghost (*other eyebrow raises as well*)

With all of these elements (I hesitate to call this read paranormal and if I had to, it's in the loosest sense), how did I find "Catch a Ghost"?

IT WAS GREAT!!!

There was action, damaged men, an interesting case, Prophet, Prophet's snarkiness, Tom Boudreaux (He's a 6'5", deep voiced Cajun! nom nom nom), intrigue, some mystery, a sexy spook (or could be more), hot sex, nipple piercings, a Jacob's Ladder! (excuse me as I salivate) and strong start to what seems to be excellent mercenary series.

We meet Prophet in S.E. Jakes' earlier work, "Free Falling" (we get a couple of Mick and Blue mentions but alas they did not show up in this book). There was something about Prophet then but now? Now, he's full force smart ass, damaged operative with a major chip on his shoulder with a past he does not like to delve in. And unfortunately, someone does not like to let Prophet's past stay in the past. With a family friend's murder, his skeletons are being pulled out his closet, whether Prophet wants it or not.

On top of the Prophet mess pile, the mercenary is being forced to take a partner. This is just not something Prophet does. He tries so hard to be a loner. Enter Tom. There's something about Mr. Tom Boudreaux. He seems like he was the buttoned up, play by the book kind of character at he and Prophet's first meeting. But there's so many layers to Tom - a deep, dark, mysterious, wounded, kinky side. And I enjoy the slow progress of learning both men's secrets.

This book is slightly sharper than this author's previous works. I"m liking this side of S.E. Jakes. It's not filled with a plethora of sex scenes, we read both men slowly unravel. The sex scenes? They are achingly signature S.E. Jakes. Big manly men rutting, controlling dirty talk, sweat, heart pumping orgasms. Yum.

Don't worry everything is not revealed in book #1. There are so many questions that need answers. Prophet and Tom are not done yet.

And I am anxious for the next book.

I need.

The ending? Oh boy, it ends with a cliffhanger but luckily the next book in the Hell or High Water series will be out later this year, "Long Time Gone". I will be awaiting the release.

Why? More Prophet! More snark! More Tom! More multifaceted, heady characters and action! And smut! And mild paranormal-ishness(?)
And this story actually made me want to know more. Even with the areas that are not my fave, I'm still invested in this series.

Plus, great cliffhangers make me anxious.

A copy was provided for an honest review."
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Loved the first half, felt the second half was a bit messier. The story IMO has a lot of similarities to the Cut & Run series, and at parts it bothered me a little, but on the other hand you gotta start somewhere, right, so why not with two guys who're partnered with each other.

I don't think there's anything I didn't enjoy in this book. Tommy and Prophet, the job, the side characters; it's all woven into an excellent story. A fast paced, I-can't-believe-it's-300-pages, story. Much quicker read than I expected.

But the story feels incomplete - the case is unfinished and a lot is unfinished with Tommy and Prophet - so I need to read [b:Long Time Gone|17936957|Long Time Gone (Hell or High Water, #2)|S.E. show more Jakes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1378452000s/17936957.jpg|25147493] to see how it's resolved. Does Tommy need to kick Cillian's ass? Kinda wish it happens. show less
I have read this book before, so obviously I liked it very, very much. But I forget how much fun it is. The writing style is great and time flew by as I read it.

The chemistry between Prophet and Tom is palpable and I can't even decide which character I love more (usually I have clear favourites). They've got quite erotic scenes and don't get me started on the sass!

On a personal side note: Tom is suffering from migraines, something I, as a migraineur myself, really like. Not because I want him in pain, but because representation matters. I'm not sure if I want his medicine, but Prophet as a caregiver? Wouldn't say no.
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When I picked this book up I really had no idea what it was all about. Turns out this is like sexy G.I. Joe play, espionage and he-man hero stuff all rolled in to one very, very sexy package. At first I felt like I came into this from the side. It was clear there was history (see [b:Bound By Honor|10275412|Bound By Honor (Men of Honor #1)|S.E. Jakes|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1296489789s/10275412.jpg|15175980]) with one of the main characters, but I kept on and it all laid out clearly.

What you need to know:

EE – Extreme Escapes, LTD is a merc for hire firm. They help people.
Tom and Prophet are mercs. They help people.
Prophet shows up in some of the Men of Honor series books. Book 5, I believe.

THE show more
CHARACTERS

Prophet was impulsive. Reckless. Lethal.


Prophet - Deadly. Hyper. Honest. Fucks like a bunny. He will do whatever (and whoever) it takes to get the job done. Partners are for pussy’s. Besides he’s already got a former partner haunting him.

Prophet wanted to throw a chair at him, mainly because it had always been an accent he’d found irresistible. On anyone else but this guy. Okay, a little on this guy. Fucking bayou asshole.


Tom Boudreaux - Temper, temper Tommy. Given what may be his last chance by his boss Phil, Tommy has to keep it together even when his past is chasing him.

THE STORY

This whole thing was messy and complicated and fraught with a myriad of issues, apart from the fact that Prophet didn’t know if he actually liked Tommy, and he was sure Tommy didn’t really like him either.


Apparently getting a new partner in the realm of law enforcement is always a bad thing. Particularly in M/M romance. Prophet and Tom are thrust together by their boss Phil (who must be building a Merc agency of gay studs – I’m okay with that). Their planned training mission is changed when a close friend from Prophet’s past is killed. Prophet and Tommy are off to investigate this potential murder and end up investigating each other… mentally and physically.

The sex is freaking hot! It could carry the book all on its own, but luckily it doesn’t have to. What seems to be a pretty straightforward crime syndicate penetration and investigation turns out to be something entirely different. It is much more involved and it’s going to take several books to get this all resolved. I’m completely invested at this point and I’m not going anywhere, I’m happy to be along for the ride. Which is good, ‘cus I’d like to spend a lot more time with Prophet and Tommy. Book one will leave you hanging on, clawing for more, but it’s done the right way. Not in that frustrating way that makes you wish it was already all wrapped up. Oh no, I want more, lots more.

THE WRITING

It was like trying to balance in quicksand – in the end, it was easier to give up and let yourself get pulled under.


For a good bit of the story I felt off balance and not terribly grounded, but I think it was intentional. Without having read this author before I don’t know if it is her style or just the feel she wanted for this book. The lack of solid ground served the story and these two characters well. At this point of their relationship there is no stability. Through multiple flashbacks a nice depth to the characters is revealed and they are truly messed up boys. This falls under the category of; Can’t put it down.

A caveat, sort of: The beginning of the book had me really scratching my head. I started out thinking I’ve read this all before, in a very, very popular M/M series (also at Riptide). Nearly too many similarities had me almost set the book aside, BUT hold on, wait it out. It’s worth it. This truly does become its own world and these two guys have me all wrapped up to the point that I’m trying to figure out a way to bribe the author for the next book… NOW! Until then though, I think I’ll be reading the Men of Honor series.

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Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:


http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
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I was delightfully surprised by this book!!

My biggest complaint with m/m romances is it's often all about the sex, with very little plot or character development. This book had sex scenes, really good sex scenes, but it certainly wasn't all there was. The characters were intense, at times dislikable, but overall they were solid. And there was plot! A rather interesting plot.

Liked the characters, liked their tension, liked the plot. I got to the end and went "what?! that's it?!" but did not have a panic attack since the sequel is already loaded onto my Nook.

I am thrilled to find an m/m author I really enjoy, and plan to devour the rest of her works asap.

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Author Information

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Series

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Catch a Ghost
Original publication date
2013-09-07
People/Characters
Tom Boudreaux; Prophet

Classifications

Genres
LGBTQ+, Fiction and Literature, Romance
DDC/MDS
813.6Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English2000-
LCC
PS3610 .A388Language and LiteratureAmerican literature
BISAC

Statistics

Members
149
Popularity
219,044
Reviews
26
Rating
(3.76)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
2
ASINs
2