The Darkling Thrush by Josh Lanyon

Title:  The Darkling Thrush

Author: Josh Lanyon
Genre: Mystery
Length: 149 pages eBook
Publisher: Re-released by author (April 12, 2012) Originally Loose Id (2010)
Heat Level: Moderate for this genre but it’s hot!
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts- OMG
Blurb: Fed up with his desk duty in the Imperial Arcane Library, book hunter Colin Bliss accepts a private commission to find The Sword’s Shadow, a legendary and dangerous witches’ grimoire. But to find the book, Colin must travel to the remote Western Isles and solve a centuries’ old murder.

It should be nothing more than an academic exercise, so why is dour — and unreasonably sexy — Magister Septimus Marx doing his best to keep Colin from accepting this mission — even going so far as to seduce Colin on the train journey north?

Septimus is not the only problem. Who is the strange faery woman that keeps appearing at inconvenient times? And who is working behind the scenes with the sinister adventuress Irania Briggs? And why do Colin’s employers at the Museum of the Literary Occult keep accusing Colin of betraying them?

As Colin digs deeper and deeper into the book’s mysterious past, he begins to understand why Septimus is willing to stop him at any price — but by then, it’s too late to turn back.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Darkling-Thrush-ebook/dp/B007TWK2H8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334424207&sr=1-1

Reviewer:  Whit

Review:  Colin Bliss is a book hunter on the green side of his career and personal life. He’s working in an exchange program, across the pond, based on his professional gift and one very big discovery. Not knowing much about the culture and never being away from the United States leads to an affair with his married boss. Conveniently, he’s offered a job of finding a mythical grimoire right around the time he’s dumped by his lover. Colin accepts the side job out of the city mainly to get away from his situation with his boss and coworkers.

One of those coworkers, Septimus Marx, is a mystery to Colin. He’s dark, brooding but sexy as hell. He doesn’t want Colin taking the job and heading off the Isles. Colin doesn’t understand why but he’s determined to go. Of course, Septimus shows up on the train and the house Colin is staying at under the guise of another job. They quickly find out there is a strong attraction between them. Septimus is a surprisingly tender, but all-consuming lover. His passion for Colin is palpable, but Colin thinks their steamy encounters are just physical. We, the readers, realize his feelings for the younger man, even if the clueless Colin, who swears he’s not clueless, doesn’t.

Colin’s unknowingly dangerous hunt for the grimoire continues as the mystery behind the magical book unravels. Magic, Fae and power-hungry men add to the intrigue and nobody knows who to trust. Septimus struggles with guarding Colin and making the most difficult decision of his life. The ending will leave you wanting more. Josh Lanyon has built a beautiful and fascinating world merging magic, romance and mystery. I highly recommend reading this book. Then join me in begging Mr. Lanyon for more!