Sam Raintree’s first job as a technical assistant with Bay City Paranormal Investigations involves a series of murders that have happened in different time periods. The setting is Oleander House, opulent and grand…and potentially inhabited by evil spirits. Since this is Sam’s first day on the job, he has no idea what to expect. He never imagined that his boss, Bo, will catch his eye and cause distractions that the investigators do not need.

While Sam is gay, Bo seems to be quite happily married. Yet, Sam can’t keep his mind off his sexy boss and he senses that his boss feels the same way.

There is definitely something going on at Oleander House, and the sexual attraction simmering between the men could make them vulnerable to whatever force has cast a malevolent shadow over the house. The danger increases as their desires do, but they can never make a relationship like this work. It may not matter, because they may not make it out of this job alive.

Oleander House is atmospheric and dark, gritty and yet quite sensual. The mystery plot unfolded seamlessly, and the men’s desire for each other and what their relationship could represent added an intensity that deepened not only the romantic plot, but the suspense as well.

The house almost seems to be a secondary character itself, and the paranormal elements were presented well but never overshadowed the romance and all the emotional baggage that it entailed. This is a very well-rounded book that should appeal to lovers of paranormal romance and mystery alike.




Reviewed by: Cat N