Genre: Historical, Victorian Gothic, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Twenty years ago, a thief stole the Ferox Cor, and now he’s dead.
Vincent Fairchild, a witch with little power beyond his charm, is tasked with finding that dangerous magical object. He’s already been pruned from the family tree because “nice” people don’t possess even the lowest of magic. If he fails to return with the Ferox Cor, he’ll lose his place with the Witches’ Council.
Determined not to be cast aside again, Vincent travels to the West Point lighthouse, where he learns that the Witches’ Council was mistaken. Martin Gallagher, the thief, didn’t use the Ferox Cor to enrich himself, and his son is not a child. In fact, Rafe Gallagher might be the most powerful witch Vincent has ever met. Powerful, adult, and incredibly handsome.
Martin will return on Samhain when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. He’s promised to reclaim the Ferox Cor, but doing so risks unleashing a great evil on the world. Rafe has sworn to destroy that powerful object, but if he succeeds, Vincent’s future is at risk. There’s a way forward, but to find it, Vincent must look to his heart.
The Review
Vincent Fairchild’s last name comes with a good reputation, but that’s all he has when it comes to the Fairchild name. Because he has witch powers, his family shunned him, him but they still allow him to use their surname, and his pedigree gained him entry to The San Francisco Witching Council organization. He has always done well for himself, even without the family fortune. He works hard, earns a living and pays rent at a boarding house. Although he has access to a trust, left to him by his Grandmother, he’s very cautious with his money.
Vincent answers to Madam Agatha Munro of the SF Witching Council, and has to take on any challenges she presents. Those who have powers got them by inheritance or by an accident of birth – Vincent was the latter. All magic is considered an open secret.
After an evening out for dinner with his best friend, sometime lover, and protector Rutger Smit, Vincent awakens alone in a strange place. He rushes home to look for Rutger, but when he gets there, a note is delivered to him. He’s been summoned by Madam Munro. Rutger is missing, and apparently Vincent turned someone into a do, something he doesn’t remember at all. But he has to comply with the Madam’s assignment.
He’s escorted by aweather witch, Margaret Barnes, to the West Point Lighthouse in the north end of Elliott Bay in Seattle. Vincent will have to recover something called the Ferox Cor from Martin Gallagher, the lighthouse keeper who is now deceased. Martin’s wife Della and son Rafe are on the deserted island, taking care of the lighthouse. All is not what it seems, especially when it comes to Rafe, whom Vincent needs to get close to in order to find the strange device.
The Ferox Cor was created by a necromancer five hundred years earlier, and holds unlimited power. It also has a mind of its own, and anyone who claims it will become evil and be able to destroy anything.
Della and Rafe are being pressured to join Oliver Stevenson’s Seattle Council, which doesn’t exist. Councils cannot be established without approval from the Congress. Vincent and Margaret believe that Stevenson is after the Ferox Cor to gain its incredible and dangerous power. In protecting the lighthouse, the four will face the unknown dangers.
The Lighthouse Keeper is an extraordinary and entertaining read. I found myself immersed in this tale of witch magic, power, suspense and danger, filled with secrets and surprises. The book is full of different kinds of witchcraft: earth, water, weather, ritual master, thaumaturge, witch lights and Samhain and the return of the dead. And there are people who are greedy, deceitful, disloyal and will do anything for power.
I liked the contrast between Vincent and Rafe, so very different. Vincent is humble and tries to keep calm as all the eerie things happen around him. Rafe seems mean and unfriendly, but there’s something about him that attracts Vincent.
There are so many colorful characters: Margaret Barnes, who becomes friends with Vincent; Madam Agatha Munro, mysterious in her own way; the clairvoyant Mrs. Meredith Morrison; Della Gallagher, a Baron; as well as Rutger Smit, Oliver Stevenson, Ford, Tilby and the Franklin Sisters.
I highly recommend The Lighthouse Keeper, especially for anyone who loves reading about witches, magic and various powers – an intriguing page-turner packed with surprises, humor and steamy moments. Well done.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
