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Noel Chandler had a good reason for leaving the L.A.P.D. for New Orleans, but when he walks into a burned out Garden District mansion, he discovers there are some things he can't outrun. The spooks can find him anywhere.
As the resident historian for the cable show Haunts and Hoaxes, Professor Adam Morales keeps an open mind about the supernatural. Or that's what he tells himself, until he meets a man who puts that principle to the test. Noel's smart, sexy, and has killer cop instincts. One glance from his bedroom eyes has Adam ready to believe anything.
But is Noel haunted, crazy, or just another hoax?
Haunted can be read as Book 1 of Haunts and Hoaxes or Book 2.5 of Hours of the Night.
⚜Haunted is set in the Hours of the Night universe but follows new, separate characters and can be read as a standalone.
- 5 To Be Read lists
- 3 Read lists
Editors:
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Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 3
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Hurt / Comfort, Opposites Attract
Word Count: 18,500
Setting: New Orleans
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
Review: Adam Morales is a professor who also happens to host a cable television show, Haunts and Hoaxes. So, what better place for him to be doing research for another episode than in New Orleans, a city not only steeped in history but with a hoodoo flavor and charm all its own. Not to mention some of the most allegedly haunted cemeteries in the world. Adam tries to keep an open mind about the paranormal. Or, at least that’s the public face he wears for his show. When he meets Noel Chandler, his mantra is tested in a real and shocking way.
Noel is an ex LAPD detective who left his high profile job and the City of Angels behind to make a fresh start in NOLA as an insurance investigator. He’s in charge of investigating an event which occurred in Nocturne, book two of the Hours of the Night series—the burning of Thaddeus Dupont’s home—to ensure Thad isn’t attempting to commit insurance fraud. Sara being at the heart of both this and the explosion of another house gives Noel good reason to examine this case with a fine-tooth comb, and that’s what he’s doing when he not only runs into Adam trespassing on what is surely still a crime scene but also experiences a hair-raising phenomenon that can’t possibly have happened. Or could it…?
I have loved both novels and the connected novellas in this series (Bonfires, Change of Heart, and now Haunted) and was so excited when I found out about this short story being offered in the M/M Romance Valentines Giveaway. It lived up to my expectations of this duo’s storytelling skills and introduced two new characters I want to know so much more about. Because together they make one intensely interesting pair—not only in the romantic sense but the supernatural sense as well.
The introduction of Noel and the things he experiences are only teased out to us here but seem chock full of expansion potential, and Adam appears the be the perfect complement to Noel’s ability, that which was the cause of him leaving the LAPD. Whether the authors would consider morphing this short into a full length novel, adding an Adam and Noel novel to the Hours of the Night -verse, or would build upon what’s here and weave these characters into a Thad and Sara novel, I don’t know, but I’m on board for future adventures with Adam and Noel, which is the ideal side effect of a good short story—always leave us wanting more. Mission accomplished.
Dear Reader:
Haunted can be read as either Book 1 of Haunts and Hoaxes or Book 2.5 of Hours of the Night.
If you are new to the Hours of the Night and concerned about reading out of order, please don't worry. Haunted is a standalone story within the Hours of the Night universe. It takes place outside the series storyline and follows completely new characters.You can jump in here without needing to know any background and there are no spoilers that would ruin the regular series if you choose to read later.
If you are curious about the events that bring Adam and Noel together, they take place in Vespers and Nocturne, but have no direct bearing on this story except as setting.
If you are already an Hours of the Night fan, Haunted takes place concurrently with Nocturne. You might recognize the neighborhood and even a few of Adam's neighbors.
Haunts and Hoaxes will always follow Adam and Noel. Hours of the Night will always follow Thaddeus and Sarasija.
Enjoy!
Liv & Irene
Irene Preston
Liv Rancourt
