83) Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis

Blurb :

Stan Markowski is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit.

Like the rest of America, Scranton's got an uneasy 'live and let unlive' relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that's when they call Markowski. He carries a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.

My Review :

I have obviously been a good girl because the book gods have made my Summer into a Gustaini delight! Not only is book #3 in his Quincy Morris series due out in July but the first in a new series, Hard Spell, is also due out. There are so many books on my 'To Be Read' pile but when a book from Justin Gustainis comes into my possession, well I have to read it.

So when Hard Spell arrived on my Kindle there was no stopping me. The Blurb for the debut in the Supernatural Crimes series was just too good to resist. And I have to start things off by saying that the blurb does not do this book justice. Hard Spell is actually too good for words but I am going to try my best without giving too much away. In a nutshell, I really loved this book.

Think of all the good cop shows you have watched and then the amazing Paranormal Urban Fantasy books you have read. Mix them up and you have Hard Spell. Actually add a great writer and a distinct new fresh look on things and you have Hard Spell. This one really packs a bite and that isn't just from the demons, vamps and weres. The author has a great style and it grabs me each time. Anyone who hasn't tried this author yet really needs too and Hard Spell is a good place to start.

This one made me laugh out loud, made my heart skip a beat and sometimes I even felt like crying. I sped through this one and didn't want to take a break. I loved the concept, sucked up the details and felt like one of the team of the Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit. The twists and turns were sometimes scary but always super and I never knew what was going to happen next.

Justin Gustainis really makes up for the lack of male writers in the genre and it is refreshing to read a book that isn't drenched in romance or has the typical female lead. I am all for girl power but I loved Stan and his partner and the huge helping of testosterone didn't put me off one bit. It made things interesting. That is not to say there is no female characters, there are a few. However they are not girly or trying to chat up the guys but they do play their parts in the plot very well.

Even better than I imagined this has to be one of the must read new releases this Summer. I can't wait for more from the series and look forward to reading the next case when it comes out. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

Hard Spell releases on the 7th of July.