Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon | Publisher
About The Book
Halloween is supposed to be a night for safe scares and harmless tricks, not terror … or romance.
College student Colin agrees to take his little cousin trick-or-treating, anticipating nothing worse than having to shepherd a bunch of sugar-crazed third-graders and a poorly-trained puppy. When the kids run ahead to peek into the local supposedly-haunted house, it seems like a harmless bit of mischief until the puppy crawls through a basement window and is lost. Colin promises to get her back. The place may be dark and creepy, but it can’t really be haunted. When the house turns out to be occupied by an attractive man who is willing to let him in, it seems like a lucky break … at first.
Secrets. Sometimes Cat feels like he has nothing but secrets. No family, no freedom, not even a real name. Colin seems nice, but Cat doesn’t owe him anything, not when the risk of punishment for helping a stranger is so high. But he’s looking for a puppy, and Cat has a soft spot for dogs. And possibly also a soft spot for kind boys with soft lips. But the apparently simple task of finding a missing pet won’t be as easy as it sounds, because the house isn’t what it seems … and neither is Cat.
Could Colin possibly still want Cat if he learns the truth? They won’t find out unless they manage to escape the darkness of the house.
The Review
Colin is home from college because of his mother, Lynda, who sprained her ankle. With Halloween coming up, his Aunt Saundra and Uncle Hy are off to a party. Colin is stuck at home with his eight year old cousin, Ira, and his cousin’s two friends Buggie and Sequoia.
Colin is a pretty good guy. He protests a little, but then decides to get into the Halloween spirit and dress up in an old spider-man costume, which is just a tad bit revealing. Then it’s off on a trick-or-treating adventurewith the kids.
Sequoia decides to bring her new puppy, Kissa, with her. Buggie, Sequoia and Kissa run ahead while Colin stops to help Ira.
When Colin and Ira come across a spooky house, they find Buggie and Sequoia already there. But Kissa has gotten lost – somehow the puppy has gotten into the house. The place is spooky and cobwebby, but Colin decides to be brave and goes to look for her, but not before leaving the kids with specific instructions.
When he knocks at the door, he’s greeted by a mysterious man who calls himself Cat. Luckily, Cat agrees to let Colin in and they head to the creepy basement to search for Kissa.
There is something more scary in the house than the basement, though. What could it be?
Mere Rain, creates a scary, fun, sweet tale for the Halloween season. The author brings this little cast of characters to life with adorable kids, especially Ira, who seems shy but has a special connection with Colin. Buggie and Sequoia are good friends, but they’re a little more adventurous than Ira. And Colin and Cat have a nice vibe, along with some surprises and frightening moments.
Tricks with Cats and Dogs is a quick, entertaining holiday read, and as always, Mere Rain left me wanting more!
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.
