Great New Series!

This is a great start to a new series that is another spinoff of the Cold Case Psychic series, one of my favorite! We finally get Jude's story and I'm glad that he's actually getting his own series. Jude and Copeland have great chemistry and are perfect for one another. It's a slow burn wrapped up in a great story with a wonderful mystery to solve. The narrator was absolutely fabulous with this story! I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy of this audiobook.

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Ghost of Himself

Omg this audio book was absolutely positivity amazing. I would highly recommend this audio book.

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Jude's story brought to life by the fab Mr Pauley

Yes! Jude's book is finally here and what a fantastic start to a new series. Fans of the Cold Case Psychic series should love this book, it includes all of our favourite characters and introduces some new ones for us to get to know. I'd recommend starting with that series as there are quite a few characters to get to know but it's not essential.
In this book we follow Jude and new man, Copeland Forbes, who has travelled to Salem from New Orleans specifically for Jude's help. Between the two of them and everyone at West Side Majick, they set to work on finding who is out for Cope and hurting him. Jude's character has come so far since first meeting him and it's great finally getting to read from him POV. The interactions between the MC's are interesting to read as there's not necessarily the hot burning attraction but definitely something there between them that I hope evolves in the next books in the series.
The premise of Haunted Souls is intriguing and I'm excited to read what direction Pandora takes the men in and what situations they find themselves in. This book is a great start to a series, slowly allowing us to grow a connection with the MC's and build up an interest in the goings on of them and then plot of the story. I was engaged throughout trying to work out who the bad guy was and anticipating the outcome of situations. I'd love to read more on Jude's Navajo background and to explore more of Cope's witch side.
I definitely recommend this book and am looking forward to book two. I'd suggest reading the Cold Case Psychic series first as a lot of characters from there are included and it's a slower introduction to everyone :-)
Michael Pauley has truly done justice with the characters in this book. With waiting on Jude's story for so long and a brand new man from New Orleans, a lot of fans had high hopes and they have been exceeded. I fell into the narration, needing to keep listening as Michael brought the best out of the book and had the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the characters resounding in my ears.

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Great Start to a Spin-Off Series

We first meet Jude in the author's series "Dead Ringer", and its so nice to see him finally get his own book!! He is in Salem when once popular psychic, Copeland, comes looking for him after Copeland gets sick with something no one can diagnose. In this story you get a little bit more of Jude's backstory. Add in some mystery, some magic and some new friends (Onyx is my favorite) and you have the great start to a new series. I can't wait to see how this series progresses.
Michael Pauley did a wonderful job with his performance. His voice is perfect to bring this world to life! Wonderful job!

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Excellent start to a new series!!!

I absolutely loved this book. I am a huge fan of the Cold Case Psychic series and its spin off novellas so I have been anxiously awaiting Jude's story and I am ecstatic that he is getting his own series. I can't wait to learn even more about him and his new "partner" Cope. My heart was going out to Cope from the beginning and seeing Jude swoop in to be his protector was the perfect beginning to this story. I really like how the author is handling the fledgling new "relationship" between these two men and not rushing them into love. I look forward to watching them grow as a team and seeing what kind of shenanigans they get into. We get to learn more about Jude's background and we get to visit with all of our friends from the Cold Case series. I am not completely caught up with that series because I am waiting for the audibles to come out but after this story I may have to slot some time to go read them all. I didn't feel like I had missed a whole lot but I could tell there were stories that I had missed and that just won't do. This story can be enjoyed on its own but is much more enoyable if you have read the other books. Michael Pauley does an excellent job with the narration as always and it's very easy to figure out who is talking just by listening to his voice. He carries over the voices from the other connected series very well so he was the perfect choice to continue this story line!

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When a Rajun’ Cajun’ meets a mystic healing man

When a Rajun’ Cajun’ meets a mystic healing man (an audio review)

Copeland Forbes is a man with a problem. After an attack by a former student and lover, he’s been hiding out, keeping a low profile. In other words, not using his psychic ability. When his health takes a turn for the worse and no medical professional can help, he heads to Salem Massachusetts to find the one man he’s been led to believe will help.

Jude Byrne is surprised when a gaunt man turns up in a rainstorm saying his name. He has abilities he hasn’t shared with his friends, but they soon learn what he can do when he helps the stranger. Together Jude and Copeland have to find out what’s making Copeland sick before it’s too late.

I liked this book. It is clearly a spin off of a series and those who enjoyed the previous one will love the chance to visit old friends. If, like me, you haven’t been in this world before, no worries. I was never lost and able to keep up. The relationship between the two men was nice. I loved Copeland’s attitude and Jude’s protectiveness.

The book is narrated by Michael Pauley whom I adore. His Cajun accent was really good and I liked how he handled all the male characters. He also did well with Bertha so that was worth something as well. Overall I can recommend this book.

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2 people found this helpful

A great start to the next series

I really enjoyed this book. it was an entertaining paranormal sleuth story with some suspense thrown.

Jude is a player, who doesn't stay in one area too long. Because of events from his past, he also has an aversion to witches. His friends seem to see him as uncaring, but he just hasn't had much practice in his life.

Cole is a psychic witch that has already been through a terrible trauma a couple years before the book begins. Due to this, he went to extreme measures to disappear and not use any of his talents. When he starts getting symptoms that his doctor says could be a psychological attack, and they continue to worsen, he finally listens to the powers that have been telling him that only Jude can save him.

As the story progresses, we are introduced to several people whom I am certain came from a previous series written by Ms Pine. Unfortunately, I have not had any of that series at this point, so I can't be certain. This just feels like a spin-off series to me.

When things finally come to a head, the answer to the mystery is a complete surprise. I liked the characters, I thought the story was well thought out, and it kept me engaged throughout the story.

Do not go into this book looking for a lot of sexy times. This is a SLOWLY BURNING romance that has one mild encounter. Just FYI.

As always, Michael Pauley did a great job with the narration.

* I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am leaving my honest review. *

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Amazing Spin-off

Jude and Copeland really had chemistry and the slow burn was a nice touch.

I’m so glad Jude finally got his story and it didn’t disappoint.

Jude’s protective streak over Cope was sexy. I loved how their were secrets revealed about who Jude really was and his backstory. Cope’s backstory was intriguing as well.

The mystery behind who and why Cope was being attacked psychically had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. I totally didn’t see the end and can’t wait to hear/read more from the two as they start their new journey as working partners.

Michael Pauley did another amazing job with his voices for each character, especially for Cope. He was clear to understand, and it was easy to fall into the story with him reading.

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Love this spin-off

Jude & Copeland where perfect for each other. Poor Cope went through hell. There was never any clues on who the person was that was tormenting Cope. The reason this person did what they did made no sense for a rational person but then again they were a little bit on the crazy side. We watch Jude & Cope grow to care for each other as well as trust each other. The only real problem is that they are not really a couple in this book & I hope we get to see them come together as a couple in future books. I love the idea of what they are going to be doing & can't wait to see them start that job. I'm still worried about Cope's crazy ex. Where is he? I can't believe that he is just going to stay hidden. OMG Michael Pauley did an amazing job narrating this one. I love his voice for Cope. I'm still scared on when Deacon is going to pop back up.

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I love these guys

I love this world, you know I do. I’ve gobbled each and every single book in this series, or rather the main series as Ghost of Himself is the first book in a second spin-off series from Cold Case Psychic. Getting confused? You’re not the only one. I’m starting to really feel the need of some kind of roadmap to keep track of it all. I’m not saying that it’s bad, just that at times it gets confusing.

Anyway, we first met Jude in Dead Ringer and I fell for this surly man - hard. I wished that he would get his own story. And here we are, a few months later and my wish is granted and I was in my happy place; where ghosts and psychics are real, and they fight together for justice for those who can’t get it for themselves. Or rather this time they fight to stay alive, to keep Copeland alive.

And who is Copeland you might wonder? Well, he is a talented and respected medium and teacher of magic in Louisiana and when he’s attacked, and barely survives the attack by his ex-boyfriend he goes into hiding. That works for a while, until his life is once again threatened and he follows the advice of a spirit (guess who?) telling him to go to Salem and find Jude. That Jude would be the one that could save him.

Can I just give Michael Pauley a gold star for his narration and move on? No? Well okay then. I don’t have the faintest idea of how many books I’ve listened to by Pauley. Safe to say they are many. He’s possibly the narrator I’ve listened to the most. I love his voice, it’s so pleasant to listen to. Wonderfully soothing, but engaging at the same time. I love how he acts out the book and not only reading the words, it makes the story and characters come to life. Makes you live the book, fight the evils and hug Bertha. Pauley makes you feel it all, every single wonderful second.

However, not even his amazing talents could wow me with this book as the previous books have. It felt a bit disjointed and at times out of focus. Another issue I had was the myriad of side characters that were popping in and out and mostly for the sake of them being mentioned and not having any greater purpose to the book. Like stated before, I love this universe and characters and have listened to seven books set prior to this one in this universe, and I was still confused. When a new character entered the scene I went something like this “Who’s this guy again?” …. “Oh, right he was …..” but by the time I figured out how they were connected I’d missed a part of the story. Not long after that, a new character joined the mix and it started all over again, and again.

As far as the mystery goes, it was loose at best. I mean the “regular” mysteries aren’t all that plausible, but they have a story that makes sense. And more importantly – keep you entertained. This one didn’t. It was a few events that didn’t really connect, that were forced to connect. But the worst part was probably the conclusion to it all. Underwhelming doesn’t quite cover it.

So while I can’t say that I loved this story I can’t say that I disliked it either. Because I still love Jude, Tenn and Ronan and all the crazy people they’ve adopted throughout. And I wanted to know Jude better. It also looks like Jude and Cope has more to say, and I will happily listen to anything they have to share.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

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