Release Day Review by Kristie: Hexslayer, by Jordan L. Hawk

Hexslayer, by Jordan L. Hawk
Series: Hexworld, Book 3
Publisher: Self
Release Date: October 6, 2017

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Horse shifter Nick has one rule: never trust a witch.

Nick has devoted his life to making his saloon a safe haven for the feral familiars of New York. So when a brutal killer slaughters a feral under his protection, Nick has no choice but to try and catch the murderer. Even if that means bonding with a handsome Irish witch.

Officer Jamie MacDougal came back from the war in Cuba missing part of a leg and most of his heart. After his former lover becomes one of the killer’s victims, Jamie will do anything to solve the case.

Nick comes to Jamie with a proposal: after making a temporary bond, they will work together to stop the murders. Once the killer is caught, they walk away and never see one another again.

It sounds simple enough. But the passion that flares between the two men won’t be so easily extinguished. And if Nick can’t learn to trust his witch, he stands to lose everything—including his life.

M/M Pairing
Gay Characters
Paranormal
Murder/Mystery
Suspence
Romance
Historical
Shifters
Witches
Magic
Law Enforcement

Warnings for a multitude of horse puns. Prepare to chuckle.

This book. THIS BOOK. This. Book. Goodness. This book.

Hexslayer is a well written, beautifully visual experience. You might not think of a book as visual, especially when it doesn’t have pictures, but here is where you’d be incorrect. The mystery, the suspense, all of the nerve-wracking moments that take place during the course of this story are all tremendously visual. There are moments in Central Park that had me feeling like I was right there. Any time a book takes me out of the crappy world we’re currently living in, pops me into another world, another time, I’m going to happy. And right now, I’m so very happy.

Not only is the experience of reading Hexslayer visually stimulating, but the story itself is fantastic! I’ve been intrigued by Nick from the beginning, so when I’d heard that this was his book, I could not wait to get my hands on it. Nick is so strict in his beliefs. He has so much conviction when it comes to what he knows about witches… or at least what he thinks he knows. No matter what he’s been told by his own brother, no matter what he’s seen for himself, there is no way he’s going to bond with a witch. But of course, this was all before the murders happening in the park. This is before he makes it his mission to find out who is targeting other feral familiars in the city. This was before he met Jamie.

Jamie is Nick’s witch, of course, but he’s also so perfect for Nick at the same time. Perfect in all other ways. They have a connection that can not be denied, and when I read this, I was totally and completely delighted. Jamie is caring, compassionate, and honest. He’s wonderfully fierce and utterly charming. He’s not like any witch Nick has ever encountered or heard of, so as Nick struggles with the realities that things aren’t always as horrible as they might seem, he starts to fall.

As the murders that need solving escalate, the tension everyone at Witch Police headquarters builds. Who to trust? Who can you be honest with? What is even happening? How it it all happening? All these questions and more had me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense killed me in the best way possible. I greatly enjoyed working my way through this story to its ultimate conclusion. I loved the moments when we get to reconnect for a moment with past characters of the series. I relished the sweet and tender moments between Nick and Jamie just as much as I loved the moments when they argued. I quickly fell for the relationship between this witch and familiar, cheering them along on their way to happiness. I laughed. I cried. I laughed so more at the expense of Nick and horse puns. But in the end, I just smiled with happiness of my own.

Reading this had me falling in love with this world all over again, and I have so much excitement for this book to be out in the world for everyone to finally read. This is part of a great series where we know there is more… something sinister that is at play. When will we find out what that is? That’s anyone’s guess. What I do know is that this stop on the ride is not one to be missed.

Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny and single mother. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.

You can connect with Jordan via these social media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads