Close to You by Stacia Kane Series: Downside Ghosts #5.5
Published by St. Martin's Press on 8 October 2013
Genres: Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 35
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Churchwitch Chess Putnam has seen, and banished, her share of ghosts, but not of the Christmas Past variety--the holiday has been illegal since the Church of Real Truth defeated the undead and took control of the world in 1997. Yet when she and her boyfriend, Terrible, make a trip to an abandoned auto junkyard, they find more than the rusted auto parts and spare tires they’d bargained for. They also run across a creepy Miss Havisham-type hell-bent on reuniting with her long-dead husband just in time for Christmas--even if it means taking Chess and Terrible down with her into the City of Eternity…
If Chess and Terrible don't manage to keep these ghosts in the past, they won't have a future…
*I received a free ARC of Close to You from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Close to You is a short story, filled with both action and romance, and of course, I got my long-awaited Chess and Terrible fix! I am always happy when I get to spend a little time with my favorite UF couple. There is always so much happening around those two! And even in this very short story, a lot of things happen that they have to deal with very quickly.
The Downside speak in Close to You is just as well done as it is in all of the books in this series, and I can always both ‘see’ and ‘hear’ Terrible when he’s speaking. Always ready to play and flirt when it comes to Chess, Terrible is awesome as usual. Chess is herself, too, thinking about several things at the same time, and always able to act extremely quickly in a bad situation. The humor is there as well, and I love the way Chess thinks about everything that surrounds her with such a dry, hard wit.
Thinking they have a whole day off to just enjoy each other, Chess and Terrible start out very playful in Close to You. Things gradually turn darker, though, and when we arrived at the end, I have to admit that my one thought was : I hope this is NOT foreshadowing of what is to come! Downside Ghosts is one of the series I love so much that even a short story like Close to You is fulfilling on its’ own, even if at the same time it really made me hunger for more!
“Oh, aye.” He pulled back so his dark eyes met hers, so she could see that… that something, that whatever it was, that was just for her and her alone. “Were thinkin I take you home now, throw you around a little. How’s that sounding?”
It was weird enough, even without the fact that the woman was clearly at least in her sixties – gray hair rose in a matted cloud from her creased, elaborately made-up face. Not that “elaborately” meant “skillfully.” It didn’t.
The song started again. The contrast between the schlocky soft-rock ballad and the utter filthy chaos surrounding them made the whole thing even worse.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I’m not familiar with this series, but it sounds like one I could really enjoy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this short story, Lexxie! 🙂
It’s a great series, Silvia, it’s dark and gritty, and I love how the dialogs are written in a made-up dialect.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I’ll have to check it out for sure, then! 😉
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
This is a series I really want to read. I need to grab the first one! 🙂
Oh yes! I hope you’ll enjoy it, Stormi 🙂
I always love it when short stories are able to pack a punch even with so little space. Though I’ve never heard of this series, I think it really looks promising given that the author didn’t neglect to develop the characters and that things are still happening even for a such a short read.
Whew!
The two main characters were already (well!) known to me, Charlotte, but the story sure did pack a punch 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! <3
Twitter: talksupeblog
Thanks for reminding me, I have yet to read the novel before this and I better get to it before the 6th one comes out. I do love Downspeak, it’s so unique and of course, Chess & Terrible are awesome anti-heroes.
You love them characters, aye? Oh, you haven’t read the 6th one yet? How have you been able to hold off? I can’t wait when it comes to Chess and Terrible. I am always amazed at how much Ms. Kane has made me love those two 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Braine 🙂
Great to hear it was fulfilling on its own. I need to look into this series more.
If you’re into dark stories, you just might fall in love with Downside Ghosts 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
one day, yes one day, I’ll have to start book 2!
Did you enjoy the first, Melliane? If yes, you should RUN and start the 2nd book 😉
yes it’s really different but I just need more time lol
LOL, I know time is often a problem, isn’t it?
Why why why haven’t I read Stacia Kane yet? She is so smart and funny and AWESOME and so many of my friends like her books! Your 4 stars for this novella shame me. *sigh* I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the series this far in, Lexxie–I have to get off my butt and tackle her soon.
Oh my, yes, Wendy, sou do! It’s not your usual genre, though, but it is so well written, and her characters are so wonderfully broken but still strong!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I love that shorts stories for long-standing series is a “thing” nowadays. I can’t wait a year in between books. I am glad that you enjoyed it. 🙂
Oh, I can’t wait for a whole year between books either, Pamela! And most of the time, I really enjoy novellas that are part of a series I love – as opposed to how I sometimes feel about other novellas…
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Sounds like a great bridge book in the series Lexxie, it certainly has you thinking! Great review!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Yes, it certainly is, Naomi 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Gah! I have to catch up on this series!! You know I love Chess & Terrible, too, Lexxie. I’m glad this short story gave you a great fix…and now you have me worrying about foreshadowing. 😉 *sigh* Terrible…
I hope your day was terrific, Lexxie! I’m so glad you’re almost done with this semester and you’ll have a long stretch of time off. That will be nice. 🙂 And no, we’re not in any hurry with Fearsome. I just hate to think you’re waiting on me. 😉 I would absolutely LOVE to chat on fb about it. Let’s get that worked out, okay?
Happy reading, my friend! **hugs**
Yes, I do know you love Chess and Terrible 🙂 We always seem to love the same characters – which enables me to auto-add all the books you love 😀 I am hoping I read too much into something, and that it isn’t foreshadowing at all!
My day was good, and I’m glad the semester is almost over, too…
Have a great day, my dear 🙂 *hugs*
I haven’t read any of the books in this series, but I love Urban Fantasy, and I can tell how fond you are of this series. I love stories that combine action and romance! I need to check this out. Thanks for sharing 🙂
There is action and romance, but there is a lot of darkness too, Lindy. Chess is not exactly a heroine, even if she is the main character in this series 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!