Genre: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
A manor filled with secrets is Brand’s last hope for recovery, and maybe love.
After a yearlong battle with declining health, Brand is offered the opportunity to live and work building a small home community in Upstate New York, and reconnecting with his best friend. But Brand is a long way from recovered and doesn’t know if he’ll actually be able to do the job.
Law thought he escaped small town life, and was on the verge of adding to his list of rehab skills when everything shut down. Now he’s in limbo, unable to work with suspended certificates, and back home with a family curse he’d like to keep secret.
Brand needs more than just a physical therapist. And Law is looking for a place to belong. When the truth is revealed, can the two of them find love, despite the mysteries and curses that plague their past?
The Review
I hadn’t read a Lissa Kasey novel in a while, and the blurb for Reflection of a Curse piqued my curiosity. I’m glad it did, because this book was a real page-turner for me.
Brandon had it all. He did very well with online followers and instructions in building tiny houses, as he homesteaded on land in Virginia. Even though he was isolated and seldom came into physical contact with anyone, he made one bad choice. Becoming a victim of a devastating virus, he suffered through a year of just barely surviving. Now he’s lost everything, from those he thought were friends, his beloved pets, his home, his self-esteem and so much more.
He still has a faithful friend in Hunter, his dog, but also in someone who never gave up on him, Montana. Montana is a chef and has a place for him in an Upstate New York, Mansion, which is owed by Zach. It’s a quiet out of the way place where he can hopefully continue to heal.
Zach also has an interest in the building of tiny homes for the small community. Although, Brandon doesn’t have the ability to do any physical labor, he still enjoys planning and constructing the homes on his computer.
On his way to the mansion, Brandon stops for gas and offers a ride to stranger, who happens to be going his way. They talk about the mansion and its draw of tourists, and the rumors of the magical lake. Brandon makes some new friends, and also starts to explore the mystery of the lake.
Reflection of a Curse is set in modern time and sends a message of the devastation that the virus caused. I liked how it reflected respect for others when it came to wearing masks. It’s also about acceptance, as everyone who works at the mansion is always willing to take time out when Brandon was about. There’s the building of old and new friendships and family too, and the soulful connection that starts to grow with Brandon and Law, even though they both have their own fears and doubts.
The subject matter of tiny homes was fascinating too, dealing with the construction, efficiency and importance of the tiny homes.
The story is well written, delving into what normal is, and full of emotions, romance and humor. Myth and lore are also a part of the plot, including how even good myths are distorted to seem bad or cause fear as time goes on.
I liked this line-up of characters! Zach made sure everyone had a place to be of use. Sean kept the creative crafty juices flowing. Montana made sure everyone was fed, especially with Brandon’s special needs. And Rio was the protector and made the perfect connection with Hunter.
If you like paranormal urban fantasy, this is an ideal story.
Note: There’s two books before Reflection of a Curse – Heir to a Curse with Sean and Zach and Recipe for a Curse with Montana and Rio.
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.