Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: The Demon Lord of California

SERIES: Infinity 8 #1

AUTHOR: Jeanne Marcella

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 242 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2019

BLURB:

Stripped of his psychic powers, Calico Winghorse barely made it to 19th century Earth via his interdimensional portal. As a mixed-blood phoenix concealing himself in human form, he opens a bakery in the San Francisco Bay Area and quietly licks his wounds. But the unique method of his escape has drawn the unwanted attention of Infinity Corporation. 

Representing this angelic-run company is Agustín Chávez de la Cruz, the Demon Lord of California. Even though Agustín is the corporation’s heir, he finds himself demoted from his daily duties for a new assignment: take absolute control of the portal. 

​As Agustín formulates a more gracious avenue of acquiring Calico’s gateway, the demanding head of IC interferes, further complicating matters. From this unexpected interlude, Calico and Agustín realize they both wish to establish more than a mere business arrangement. So negotiations stumble along, all the while Calico ensures that the good people of the city are getting their fill of baked goods. 

Yet due to Calico’s injuries, the portal remains vulnerable to the darker forces that want it at any cost. Agustín will have to push both his angelic heritage, and his own psychic powers to the very limits to mend someone who not only bears celestial blood, but who is also the god of space and time. 

REVIEW:

What a story. Demons, angels, hybrids, Phoenix, and so much more. And an asshole I want to punch that leads the corporation. 

Agustín has been known as the Demon Lord of California for a while. It’s his territory. He works for a corporation that tries to keep paranormals under ‘the law’ so to speak. But some of those teams cross the line and he’s tired of it. Case in point, when a Mr. Triptych is sent to meet him with information and Agustín has found out he’s basically been demoted. And this guy has taken over. The problem is what they are after is something Agustín doesn’t want to do. He’s instantly attracted to Calico and wants to protect him and ease him into things, but others have different plans….namely Mr.Harper. The asshole that runs things. He sent another team in that hurt Calico and destroyed his livelihood. But Agustín is determined to make everything right. He just doesn’t realize how many spies Mr. Harper has and how involved Triptych really is. When Agustín decides to help Calico with what IC is after and to help him unlock his curse, he realizes how much he cares for the man and that he will do anything to help him and keep him safe. And literally almost died several times in making it happen. But Calico’s greatest fear is about to be realized. He will do what IC is asking of him, but he knows it’s going to cost him. Thankfully, Agustín is there for him to support him, but the cost may be Agustín and himself. Will the sacrifice be worth what the price is?

Ok, first of all, I hate Harper. When you read him, you will too. He is a dick of epic proportions and when it was revealed who he is to a lot of people, including Agustín, I was disgusted. I hate the man. When he sent a team to hurt Calico, I hated him even more. Bullying someone into doing what you want. What a dick. Oh my gah, I hate him.

But Calico is what made this book for me. Coming from a different world to Earth, he’s trying so hard to understand everything but some things he just doesn’t get. And he can’t read English real well. He’s got this innocent quality about him, even considering what he really is. But his soul is so beautiful. He has this glow about him that is just like sunlight in your life. And Agustín was like a month to the flame. Agustín is good for Calico. He brings him out of his shell a bit. Although, it’s taking time. But what I love is the devotion he has to Cal. He risks his life so many times to end Cal’s suffering. It’s not an easy process either. (You’ve got to read to find out.) Needless to say, lots of things get caught on fire. Literally. But the bond they create is a lasting one. They’re miserable without each other. And even though it’s a slow burn, (Agustín knows he needs to go slow), it’s sweet and romantic. 

It’s a good book. Lots of action and people you want to smack. Paranormals everywhere. And a character that has started working for Cal that I have a hunch about but am not quite sure. So it’s going to be interesting to see what happens next. I hope Agustín tells Harper to go to hell and walk off to be honest. But we will see.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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