Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Peacemaker
SERIES: Sharps and Springfield #1
AUTHOR: Morgan Brice
PUBLISHER: Darkwind Press
LENGTH: 249 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2023
BLURB:
Secret agents, forbidden love, danger, and magic!
Supernatural Secret Service agents Owen Sharps and Calvin Springfield meet on the train to their new assignment in St. Louis, and sparks fly between them. But it’s 1897, and they need to be very careful—falling in love can be dangerous for men like them.
It’s their first case together, investigating mysterious disappearances—including the two agents who preceded them. Grim evidence leads them to look for a darker purpose. Old ghosts haunt the railroad line, zombie rise, signs point to ritual sacrifice, and they suspect someone is trying to open the gates of hell.
Can Calvin and Owen stop the mayhem, thwart the vampires, and find true love, or will everything go up in smoke?
Peacemaker is a high-stakes steampunk MM romance thrill ride filled with found family, paranormal Pinkertons, intrepid reporters, mysterious disappearances, nefarious land brokers, hellhounds, zombies, vengeful spirits, dark spells, absinthe magic, a ruthless vampire railroad baron and a love that won’t be denied.
Before Colt and Winchester, there was Sharps & Springfield!
Peacemaker is the first book in the new Sharps & Springfield series.
REVIEW:
Owen and Calvin meet on a train. Unknown to the other, they have the same lustful thoughts toward what turns out to be their new Supernatural Secret Service partner. Unfortunately, the proprieties of the day mean it would be improper to act upon their desires. However, given that they will face life and death, would it be so bad? Also, those same societal rules, make it hard to determine a person’s proclivities.
Peacemaker is the first book in a new Sharps and Springfield historical paranormal series, which suggests that no matter the situation, the main protagonists will live on – at least for now. Being the first, the story sets the tone and introduces the ‘ground crew’, the series arc, etc. I have enjoyed several tales by this author, and this run of books looks very promising. But first, ya gotta sort the good, the bad, the outright weird, and lustful.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Owen and Calvin. Technically, nothing glared out at me, and worldbuilding allowed me to easily sink into the late nineteenth century. OMG – living in a train carriage – awesome.
I love the worlds the author has created, so I have read a host of manuscripts. Opening the gates of hell is a frequent flyer in the books – and why not – it’s as good a reason as any for a long-term arc. But one must be careful that the same creatures and scenarios are not repeated too often. Altering the period and the names of the main protagonists isn’t always enough of an alteration. Although, I loved the swindlers, corruption, and strong-willed ladies. Winston the Witch, too, is the equivalent of Batman’s Alfred to the group. He has a wealth of knowledge, and I look forward to encountering him more in future books.
As already said, this book is more of a scene setter than out-and-out paranormal investigating – do not fear, there are paranormal shenanigans. Anyhoo, Owen, and Calvin, separately, are badass investigators, but they have yet to learn how to work as a team. Owen is more of a traditional detective, and Calvin is a wildcard. Together their skillset is complementary, but first, they must sort out their lust. A hefty portion of the story is about these two needing to get laid and having lustful thoughts about their partner. Unlike modern times, they can’t simply give a nudge and a nod in the local nightclub. Back then, society’s rules kept many aspects of life behind tight lips. So, the men must navigate the subtext of exchanges.
Overall, the groundwork for the series has been admirably accomplished. The action and the cast are superb, and I heartily look forward to reading further installments, which will hopefully include more paranormal and less second-guessing about orientation.
RATING: 
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