Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Throughout the land, rumbles of tales of old are murmured throughout the tribes. Sky has come into this world to fight for the side of light. Do you hear the beat of the drum and the sounds of the Ghost Dance in the wind? It tells of the trials ahead for the Indigenous people. Native Americans hold their breath, for they will be the first group targeted, and they refuse to go down without a fight. The modern world needs their magic and guidance. They will fight as they always have for what is theirs. The powers of darkness have picked on the wrong race of people. Five men stand between the shadows and the tribes in a ring of protection. They will face whatever is thrown their way.
The rest of the world is blind to the dangers coming. Only a few know what lies ahead for the human race. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to run from the madness, and the supernatural world will soon come to Sky and his friends. Everything isn’t black or white; there are always gray areas between good and evil. There will always be variants, and it’s up to the five men to figure out how to deal with each adventure they are thrown into. With the help of Sky’s grandmother, a gifted shaman, a fight is gaining speed and becoming a reality. Full of dangers at each turn, it’s a roller coaster ride full of Native American myths and things better left unseen. Join Sky, Jessie, David, James, Tom, and Blue Corn for an adventure like no other full of paranormal activity, magic, and romance.
M/M Southwestern Mystery
The Review
Sky Alo and Jessie LaCombe have settled in a their own house on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. David and James are living in a condo not far from their best friends. David and Sky still have modeling jobs, Jessie is a doctor, and James a detective. On the surface, everything seems normal for the four friends, but things are about to get chaotic.
Blue Corn, Skys’ grandmother and a shaman, already knows that trouble has started with a skinwalker and orbs in the Navajo territory. She didn’t have the power needed to do anything about it. Tom Hola, head of the tribal police, has a touch of the magic and he can feel it too. Blue Corn and Hola hope that they will be ready to take on what’s to come.
James, David and Jessie have already been presented with their fetish necklaces by Blue Corn: James the hawk, Jesse the white bear, and David the coyote. The necklaces of the spirit guides are to be worn at all times. Sky needs more time to adjust and hasn’t gotten his fetish as yet.
While on a modeling job, David removes his necklace under pressure from the photographer. He takes a very bad fall, and then gets a visit from a very odd person. Jesse and James think David may have a bad concussion, but Sky sees the same thing David, and it causes quite the stir.
As trouble grows, Blue Corn can wait no longer – it’s time for Sky to receive his fetish. But when it comes time for Sky to enter the reservation civic center, he balks. He remembers how devastating it was when he lived on the reservation, and the abuse and harassment that he endured from men, women, children and even the elders of his world. It also brought back what he suffered with his ex, Deacon.
Will the support and power of Jessie, David and James help Sky to realize what he truly is, and the power that he holds? With what’s coming, everyone will need Sky.
Into The Unknown is the second book of the “Sky Trilogy” by Jess Thomas. It takes a deeper journey into Native American lore, myths and magical powers. Sky will need to shed his abusive memories and rely on the friendship, love and support of Jessie, David, James, Tom and Blue Corn. They have to become a team of heroes to fight what’s to come, and the battle will not be easy. They will face the reality of good and evil in all of its forms.
This book also takes a deeper look at the elders of tribes, and their hopes that the next generation will be able to have the courage and strength to face the evil that is bearing down on them. The suspense and danger grows with each new supernatural occurrence.
The “Author’s Note” by Jess Thomas explains how the author feels about the Native America lore, myths and the romance that is woven throughout this trilogy.
Into The Unknown is well worth the read, both for the Native American history and for the respect for the culture that Jess Thomas shows in this trilogy.
I highly recommend reading Sky, the first book in this trilogy by Jess Thomas, first. It’s an introduction to Sky as he leaves an old life and begins a new one with special friends.
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.