Familiar Demon

Oh my gah the opening line of this blurb cracked me up so bad. I swear I’m like a teenager sometimes. But it was a good book as well. I loved that it was for underprivileged kids. I wish we had more programs like that where I live. Kids need things like sports and arts as well.

For Simon, he had spent years investing and saving his money. Yeah, he could have been like most athletes and blown in on the luxury lifestyle of the pro-athlete, but he had a goal in mind when he retired and now it was time to make it happen. A charity to help underprivileged kids to be able to play football (soccer). He had several people in mind to help, and fortunately, the head of the Morel Corporation decided to help him. Corporately and privately. The stipulation was that the son, Lucien, had to help run it for the first five years. For Simon, it was a godsend because although having a degree, he was new at this game and needed a businessman to help run it and get everything going. It also didn’t hurt that Lucien was a fox. What started out as a business relationship quickly turned into a friendship. And when they discovered they both were bisexual with the hots for each other, it became even more. But it was not a fairytale. Simon wasn’t officially out as bi, although there were rumors, so when nasty media started it’s turned a charity dream and a bidding relationship into something looked at with malice. With interviews flying to dispel the rumors, they hoped it would be enough, but they didn’t know if anything would survive.

Simon had me the minute i saw his dream. I wish we had more people in this world who truly thought of kids and a way to help them. He didn’t know if he would be able to make this dream come true but he was determined no matter. I wanted to hug him. He’s a man with a big heart and a passion for something special. And of course, heaven forbid he be different on top of that. People just have to be nasty.

I was so grateful for Lucien. Not only did he have a huge crush on Simon, but he was actually perfect for him. Yeah, sometimes Lucien was maybe a bit too aristocratic, but Simon mellowed him more, along with some friends of theirs. And underneath all that polish and shine, he was a passionate man himself. He had been dreaming of doing something like this himself. He was shocked when his father agreed to do it for Simon.

What cracked me up so bad, was Lucien’s father’s ulterior motives. You will see. It’s hilarious. Just when Lucien thought he couldn’t be more surprised, his father laid a big one on him. I also loved Lucien’s friends. They were pistols. Always picking at him, but in good fun. They had a great relationship and welcomed Simon right in.

So, a good book. Laughter, a few tears, and happy ones too. A good read.

4.5 Stars ~ “I’m not trying to kill either one of us,” Edward said shortly. “I’m trying to find a way for us to be together. You knew this. I told you about my plan.”
Mullins closed his eyes and wished for actual human hands so he could drag them through what used to be thick, curly brown hair. “You told me about your dream,” he said desperately. “I told you not to do it, because it was too dangerous.”

I was absolutely entranced when I read the first book in this series, ‘Familiar Angel’, because it was so much more than I had even imagined it could be. Here, in book two, I have Edward, the rational, logical brother who has slowly, over decades, fallen in love with his demon. And Mullins, a 400-year-old demon who, thankfully, was “mentored” in hell by Leonard which enabled him to keep his humanity and his soul, although he believes in neither. Edward is determined to get Mullins out of hell, much like Emma did with Leonard, but this mission is going to need the entire gang in order to succeed.

What follows is the most incredible treasure hunt I’ve ever witnessed. Leonard stole a page from Hell when he was still a resident there, and it lists all the items needed for a spell to get a demon permanently out of that realm. It’s how Emma freed Leonard and it’s what Edward plans on using to get Mullins out of there. Unfortunately, all the items that Edward had already gotten (secretly, I might add) ended up in the van that was burnt to pieces. Oops. So Edward must start all over except this time he has his brothers and Beltane – Emma and Leonard’s son - there helping because, frankly, they’re a little pissed he tried to do this alone.

“This new Mullins, this human man, was younger than Edward had expected—he must have been achingly vulnerable when seduced into the world of hell. His smile was shy and a little bit needy, and Edward wanted to give in to his every need. Shelter him from anything that might hurt him.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised at the direction the author took me in. I mean, this series is set in California and involves witches, angels, demons, and others. So why was I jolted (fabulously by the way) to see Edward, Mullins, Harry, Suriel, Francis, and Bel get sent to Green’s Hill? Where else can they possibly go to get some answers about elves, fairies, shifters, vampires, the Goddess (from the Little Goddess herself), and all manner of others? I was so delighted (amazed, stunned, ecstatic, and oh so grateful) to see Green, Cory, Bracken, and all my other favorites from the author’s ‘Little Goddess’ series. Of course, it was all such a revelation for Francis… and about him, too. And no, I’m not telling. Just know that I spent that portion of the book with stars in my eyes and a very happy heart. A huge thank you to Amy for letting me see my favorite characters interacting with new favorites, kicking ass, and taking names. Ah, Green’s Hill, it’s never boring.

Another incredible addition to the series. Truly. Edward and Mullins were lovely together and the vision of hell the author wrote is enough to keep me wondering about a great many metaphysical things in this crazy world. The ending blew me away in all of the best ways while leaving me totally yearning for Francis and Beltane’s story (it’s gonna be awesome).

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

Do you ever finish a book and go something like ... holy cow, I can't believe all of that just happened?! This was my exact reaction when I finished Amy Lane's Familiar Demon. I also took a deep breath and sighed happily but that's often the case with one of Amy's books.

Familiar Demon is the second book in her Familiar Love series and if you haven't read the first book, Familiar Angel, I HIGHLY recommend you read that first before diving into this one. There is some serious and important world building that takes place in the first book and you'll miss quite a lot of necessary back story if you start with book two. That being said, Familiar Demon was one wild ride! Funny and suspenseful and so much action that starts right away that you need to be ready to strap in and just hang on.

I'll be honest, reading about magical beings and shape shifters is not my go to kind of book, but having read Familiar Angel, and loved it--I mean it's Amy so of course it was fabulous!--I knew I couldn't wait to get back to this world of Amy's. Edward Youngblood has been in love with Mullins for a very long time, too bad Mullins is a demon and lives in Hell. Literally, he lives in Hell. But, love knows no boundaries and Edward and his brothers come up with a way to save Mullins...even if they might die trying to do it. Let me tell you, Familiar Demon is one wild adventure after another as Edward and the boys race against time in order to save Mullins. I found myself gasping out loud more than a few times during the action packed sequences and due to Amy's magical (see what I did there?!) way with words, I felt I was right along side Edward, Harry, Francis and the rest of the gang.

There are funny moments, many of them. And with any Amy Lane book you know you're going to get the romance too, and man, those parts hit me right in the feels. Like many of you, I'm such a sucker for a good do anything for love kind of romance! I found myself loving every minute I spent in this crazy world Amy has given us and I really couldn't turn the pages fast enough. There were so many twists and turns and I was on the edge of my seat. Full of danger and mayhem and laughs, Familiar Demon was everything I'd hoped it would be. The dual POV's added a lot because seeing things from both Mullins and Edward's side was such fun. I can't wait for the next book, I'm really hoping it's Francis and Beltrane! Really, y'all, do yourselves a huge favor and check out both books in the series. It might not be what you're used to in romance, but I can guarantee you'll be so happy you read them by the time you're done!

You do need to read Familar Angels firs but there is enough backstory to refresh your memory. That was my only issue was there was so much backstory it felt like two books and made the story longer. Maybe I was just too anxious to see how they pulled saving Mullins off and if they did. Lol
The characters are unique. We have three cat familiars that are brothers by love and raised together as very young boys. We have a fallen Angel (Suriel’s story is in book one ) two Demon’s , a witch and Emma and Leonard’s son. A very complicated but loving family.
The storyline is good. Edward is trying to save Mullin’s from Hell and they have to find some ingredients for a complicated spell. Of course it’s not an easy task and bad Demon’s wanting their souls, and Leonard back in Hell make it even harder.
There is lots of action, a touch of humor, romance and of course a good Urban fantasy.
This book is a pure fun page turner!