Brush with Catastrophe

This is the second book in The Aloysius Tales Series. As with the first book this was a disappointment for me. It needed more story more character building it is a shame that it lost the possibilities. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. Sammy and Ryder are the MC’s of this book. The narration was good and made it more enjoyable than when I read the book. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

I loved this story so much! The narrator did a fantastic job with this story and made it even better than it already was since the narrator was able to put the emotions and different voices into this story. This one picks up right where the previous one left off which I was happy about this I definitely wanted to know more about these characters and this world. I loved Sammy so much but definitely wanted him to have more confidence in himself and his powers which are pretty unique and interesting. I just loved all these characters so much and their story. It was great to see the relationships develop and progress. I want the next book so badly.

Interesting story! Sammy is a witch with a very special talent. He doesn’t think it’s that important but his talents will be tested. Lucien, wooed Sammy but something was off. Ryder is changing, apparently a human, a gorgeous human who is Sammy’s bff and has loved him for years. There’s action suspense and witchy romance!

I thoroughly, completely enjoyed this book. The characters and world this author created come to Life even more in this second book, than the first. The way I judge a paranormal genre book is by how immersed I can get into the world and story and this book is one of the best. I almost felt like I was there along for the adventure.

This is a great book to settle in with if you are in the mood for a lovely romance and oodles of twists and turns. Absolutely no one and nothing is exactly what it/they seem. There are powers hidden even from their possessors that end up being necessary for survival, sexuality is changeable all for the better and oh yeah, the fate of the world is at stake. Whew! Do not start just before bed if you need sleep have to get up for work the next day.

Brush with Catastrophe (audiobook) MMy Thoughts and Confessions: Book two in The Aloysius Tales picks up a year after book one. In this delightfully wicked tale, young witch Sammy, who is an art major and prophetic witch painter by nature, finds himself painting two gorgeous Men. The first, his crush since their first year in college, Ryder, who has returned from summer vacation so changed he is hardly recognizable, and if Sammy found him attractive before, he is definitely the stuff of Sammy’s dreams now. The second guy Sammy has prophetically painted is exquisite and could have only come from heaven…or fallen from there, only time will tell. Sammy’s dilemma with these gorgeous men is the fact that the one guy he’s known for years is both human and straight, so completely unavailable, while the new guy, is mysterious, charming, an art major like Sammy, and for reasons Sammy cannot fathom, Lucian wants him. Sammy has also found himself strapped with another male; Witch-Master Killian’s familiar, Aloysius, has decided to play protector and matchmaker once more. This tale curved a little darker than the first. Even though an urban fantasy because it dealt with magic, witches, and other beings, underneath it also had elements of dub-con and manipulation. I was thrilled that the Witch-Master and his wonderful husband Blaine got some page time to themselves. I love all the characters in this little series. All the young witches have varying powers, each so different from another. Sammy’s though, wow! When the full reveal happens, it is just wonderful! I adored his character so much anyway (I think it’s the painter/ artist connection) so I cheered for him from the beginning. You cannot go wrong with this audio series. Kirt Graves does an amazing job. The Story: 5.00

Kirt Graves continued to weave a spell with his great narration of the second part of the series, the story continues with Sammy creating more vision paintings and Killian's familiar Aloysius choosing to be with Sammy. 'Elvish' returns after summer break looking very different and having had a large growth spurt, he also wishes to be known as Ryder and Sammy's feelings for him have continued to grow during their time apart and who is the mysterious Lucien? Absolutely brilliant story, spellbound again!! In my opinion better to listen/read in order for maximum enjoyment.

Fantastic addition to the series by Tara Lain, just as entertaining as the first book. Sammy & Ryder where great characters to get to know and I was happy to follow their story. As always Kirt Graves did a super job in giving the characters that little bit extra that the book version does not have. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

I really liked this one! Power, passion, intrigue and deception in a really well written narrative!!! I love Al and I like that he is the "core" if the series and is passed over to Sammy for his story. I liked that we got to follow on with Blaine and Killian, Jimmy and Lavender as we learnt more about Sammy and his friends. I loved Ryder and the mystery surrounding him. This was a really great story and I can't wait to see where Aloysius takes us next!!!

I absolutely adored Sammy and Ryder’s story. There was a couple of ick scenes but once we got the the “big showdown” I can see why they were added to the story. Otherwise great story. I love the world building in the series. Can wait to see more! Narration was fantastic! Kirk really does a great job with these characters!! Even the cat!!!

Out of all the wonderful series Ms Lain has written this is my favorite so any audiobook version of them is a must hear for me. This book 2 featured the story of Ryder and Sammy with a complex plot, full of twists and turns, and their struggling to find not only their forever but also a reason behind everything that is happening. The magic is there throughout the book as part of the plot, in the brilliant characters, in all the little details in the story and in the sweet and heartwarming ending. Now, the amazing performance of Mr Graves, added an extra to the series, voicing their adventures and disadventures in a captivating way, trapping me inside the story every time I read it and re read it. A magical narration! Loved it!

This book was a delightful listen. Sammy and Ryder are absolutely engaging and have a brilliant dynamic. I absolutely love their story. Graves once again does a magnificent job bringing these characters to life. His narration of Aloysius is totally worth this book!

Sammy and Ryder are book 2, Sammy is a half witch, his only power is he paints pictures that come true, he paints a beautiful man, who turns out to be his best friend and crush for years Ryder, but the change in him over break is astonishing, Ryder turns out not to be human or straight, he falls for Sammy when he comes to help him with Lucien a witch causing trouble. I loved the dynamics in the story and Aloysius steals the show, Kirt did a wonderful job at narrating

I love Kirt Graves. He is such a good narrator. I like the book but my favorite part is the cat Al. The characters are great and I can't help but love Sammy.

Again, I enjoyed parts of this book, while others made me quite angry. It follows Sammy's story (we met him in Spell Cat and how he finds love and his true power, which sounds great. But... Ryder, his best friend and love interest, never seems to do anything except... exist. And, although I liked Sammy, there are moments in the story in which he acts very, very dumb. C'mon! Aloysius is a powerful familiar who, for some reason, has attached to him and he hates Lucian. Maybe Sammy should have listened to the cat. Particularly when Lucian's behaviour isn't attractive, at all. And the necklace! Why he didn't do something about it as soon as he discovered it? But my main issue with the story is that there was a lot of people who were raped and the subject is glossed over, with no reaction from the victims or their loved ones. Nevertheless, the story is entertaining and I really liked the very thrilling climax, so there is that :P

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series. The flow was good, as was the relationships. The chemistry between the two is steamy hot. Loved the action. It didn't take me time to settle into the story like the first. I'd recommend.

I LOVED this audiobook! Sammy is a witch. But he thinks he isn’t powerful like his friends. He’s had a crush on his BF Alvish since they met. Sammy has these episodes where he will paint something and pretty much black out. One night he paints a picture of a beautiful man. The next day that man shows up at school in the form of Alvish who wants to be called Ryder now. Sammy believes Ryder is straight so he doesn’t think he stands a chance with him. Sammy has another episode and paints another gorgeous man who shows up at school. Lucien is the guy everyone wants to know. But Lucien only wants to know one person, Sammy. All is not what it seems. Ryder seems to be changing everyday. Sammy can’t figure out what Lucien sees in him. And Ryder hears rumors of others being involved with Lucien. There is an incident between Sammy and Lucien that causes Sammy to say see ya to Lucien. Enter Ryder... Ryder isn’t as straight as Sammy thought. But things aren’t over for Lucien. There’s a big showdown we’re secrets are revealed. I really loved this one. I loved Sammy. And Ryder. And of coarse Al. I’m really bummed that book 3 isn’t out on audio!! Kirt Graves is amazing! He is becoming one of my favorites! He does great with accents and I was never confused with who was speaking.