Oleander House (Bay City Paranormal Investigations) (Paperback)

~ Ally Blue (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When Sam Raintree goes to work for Bay City Paranormal Investigations, he expects his quiet life to change-he doesn't expect to put his life and sanity on the line, or to fall for a man he can never have. Book One in the Bay City Paranormal Investigation series. Sam Raintree has never been normal. All his life, he's experienced things he can't explain. Things that have colored his view of the world and of himself. So taking a job as a paranormal investigator seems like a perfect fit. His new co-workers, he figures, don't have to know he's gay. When Sam arrives at Oleander House, the site of his first assignment with Bay City Paranormal Investigations, nothing is what he expected. The repetitive yet exciting work, the unusual and violent history of the house, the intensely erotic and terrifying dreams which plague his sleep. But the most unexpected thing is Dr. Bo Broussard, the group's leader. From the moment they meet, Sam is strongly attracted to his intelligent, alluring boss. It doesn't take Sam long to figure out that although Bo has led a heterosexual life, he is very much in the closet, and wants Sam as badly as Sam wants him. As the investigation of Oleander House progresses and paranormal events in the house escalate, Sam and Bo circle warily around their mutual attraction, until a single night of bloodshed and revelation changes their lives forever. Warning: this title contains explicit male/male sex, intense violence, and graphic language.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Samhain Publishing (April 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599983559
• ISBN-13: 978-1599983554
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,259 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine piece of M/M romance from Ally!, April 17, 2007

By	R.Parklane (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is vol 1 of the Paranormal Investigation series and it is much more than a M/M romance. The characters are well developed, leaping from the pages. The plot started off slow but as the story progresses, it is gripping and intriguing as the characters are drawn into a paranormal world which ultimately threatens their lifes. As this is a series, the romance between the 2 guys is not rushed as in most M/M erotica. In Vol 1, Ally does a marvelous job building up the tension and emotions between Sam and Bo. [...].

[...]. Howeve I find both Sam and Bo not very likable (reason for my 4 stars) and am still trying to figure out why. Bo definitely need a good shake and I would have preferred him to be more alpha. As for Sam, he could be more sensitive and vulnerable ? However they do grow on you and I find myself cheering them on to be together. And I have to say the last 40 pages as their feelings and the plot reach a climax is a darn fine piece of writing from Ally. For those of you who cannot wait, Vol 2 is available from Samhain and let's just say the paranormal plot is as gripping and the emotional entanglements between the guys angst filled.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Start to a Series, May 1, 2007

By	Zoey Q. Reader - See all my reviews

I've been a fan of Ally Blue for years now, and I can definitely say that "Oleander House" is one of my very favorites. It's not a "romance" per se, but the focus is on the developing relationship between two men, which I found emotionally satisfying and which made me look forward to the next book (this is book one of a multi-part series).

It is scary, yes -- deliciously so. Ally manages to blend a love story and a horror story so well that I give her a standing ovation.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK but I'm done, October 31, 2007

By	Ron "[e-mail]" (Whidbey Island, WA United States) - See all my reviews

I'd hoped this would be the first of many in the Bay City Paranormal series that I'd enjoy reading. But my journey is over. It's not terrible, but has too many annoying points for me to go on with the books. I found the dwelling on Sam's attraction to Bo and his reactions unconvincing and pointless. Plus, what's with "the braid?" Never understood the emphasis on or repetitive mentioning of Bo's hair appendage. It's an easy-to-read book, but it didn't really wrap things up by the end -- probably as an inducement to continue reading the series.