Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a contemporary M/M paranormal romance from Josh Lanyon. I BURIED A WITCH is the second book in her Bedknobs and Broomsticks series, and follows the travails of Cosmo Saville, a non-practicing witch who needs his magic to save himself from certain death…but doing so risks his new marriage to a magic-hating human. For the meet-cute love story, you’ll want to read MAINLY BY MOONLIGHT, first.

About the book:
Something old, something new, something borrowed…something blacker than the darkest night.

Cosmo Saville adores his new husband, but his little white lies—and some very black magic—are about to bring his fairytale romance to an end. Someone is killing San Francisco’s spellcasters—and the only person Cosmo can turn to—the man who so recently swore to love and cherish him—isn’t taking his phone calls.

The only magic Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith believes in is true love. Discovering he’s married to a witch—a witch with something alarmingly like magical powers—is nearly as bad as discovering the man he loved tricked and deceived him. John shoulders the pain of betrayal and packs his bags. But when he learns Cosmo is in the crosshairs of a mysterious and murderous plot, he knows he must do everything in in his mortal power to protect him.

Till Death do them Part. With their relationship on the rocks, Cosmo and Commissioner Galbraith join forces to uncover the shadowy figure behind the deadly conspiracy…

Can the star-crossed couple bring down a killer before the dark threat extinguishes true love’s flame?

I Buried a Witch is the second book in the smart and sexy Bedknobs and Broomsticks romantic gay mystery trilogy. If you like endearing characters, spell-binding conflict, and spooky, good fun, then you’ll love Josh Lanyon’s tale of a blue knight and his slightly wicked witch.

My Review:
Even though he hasn’t practiced his magic in a couple of years Cosmo Saville is a powerful witch. Duc of Westlands and second behind his mother in the succession line to the Abracadantes craft tradition, Cosmo’s just not that into all the traditions. It’s easier for him to blend into the non-magic world if he doesn’t use his magic for everyday tasks, and he’s mostly successful with the exception of portal traveling–that’s just plain practical magic, so he can avoid traffic and what-not. Cosmo owns an antique shop in San Francisco and he recently discovered a grisly murder of a competitor in his field. Cosmo was under suspicion, but his relationship with the San Francisco police commissioner–John Galbraith who is now his newlywed husband–halted the inquisition. Plus, the mad wife of the deceased tried to kill Cosmo at his wedding. So, she got locked up.

And Cosmo’s rather sure she’s innocent…of murdering her husband, in any case.

Trying to get John and his colleagues to see his points, however, are driving a wedge between Cosmo and John. And, John’s already cooling off when he learns that Cosmo is a bona fide witch. Did he ensorcel John? Because John’s very much against witchcraft in all it’s forms. His half-sister Jinx “pretends” to be into the craft, and John indulges her “fancy” but the more Cosmo digs into that relationship, it seems that a witch acquaintance of Jinx’s might have information about the uncanny disappearances of several witches in the Bay area.

Unwilling to let go of his suspicions, Cosmo digs deeper into his own magical heritage. He’s been warned against marrying a mortal, so he should know better than to expect one to stick around when the magic hits the fire, but Cosmo really loves John and is deeply heartbroken when John takes some steps back. Is Cosmo’s investigation bringing the killer closer sealing his own fate, or setting fire to the only good relationship he’s ever had?

I loved the story telling here, and how John’s police instincts help him understand Cosmo’s craft abilities. The intertwining of the families, and friends, that is only just beginning for this new couple is fraught with extra complications of historical witch hunters and a murderer who is clearly still at work. I really liked the way Cosmo sticks to his guns regarding who he truly is, and how John takes the necessary time to reconcile himself to the situation. There are a few scenes of martial bliss to balance the strife that awaits. In the end, I’m pretty sure John will fall even harder for Cosmo, because who couldn’t, really.

The big conflict is coming, now that we know who’s on the hunt for witches. And Cosmo’s family has been shattered just enough to create extra havoc. With John and Jinx in the mix, plus some of Cosmo’s dearest witch friends gone missing the tension is high. I’m really looking forward to the final installment.

Interested? You can find MAINLY BY MOONLIGHT on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Apple Books. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
Josh Lanyon is the author of over sixty titles of classic Male/Male fiction featuring twisty mystery, kickass adventure and unapologetic man-on-man romance.

Her work has been translated into eleven languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first male/male title to be published by Harlequin Mondadori, the largest romance publisher in Italy. Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place). The Adrien English Series was awarded All Time Favorite Male Male Couple in the 2nd Annual contest held by the 20,000+ Goodreads M/M Group. Josh is an Eppie Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads Favorite M/M Author Lifetime Achievement award.

Josh is married and lives in Southern California. Catch up with Josh’s new on her website, Facebook or twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!