Review: I want a houseboat now!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 2, 2014
Once again, Theo Fenraven has taken me for a ride - away from my comfort zone.  I'll be honest and say that the three books contained in Precog in Peril were on my TBR list, but only because he wrote them.  They are not my usual type of read.  I hadn't gotten around to buying them yet.  When all three stories became available in one book last week, I jumped on it.Precog in Peril is a M/M story, but, unlike my usual reads, the love story is not the central focus.  That said, the mystery and adventure that ensues does not take away from the romance at all, which kept me content while reading.  The chemistry between Gray and Cooper (ohhhh....Cooper...I love him sooo much) is vivid and beautifully written.  While the story is told from Gray's POV (and his love for Cooper is obvious because he tells us as much), I felt Cooper's love for Gray even more.  It shone through his words and his actions and the little concerned looks.  He worries about Gray's Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which sounds icky as I write this, but in the context of this story, it's a totally beautiful, sweet thing.One thing I always notice about Theo Fenraven's writing, is how he introduces us to the characters.  There is never that typical paragraph that describes them to us, but instead, he shows us little characteristics all throughout the story.  The characters come to life gradually, as if Theo were a painter and with each brushstroke, he reveals a little more to us.  For example, this quote about Cooper, which is almost near the end of the book:"I loved the clean lines of brow and cheekbone, and the soft smoky shadows that appeared under his eyes when he closed them."I smiled when I read that, because it showed me one more tiny piece of Cooper face that I hadn't known before and it made me want to run my finger across those shadows.Don't get me wrong.  I despise reading descriptive passages.  There are none of those here, yet the mystical world in which this story takes place is painted in my mind nonetheless.  There is a simplicity in Fenraven's writing style that makes all his work enjoyable to read.  The words flow and images paint themselves effortlessly as you read.  But it's his mastery of dialog that truly lets us, as readers, come to know the characters.  He keeps it real by throwing in little, unexpected things, often out of context, that often make you chuckle.  (Yes, "Azerbaijani" IS a fun word to say!)There is an entire cast of fascinating characters and an exciting, twisting, turning plot.  I hate writing reviews , so I won't delve into the "meat" of the story, because you can read it in the synopsis and no doubt, in other reviews.  I'll be honest and say that just based on those, I wouldn't have clicked, simply because, as I stated before, I gravitate more toward love stories than mysteries or fictional worlds. Thankfully, Theo Fenraven is a "must-read" author for me, otherwise I would have missed out on this wonderful journey!I've never once in my life thought about owning a houseboat, but I'm thinking about renting one now...but only if Gray and Cooper can come with me!  Thank you, Theo, for another wonderful read!