Breathless by Alex Morgan

Paranormal detective Corey Shaw, with abilities such as telepathy and clairvoyance, is summoned to Provincetown during the annual leather Mates weekend, when the naked body of a young man is found. He had been tied up and beaten before being strangled. The police say murder but Corey suspects a BDSM scene gone out of control. Searching the dungeons, he becomes immersed in the local scene and discovers a never-before-seen side of himself. In a sea of muscular leather masters and slaves, he realizes hidden urges in an environment where every fantasy can be fulfilled. He must set aside his desires and use his powers to locate the murderer before he kills again. Can Corey find him before becoming a victim to the ultimate BDSM fantasy of execution?

I admit that initially I was hesitant to read Breathless – not for the M/M aspect (because I certainly enjoy those reads), but rather the paranormal aspect. While I enjoy movies and television shows which feature psychics, books with psychics as main characters tend to be iffier for me – the ways in which a book can go wrong far exceed the likelihood that the author will be successful in his or her efforts to weave a story in which the psychic powers enhance the character and story rather than dominating it or making it farcical. That said, Mr. Morgan has succeeded in walking that fine line and creating a character – Corey Shaw – who is believable as a person and as a psychic and one I am glad I got the opportunity to read.

As noted in the book’s blurb, Corey is a paranormal detective called in to use his blend of psychic powers to find a murderer. By all descriptions, Corey is Greek-god-hot and in a six-year relationship with an insecure and jealous man who nearly goes apoplectic when Corey gets called to Provincetown during a major leather event – it is clear to the reader that Ethan’s insecurity does not bode well for their relationship. But Corey takes his role as Psionic detective seriously and throws himself into the investigation fully – so fully that he learns (or admits) things about himself he didn’t know (consciously) … he enjoys being sexually dominant, especially over someone else who is dominant. This self-realization and BDSM elements were yet another aspect to the storyline that Ms. Morgan handled confidently and kept them relevant to the story rather than having the characters indulge in sex for sex’s sake. But I will say, the sex that occurs is HOT, especially when Corey dominates Master Darryl.

Breathless is a great start to the Corey Shaw Mystery series. Mr. Morgan has crafted an interesting world in which persons with psychic abilities are able to use them in law enforcement, while populating said world with a charming cast of characters. Based on the series listing on Goodreads, it appears that the entire series is being rereleased by a new publisher and I am looking forward to the rerelease of the next book in the Corey Shaw Mystery series as I want to know what happens to Corey next.

 Wilde City