Review: Bite of the Recluse by Azalea Moone & Anais Morgan

Two years ago while Tristan and his boyfriend were enjoying some privacy, a recluse demon attacked them and his lover paid the ultimate price. Since that day, Tristan has dedicated himself to finding the demon. After all, an eye for an eye. All evidence points to a recluse named Damon.

Like all spider demons Damon knows about Tristan’s mission and is forced to stay on the move. But fate has a wicked sense of humor and they must team up to fight the real killer. But when she's closer than Tristan expected, his and Damon's relationship is tested before it can begin.

Damon the demon is the owner of silvery disco ball eyes.

Two years ago, Tristan lost his lover to a spider demon. Tristan believes his lover's killer to be a recluse spider demon named Damon. So for two years, Tristan gives up his life (home, job, etc.) to hunt and kill demons all over America it seems. He's a feared demon hunter and has killed hundreds of demons during the two year period, creating a name for himself. And guess how Tristan combats these demons?

With a stake? Nope.
Silver? Nein.
Holy Water? Negativo.

He fights demons with bug spray.

Yep, everyday bug spray. Tristan even created a bug spray holder to wear under his trench coat, I'm guessing demon hunter gear according to the authors. Tristan wears his trench coat while traveling the world daily...in New Mexico and Texas heat too. How does he have money for his travels and gear? Oh, I have questions.

Tristan finds Damon very easily...too easily in Montreal. And then gives up his quest for revenge against Damon once Damon gives his silvery, disco ball stare and states he never killed Tristan's lover. And Tristan could tell Damon was not lying because he could just tell. Do you notice the weakening plot yet? No?
Okay let me continue.

Damon uses his demon powers to locate the real killer. Which begs the question, if Damon could have found the real killer so quickly, why didn't Tristan ask one of the hundred demons he's killed to locate the killer of his lover? But regardless of the quick fix, the two men join forces to find the killer once and for all and while traveling to New Mexico and Texas fall into insta-dick (props to Ann for that term) and can't seem to quit one another in a matter of days.

Damon gets seriously injured during their hunt for the murderer and you know what he does? That's right continue the hunt have sex with handcuffs, flavored lube and mild bondage. Nothing says I'm on the hunt to avenge my dead lover by having sex in a motel. Damon is in excruciating pain but managed to push the pain down to have sex and once he was over remembered his injury and teared up. *smh*

There are so many plot holes in this story, that it's giving them out as gift bags for all. You want a plot hole? You got it. I'll just give a few because if I gave them all, it'd be the entire story.

-Recluse spider demons aren't allowed to kill. Yet there's a recluse spider demon serial killer.
-Bug spray as demon killing agent. Really? And to add insult, use of a self car wash sprayer? Who could carry that bulk while demon hunting?
-If the recluse spider bite is venomous as the serial killer bit their victims...how did Tristan survive being bit for two years? How did he not remember until Damon asked him?
- How--you know what before I become really spoiler-y, let me stop while I'm ahead.

There's a villain afoot who at the end of the story has no true purpose for the massive killing spree they have committed. Which makes me question this entire story in general. If the protagonist could have solved this mystery in the ten minutes it took to locate the antagonist and the antagonist has no purpose...what was the purpose of this story? Why was this ninety pages longer than it needed to be?

Main characters were flat and boring (even with alternating 1st POV --which I usually love because it can give you a great sense of the characters'--it didn't happen here), their relationship read forced, the plot...flat-lined before having a chance to start and the development...well there was none. The two hare horned up over each other the moment they meet and ride off into the broke pockets sunset in the end. It's HEA with both men having no prospects other than the sex toys. This story had a decent enough idea, a somewhat complicated plot that could have been a great story but the execution was lacking.

Maybe the plot is mesmerized by Damon's silver disco ball eyes?

A copy provided for an honest opinion.