Unholy Blue

By Darby Kaye

Strong and Irish.

That's how Shay Doyle likes her whiskey. And her men. As Healer to a clan of immortal Celtic warriors living in modern-day Colorado, she has been gifted with such a man: Bannerman "Bann" Boru, who is warrior, lover, and father. The only problem is keeping the stubborn warrior alive. For Fate seems to have it in for Bann, and his son, Cor, descendants of the kings of Ireland, and recipient of an ancient grudge from the mad god, Cernunnos.

But, with a bit o'luck, Shay, Bann, and the rest of the Doyle clan - along with the aid of a legendary huntsman known as the Black Hand - might just suss out how to kill a shapeshifter that refuses to stay dead, prevent clan warfare, and make a choice that could change their lives.

If they don't lose them first.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spence City
• Release date: Jan 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781633920521

Darby Kaye

Darby Karchut (Darby Kaye) is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter. She's been known to run in blizzards and bike in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby writes urban fantasy for tweens, teens, and adults. Her latest novels include Finn Finnegan (2013) and Gideon's Spear (2014) in The Adventures of Finn MacCullen series as well as the next book in the series, The Hound at the Gate (January 2015). The Stag Lord is her first adult novel.

Book preview

Praise For The Stag Lord

Darby sets a vivid scene as backdrop to a passionate story with a strong romance, and even stronger family unit. She had me at Bann’s Irish brogue, Cor’s young bravery, and Shay’s sheer strength of will, then slayed me with the Doyle family. Darby Kaye’s Tuatha Dé Danann shouldn’t be missed. –M.D. Waters, author of Archetype and Prototype

Darby Karchut’s new novel is a refreshing glimpse into the often-visited world of Celtic mythology and tradition. It paints familiar myth with new colors and gives us heroes we want to root for—and reasons to keep turning the pages. – Walter H. Hunt, author of the Dark Wing Universe and Elements of Mind

Karchut (Kaye) continues her exploration of the fighting Irish in this crisp and feisty urban fantasy. Adult fans…will relish the relationship between an heir to the Celtic throne and the young Healer, Shay, whose skills are constantly put to the test. –D.C. Farmer, author of The 400lb Gorilla (The Hipposync Archives)

There is no slow burn with this read…a resounding success. –RoloPolo BookBlog

"The combination of setting, love of family, and creating outstanding three-dimensional characters kept me invested in this book…I’m gathering my breath for December when I’ll dive into Unholy Blue." –Donnell Ann Bell, best-selling author of Buried Agendas and Deadly Recall

"…a delightful tale filled with action, mystery, and romance…A fine kick-off to the Bannerman Boru series." –Rabid Reads

…highly recommend for fans of urban fantasy, and to readers who are looking for something new and different with brilliant characters to fall head-over-heels for. –A Belle’s Tales

Also by Darby Karchut (Darby Kaye)

Urban Fantasy

The Stag Lord

(Spence City)

Middle Grade Books

(Spencer Hill Middle Grade)

Finn Finnegan

Gideon’s Spear

The Hound at the Gate

Young Adult Books

(Copper Square Studios)

Griffin Rising

Griffin’s Fire

Griffin’s Storm

Non-fiction Books

(Copper Square Studios)

Money and Teens: Savvy Money Skills

Essential Money Guidebook: Simple, Sustainable Personal Finance for Real People

Words and Phrases

Amandán (AH-mon dahn) - goblin-like creatures

bodhran (BOW-rawn) - Irish frame drum played with a doubled-headed stick

Céad mile fáilte (kad MEEL-a FALL sha) - A hundred thousand welcomes

codladh sumh (culla SOVH) - Sleep well

cú (Coo) - Hound

Fáilte (FALL-sha) - Welcome

Faugh a ballagh (FOW-an BALL-ah) - Clear the way!

Fortitudine Vincit - He conquers by fortitude.

gle mhaith (GLAY moth) - Very good

mo chara (muh KAR-uh) - My friend

mo shíorghrá (muh HEER-ggrah) - My love or my treasured love

ogham (OH-ehm) - a type of alphabet for one of the ancient Celtic languages, usually found carved in tall, slender standing stones from around the 5th century

O’Siobhan (O SHIV-awn) - Irish surname

Poc sídhe (POKE shee) - fey or fairy stroke

Samhain (SOW-ayn) - Halloween

Sláinte (SLAWN-cha) - health

Tuatha Dé Danaan (TWA day dhanna) - an ancient warrior race of mythical beings from Ireland

Unholy Blue

(The sequel to The Stag Lord)

Darby Kaye

© 2016 Darby Karchut

Sale of the paperback edition of this book without its cover is unauthorized.

Spencer Hill Press

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

Contact: Spence City, an imprint of Spencer Hill Press, 27 West 20th Street, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10011

Please visit our website at www.spencecity.com

First Edition: January 2016

Darby Kaye

Unholy Blue/by Darby Kaye–1st ed.

p. cm.

Summary: Modern-day Celtic warriors must once again face an insane, vengeful god while preparing for a wedding.

The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this fiction: Ace, Aer Lingus, Amazon.com,

Batman, Borriello Brothers Pizza, Cabela’s, Celestial Seasonings, Chia Pets, Chippendales, Coors, Cosmopolitan, Donald Duck, FedEx, Fig Newtons, Ford, Frodo, Gandalf, Gevalia, Gimli, Google, History Channel, Home Depot, HotHands, Jeep, Lauren Bacall, Lisa Frank, Marvel Comics, PetSmart, Plexiglas, Puppy Chow, Starbucks, Star Wars, Spider-Man, Superman, Teflon, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings, Thor, Transformers, Uggs, Volkswagen Bug, Volvo, Wolverine

Cover design by Errick A. Nunnally

Interior layout by Errick A. Nunnally

978-1-633920-51-4 (paperback)

978-1-633920-52-1 (e-book)

Printed in the United States of America

Eyes of most unholy blue.

—Thomas Moore, Irish poet (1779-1852)

The Song of the Tuatha Dé Danaan

I am a wind on the sea,

I am a wave of the ocean,

I am the roar of the sea,

I am a bull of seven battles,

I am a hawk on the cliff,

I am a teardrop of sunlight,

I am a gentle herb,

I am a boar enraged,

I am a salmon in a pool,

I am a lake in a plain,

I am the vigor of man,

I am the meaning of poetry,

I am a spear on the attack, pouring forth combat,

I am the god who fires your mind.

1

WHILE SHE WAITED BY the open door of the plane for the passengers to disembark, the flight attendant watched as the man in 8C—ruggedly handsome with tall, dark, and come fly the friendly skies with me looks—unfolded himself from the aisle seat. He tucked the tail of his blue shirt into his jeans, then reached into the overhead bin for a small duffle bag and a canvas barn coat. He pulled a small box out of the pocket of the coat, the kind of box one would find in a jewelry shop; he peeked inside, then put it away. A faint smile curling a corner of his mouth, he edged into the crowd of passengers impatient to exit.

On autopilot, the attendant thanked each passenger as they shuffled by, not even noticing that very few acknowledged her. She caught herself in time to keep from wrinkling her nose when a whiff of jet fuel fumes drifted into the commuter plane, fouling the clean air of the late October afternoon. Actually the last day of October, she realized. Halloween. She glanced out the door at the range of mountains to the west. The lowering sun crowned the peaks with coronets of silver. She never tired of that view; it always reminded her why she had chosen the city of High Springs as her home base, instead of Denver, an hour’s drive north.

As the man made his way toward her, duffle in one hand, jacket in the other, she noticed that his eyes were a startling blue, almost the same color as the Colorado sky. No, not almost. Exactly.

She had checked the manifest earlier—out of curiosity and nothing more, no matter what the other attendant had said. The man, with the unusual name of Bannerman Boru, had flown out of Pittsburgh. As she continued to smile at each departing passenger, she wondered what business he had had in Pennsylvania, and what had brought him out West.

Thank you for flying with us, she said, giving him a first-class smile.

An unusual neckpiece encircled his muscular throat beneath the shirt collar. Made of heavy gold wires twisted together like a rope into a thick cable, it was capped on either end with not-quite-touching twin horse heads. The word torc flashed through her head. The piece reminded her of the sword and sorcery movies she watched in guilty pleasure.

My pleasure, miss. The old-fashioned response, as well as the whiff of an Irish brogue, made her heart flutter. Ducking through the door, he climbed down the metal stairs, his workman’s boots ringing softly. He walked across the tarmac to the terminal, an eagerness in his stride that made her envious of whoever he was hurrying to see.

She sighed. Damn. They don’t make ’em like that anymore.

Waiting off to one side of the main terminal, Shay Doyle double-checked her appearance in the darkened glass outside of the airport bar’s window, much to the delight of two Marines having a beer on the other side. She gave a nod at their raised glasses. Their faces were young and fierce with life. Semper Fi, gentlemen, she thought. May the Morrigan not come for you until you’ve heard the laughter of your grandchildren.

Turning away, she ran her fingers through the reddish-blonde hair that flowed past her shoulders, fluffing it just a little, then tugged at the leather jacket she wore over her favorite black V-neck cashmere sweater. The jacket was South Dakota biker chick meets New York City chic, and always made her feel badass in all the right ways.

A drawn-out sigh caught her ear.

Shay glanced down at the boy fidgeting beside her. He was tracing the pattern in the carpet with the toe of his sneaker, the picture of boredom. Hang in there, Cor. He’ll be along any second. It always takes a few minutes for everyone to get off the plane.

Cor Boru looked up at her, a mini version of his father, Bannerman, right down to the long-lashed blue eyes—the same shade of blue as Shay’s own eyes, and the distinctive trait of their people, the immortal Celtic warriors known as the Tuatha Dé Danaan—and the same dark brown hair shot with streaks of bronze and copper. It seems like Dad’s been gone a long time.

Barely a week, buddy. But when you’re eight, almost nine, years old, and have been glued to your father’s hip for the past year, a week can seem like an eternity, even if we all three talked on the phone each and every night. She reached over and swept aside the lock of Cor’s hair that was forever flopping over one eye. Grinning, she thought back to all the times this past week she had tried to tame that errant lock, while caring for the boy who could possibly, hopefully, with a bit of Irish luck, be her future stepson.

Cor ducked. Don’t. He batted her hand away when she tried again, then laughed when she made a scissoring motion with her fingers. And no haircut!

Shay’s grin widened at his laugh. Gods, I adore this kid. How could I have fallen in love with both father and son so fast? I can’t believe it’s only been a month since we met. The events of the last thirty days played out in her mind like a movie trailer. Coming across an injured Cor and a frantic Bann. Learning that the man and boy were not only also Tuatha Dé Danaan, but the descendents of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, and thus the targets of the vengeful shapeshifter Cernunnos, known as the Stag Lord. The growing affection among the three of them as Bann decided, much to Cor’s—and Shay’s—delight, to stay in High Springs and make a go at a normal life. And finally, the fateful day when they had battled and defeated Cernunnos.

Or so we thought. Not only had Bann been critically wounded, but her dog, Max, had sacrificed himself to save father and son. Lingering grief filled her over the fact that the god had managed to somehow transfer his essence into her dog, enabling the shapeshifter to take over Max’s body and somehow live on.

Shay. Cor. A deep voice—a beloved voice—called their names. They spun around.

Dad! Cor took off first. Sprinting through the crowd with an agility that was as much part of his warrior heritage as of his training, he dodged around—and in one case, jumped over—various pieces of rolling luggage, much to both the amusement and indignation of other travelers. With another shout, he launched himself at his father. Timing it perfectly, Bann dropped the duffle bag by his feet and caught Cor in mid-air.

Shay’s heart melted when Bann hoisted Cor higher in his arms. The boy wrapped his limbs around his father and clung like a squirrel on a spruce tree. After a fierce hug that made a few passersby smile, they leaned back far enough to gaze into each other’s eyes. As Shay approached, Bann asked something in a low voice. Cor grinned and shook his head, then glanced back. Nope. She’s right here.

Shy and eager at the same time, Shay paused, not sure if Bann would appreciate her flinging him to the ground in public. Probably not, seeing that he’s a bit old school by nature. Well, I can’t blame the guy. He is over a hundred years old.

See, I didn’t lose her, Dad.

Welcome home, Bann. Shay knew she was grinning like a fool. She didn’t care.

Cor wiggled down and stood bouncing in place as he glanced at the man and woman staring at each other. I think you’re supposed to kiss now, he whispered in a loud voice.

Bann reached out his hands and took Shay’s. All her shyness melted away when he smiled. Shay, darlin’. He pulled her near, holding their clasped hands against his heart. He stared down at her, as if memorizing her face. By the Goddess, I missed ye and the boyo.

Melting even more as his brogue deepened with emotion, Shay reached up and ran her fingers along the dark stubble marking his strong jaw. Not as much as we missed you. She stood on tiptoe and brushed his lips lightly with her own. Her body flushed at the heat in his gaze. Hot time in the old town tonight. The old tune flitted through her head. She took his hand. Come on. Let’s get your luggage. By the way, Ann and Hugh insist, she added, speaking of her aunt and uncle who were like a second set of parents, that we have dinner with them before heading back to…um…my place. Our place.

And Dad, guess what? Cor picked up the duffle and slung it over his shoulder, almost toppling backwards from the weight. A hasty grab from Bann saved him. Nah, I got it. The boy readjusted the bag and staggered toward the escalator leading down to the lower level and the baggage claim area. Hand in hand, Bann and Shay followed. Shay’s getting you a new—

Hey, blabbermouth. Shay bipped Cor on the back of the head. I thought I told you I wanted it to be a surprise?

Standing on the moving step behind Cor, Bann reached out and gripped the back of his son’s jacket, holding him in place when the boy wobbled from both the movement and the weight of the duffle. A new what, son?

Shay said I’m not supposed to tell you.

Ah. Then you best mind Shay.

Shay peeked up at Bann. Just holding his hand made her pulse race along. It kicked up a notch when he leaned closer.

Speaking of surprises, I’ve one for you, he whispered.

"Is it a big surprise?" she whispered back, turning her head so that Cor couldn’t hear.

You know I’m not one to brag.

Shay groaned and rolled her eyes, secretly delighted at the flirting. Before she could think of a quip, he continued.

Actually, I have several surprises. One is being shipped with the rest of our things, which should get here on the sixteenth. He stepped back to allow Shay to exit the escalator first, then fell in beside her as they made their way to the carousel.

"I can’t believe you managed to rent your house and packed up and arranged the shipment of your belongings, all in a week’s time. She slowed, letting Cor go ahead, and lowered her voice. And what about your wife’s family? Are they still all…?" She made a twisting motion with her fist over her heart.

Aye. Remorse darkened Bann’s face. They are still wounded over the fact that I’ve moved Cor so far away, so soon after Elizabeth died. I explained to them they are welcome to visit their grandson anytime, but that Cor and I need to make a new life. A place where the memories of this gods-be-damned past year won’t haunt us so much.

Shay slipped her arm through his and gave it a squeeze. Well, as you know, everything’s been quiet around here. No sign of Cernunnos and no attacks. Even though the god was using her dog’s dead body to attack members of a rival clan—for reasons we still haven’t figured out—she refused to refer to the shapeshifter as Max. Although that pack of goblins we hunted a few weeks ago is still being a nuisance.

And the Tully clan?

Still making threats. You know the Tullys—they’re just looking for an excuse to stir up trouble. Our clans have never gotten along all that well. And there’s the understatement of the millennium.

I’m surprised you and Quinn Tully ever even dated.

Me, too. Jeez, what was I thinking? Shay made a face, recalling her brief affair with Quinn, who had been first resentful of her position as Healer and then had become downright nasty about it. He had even slapped her at a party, right in front of Bann. Although she and Bann had just met forty-eight hours earlier, the Knight had beaten Quinn Tully into unconsciousness. Which had led Tully to ally himself with the Fir Bolgs, fellow beings of ancient Ireland and long-time enemies of their people…the same creatures that had later attacked Bann, Shay, and Cor. I know this sounds heartless, Shay said, but I don’t feel one bit sorry the shapeshifter killed Quinn. He deserved it, the dickwad.

Bann cleared his throat. Big ears, he murmured, jerking his chin at the boy in front of them.

Oops. My bad. She raised her voice. Ignore that, would you, Cor?

Cor tipped his head back to look at Shay. Is it one of those grown-up words I’m not supposed to use?

Yeah.

You and Dad sure say a lot of them.

Bann and Shay glanced at each other in chagrin.

After collecting a second duffle bag, this one large enough to stuff Cor into, the three made their way across the parking lot, eschewing the shuttle bus at Bann’s request for some much-needed exercise after spending the day in airports and planes.

As they walked along, Shay elbowed Bann and pointed toward the west. Now, there’s a miracle—a clear evening for tonight.

What do you mean?

I mean no big snow storm this year. It’s kind of a joke around here with mortals. Snow on Samhain, sunshine on Yule.

I doubt most mortals would refer to Halloween as Samhain, Bann pointed out as they reached Shay’s SUV. After she unlocked it, he heaved the bags inside the cargo area.

You’d be surprised. Still, we’ll probably have a full moon tonight. Which would make things sketchy if— Shay closed her jaw with a snap. What the hell was I thinking? Talking about that monster in front of the kid?

Bann opened the back passenger side door and ushered the boy inside, then closed it with a thud. —if Cernunnos decides to follow his original plan and try to take Cor tonight, he finished for her.

Over my dead body.

No. Bann smiled thinly, an ice-blue gleam in his eye. "Over his."

They drove westward across the city toward the mountains. At the wheel, Shay maneuvered through downtown’s rush-hour traffic without a single cuss word. Without an out-loud cuss word, that is. Cerulean shadows spread toward them like an approaching tide, mimicking the shapes of the mountains, Pikes Peak’s silhouette in the lead.

Bann reached back between the seats and patted Cor’s leg. And were you well-behaved, son?

Yes, sir. Cor’s eyes flicked up at the rearview mirror at Shay. She looked back and nodded reassuringly.

No arguing when you were told to do something? No leaving your room a mess? Eating what was placed in front of you without complaint?

Um…

He was fine, Bann. I told you that on the phone. Shay stomped on the brake, the tires squealing, when a car cut in front of her. And even if there was a problem, I handled it, and we moved on.

Bann frowned. What happened? Cor?

Um… Cor repeated.

Nothing happened, Shay said at the same time, gunning the engine and racing around a car that she swore had parked itself in the middle of the frickin’ lane. Well, nothing worth mentioning.

Indulge me.

Can we talk about this later? Like when I’m not fighting traffic? He’s got to learn to trust me to handle Cor in my own way. Especially if we are… She wasn’t sure how to finish that thought, since they had not officially put into words what everyone had already assumed. And Shay knew what assuming made a person.

No, we cannot.

Shay could tell the Knight’s obstinate streak, the one his son had inherited right along with his father’s good looks, was raising its mule-eared head. Oh, for the Goddess’s sake, just let it go.

Bann twisted around, one hand on Shay’s headrest. Something about his position seemed to block her out of the conversation. Her temper ratcheted up a notch. Bann—

Cormac Boru. Bann’s use of his son’s full name made Shay sigh in exasperation. You have three seconds to tell me what it is that you and Shay are laboring so hard to hide from me.

Bann, really— Shay tried again.

The man ignored her. Which made her want to nail him with a hey, I’m talking to you here smack on the back of the head.

One. Two— he intoned.

Iburneddownpartofthejunglegymbyaccident, Cor said in a breathless rush.

Y-you burned down—

See? Shay said. Not worth mentioning. We’re going to have a come-to-Danu meeting sooner rather than later about his stubbornness. She patted Bann’s knee. So. Who’d you rent your house to?

Bann stiffened. Do not minimize my parenting, he said coldly.

"Don’t undercut mine, then, Shay fired back. I was in charge of him. I handled it. End of story."

The rest of the drive, while Cor sat in silent bewilderment in the back, Shay watched out of the corner of her eye as Bann stared straight ahead, stony-faced as only the Knight could be. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

Our first fight. And over Cor. This is not good. Shay knew the statistics of success in second marriages, especially when children were involved. But that’s among humans, not us. We Tuatha Dé Danaan are the poster people of it takes a clan to raise a child philosophy. Hell, that’s why we have a history of fostering our children to other Knights. She thought back to her own experience of leaving her family at thirteen to apprentice with a seasoned Knight and Healer, who had taught her the ancient art of hunting goblins and encouraged her to follow her heart and become a Healer.

Why, Bann was an apprentice himself, declaring his master was as much a father, albeit a stern one, as his own. And hasn’t my family taken both Bann and Cor into their hearts and homes? So I don’t see why he’s suddenly all pucker-assed about someone else disciplining his kid.

My apologies, Shay. Bann’s voice was so low she almost missed his admission. Cor was under both your care and your guidance. I should not have questioned you.

After picking her jaw up off her lap, Shay nodded. I guess we’re all feeling our way in this. Like you said before, we’ll just have to figure it out as we go along. She wondered what go along entailed.

2

AS THE AUTOMATIC GATES swung open to Hugh and Ann’s wooded lot high in the foothills overlooking the city, Bann rubbed the back of his neck, tight with the tension of the last week’s scramble. As well as the last year’s flight from the monster.

That same monster was now back, this time in dog form. And not just any dog, but Shay’s beloved hound. Fate had to pound him into the dirt once again. Because that’s what Fate does to you, Bann thought, when you are the long-son of the High King of Éireann, Brian Boru. And the cursed recipient of a thousand-year-old grudge from the Stag Lord himself.

Except…

Fate also sent me Shay Doyle. He glanced over. The last rays of the sun created a halo around her hair of the exact shade of the gold torc around his throat. How can I have lost my heart so quickly? And Cor loves her, as well. A tiny voice spoke in his head. Because she was a friend first, when you both needed one. And love based on friendship has a thrice-blessed strength. He slipped a hand inside his jacket pocket and touched the velvet-covered box with his fingertips. With a rueful shake of his head, he reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. "Mo chara, he said softly in Gaelic, meaning more with the words than just my friend."

Steering one-handed along the pine- and spruce-lined driveway, Shay squeezed his fingers back. In a crunch of gravel, she pulled over to one side of the spacious parking area in front of a house that could best be described as over-the-top Colorado lodge mansion. A wide porch greeted them. It was graced with massive posts crafted from Ponderosa pines that had been green shoots on the forest floor when Bann was a sapling of a boy, himself.

I don’t know which one is worse—you or Cor. Shay grinned. Her nose, dusted with just the right amount of freckles, crinkled in a way that had charmed Bann almost from the moment he had first seen her. You’re both such cranky-butts when you’re tired.

In awe of her ability to simply let go and move on, unlike his late wife, who felt it was her duty to win every bleedin’ argument—and leave bodies in her wake—Bann’s heart lightened. Oh, to be sure, Cor is worse than I.

"Uh-uh, you are. Big ol’ cranky-butt." Cor’s voice held a hint of disbelief that he dared to use Shay’s phrase to his father.

Is that so? Bann climbed out. Stretching his arms over his head, he waited until the boy swung open the car door and dropped to the ground. Then, with a lightning-fast move, he grabbed Cor around the middle. Ignoring the squawk of protest, he threw his son over his shoulder. "And would an old cranky-butt be able to do this to a boyo who has shown such disrespect to his da?" Holding the boy face down with one arm, he began tickling Cor with his free hand.

No! Cor shrieked in protest, struggling and almost breathless from giggling. Shay, save me! He stretched out a hand in desperation.

Shay joined them. Sorry, kiddo. I only play on the winning side.

Bannerman Boru! A voice boomed from the porch. Still holding Cor prisoner, Bann turned.

Hugh Doyle stood beaming in the open doorway, red hair and beard flaming in the light from the foyer. The same height as Bann, but stockier, Shay’s uncle waited as they climbed the steps to the porch before extending a hand. Good to have you home again. They clasped each other’s forearms in the traditional greeting. And I see you’ve captured a monkey.

A cheeky one, at that. Bann swatted Cor lightly on the rump before setting him down and shooing him inside. What is this I heard about my son burning down the play structure?

Not deliberately. In a way, Rory did, Hugh said, naming one of Shay’s many cousins. By pouring too much lighter fluid on the barbeque. Cor simply flung the potholder, which had caught on fire, away from everyone. It had the misfortune of landing on a section of jungle gym—

"—the section made from those old, dry timbers. Shay pointed out. The one-hundred-year-old timbers."

The structure went up in a blaze before we could stop it, Hugh finished. Which was a blessing, as I have been meaning to tear that down for some time now. Your son simply saved me the trouble. Hugh beamed. A thoughtful lad, as I oft say.

Bann looked from Hugh to Shay and back again. Then he gave up. Right.

There you are, Bann. A dark-haired woman, slender and a head shorter than Shay, with a body and features that always reminded him of Audrey Hepburn in the prime of her life, hurried out the open door. An Audrey Hepburn with a wicked sense of humor and the ground-fighting skills of Boudicca, he thought.

Annwen Doyle. He took both her hands and bent over to kiss her on the cheek.

She smiled archly up at him, smoothing a lock of her chin-length

Reviews for Unholy Blue

[beverlyjean-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What does the word family mean to you? For me, I see a mother, a father, children, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Perhaps your idea of family includes still others, someone that’s very close to you, that you can depend on when you need a friend or a hug. Award-Winning Author Darby Kaye’s latest novel, UNHOLY BLUE, sequel to THE STAG LORD, is a story about many things: Celtic warriors, shape shifters, Goblins, dogs, and bravery, to mention a few. It’s also the touching tale of a family: a man, his eight-year-old son, and a woman who loves them both. And that’s one reason why I love this story so much. I’ve been counting the days for Shay Doyle the Healer, Bannerman Boru (Bann) the immortal Celtic Warrior, and Bann’s son, Cormac, to continue their story. And boy do they. They still have Lord Cernunnos, the shapeshifter now in the dog Max’s body, the Tully clan, and those darned old Goblins and Fir Blogs to deal with. They have an additional problem, as well: to tell Cor about their forthcoming marriage.Speaking of Cor, he’s my favorite character. He’s all boy, confused at his father’s and Shay’s behavior sometimes, brave when necessary, and friend and protector to his puppy, Sam. One of my favorite scenes is with Cor and Sam, where Shay tells him not to let the puppy sleep on his bed. So what does Cor do? Like most any boy, he solves the problem in his own way. He puts his pillow and blanket in the dog cage and curls up with Sam. I laughed when I read this: all boy. The relationship between Cor and his father is sweet and touching. There are funny scenes that made me laugh and also scary scenes when their lives are in danger, and I wondered if Bann and Shay (a great warrior herself) would survive. Some of the fighting got pretty bloody.Darby Kaye/Darby Karchut has a way of creating characters that come to life. I can picture Bann and Shay as they fight together, make love together, and try to be good parents for Bann’s and soon-to-be Shay’s son. Speaking of the hunk, Bann is brave and fears little, yet he’s gentle with his son and Shay. He’s not perfect, however, and he and Shay, with her strong personality, sometimes clash. UNHOLY BLUE has violence. It has romance. Most of all it has a family that will have you cheering for them when their future looks bleak. I’ve read all of Darby Kaye/Darby Karchut’s books, and they just keep getting better and better.One thing I’d like to know. There is a third book in the series, Ms. Kaye, right?Highly recommended.###

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This second book in the Bannerman Boru series has Bann and Shay trying to plan a wedding around incipient clan warfare, an old god who isn't quite dead enough, and battles with both Amandan and Fir Bolgs.Cernunnos was defeated in the first book in the series but managed to escape being destroyed by invading Shay's dog Max after he was killed defending them. Cor is only 8 rising 9 and can't quite understand that Max is gone. Cernunnos uses that uncertainty to try to kidnap him. Cor's American fey blood might be the key to turning Cernunnos into a god again if Bann and Shay can't protect him. There is lots of action in this story. Between battling Amandan and the rival Tully clan, there is a kidnapping, an invasion of Fir Bolgs who threaten Clan Doyle, and a guest appearance by Gideon Lir.What I liked most about this story was watching Shay and Bann build their new relationship. Both are warriors and strong people. Compromise isn't really part of either of their vocabulary until they fall in love with each other. I also loved watching Shay's relationship with Cor grow. He's as stubborn as his father and as loving. Fans of urban fantasy will enjoy this story and be eager for more.

[stewartry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a marvelous book. It is so rare to see relationships done so well as this between father and child, father and new lover, lover and child; it all feels utterly natural and true and believable. And it all serves to inspire affection for these characters. Grief is handled well, not that I'll go into any details about that for spoilers' sake, and also the surprise of joy; doubt and worry; battle and friendship. It's a wild gallop of a book, this, hitting the ground running and barely letting up before the end. It starts with a father and young son on the run. From what, the reader is not told for a little while – but it's immediately obvious that this isn't any mundane danger, and when someone comes to the rescue it's pretty clear that she's not exactly mundane either. The book is the sequel to Stag Lord, but stands on its own very well; the author is very skilled at telling what has gone before without irrevocably spoiling the previous book. The writing is beautiful; the characters are wonderful (including the young boy, which can be a tricky proposition); the secret culture and the evil enemies are engrossing. Love. The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

[arthistorychick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unholy Blue by Darby KayeBook #2: Bannerman Boru SeriesSource: ARC from authorMy Rating: 5/5 starsMy Review: Um, I don’t even know where to start with the awesome that is this damn book!!! I didn’t think it was possible for Bannerman Boru to get any hotter but he does. Here we go . . .Very little time has passed since Bann, Shay and the Doyle clan put down the mad god, Cernunnos. Trouble is, Bann knows the god is down but not out and protecting his family is of the utmost importance. First on the list, consolidating their living arrangements. The relationship is moving fast but Bann and Shay both know they are in it for the long haul. Now, all they have to do is convince young Cor to go along with the plan and ward the crap out of their property.Bat-shit crazy ancient gods don’t wait long when it is revenge they are seeking and Cernunnos is definitely seeking revenge. Not always so covertly, Cernunnos begins to test the waters by poking around Shay and Bann’s property. In the body of Shay’s old dog, Max, Cernunnos is able to interact with Cor which terrifies Bann and Shay. As if a bat-shit crazy god weren’t enough, there is also the small matter of the rival Tully clan making noise about a clan war, and a new puppy in the house who likes to pee on stuff. Yeah, Shay and Bann have their hands full and this is all before the fighting even starts and his future mother-in-law comes to town. Yeah, that happens too At every turn, Bann and Shay are threatened by some knew fresh hell. Cernunnos is allied with the Fir Bolgs who have no issues hurting humans, the threats from the rival clan are becoming more severe by the minute, and Cor seems to keep testing his boundaries. Oh, and he is apparently the only person who can touch the supre-badass warding without getting kicked back forty feet. Now, isn’t that interesting? Additionally, in one of his rare moments of lucidity, Cernunnons drops a tiny little bomb about just how special Cor is; in fact, Cor is the kid who can change everything. You may wonder at the vagueness of this review up to this point . . . . keep wondering!! This book is chock full of crazy and if I’m not careful, I’ll end of spoiling to whole read for you. I like you, dear reader, I want to you to find out all the awesome for yourself. And awesome it is. There isn’t anything but heart pounding action and some serious bombshells from the front cover right on through to the back cover. The fighting is intense, there’s more than one kidnapping, some daring rescues, and bravery beyond all reason. Oh, and there’s a guest appearance by the totally lickable Gideon Lir because this book needed one more smoking hot man with an accent. If you strip away all of the action and drama, Unholy Blue still packs a punch on an emotional level. Bann and Cor were accepted by the Doyle’s in the first book but Unholy Blue sees them well and truly brought into the fold. The Doyle’s are a fiercely loyal clan and when Shay claims Bann as her own, so do the rest of the Doyle’s. On every level, Shay and Bann evolve in this read: their relationship is tried and tested, they have to sort out co-parenting, and the sexual relationship also blossoms many times over The banter between the two is sometimes sweet, sometimes sexy, sometimes sassy, and always totally and brutally honest. The Bottom Line: I have been reading Darby Kaye since she released her first book as Darby Karchut and with every new read, I fall a little more under her sway. Unholy Blue is a triumph on every damn level and there is no other way to cut it. The writing is polished and tight, the characters are so freaking real you can damn-near reach out and touch them, and the plot is just complicated enough to be surprising yet not so much that it becomes convoluted. I dare you to try and find something wrong with this read. You won’t, but I dare you to try. Either way, you’re reading the book and you’ll thank me for that later :)