“Funny how pleasure seemed to outrank fear, after the fact. Some horrible things had happened yesterday… and yet, all I seemed to be able to concentrate on was Jay.” – J.P. Jackson, Medium Rare
MEDIUM Rare by J.P. Jackson is a captivating installment in the “Haunted Hearts” series, a unique collection of paranormal gay romances highlighting the talents of own-voice authors. This novel embraces the spine-chilling allure of the supernatural while weaving together a heartfelt narrative that celebrates diversity and authenticity. Jackson’s story invites readers into a world where the eerie meets the romantic, exploring themes of love, loss, abandonment, fear, and serendipity amidst an unsettling and spooky atmosphere.
Cade Ivanov carries the heavy burden of his family’s curse—a dark legacy that has left him haunted by the restless spirits that swarm around him. These ghostly figures, once mere whispers of the past, have grown increasingly agitated, their fury manifesting in unsettling ways. As he grapples with the mystery of their anger, a desire for serenity compels Cade to flee to a quiet rural town, hoping to escape the constant presence of the supernatural.
Meanwhile, Jay McClaren, a devoted single father and seasoned real estate agent, is navigating life’s challenges alone. When he receives an unexpected call from a big-city medium eager to purchase property in his small town, he feels that Realtor “thrill” (get that commission!), yet his excitement is mixed with skepticism. This could be a lucrative catch for Jay, both the man and his housing needs, but he’s suspicious of this new client’s professed abilities.
Soon enough, strange and violent hauntings plague Jay’s young son, Sam, seemingly trapping both in a chilling nightmare. Faced with escalating supernatural disturbances that threaten their safety, Jay reluctantly seeks out Cade’s expertise. Together, the two men must brace themselves for a confrontation with the malevolent forces of the past. Will these two possibly Fated Lovers unravel the mystery and reclaim their lives, or will the relentless spirits plunge them and young Sam into a living hell?
With this novel, Jackson invites you into the breathtaking expanse of the Prairie Lands of Alberta, particularly the
Canadian city of Camrose, crafting a vivid narrative backdrop that plunges you into the heart of his story. Knowing the author’s background, as I do, it’s great to see how his personal experience living in Canada colours his florid dialogue and descriptive settings. He paints a landscape that leads readers to an engagement with his work that goes beyond their connection to the story’s characters.
The author portrays the story elements outside his human (and sometimes not so human) characters—the big city, the small town, the deep woods, the spooky house—as equally important as the individuals engaging with these physical aspects. Or, like in the case of a place or setting’s “culture,” his work’s more esoteric elements. Jackson displays one of his best qualities as a writer here; this literary “tangibility” with setting, landscape, and sociological substance permeates his work, regardless of paranormal circumstances.
Jackson imbues his characters with complex personalities; those all-too-human relationships amid a supernatural paradigm fully draw his audience in. Readers can trust and believe these individuals are grappling with real-life, multi-faceted situations—struggles and blessings, pains and passions—rather than merely acting out an overwritten, predictable romance narrative. Yes, I was always cognizant that this novel has a paranormal setting, but I never once lost my suspension of disbelief, feeling that “This is too much!” moment. Nope, it never came. Jackson’s characters, along with their emotional journeys, feel genuine—as they should to obtain and hold the reader’s attention!
The not-so-imaginary friend has become a prevalent motif in the Horror and Paranormal Genre, often symbolizing a warning for readers, using gifted or unlucky children as literary devices for plot movement. When done well, it causes significant narrative tension, apprehension, and fear. These spectral companions typically embody the unknown, serving as harbingers of impending doom or unsettling truths that lurk just beneath the surface. Their presence can evoke a chilling atmosphere, suggesting that not all friendships are as innocent as they may appear—while highlighting the fragile boundary between reality and the supernatural.
Jackson masterfully employs this trope, particularly through the character of Sam, a child whose imaginary friends are far more than ephemeral projections of child loneliness—and far from harmless. Sam is a likable kid who unexpectedly finds himself endowed with a remarkable talent he never asked for. Now, he must navigate the challenges and repercussions of this “gift.” The question lingers: Is this boy a prodigy blessed with extraordinary abilities or tragically burdened by a dark maternal inheritance? This internal struggle resonates deeply with Cade, mirroring his turmoil over whether to see his psychic abilities as a gift from his Romani heritage, his mother’s blood, or a familial malediction.
This shared predicament is a profound bonding experience, intricately weaving together the lives of the two male leads and the cherished child of one, who inevitably plays a crucial role in the unfolding romance. Jackson artfully avoids reducing his love story to a mere focus on the two protagonists; instead, he enriches the narrative with complex family dynamics and emotional depth. The “Sam Factor” is clever storytelling and adds layers to the tale, transforming it into a multi-faceted exploration of love, connection, and the challenges that come with them, like choice, trust, and accountability.
Is there some sexy “Insta-Lust” spice within these pages? Well, one line begins, “Gripping his thick tool…,” so, yes. Are there some beefy, hirsute hunks ready to take their clothes off and have some fun? Yes, again, but also there’s tenderness and intimacy—and it all works. Still, J.P. Jackson’s novel is so much more than a sexy romp between a seductive single-dad real estate agent and a new-to-town psychic hottie looking for peace—and maybe a piece, if you know what I mean. Medium Rare is a Contemporary Urban Neo-Gothic (Gay) Romance with layers, honey!
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