Shadowy Solutions Series by Nicky James

An embarrassing mishap with a lightbulb lands Toronto Police Department records clerk Tallus Domingo in the arms of Diem Krause, a surly ex-cop turned private investigator—literally.In search of his usual informant within the department, Diem wasn't prepared to end up with a handful of Tallus, but that was who he got. Diem's case is complicated, but his relationship with his old employer is more so, so he's not inclined to accept help from someone he doesn't know.But Tallus won't be disregarded... moreAn embarrassing mishap with a lightbulb lands Toronto Police Department records clerk Tallus Domingo in the arms of Diem Krause, a surly ex-cop turned private investigator—literally.In search of his usual informant within the department, Diem wasn't prepared to end up with a handful of Tallus, but that was who he got. Diem's case is complicated, but his relationship with his old employer is more so, so he's not inclined to accept help from someone he doesn't know.But Tallus won't be disregarded. He won't be cast aside. Tallus's dreams of investigative work push him and Diem together.Can this unlikely pair work amicably to solve Diem's case?Will their evident attraction to one another get in the way? less

The last thing Diem Krause wanted to do was ask for Tallus’s help. The too-hot-for-his-own-good records clerk was so far outside Diem’s league that he became tongue-tied in his presence. Six months ago, after an embarrassingly unimpressive exchange in the bedroom that accentuated Diem’s flaws, he swore never to go near the sultry man again... moreThe last thing Diem Krause wanted to do was ask for Tallus’s help. The too-hot-for-his-own-good records clerk was so far outside Diem’s league that he became tongue-tied in his presence. Six months ago, after an embarrassingly unimpressive exchange in the bedroom that accentuated Diem’s flaws, he swore never to go near the sultry man again. When a new case lands on Diem’s desk, one involving a dead, allegedly unfaithful husband, Diem exhausts every means of investigation until he has no choice but to seek out the man he swore never to see again. Tallus has skills Diem doesn’t. In addition to being confident and sociable, Tallus can act and help him get answers. But inviting Tallus into his case means relinquishing control, and Diem hates not being in control. Not only is the Toronto Police Department’s records clerk fanatical about investigative work, but he also has a thing for making Diem uncomfortable and pushing his boundaries. When the case takes a dark and dangerous turn, the two spend far too many long nights trying to puzzle things out. Tallus’s flirty, suggestive behavior is going to get them in trouble, and the last thing Diem wants is to end up in bed with him again. It was a disaster the first time, and Diem doesn’t want to revisit the shame. Will Diem be able to resist Tallus’s charm? Can the two work together to solve the unusual case without crossing lines? Diem isn’t so sure. He doesn’t want a partner. He doesn’t need a lover. But with Tallus Domingo, he somehow ends up with both. less

It’s not a real case, he’s not my boyfriend, and we aren’t partners. Three lies I told myself for survival. After ten months of shamefully stalking and showing up randomly on Tallus’s doorstep at midnight (for reasons), the sinfully hot records clerk decided he’d had enough of my games. In fact, he went out of his way to bring me the most ridiculous case (it was not a case) on the planet as an excuse to push me over the line (he wanted a date)... moreIt’s not a real case, he’s not my boyfriend, and we aren’t partners. Three lies I told myself for survival. After ten months of shamefully stalking and showing up randomly on Tallus’s doorstep at midnight (for reasons), the sinfully hot records clerk decided he’d had enough of my games. In fact, he went out of his way to bring me the most ridiculous case (it was not a case) on the planet as an excuse to push me over the line (he wanted a date). Our arrangement (hooking up) didn’t suit him any longer. Could I say no? Of course not (this was Tallus). Five days, I told him. Five days to prove his silly theory, then we were done. Little did I know, Tallus had a deadline of his own. Investigating a mind-controlling-murdering psychic was hard enough (because it was not a thing), but resisting Tallus’s charm was the real challenge. It turned out, I was wrong about a few things. The case might be a case after all. Tallus had potential as a partner. And after all was said and done… I wasn’t sure I could let him go. less

One case to save my career. One headstrong boyfriend I can’t function without. I’m doomed. Without solving a peculiar out-of-town case, Diem’s career is over. He can’t afford to live, let alone pay bills and run the business. The case involves a mostly dead teen and a small-town police department who are convinced the boy suffered an accident. All hope lies on the hunch of a grieving mother... moreOne case to save my career. One headstrong boyfriend I can’t function without. I’m doomed. Without solving a peculiar out-of-town case, Diem’s career is over. He can’t afford to live, let alone pay bills and run the business. The case involves a mostly dead teen and a small-town police department who are convinced the boy suffered an accident. All hope lies on the hunch of a grieving mother. Unable to handle such a delicate situation on his own and unwilling to go bust, Diem invites his boyfriend/almost-partner along to make sure his rough edges don’t cost them a payday. What he didn’t expect was a high school full of secrets and suspects, a bed-and-breakfast from hell with only one m*#@er f*#@ing bed, and danger around every corner because someone doesn’t want the truth to be unveiled. Diem can handle threats. Risking life and limb to get answers is part of the game. But as the mystery unfolds, he realizes there is one thing not worth jeopardizing for a case: Tallus. less

Diem never expected his life to stabilize. Tallus has become his constant.They live together. They work together.Life is good, but Diem is still waiting for the other shoe to drop.Is this life enough for Tallus?Is he enough for Tallus?An unexpected case makes Diem realize that the future is never guaranteed.It may be time to step things up and prove to his boyfriend that he's in it for the long haul.