Review - Skin Sessions (Demon at the Doorstep) by J.P. Jackson

Not to be confused with Donkey on the Doorstep or any of the Animal Ark series by Lucy Daniels. Nope. No, no, no...

This is great series starter from horror writer, J.P. Jackson, who paints a gloomy world where it's always raining, people are poor and desperate, and the authorities are increasingly strict and based on religion, not law. Sounds heavy? Actually, it isn't. This is about Gavin, his pleasure house, The Unicorn's Horn, and his gaggle of men employed to give pleasure to paying clients.

Except they aren't, because no one has any money, and a religious zealot of a health inspector has just taken their licence to trade, leaving them in a desperate situation.

An ill-advised spell follows, which results in a chunky demon turning up at the doorstep. He gives them a lifeline, promising to make everything better.

What could possibly go wrong?

We don't find out in this book, as this is an introduction, but what seems like a good deal (the occasional human sacrifice, and everyone knows someone suitable) is going to turn sour. It's inevitable. Never trust a demon. Or an angel for that matter, but that's a different story.

I love J.P.'s writing, as the horror and gore (not much here, but you can bet your ass it's coming) is laced with gleeful humour and a healthy splash of sexiness. You just never know what you're going to get, but you do know that whatever it is, you're going to enjoy it.

I'm looking forward to the next Skin Sessions. Enby PA, Corbin, is a great character, full of potential, and I hope they play a key role in this promising series starter.

BLURB

The Unicorn’s Horn was once a hot and lively pleasure house. Folks would come from miles around to be satisfied by the stable men kept by Gavin Medici, the house’s owner.

Trouble is, the world is ending, and surviving is more important to the brothel’s customers than an evening filled with unspeakable delights. Before long the purveyors of favors find themselves broke, hungry and living in a decaying brothel.

With a simple witchy spell, a visitor who promises to make everything better comes knocking. But demons are unpredictable and often come with hidden agendas.

A little demonic possession and the odd human sacrifice seem like a small price to pay. But is that all it will cost Gavin and his men?