Dale Bruyer Series by J.L. Aarne

An alternative cover edition exists here.Dale Bruyer and James Sandover were huntsmen: monster hunting heirs to a secret legacy, self-appointed defenders of mankind, students of magic, warriors and—in James’s case—occasional chess opponent of the Devil himself. Until James died and left Dale all alone on a self-destructive path through alcoholism to an early grave... moreAn alternative cover edition exists here.Dale Bruyer and James Sandover were huntsmen: monster hunting heirs to a secret legacy, self-appointed defenders of mankind, students of magic, warriors and—in James’s case—occasional chess opponent of the Devil himself. Until James died and left Dale all alone on a self-destructive path through alcoholism to an early grave. Then one stormy night, the giant tree that had marked James’s grave uproots and Dale finds footprints walking away from the hole beneath it. A killer begins ritualistically murdering young women in the small town of Solagrove, Louisiana where he lives, and though the man in the long black coat sounds a lot like James, it can’t be James. James is dead; there is absolutely no question about it. Dale is reluctantly dragged into the investigation by his neighbor, the mother of the first victim. He’s not so sure the killings are really his sort of thing, but there’s something very familiar about it all anyway and someone has to stop it. Though why does it have to be him? In the midst of all this chaos, he suddenly finds himself with a house full: a werewolf in the kitchen, a god crashing on his sofa and a punk rock fallen angel riding shotgun. less

Dale Bruyer kills bad things that go bump in the night, or at least he used to. Now he owns a bar in small town Louisiana and granted, it has become a hang-out for the same creatures he used to track down, but they tip in gold and diamonds, so he can't really complain. He's retired (sort of) and out of the game until a friend starts him a blog without his permission and brings him a new case: vampires in New Orleans... moreDale Bruyer kills bad things that go bump in the night, or at least he used to. Now he owns a bar in small town Louisiana and granted, it has become a hang-out for the same creatures he used to track down, but they tip in gold and diamonds, so he can't really complain. He's retired (sort of) and out of the game until a friend starts him a blog without his permission and brings him a new case: vampires in New Orleans. He's skeptical at first, but he discovers vampire blood making the rounds on the street as the newest cheap thrill and comes face to face with a monster from legend and it's not so unbelievable anymore. Except things aren't always what they seem, especially in Dale's world, and it's up to him to figure out what's actually happening and ultimately decide which side he's really on. less

Once upon a time when they were young and inexperienced, Dale and James made a lot of mistakes. Sometimes innocent people paid the price.Christmas morning, one of the mistakes from their past comes back to haunt Dale.Tyler Gillian was a little boy when James destroyed his life. With James officially dead, his vengeance turns upon Dale and the people he cares about... moreOnce upon a time when they were young and inexperienced, Dale and James made a lot of mistakes. Sometimes innocent people paid the price.Christmas morning, one of the mistakes from their past comes back to haunt Dale.Tyler Gillian was a little boy when James destroyed his life. With James officially dead, his vengeance turns upon Dale and the people he cares about. In the years since Dale last saw him, Tyler has become a powerful practitioner of magic; strange magic that Dale knows almost nothing about.Every spell has a counter and every curse can be broken, at least that is what he has always believed, but this time things are different. Tyler wants Dale’s power and his life and if Dale wants to save his friend, he may have to give up everything. less