A Breath of Life

Shadowy Solutions, Book 4

De: Nicky James

Narrado por: Nick J. Russo

What would you do for love?

On a balmy September evening, Tallus and Diem discover a man who has been attacked in an alley. Saving his life seems like the right thing to do. With his dying breath, the man thrusts an item upon the couple and makes one request. Get rid of it.

The mysterious object proves to be valuable, and Tallus doesn’t want to part with it. Keeping it makes Diem uncomfortable in a way he can’t explain. Tempers flare, but before they can come to an agreement, everything unravels.

The item is more dangerous than either of them realized.

Lies and secrets threaten to tear the couple apart as Diem is drawn into something dark and menacing. Keeping his hotheaded boyfriend safe proves to be almost impossible, but Diem’s been given a task, and he will not fail. If he does, he will lose everything.

©2025 Nicky James (P)2025 Nicky James

I Loved It

I love this series and this book was an amazing installment in the Shadowy Solutions world I didn't know I needed. This book is NOT a standalone, and it is absolutely necessary to read/listen to previous books in this series to fully enjoy this captivating story. I thought that the last book in the series brought Diem and Tallus's relationship to a new level and was so happy for both of them. A Breath of Life takes these two and their fragile relationship to a depth I didn't expect and they dealt with the pressure, forging a diamond from this messy sometimes coal dark circumstances. I loved a little but very important cameo from Tallus's cousin who needed a bigger role since he was a very intriguing character IMO. Narrator did an amazing job with all the voices and keeping me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Loved it and highly recommend this book and the entire series.

This book is the best!

A Breath of Life is the new book in the Shadowy Solution series, Tallus and Diem have grow so much into their relationship, this time they have to endure many dangerous situations. This book is fill with a lot of action scenes and a few heart stop moments. Poor Diem, he went through so many hard times in this book. As always Nick J Russo did an outstanding job narrating this book!

So good

Well, Diem had a really rough time in this one. Nick J Russo did an AMAZING job relaying his agony. I binged this book in one day. I couldn’t not know how Tallus and Diem got out of their trouble. Whew! It was a close one.

Amazing Series

Book: I love Nicky James' storytelling and especially her mysteries. This is another great example of how she has great character development and can weave in a mystery. In this story, Diem has to keep somethings a secret for the benefit of the ones he loves. Tallus is just too smart for his own good. I love how these guys argue, make up, and work together. This story has a little bit of it all. I hope Nicky James continues telling these grumpy/sunshine story lines for a while longer. Love them so!

Audio: Even though I love reading this series, I'm always excited to get to listen to it too. Nick Russo's voice for Diem is just spot on. I love it so. And he has Tallus's playfulness down pat. I love the pairing between Nicky and Nick. Perfect!

The Relationship Growth

I LOVE them so much. Diem is so vulnerable but has grown so much from the first book. The way he can't convey exactly what he is thinking but Tallus knows how to read him. They are the definition of opposites attract and they are perfect for one another. ❤️❤️❤️

Excellent writing and story telling as always. One click buy for me on first day.

Steel your hearts!

[4.5] I’VE NEVER BEEN SO STRESSED. The mystery portion took on a solidly thick layer of suspense, and I was worrying the edge of my seat with my distress and anxiety. Every chapter ratcheted up the intensity another tenfold, and I simply couldn’t put the book down. Sleep? Not in this economy! Tack on Tallus’s spending habits and we’re truly running on fumes 😂

This installment is angst central, so prepare yourselves for an arduous journey but one that is worth it in the end. And prayer circle for Diem so he manages to catch a break soon - poor boy’s been through so much!

Diem!!!!!!

13 hours and 37 minutes have never gone by so fast. This was soooooooo good! Need more Tallus and Diem soon. Very soon. Restarting now.

How long can Diem keep a secret?

(Spoiler alert – not long…who could with the loveable Tallus with his beautiful eyes and stunning curiosity?)

I always start my Nicky James reviews by saying I love Nicky James.

It bears repeating. Her series are so good and I’m so damn jealous. Valor and Doyle might’ve wrapped up, but Shadowy Solutions is going strong with no signs of slowing down. Tallus and Diem are living together. Tallus still works as a records clerk for the Toronto Police Department, but he’s also a part-time detective in Diem’s agency. Is Tallus getting all the boring jobs? Yes. Does Diem worry constantly about Tallus’s safety? Also, yes. He’s never been in a real relationship – except perhaps with his snake, Baby. And, frankly, I don’t blame Tallus for being terrified of the big reptile.

Are snakes reptiles?

I digress.

Tallus and Diem. Out for a night’s stroll. Run into a guy wearing an Edwardian costume. Cute, right? Until they find the guy dying in an alley. He shares an object with them and makes them promise to get rid of it. Then the guy’s taken off to hospital and I spent the next many chapters wondering what happened to him.

My two detectives, however, are busy with the object.

Which takes them down the most insane rabbit hole.

And gets Diem into some serious trouble. And, because Diem’s now part of a couple, that trouble extended to Tallus. Some secrets are worth keeping. In fact, they’re worth dying for.

Wow. Just…wow. So many twists. So many turns. As always, I didn’t see the resolution coming but, when it arrived, I was blown away.

Shout out to Kitty Lavender and therapy dogs everywhere. And broken glasses – of course, broken glasses.

I can recommend this book with all my heart. Prior reading isn’t necessary – but it is helpful.

Finally, I have to give a shout out to Nick J. Russo for his incredible performance. His voice for Tallus is great. His gravely voice for Diem makes me want to give him lemon tea and admonish him to rest that stunning voice.

Another great instalment of the series which, I hope, will never slow down. Well done.

Fantastic!

Grumpy/Sunshine is a favorite, add in a complex and engaging mystery and I'm hooked! Tallus and Diem have grown, evolving as a couple and as individuals. Diem breaks my heart as he struggles but Tallus helps keep him grounded (and Echo!). In this installment, the mystery ramps up with more menace and our guys have some harrowing experiences. A very interesting second character is introduced and the mystery is definitely twisty enough to hold my attention. Add in Nick J. Russo's excellent narration and this audio (well, the whole series really) is one I'll listen to again.

🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

Tallus and Diem just dragged me through emotional chaos, and I was not prepared 😭🔥
What started as a gritty alley rescue spiralled into a full-blown nightmare, courtesy of a shady underground group.
The stakes? Sky-high.
The tension? Unrelenting.
And the emotional damage? Oh honey, I was wrecked 💔

This case hit different, darker, more desperate, and way more personal. Diem and Tallus weren’t just solving a mystery; they were surviving it.
The threat looming over them was real, and their relationship was straining under the weight of secrets and trauma. It was gut-wrenching.
Diem especially got dragged through the emotional shredder.
I wanted to scream, cry, and wrap him in bubble wrap. He’s been through so much, and this book didn’t let up. But it made me like him even more for the way he tried to handle what was coming at him. Anyone would break honestly.

Tallus, ever the stubborn protector, refused to be sidelined. Even when Diem tried to shield him, Tallus was like “not today” and dove headfirst into the chaos. Man, I was p i s s e d that he wouldn't just let Diem shield him, but I get it, Tallus in his own way was trying to do the shielding too.

And then, plot twist, Tallus leads a rescue mission with Kitty and Costa.
Was it chaotic? Absolutely.
Was it brilliant? Also yes.
The plan wasn’t perfect, but it got the job done and gave our boys a shot at peace.
These two may be bruised and battered, but their love? Unshakable 💘
This book wouldn't be as lovely without Nick J. Russo as the narrator; he does a phenomenal job.