Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A reporter’s disbelief in the supernatural is tested when she uncovers a tattoo artist’s sinister family secrets in an enthralling short story by New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger.

Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.

J.T. Geissinger’s Spicy Little Curses is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

The Hottie with the Haunted Tattoos

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌎
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😘
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration

🛡️ Audiobook Review: Spicy Little Curses (Scared Sexy Collection)

Author: J.T. Geissinger
Genre: Paranormal Romance Novella
Narrator: Vanessa Moyen and Troy Duran

Characters and Plot

Petra is a sharp‑tongued, skeptical journalist working in New Orleans — a city where myth, magic, and mischief practically seep from the cobblestones. Her boss, Shane, sends her on a Halloween assignment to investigate the city’s most notorious urban legends. Petra expects the usual: con artists, theatrical “mediums,” and opportunistic shop owners eager to cash in on tourists hungry for ghost stories.

What she doesn’t expect is Dax Russo.

Dax is the kind of man who looks like he stepped straight out of a supernatural fever dream — tall, muscled, tattooed, and carrying an aura that suggests he’s wrestled more than a few demons, literal or otherwise. He owns the House of Ink and Blood, a tattoo shop guarded by a black cat and filled with sketches of serpents, sigils, and symbols that feel a little too alive.

Local lore claims Dax can ink tattoos that protect people from evil spirits, that he can etch charms into skin, and that his own tattoos aren’t ink at all — they’re part of him. Petra arrives determined to debunk the myth. Dax insists the rumors are nonsense and tries to send her away. But Petra’s instincts flare. Something is off. He looks familiar. His tattoos seem to move. And Dax, for his part, recognizes her too — because he’s been dreaming about her for months.

Their collision feels fated, dangerous, and charged with something neither of them can explain.

Highlights

• The moment a new tattoo appears on Dax’s body — bearing Petra’s name — is deliciously eerie and intimate, the perfect blend of paranormal tension and romantic inevitability.
• Like the rest of the series, this story stands out for its originality. Paranormal romance is full of recycled tropes, but this author leans into fresh, atmospheric ideas — curses, living tattoos, dream‑bound strangers — and it works.
• Petra and Dax are compelling on their own, but the shared‑dream element adds a dreamy, fated‑mates energy that deepens their connection without feeling overdone.

Limitations

• My ongoing struggle with this series remains the novella format. While this installment delivers a complete arc — beginning, middle, end, and a satisfying romantic thread — I still found myself wanting more time with these characters. Their chemistry is strong, but I wanted a full‑length novel to let their relationship breathe, build, and burn a little slower. The story is good; it just feels like it could have been great with more room to grow.

Narration

The audiobook uses a dual POV duet narration, performed by Troy Duran and Vanessa Moyen. Troy Duran continues to be one of my top male narrators — his deep, resonant voice is both commanding and sensual, and he brings emotional nuance to every line. Vanessa Moyen’s soft‑spoken, youthful tone complements him beautifully. She’s expressive, engaging, and brings Petra’s blend of skepticism and vulnerability to life. Together, they elevate the story and make the supernatural elements feel even more immersive.

Final Assessment

This novella delivers an atmospheric, original paranormal romance with striking imagery, intriguing characters, and a premise that feels refreshingly different. While the shorter format leaves me wishing for a deeper, more drawn‑out exploration of Petra and Dax’s connection, the story still manages to be engaging, imaginative, and emotionally satisfying. The narration is excellent, the concept is memorable, and the world has enough spark to linger long after the final chapter. If you enjoy paranormal tales with a twist — and don’t mind craving just a bit more — this one is absolutely worth the listen.

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