Somehow we’ve stumbled our way into December, the month that always feels a little dreamlike, a little frantic, and a little magical. I swear the weeks between Halloween and now passed in a blur of caffeine, questionable decisions, and me muttering at my keyboard like a gremlin with deadlines.

I’m still chipping away at my secret project (yes, it’s alive… yes, it wants to escape… yes, it’s slowly driving me mad 🫠). And while that beast is finally taking shape, I keep getting ambushed by new ideas. They’re clawing at the inside of my skull, begging to be written right now, like impatient little monsters who do not care about scheduling or sanity.

But, December always softens the edges a bit. I step away from my usual shadows… the gothic attics, the teeth in the dark, the morally black creatures who probably shouldn’t be trusted alone with your pulse… and suddenly I’m writing about… holiday cheer. Snow. Warm lights. People who find love instead of trouble.

Well. Mostly love.
And sometimes trouble.
And usually claws.

So today, I’m sharing two holiday stories that shimmer with Hallmark warmth. They are snowy, sweet, and comforting… but with a little extra heat and a playful bite. Without further ado… here are a couple of books I wrote that are bursting with Christmas goodness! I hope you enjoy x

1. The Grump’s Pet

Inspired by The Grinch, but make it feral…

Heading up to the mountains for Christmas should have been merry and bright…
Instead, it uncovered my darkest desires…

Caught in an avalanche while skiing, I fear the end is nigh. But when I spot the opening to a cave high in the mountainside, it seems like the perfect place to shelter.

Little do I know that living deep within is none other than a miserable monster… The Grump. He hates people just as much as he hates the holidays, but now I’ve landed on his doorstep with my festive spirit, it looks like he will have to show me a thing or two.

Could this moody green monster be the best Christmas present I’ve ever had?

The Grump’s Pet is playful, quick, cozy-but-spicy, and just mischievous enough to scratch the “holiday romance with claws” itch without demanding you be wholesome about it.

READ IT NOW HERE

2. A Bear for Christmas

Think Hallmark movie meets Shifter Bear Romance…

Unlucky-in-love Megan is escaping her troubled past when she travels to an exclusive ski resort in Vermont to spend the holidays. All she wants to do is relax, unwind, and forget all about men.

But that all changes when the handsome and grizzly Mason walks into her life… and completely turns it upside down.
Megan needs a hero, so could Mason be the one to save her?

One thing is certain: he is not like other men. Mason is wild, untamed, and has a wickedly sexy secret.

This Christmas, Megan is going to receive a present she never could have prepared for; she is about to be claimed by a seriously hot alpha bear!

A Bear For Christmas is a festive, feel-good love story, full of magic and grizzly shifters.

This one is my love letter to Hallmark tropes… just with more fur.

READ IT NOW HERE

Why I Love Writing These “Softer” Christmas Stories

Holiday romances are usually twinkly, sugar-dusted things, and while I love that, I’ve always believed magic feels more real when danger brushes the edges. So in these books, I’ve done it my way…

Love hits different when it’s wrapped in snowstorms and instincts.
Desire hits different when the other person isn’t quite human.
And Christmas hits different when it’s glowing inside a world that should, by all logic, be cold.

A Few Other Holiday Reads for your TBR

If you’re in the mood to build a small TBR mountain next to your mug of peppermint tea, here are some kindred-spirited books that I have on my shelves this year…

🎄 Monster / Creature Romance

• Grave Tidings by Salem Sinclair

• Cry for Krampus by Aiden Pierce

• Dear Monster Claus by Maeve Black

• Elf’d by Ginger Kane

🔪 Dark Christmas Romance

• Better Watch Out by AJ Merlin

• He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Alta Hensley

• Hunted For Christmas by Des Sweet

I hope your start to December has been a good one! What do you have on your Christmas reading list this year? Let me know in the comments…

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Happy Halloween, Gals and Ghouls!

This is absolutely my favorite time of the year, and to celebrate, I am taking part in Monster Stuff Your Kindle Day!

For one day only, dozens of monster romance ebooks are free for you to download. Perfect for these dark, spooky nights.

My novella, The Ghost’s Pet, is FREE today and tomorrow, and if you’ve been thinking about picking up this haunting tale, now is the perfect time.

Want to know more? Here’s a cheeky little synopsis…

The Ghost’s Pet

It was supposed to be a fresh start… instead, I got screwed by the past…

When I was handed the keys to Willowrest Manor, I knew things weren’t going to be easy. A crumbling old B&B, rumors of apparitions, tales of missing guests… all of it clung to the walls better than the peeling wallpaper. But when legends entwine with the present, and things go bump in the night, I start to wonder if I’m really alone.

Surely it’s a nightmare… and the hands I feel all over me whilst I sleep are just my imagination… but what if it’s not?

I should have run whilst I had the chance…

GET YOUR COPY

I hope you all have a frightfully good Halloween. I will be working my way through all the free books for Monster Stuff Your Kindle Day!

Check out the full list of FREE ebooks HERE.

As we careen into October, I’m here with some delightfully spooky book recs and promotions that will fill up your TBR this Fall.

If you like your reads scary, sexy, or just downright terrifying, then there will be something here for you. Grab them while you can, as each promo is only running for a limited time.

Scarily Good Book Promotions

Here’s a little rundown of some great book deals for October…

Halloween Vibes

Books to celebrate the spookiest night of the year!

Tales from the Shadows

Short stories to stay with you all through October

Witchy Reads in Kindle Unlimited

A huge selection of witchy books to add some magic to your October! You may see my Valport Springs girls in here…

What Creeps in the Night

Don’t read these ones alone… !

Quick Updates

If you’ve been hanging out with me in my VIP Coven, then you’ll know just how psyched I am for Halloween this year! Want to know what I’ve been buying and plotting in the run-up to the big day? The Coven Diaries is part journal, part confession. It’s little glimpses into my life, my writing, and the shadows that linger between the two. My hope is that it not only brings you closer into my creative world, but also helps me slip back into a regular writing practice, something I’ve missed more than I realized.

The Coven Diaries will live exclusively on my Patreon, where it can be unlocked, along with exclusive bonus stories, behind-the-scenes videos, and first-look chapters, all for less than the price of a coffee each month. It’s a small way to support my work, but it makes an enormous difference, and I’d love to welcome you inside the circle.

Scroll on to discover your spooky weekend read and also see what other exclusive benefits my members are unlocking on Patreon… I’d love to see you over there 🖤

The Haunted Mansion + 🌶️ = The Ghost’s Pet

Grab your copy to spook and spice up your October HERE

I’m so excited to share something new with you… The Coven Diaries.

This series is part journal, part confession. It’s little glimpses into my life, my writing, and the shadows that linger between the two. My hope is that it not only brings you closer into my creative world, but also helps me slip back into a regular writing practice, something I’ve missed more than I realized.

The Coven Diaries will live exclusively on my Patreon, where it can be unlocked, along with exclusive bonus stories, behind-the-scenes videos, and first-look chapters, all for less than the price of a coffee each month. It’s a small way to support my work, but it makes an enormous difference, and I’d love to welcome you inside the circle.

Scroll on to discover your spooky weekend read and also see what other exclusive benefits my members are unlocking on Patreon… I’d love to see you over there 🖤

Weekend Book Recommendation…

Looking for something short and scary? This novella is a haunted house story with a spicy twist. Time to check in to Willowrest Manor and meet Vincent Hawthorne…

It was supposed to be a fresh start… instead, I got screwed by the past…

When I was handed the keys to Willowrest Manor, I knew things weren’t going to be easy. A crumbling old B&B, rumors of apparitions, tales of missing guests… all of it clung to the walls better than the peeling wallpaper. But when legends entwine with the present, and things go bump in the night, I start to wonder if I’m really alone.

Surely it’s a nightmare… and the hands I feel all over me whilst I sleep are just my imagination… but what if it’s not?

I should have run whilst I had the chance…

👻 READ HERE 👻

Want more?

If you’d like to step deeper into my world, join me over in my Coven on Patreon where I share exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes secrets, and first looks at my darkest tales…

By joining, you can expect:

✨ Exclusive ebooks you can't read anywhere else.

✨ Serialized stories, where patrons get the very first look at each chapter as they are written.

✨ The Coven Diaries, secret notes from my life, my writing, and the shadows in between.

✨ Behind-the-scenes videos, where I talk about the craft of writing, the author life, and the secrets behind my books and characters.

✨ Fun extras like my Digital Book Journal, sneak peeks, and more gothic goodies.

Here’s what’s waiting for you right now:

🔮 Ebooks Included for Silver Tier and above:

• Learning the Hard Way

• Three Bad Bosses

• A Billionaire Romance

🌙 Ebooks Included for all tiers:

• Digital Book Journal

• A Witch and Her Wolf

🎥 Video Series (All Tiers):

• Kassandra's Coven – my exclusive video series where I talk about the craft of writing, the author life, and dive into my characters and stories.

✨ Bonus Extras (All Tiers):

• Behind-the-scenes notes and inspirations

• Moodboards, playlists, and sneak peeks

🖤 Experimental Short Stories (All Tiers):

• Dark, romantic, and strange tales I’m testing out. Patreon-first exclusives before they ever see the outside world.

The Coven awaits... dark stories, forbidden secrets, and a place by my side just for you…

Leave a comment

I stumbled across this piece from 2011 while digging through some old files last week. It is something I wrote when I was studying my Master's in Creative Writing, and reading it again reminded me that my work has always been on the pitch-black side of storytelling 😂

This vignette is short (just about 1,000 words) but sharp, dark, and deliberately shocking. Think of it as a little time capsule from my early writing days... a creepy slice of darkness meant to unsettle.

My members can read it exclusively here.

But be warned… proceed with caution… 🖤

Want more?

If you’d like to step deeper into my world, join me over in my Coven on Patreon where I share exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes secrets, and first looks at my darkest tales. I’ve also just launched my new feature, The Coven Diaries, which I hope will guide me back to a daily writing practice and bring me closer to you, my readers!

By joining, you can expect:

✨ Exclusive ebooks you can't read anywhere else.

✨ Serialized stories, where patrons get the very first look at each chapter as they are written.

✨ Behind-the-scenes videos, where I talk about the craft of writing, the author life, and the secrets behind my books and characters.

✨ Fun extras like my Digital Book Journal, sneak peeks, and more gothic goodies.

✨ The Coven Diaries - a new way to connect with you, my readers, and also let you further into my inner circle. Part journal, part behind-the-scenes, part whispered confession. Think of it as sitting across from me, candle between us, as I pour you a cup of something dark and tell you what’s really going on behind the curtain of my work.

Here’s what’s waiting for you right now:

🔮 Ebooks Included for Silver Tier and above:

• Learning the Hard Way

• Three Bad Bosses

• A Billionaire Romance

🌙 Ebooks Included for all tiers:

• Digital Book Journal

• A Witch and Her Wolf

🎥 Video Series (All Tiers):

• Kassandra's Coven – my exclusive video series where I talk about the craft of writing, the author life, and dive into my characters and stories.

✨ Bonus Extras (All Tiers):

• Behind-the-scenes notes and inspirations

• Moodboards, playlists, and sneak peeks

🖤 Experimental Short Stories (All Tiers):

• Dark, romantic, and strange tales I’m testing out. Patreon-first exclusives before they ever see the outside world.

The Coven awaits... dark stories, forbidden secrets, and a place by my side just for you…

Hello from my writing desk! I hope your summer was full of long, lazy days in the sunshine, with plenty of good reads as you dozed on the beach. It’s now officially autumn, my favorite time of year, and when I’m usually feeling the most inspired.

I know we book lovers are mostly the same… There is something very satisfying about cuddling up under a blanket and cracking open a new read as the nights get darker. A roaring fire, a pumpkin spice candle, the light patter of rain against the windows… so dreamy 🫶🏻

I’ve been thinking a lot about some of my back titles and how well paired they are with this time of year. I’ve also been reading in publishing news that short stories and novellas are having a resurgence, so it felt like the perfect time to share some of my shorter works for these crisp autumn nights. Many of these books can be read in one sitting - they are spooky, full of fall vibes, and all come with a good dose of spice.

Scroll on to discover your next read and also see what exclusive benefits my members are unlocking on Patreon… I’d love to see you over there 🥰

Book Recs if you love Witches…

If Practical Magic was hotter, darker, sexier… you’d get Black Magic and The Witches of Valport Springs.

Welcome to Valport Springs, a small forest town full of magic and secrets…

After tragedy turned my life in London upside down, I’ve had to flee back to the mystical town I once called home. I have no memory of Valport, but coming back is awakening something in me. Something dark and powerful that I’m struggling to control.

Aunt Marian tells me she can guide me in my craft and enhance my magic, but for someone who didn’t even know they were a witch until a few weeks ago, it looks like I have a lot to learn.

And then there’s the biggest distraction I never saw coming… Ludovico Cabot. Everyone says I should stay away from him, that he’s no good for me. I want to hate him, I really do… but why am I drawn to him in the most unsettling way? And what is he hiding? Can he help me unlock the secrets to my family’s disappearance… Or even worse, is he to blame?

My head is in a spin, and my heart is torn. I never expected to be declared a high-born witch with a ferocious power, but now there’s no turning back. It’s time to face my destiny.

One thing is certain: life here in Valport Springs is going to be anything but dull, and it’s only just beginning.

If you love family secrets, spells, small magical towns, Victoriana, a witch coming into her power, demons, age-old curses, and slow-burn enemies to lovers, then you’ll love Black Magic and The Witches of Valport Springs.

⭐ READ HERE ⭐

Book Rec if you love Ghosts…

It was supposed to be a fresh start… instead, I got screwed by the past…

When I was handed the keys to Willowrest Manor, I knew things weren’t going to be easy. A crumbling old B&B, rumors of apparitions, tales of missing guests… all of it clung to the walls better than the peeling wallpaper. But when legends entwine with the present, and things go bump in the night, I start to wonder if I’m really alone.

Surely it’s a nightmare… and the hands I feel all over me whilst I sleep are just my imagination… but what if it’s not?

I should have run whilst I had the chance…

👻 READ HERE 👻

Book Recs if you love Horror…

A collection of deliciously twisted tales of ferocious monsters and the lucky ladies they choose to serve them.

All books are standalone novellas and can be read in any order.

👹 START READING HERE 👹

Want more?

If you’d like to step deeper into my world, join me over in my Coven on Patreon where I share exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes secrets, and first looks at my darkest tales…

By joining, you can expect:

✨ Exclusive ebooks you can't read anywhere else.

✨ Serialized stories, where patrons get the very first look at each chapter as they are written.

✨ Behind-the-scenes videos, where I talk about the craft of writing, the author life, and the secrets behind my books and characters.

✨ Fun extras like my Digital Book Journal, sneak peeks, and more gothic goodies.

Here’s what’s waiting for you right now:

🔮 Ebooks Included for Silver Tier and above:

• Learning the Hard Way

• Three Bad Bosses

• A Billionaire Romance

🌙 Ebooks Included for all tiers:

• Digital Book Journal

• A Witch and Her Wolf

🎥 Video Series (All Tiers):

• Kassandra's Coven – my exclusive video series where I talk about the craft of writing, the author life, and dive into my characters and stories.

✨ Bonus Extras (All Tiers):

• Behind-the-scenes notes and inspirations

• Moodboards, playlists, and sneak peeks

🖤 Experimental Short Stories (All Tiers):

• Dark, romantic, and strange tales I’m testing out. Patreon-first exclusives before they ever see the outside world.

The Coven awaits... dark stories, forbidden secrets, and a place by my side just for you…

Leave a comment

Friday is the big day, and you know I couldn’t let Summerween pass without celebrating the way I love best... with some haunted, wicked, and sinful reads 🔥🌙

While most people are sipping cocktails by the pool, we’re diving into cursed witches, monster lovers, haunted houses, and forests full of creatures who don’t play nice.

There’s something delicious about horror in the heat. The kind of stories where sweat beads on your neck and someone’s always disappearing into the woods barefoot. It’s the season of cursed cabins, haunted manors, demon boyfriends, and blood-soaked bonfires. Classic slashers like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Friday the 13th, and more recently, Fear Street, meet with witchy books, ghost romances, and lusty monsters under a full moon.

This isn’t cozy fall horror. This is summer horror: hot, wicked, and deliciously unhinged.

Whether you’re into primal monsters, slow-burn magic, or VHS-style possession stories, I’ve got something for your Summerween TBR. Below, I’ve put together a collection of my own books, as well as some traditional horror reads, each one perfect for a hot, haunted night.

☀️🔥 Haunted Houses, Monster Lovers & Wicked Magic: 5 Steamy, Spooky Reads to Haunt Your Summer ☀️🔥

1 🖤 Black Magic and The Witches of Valport Springs

If Practical Magic was hotter, darker, and sexier… you’d get Black Magic and The Witches of Valport Springs.

The women of my family are cursed. It’s in our blood.

Aradia Black is returning to Valport Springs, a town of ancient secrets, warring witch families, and something far more dangerous lurking in the shadows. Hidden away as a child for her own safety, Aradia must confront her past, her family’s dark legacy, and a slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance that might just be her end.

If you’re craving:
✨ suspenseful witchy drama
✨ dangerous slow-burn romance
✨ secret magical towns
✨ age-old curses
✨ the Devil himself (yes, really)
...then Black Magic and The Witches of Valport Springs belongs on your Summerween TBR.

START READING HERE

2 👻 The Ghost’s Pet

A crumbling manor. A restless spirit. And hands that touch in the dark…

All she wanted was a fresh start. A chance to breathe new life into a forgotten B&B and maybe find some peace. But the moment Miss Harris steps into Willowrest Manor, she can feel it... Something watching, waiting… wanting.

Rumors say guests have vanished, that the walls whisper... and the air turns thick with desire and dread.

She tells herself it is just a story... until she feels phantom hands on her body in the middle of the night.

She should have run while she had the chance.

If you’re into:
✨ haunted house heat
✨ possessive ghosts
✨ spooky-but-sexy tension
✨ gothic horror with a twist
✨ paranormal claiming
...then The Ghost’s Pet is ready to give you goosebumps (and chills in other places).

START READING HERE

3 🌲 The Ogre’s Pet

We all knew never to go into the woods at night…

It’s been years since I visited the town I grew up in. So it’s just my luck that on my first night back I’m hassled by some jerk in a bar and have to make a run for it.

When we were kids, we were always told to stay away from the woods, that if we went inside, we would never return.

Now I’m running directly into them, away from one monster, but straight into the arms of another.

I’ve been captured by The Ogre. A hungry beast who eats everything he takes, and who lives off flesh and fear. But when he gets his hands on me, he decides he doesn’t want to eat me like the others.

This Ogre wants to punish me for coming into his forest.

And once he’s done, he might just keep me as his pet.

If you like:
✨ primal monster horror
✨ growly possessiveness
✨ forced proximity (literally a cave)
✨ morally pitch black feral energy
✨ punishment and claiming
...then The Ogre’s Pet will devour you in the best possible way.

START READING HERE

4 🦌 The Stag’s Pet

It was supposed to be a relaxing getaway… a few nights in a secluded cabin with only my favorite books and thoughts for company…

But as night falls, and the creatures of the forest begin to wake, I realize I haven’t found myself in an oasis of calm, instead, I’ve stumbled into a den of monsters.

A herd of stag centaurs have caught my scent and are determined to track me down. When they arrive at my cabin door, I have to make a choice. Submit to their every desire, or pay the ultimate price.

It’s a good job these stags are handsome as they are wicked…

If you’re in the mood for:
✨ monster group romance
✨ prey-and-predator tension
✨ punishment and retribution
✨ primal energy and surrender
✨ dark fairy tale vibes
...then The Stag’s Pet is the erotic horror you didn’t know you needed.

START READING HERE

5 🖤 The Underworld’s Pet

“You were murdered, babe… Now you have to deal with me.”

After a knife to the heart whisks me to the dark lands of the Underworld, I’m greeted by none other than my very own pleasure demon.

This monster has been waiting for me in the shadows for eternity, ready to serve if I ever required.

Now, I couldn’t be more in need.

This demon reveals death doesn't have to be the end… There is a way back to the land of the living, and he's more than willing to help me get there to claim my bloody revenge…

If you’re drawn to:
✨ Underworld romance
✨ dark royalty and reluctant submission
✨ gothic heat
✨ bloody revenge
✨ a near-death experience like no other
...then The Underworld’s Pet will pull you under.

START READING HERE

🎃 So… who’s your Summerween book boyfriend?

Let me know which of these you’ve read, which one you’re claiming first, or if you want me to write a spooky bonus scene for your fave over on my VIP Coven 👀

🔪✨ Bonus Summerween Reads

Want to keep the chills going between monster kisses? Here are a few traditionally published books that pair perfectly with a haunted heatwave and a flickering candle. These are creepy, campy, or classic, but most importantly, all Summerween-approved!

📚 My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

‘80s nostalgia, demonic possession, and a best-friendship worth going to Hell for.
Think Stranger Things meets Jennifer’s Body, with a VHS filter and a big bleeding heart.

📚 Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

A woman inherits a house straight out of a haunted true crime novel... except it’s her family’s dark legacy.
Creepy atmospheres, shifting timelines, and a deep sense of “should I be reading this alone?”

📚 Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning

A delightfully gory love letter to ‘90s slashers and teen horror classics.
Murder, nostalgia, and a killer sense of humor, this one’s like Friday 13th X Scream if it came with a summer playlist and a bucket of fake blood.

Wishing you a wicked and blood-splattered Summerween.
May your books be thrilling, your flashlights never flicker, and your final girls always make it to the credits 🔪🌕

Stay strange,
K x

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If you’re looking for something quick to read this weekend, then get settled down for a near-death experience like no other! Trust me, you are not ready! 😆

💋🔪 The Underworld’s Pet 🔪💋

“You were murdered, babe… Now you have to deal with me.”

After a knife to the heart whisks me to the dark lands of the Underworld, I’m greeted by none other than my very own pleasure demon.

This monster has been waiting for me in the shadows for eternity, ready to serve if I ever required.

Now, I couldn’t be more in need.

This demon reveals death doesn't have to be the end… There is a way back to the land of the living, and he's more than willing to help me get there to claim my bloody revenge…

Expect:

• 🔪 On page murder x 2

• 💋 A vengeful FMC

• 💀 Discussions of death and the afterlife

• 😈 Forked-tongue pleasure demon

• 💥 Being screwed back to life…

  ---

  READ NOW

Are you ready for your next monster boyfriend? 😈

After finishing its run in Monsters in Love: Lost in the Underworld, my novella, The Underworld’s Pet is now up for pre-order and will be coming to you in less than one week! That’s right, on Tuesday 29th April, you can dive into this red-hot tale of the afterlife and bloody revenge.

It’s time for an out-of-body experience like no other… have you ever wondered what lies waiting beyond the veil? 😈 Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss this naughty pleasure demon and his very unique way of helping our FMC with her untimely brush with death.

You can pre-order it now HERE and have it locked and loaded on your Kindle at the moment of release.

PRE-ORDER HERE

Last week, my eldest daughter and I celebrated our birthdays together, enjoying a few wonderful days with friends and family. There is something truly special about being born so close together, and we definitely share the same energy. On Monday evening, while we were out, we spotted something extraordinary in the sky over North Yorkshire. At first, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought it might be a high-flying helicopter or a plane hidden behind a cloud, but my daughter was convinced it was a “swirling galaxy.” Intrigued, I quickly grabbed my phone and snapped a picture, which you can see if you keep scrolling below.

What do you think it could be? I have since discovered the answer, so keep reading and I will reveal it at the end of this article!

Sticking with the space theme, the seventh installment of Monsters in Love is officially live, and you can now get Lost in the Stars with our cosmic monsters.

The anthology has already earned several best-seller tags and is climbing the charts as we speak. Thank you all so much for your support.

I’m excited for you to read my short, spicy story, where a late-night run turns into something much more. Read on to learn more about The Celestial’s Pet.

Spotlight On…

Monsters in Love: Lost in the Stars

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

Stars shimmer and nebulae swirl as monstrous aliens prowl the galaxy, searching for their fated mates.

Whether ensnaring them in cosmic webs or claiming them amidst the stars, these powerful and untamed beings always win their lovers’ hearts.

If you dare venture into the void tonight, be cautious, for you might just find yourself lost among the stars...and in love.

The Celestial’s Pet by Kassandra Cross

I was stolen from Earth… and awakened in his arms.

When a midnight run leads to a cosmic intervention, I find myself at the mercy of a towering Celestial. He’s otherworldly and handsome, his eyes like swirling galaxies and his strength all-encompassing. He tells me he heard my call... that I belong to him.

I should be afraid. Instead, I tremble beneath his touch, my body yearning for more. He says I was made for him, that this is our destiny.

But the longer I stay, the more I come undone… something inside me is changing, something I can’t control.

Perhaps I was never meant to remain human at all…

READ HERE: https://books2read.com/monstersinlove7

What Did We See?

Monday, March 24, around 8 PM GMT, North Yorkshire, UK © Kassandra Cross

I was fully prepared to accept my fate like the heroine in The Celestial’s Pet when I spotted this in the sky last week. It was eerie and unnerving to see something so unfamiliar above, moving slowly and swirling in a spiral.

After some investigation, we discovered that SpaceX had launched the NROL-69 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at around 6:48 PM UK time. What we saw was the rocket’s exhaust plume, illuminated by the sun at high altitudes. I have never seen anything like it before, and it was absolutely fascinating!

Did you see it too? If so, drop me a comment below and let me know.

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back soon with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

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Well, January and February flashed by in an instant and I can’t believe we are halfway through March already… how the heck did that happen?

I’ve been writing and editing a lot over the last few weeks and have an upcoming deadline for the next installment of Monsters in Love. I am so excited for you to read my story The Celestial’s Pet. The anthology drops on March 27th and if you haven’t pre-ordered you can do so here.

Tomorrow, as you may have seen, we have a rare blood moon gracing our skies. The last time we had one of these, I was away on Mallorca with my family and my eldest daughter spent the night dancing on the beach, soaking up the energy, and declaring she was an “alpha”… seriously, I don’t know where she gets it from… 😂

It’s the perfect time to let go of old habits and practice forgiveness, so I will hopefully banish my writer’s block and get back into a real routine. I’ve found the last six months particularly challenging when it comes to creativity and I feel quite disconnected from both my work and my readers. I’m sorry, I really am. But, this WIP has taken everything from me and I’m still not done yet… I hope I will be able to share some more with you soon.

If you’d like to join my special VIP area to be the first to see chapters as they drop, head here. I’d love to have you there!

This is definitely true. I always find the hardest books to write are the ones we value the most. My WIP is something I’ve put a lot of importance on and it’s quite scary. I need to do it justice!

Spotlight On…

Guarded by Her Wolves by Kassandra Cross

Something lighthearted is required! I love this book and it was so much fun to write. It is my first try at RH and I think you will swoon over Zander, Ash, and Jett… three ferocious werewolves who will do anything for their woman.

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

I left Crystal Creek five years ago thinking I would never return. But after I'm drawn back by an unknown force, I run straight into the three people I tried so hard to forget.

Zander.

Ash.

Jett.

Back in high school, they made my life hell. They were always on the sidelines, watching, guarding...

Now it seems like they could be the reason I've come back to this place. They're all hiding a wild secret, and the pull between us is strong.

Could they really be what I've been looking for all along?

Guarded by Her Wolves is a full-length, why-choose paranormal romance set in the magical town of Crystal Creek.

READ IT HERE

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back soon with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

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I’ve been somewhat quiet lately as I’m still deep in my Secret WIP, but I wanted to check in and see how you all are. I hope the beginning of the year is going well for you and that you’re hitting your goals, whatever they may be. My main aim for this quarter is finishing this hellish manuscript that is putting up a fight. I’m eager to send it off to agents and reveal more details of what you can expect… I realize none of you even know the title yet! But there is a good reason I am keeping it under wraps. Good things come to those who wait and all that… 😉

Ain’t that the truth, Jack… one can only hope! 😆

I’ve been reading my old monster boyfriends for a bit of escapism the last few weeks, and for the first time since it was published, I read The Stag’s Pet… wow I really went for it with that one, didn’t I? If you’re yet to check it out, this twisted tale of redemption is my spotlight this week…

Spotlight On…

The Stag’s Pet by Kassandra Cross

This book is dark, it’s reflective, it has a twist, and I know you’re going to love it… come and meet Ev, Buck and Odin and see what happens one fateful night in the forest as night crawls in and isolates them from the rest of the world…

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

These stags are my penance.

A cruel, but justified, punishment for all the terrible things I’ve done.

It was supposed to be a relaxing getaway… a few nights in a secluded cabin with only my favorite books and thoughts for company…

But as night falls, and the creatures of the forest begin to wake, I realize I haven’t found myself in an oasis of calm. Instead, I’ve stumbled into a den of monsters.

A herd of stag centaurs have caught my scent, and they’re determined to track me down. When they arrive at my cabin door, I have to make a choice… Submit to their every desire, or pay the ultimate price.

It’s a good job these stags are as handsome as they are wicked…

READ THE STAG'S PET

Kassandra’s Weekly Round-up

What I’ve been working on this week

The bane of my life… the Secret WIP 😆 I read a quote a few days ago tho that said the books that will mean the most to the world are the ones that are the hardest to write… so I am taking comfort in that.

What I’ve been reading

The 5am Club by Robin Sharma

I am not far in, but I appreciate everything said so far. Very inspiring!

What I’ve been watching

Nosferatu! As soon as it hit streaming services I downloaded and poured over the obsessive brilliance of it.

A picture I took

I have been rearranging my library this week, and I stumbled across this. A must read for all writers!

A recommendation

The Classic Crock-Pot

It’s cold, it’s miserable, and January seemed like 1000 days long… this helped make it better and took the stress out of cooking every evening. You can’t beat a classic!

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back soon with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

Leave a comment

Scroll on for all the good stuff!

Spotlight On…

Monsters in Love: Lost in the Stars

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

Stars shimmer and nebulae swirl as monstrous aliens prowl the galaxy, searching for their fated mates.

Whether ensnaring them in cosmic webs or claiming them amidst the stars, these powerful and untamed beings always win their lovers’ hearts.

If you dare venture into the void tonight, be cautious, for you might just find yourself lost among the stars...and in love.

Featuring cosmic tales of interstellar romance by:

Evangeline Priest

Karla Doyle

SJ Sanders

Kassandra Cross

Vera Valentine

Vivienne Hart

Wren K Morris

YD La Mar

Rebel Moxie

D.J. Russo

Dalia Davies

Kass O'Shire

PRE-ORDER HERE

Kassandra’s Weekly Round-up

What I’ve been working on this week

I’ve been editing my secret WIP and getting back into the story. I was worried last week that I might not love it as much as I did when I was writing it, but thankfully that is not the case.

What I’ve been reading

Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss

Okay so I am still reading this because I am constantly juggling multiple reads but I have to say… it is blowing my mind. I’ve always been interested in reincarnation because I’ve studied witchcraft since I was thirteen, but this is next level.

What I’ve been watching

I finally put on the first episode of season 3 of From last night. Woah. What a show. I love how dark and twisty it is and look forward to finishing the rest. No spoilers please!

A picture I took

I took my daughter to a party on Saturday night, and this was the result when we got home 😆 It was essential.

A recommendation

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Because it’s cold and our skin is suffering.

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back soon with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

Leave a comment

Today is the full moon in Cancer and it certainly explains how I’ve been feeling the last few days. Irritable, snappy, and in the mood to take no shit! It’s kicking off 2025 with an intense bang, which means I’m going to dig deep and do a forgiveness ceremony tonight. This usually consists of lighting a candle, listening to calm music, and writing down everything I want to let go of. I have the feeling the list might be a little longer than usual this time around 😆

I’ve struggled the last week with editing my secret WIP. I don’t know why, but after taking some time away from it I’m worried that I’m not going to love it as much as I did when I wrote it, barely coming up for air, during the summer. Wish me luck as I dive back in… I hope it still holds its magic. I’ll share a mood board next week and I’d love to know what you all think.

Spotlight On…

Moon Magic - The Witches of Valport Springs Book 2

Seems apt for this full moon day! Did you check out Black Magic? If you’re already invested in Ludo and Aradia’s story, you won’t want to miss the follow-up. So much more is revealed in Moon Magic and you’ll be shocked at the plot twists! I’ll be returning to Valport Springs this year to bring you book three, so it’s the perfect time to dive in.

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

Something wicked is brewing…

Welcome back to Valport Springs, a quiet forest town full of mystery, magic, and secrets.

Aradia Black is trying to regain her power and resist the temptation of the devil next door. She doesn’t remember her past, but moving back into the grand, gothic Victorian where she spent her childhood is beginning to ignite lost memories. She knows her family disappeared without a trace, and now it’s down to her to find out what happened.

But someone in town is keeping secrets and doesn’t want her to succeed… When potions start to backfire and people go missing, Ari realizes she has found herself in the middle of a war that has raged for over 300 years. And if she ever wants to find out what happened to her family, first she is going to have to discover some dark truths that could well be her undoing.

Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t…

READ MOON MAGIC

Kassandra’s Weekly Round-up

What I’ve been working on this week

Attempting to edit my secret WIP… I have such high hopes for this book I am striving for utter perfection and tying myself in knots with the plot. I’m looking forward to sharing more with you soon, but for now it is back to the editing cave where I will try not to send myself mad!

What I’ve been reading

Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss

I only picked this up last night but I’m already hooked. Here, a prominent psychiatrist recounts meetings with a patient who changed his life. It opens up discussion on reincarnation, death, and the afterlife. It is so fascinating and I can’t wait to read more.

What I’ve been watching

Squid Game 2. LOL. Don’t ask.

A picture I took

Unfortunately, I didn’t take one photograph this week. However, I have been looking back at my signing set-ups from last year and loved this one of the witchy side of my table. It was taken at Authors at the Armouries in Leeds and I am looking forward to the event again this year in October. This is the perfect weekend for book lovers full of panels, signings, and meet and greets with your favorite authors.

If you want to learn more about it, you can check out all the information HERE.

A recommendation

Coco by Chanel

I know it’s not book-related, but this perfume is everything.

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back soon with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

Leave a comment

I often hear from readers looking for a discussion guide for their book clubs as they dive into The Ogre's Pet.

As a lover of literary fiction and deep analysis, I've crafted these points to help both newcomers to my Monster Pet series and those exploring the world of erotic horror for the first time.

Whether you’re dissecting the themes, analyzing the characters, or just looking for thought-provoking questions, I hope this mini-guide enhances your reading experience and sparks frightfully good conversation :)

• How do the themes of desire and fear interplay in the book?

• Are there moments where the psychological horror overshadows the physical horror?

• Identify any symbolic elements within the story. What do they represent, and how do they contribute to the narrative?

• How does the setting contribute to the horror and erotic elements of the story?

• What scenes or descriptions stand out in creating a sense of dread or allure?

• How is the balance between horror and eroticism maintained through symbolism?

• Discuss the emotional responses the book evoked. Were there particular scenes that were especially impactful?

• Did any part of the book make you feel uncomfortable? If yes, why?

• What ethical boundaries are pushed or explored through the story?

• What do you think the author intended to provoke in readers? Do you think there were any underlying messages to be confronted?

• How did you feel about the ending? Was it satisfying or did it leave you wanting more?

  ---

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Ogre’s Pet

Last week I went to the movies to watch the new Nosferatu and was thrilled to see Horrormance on the big screen. If you like monsters, gothic vibes, dark romance, and horror, this is the one!

Ellen’s connection to Orlok was classic monster romance material, and their passion was swoon-worthy. I wrote an article about it on my Patreon and you can read it here.

It’s wonderful to see a spotlight on this much-loved genre, and it immediately made me think of my Monster Pet books — particularly The Phantom’s Pet, which captures so much of the spirit of Nosferatu. Like Ellen with Orlok, Evelyn forms a connection with the Phantom as a child during her visit to the opera house, and he has longed for her ever since, patiently waiting for his moment to strike. Their bond is deep, visceral, and unbreakable. Reflecting on it made me want to dive back in and experience it all over again.

Spotlight On…

The Phantom’s Pet - A Gothic Monster Horrormance

A gothic Horrormance with a monster who will set your heart racing and send shivers down your spine.

The Phantom’s Pet is one of my all-time favorites. Inspired by The Phantom of the Opera yet a story all of its own, this book plunges into the heart of theatre life, where ghosts linger, dark passions ignite, and a historical legend reaches its peak.

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

It was supposed to be a theatre group… somewhere I could spend every Wednesday night being creative with other writers like me.

Instead… it turned into a nightmare…

Locked inside The Grandview Opera House I’m at the mercy of the wicked monster who hides here in the wings.

I’ve come into his house, and this is his show. But when he gets his hands on me it becomes clear he doesn’t want to chase me away like the others. Instead, he wants to make us the stars of our very own deliciously twisted drama.

When the lights fall, this phantom is going to give the performance of a lifetime. And once it’s the final curtain call, we may be bound together in more ways than one…

Read The Phantom's Pet

Kassandra’s Weekly Round-up

What I’ve been working on this week

Mostly still Substack and Patreon. I wrote a fun article on my thoughts on the new Nosferatu movie that you can read here.

What I’ve been reading

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

This is getting dark but it’s an interesting read. I’m not sure how I feel about a crash course in ruthless behavior to reach the top, but it has been an eye-opener. I’m also aware that several people close to me must have read it… which is interesting.

What I’ve been watching

Wicked. My eldest daughter and I went to see it at the movies but when it was released on digital we had to get it. What a film!

A picture I took

We woke up in a winter wonderland on Sunday. I took this from my bedroom window at about 7 am. By 9 am my family and I were out there sledding down the hill and building a snowman. It was the perfect way to end the holidays before we all returned to work and school yesterday!

A recommendation

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Because trust me, you deserve a new Kindle! This latest edition is reading perfection!

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back soon with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something dark to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

Leave a comment

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As the new year begins, so does this new chapter with Haunted Hearts.

I wanted to start 2025 by making a commitment to my newsletter. In fact, connection in general. I haven’t been a huge user of TikTok over the years, but with the possibility of it being banned in the USA looming, it felt like the perfect time to start this new venture.

I’m a big fan of Substack. It truly is the place to be for readers and writers, so it only made sense to move my newsletter over here. It will hopefully be a weekly event, with not just updates on my books, but deeper insights into the creative process, my inspirations, and author life in general.

So, it’s time to start as we mean to go on… here’s to a year of dark, spicy, gothic tales, and exciting updates from my writing desk

Haunted Hearts might be my first New Year’s Resolution of 2025, but if you’ve been following me for a while you will know that it isn’t the only thing in the works.

I spent the second half of 2024 writing a new novel. It is a gothic, twisty Horrormance that is currently sitting at around 90,000 words. I am jumping into January with a promise to get this finished before I start querying. Then, I will revisit The Witches of Valport Springs and Aradia and Ludo’s story. I had intended to have this series completed by now, so I am raring to get back to it and wrap things up.

My Patrons have already seen it, but expect a title and cover reveal for Book Three coming soon, right here…

Spotlight On…

Black Magic - The Witches of Valport Springs - Book One

What better way to start the new year than by reading a story of new beginnings and a young woman stepping into her power?

Black Magic is my original book baby, and it seems a fitting place to shine a light seeing as book three will be coming soon. In the next installment, we will travel to the opulent magic of Venice, learn of ancient curses, and hopefully, discover the fate of Aradia’s lost family.

Intrigued? Here’s the blurb…

The women of my family are cursed. It’s in our blood.

Welcome to Valport Springs, a quiet forest town full of secrets.

Witches hide and thrive, the Devil resides in the darkness, Victorian houses spring from sacred ground, shaded by pines, and under the magic of the full moon.

Aradia Black is coming home. She doesn’t remember Valport, but it is where she spent much of her childhood before she was taken away. After being whisked across the ocean and hidden for her own safety, the time has come for her to return and face her demons.

Hell is empty because the Devil is already here.

He’s here in Valport Springs… and he wants me.

Read it here

Kassandra’s Weekly Round-up

What I’ve been working on this week

Not much.

I know, I know… but it has been Christmas so maybe I can be forgiven? And I guess I’ve also set up this new publication… so there is that!

What I’ve been reading

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

One of my Christmas gifts. I am not sure what I make of this book yet but I’ve heard amazing things. Have you read it? What did you think?

What I’ve been watching

The Day of the Jackal with Eddie Redmayne. I don’t often have time to watch TV, but we sat down to watch an episode of this and were hooked. We raced through the series. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend it!

A picture I took

My eldest daughter, watching Home Alone on Christmas Day. We had a really cozy time this year. It was lovely to be quietly together at home, just appreciating the moment.

A recommendation

Beats Studio Buds

My husband got me these for Christmas and I love them after years of using wire headphones 😆. They are a total game changer, especially now I’m working more and need to block out the world when I write! In fact, I have them in right now when there is total chaos around me and I am blissfully in my own little world 😆.

That’s all from me this week, but I’ll be back on Monday with more Haunted Hearts. Look out for extra articles popping up too.

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!

Looking for something to read? Check out The Demon’s Pet!

Leave a comment

A new weekly newsletter from author, Kassandra Cross.

Expect updates and essays on publishing, author life, gothic books, and Horrormance.

Subscribe now

Want more bookish content? Come and hang out with me on Instagram!