{Preorder Blitz} Kuro by Ana Raine (Dark Fantasy-M/M)

 

Jack-O-Lanterns (#7)

Dark Fantasy / M/M

Date Published: October 17, 2025

Publisher: Changeling Press

When Preston saves a black cat everything he knows about life and demons is going to be questioned.

While shopping for candy for his friend's Halloween party, Preston saves a strange black cat from a group of teenage boys. Overcome with a desire entirely new to him, Preston takes the black cat home and discovers things are not always what they seem, especially on Halloween.

The cat, a demon named Caleb, has been searching for his mate for months and can't help but be fascinated with sweet Preston. He's determined to drag Preston down to his home in the underwater demon world.

Now Preston must choose between his mortal life, or one full of demons -- and love.

Praise for Kuro

"I'm the kind of person that loves a well-paced erotic story to sweep me away from a long day and this one is perfect for that sort of occasion. I find it to be a fantastic read, a quick one, and well written."

-- 4 Stars from Eric, MM Good Book Reviews

Excerpt

Copyright ©2025 Ana Raine

 

"Will you bring some candy for tomorrow?" Jackie's voice was desperate. Before Preston could answer, there was the sound of crashing glass on the other end of the phone.

"Are you all right?" Preston asked his oldest friend. He somehow managed to balance a plate of leftover salad with a cup of almond milk while keeping a good grip on his cell. "What are you doing?"

"Getting ready for the party tomorrow. Or trying to."

"And that involves breaking glass?" Preston smiled. Although Jackie and he had both majored in dance in college, Jackie was anything but graceful.

"No, dummy, it involves me trying to get these crystal dishes I got from my mom to all fit on the table."

"Crystal? Sounds... extravagant. For a Halloween party."

"Look, this is like the fourth Halloween I've been alone. Time to step it up."

Preston sighed. "Okay." He slipped out of his dance pants and pulled a pair of jeans over dark briefs. "What do you need me to bring?"

"Candy. Whatever kind you want. But not cheap shit -- that makes me sick."

"I'm on it."

The wind was colder than Preston had expected. His windbreaker was thin and cheap, more of a decoration than an actual coat. It didn't do much to keep him warm but this was the perfect opportunity to save money on gas. He was between productions, so he needed to save money any way he could. Leaving the car parked in front of his apartment, he walked down the street.

Jackie's request was going to be hard to fill. There were only yellow sale signs where piles of candy should have been. Luckily there was one large bag of chocolate bars, which he grabbed. Narrowly avoiding a collision with a young couple, he felt his cock twitch, sending shivers of anticipation down his spine, almost as if he had a tall, handsome man to go home to... He'd watched too many vampire movies with dark-haired, blue-eyed heroes. Why else would he be getting so hot in the grocery store?

There were hardly any cars in the parking lot.

"Get it," a voice shrieked so loud the plastic bag Preston had been holding fell to the ground when he flinched.

Toward the end of the parking lot, besides a clustering of trees, he saw a group of teenage boys. Preston could make out three of them, all tall and gangly, but a fourth stepped back as Preston neared the group. "What are you..."

"Get out of here, man," the one who had just stepped back ordered. He had dark, pinched eyes and a glance that made Preston's blood boil.

Although Preston wasn't one for fighting, the urge to find out what the teenagers were doing was stronger than any emotion he'd felt in a while. "I asked what you're doing."

"Just havin' fun," one of the other teenagers jumped in defensively.

Two of the four teenagers were quiet, quickly dropping large sticks onto the pavement.

"Isn't there a curfew tonight, guys?" the young man nearest to the woods asked, moving away from Preston.

The tallest of the teenagers took a step back, revealing a large black cat, sitting on its back legs but with an apparent twist in its front leg.

"How could you do this?" Preston asked, brushing past the young men. "This is just wrong."

"Whatevs."

Preston scooped the cat into his arms. The cat was so heavy he had a harder time straightening up again. "Gosh, you're big. And black." The cat reminded him of an anime cat -- bigger and blacker than anything he'd ever seen before. "I think I'll call you Kuro."

The cat swished its head from side to side, glancing back at the retreating backs of his tormenters. Purple eyes, outlined in a deep black that was different from the shade of his silky black coat, stared at Preston. The gaze was penetrating and unearthly. Preston's knees began to tremble. Even his arms were shaking as Preston held the cat close to his chest. He fumbled to pick up the plastic bag, missing the handle because the cat's gaze was so consuming.

Sexuality was running rampant through his veins. He felt like he'd eaten drug-laced candy and was swimming through a current, trying to make sense of reality again. Get a grip, Preston chastised himself.

Maybe that hadn't been enough, which could explain his sudden feeling of fatigue. But there was stunning need to find release. His legs prickled and because his eyes flickered so quickly, there were dark patches clouding his vision.

The cat meowed in his arms, but didn't try to escape. Once Preston entered the glow of his brightly lit street, he was sure that the cat was safer, but the thought of releasing the dark fur pushed a feeling of tremendous pain through his chest.

"I'm not allowed to have pets," Preston said softly, snaking a hand around the bag of chocolate so he could pet the top of the cat's head. The cat had his eyes trained on him. "We should get you to the vet to fix that leg. Although I think we'll have to wait until tomorrow." The cat's purple eyes were unnerving, but he couldn't chase away the intrigue...

 

About the Author

Ana is still figuring out what she wants to do with her life, although social work seems to be the most likely. Her best friends are a box of chocolate and her kitten who always sit beside her while she writes. When Ana was in high school, she often wrote about the LGBT community, but now her work is less...innocent. Ana enjoys writing anything and everything, including BDSM, dragons, shifters, magic, and more.

Twitter: @AuthorAnaRaine

Blog: anarainebooks.blogspot.com

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15

Pre-Order Today

This post may contain affiliate links: If you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products/services that I approve of. Purchasing through my links allows me to continue to provide unique content and pursue my business dreams. Thank you for supporting me.
Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."

 FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books and products I review are provided to me for free by the publisher, author of the book, company in exchange for an honest review. If I am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 

[RELEASE PROMOTION] Wishing for La Luna by Author J.L. Lora

 

 

♦♦♦ 

Their 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳 was never meant to be real—until their undeniable attraction made it impossible to fake.

Aspiring publicist Luna Santos's reputation was perfectly curated, impeccable. . . until she was falsely accused of cheating. After drowning in a social media storm with a shattered name, her publicist presents the ultimate redemption: a fake relationship with reggaeton's bad boy superstar, Rio Castillo. The only problem? They've despised each other ever since their spark-filled first meeting, when Luna shot down his suave advances, convinced he was a player. 

But Rio needs this showmance to reclaim his spot at the top, fill stadiums, dominate the charts, and make 𝘭𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘴 shake their hips. For his comeback—and her redemption—Luna and Rio are forced to play the perfect couple, even as their fiery chemistry simmers beneath the surface.

As they navigate the relationship script, what begins as raw animosity morphs into something auténtico, undeniably passionate, and utterly consuming. But in the ruthless world of fame, where personal demons and fierce rivals lurk, can their unexpected love song withstand the pulse-pounding 𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘰 of the spotlight?

♦♦♦ 

♦♦♦ 

J.L. Lora is a Dominican-American author. She writes steamy contemporary and romantic suspense, packed with emotional heat, real-world grit, and the themes readers crave—second chances, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, secret child, and found family. Her stories feature bold women who take charge, complicated men who fall hard, and love that always comes with a lot of chaos—whether they’re falling into it or fighting against it. If you love passion with depth and drama with heart, she delivers emotionally charged stories that linger long after the last page.

She currently lives in Maryland with her cat, an ever-growing TBR pile, and the wonderful people who help keep her grounded.

 

 

♦ ♦ ♦

 

This post may contain affiliate links: If you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products/services that I approve of. Purchasing through my links allows me to continue to provide unique content and pursue my business dreams. Thank you for supporting me.
Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."

 FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books and products I review are provided to me for free by the publisher, author of the book, company in exchange for an honest review. If I am compensated for any reviews on this site, I will state that the post has been sponsored. 

Medically Necessary by Emily Carrington #BookBlitz

 

LGBTQ Romance, Dark Fantasy, Steamy

Date Published: October 10, 2025

Publisher: Changeling Press

The threat to all werewolves draws Amir and Oliver together, even as their wounds threaten to rip them apart.

Trust is Earned (Medically Necessary 1): Amir is a General Practitioner for magical creatures, particularly werewolves. When the leader of all werewolves comes to him with a problem that presents like psychosis, Amir needs help. Oliver’s nursing a grieving heart and a chip on his shoulder. Still, when Amir asks for his help, he jumps at the chance. The submissive wolf is beautiful.

Trust is Fraught (Medically Necessary 2): As the leader of the werewolves sinks further into insanity, Amir and Oliver fight prejudice and time to rescue their alpha. As Oliver and Amir are pulled deeper into the dangers of the psychic world, their love may be the only thing keeping them sane.

Trust is Sacred (Medically Necessary 3): Oliver’s terrible secret is eating him alive. Amir thinks purging and confession are medically necessary for spiritual and physical well-being, but Oliver will stop at almost nothing to hide his scars.

 

Can either of them learn to trust?

 

EXCERPT

 

Excerpt from Trust is Earned

He had tended to different members of the Tilthos and Merle werewolf packs over the years. Being positioned in southern Erie County, located in Upstate New York, had been the best thing he could do for his medical practice. Once he’d finally convinced Nicholas Black of the Merle pack in Buffalo, New York, to work with him as the werewolf equivalent of a midwife, his office was often full to bursting with pregnant female werewolves.

And it didn’t matter one bit that he spoke Werewelsh, the native language of most werewolves, with an accent or as only his fourth language. For Dr. Amir Othman, the prejudice he might have encountered because of his unusual parentage and his even more unique upbringing was all overshadowed by one truth. He was good at his job.

That didn’t make him less nervous to meet the alpha above all alphas. Tilthos Charles, alpha of his own pack and leader of the wolves of North and South America, was supposedly intimidating. All of which pointed to this truth: while Amir had healed every magical creature from djinns to kelpies, and even two dragons, he still worried about doing or saying the wrong thing in Tilthos Charles’s presence.

What bothered him even more was that he almost qualified as a lone wolf. A “packless loner,” in werewolf-speak, and that was not a compliment. He had a technical pack, run by Kreisha Alexander. When that particular alpha threw his weight around, everyone obeyed. Thankfully, that pack was in Washington, DC, nearly two hundred miles away. So, unless Alpha Alexander gave him an edict directly over the phone, as opposed to in an email or via snail mail, Amir could basically do as he chose.

Except, now the alpha above all alphas was coming to his office and would surely demand to know why he hadn’t switched his allegiance to a pack up here in New York. “It doesn’t have to be mine,” the most powerful werewolf on the planet would say, “but it can’t be you operating under your own aegis.”

So, when his assistant, Carly, sent him a message that Tilthos Charles was here, Amir’s pulse picked up. He responded to her message, saying he’d be in Exam Room Three in under five minutes. Then he did a deep breathing exercise, using the five senses trick he’d learned as a young wolf when he first realized he wanted to become a doctor and would be around blood and anxious magical creatures.

Five things he could see. His fidgety hands. By crossing his eyes, he could see his nose. His computer screen, which held everything his clinic had on the alpha above all alphas. Trying to look farther away in an attempt to slow his racing heart, he looked at the carpet in front of his desk. It was a boring brown that didn’t hold his attention. Finally, he looked at the door where he’d hung a poster of a Great Pyrenees, which was the closest breed to his family’s wolf forms, which were usually white.

Four things he could hear… The thudding of his heart. The rush of blood in his veins, which meant he was really keyed up still because even though he was a werewolf with acute hearing, he didn’t usually pay attention to the sounds of his own or others’ bodies. He struggled hard to refocus and heard the buzzing of the fluorescent light in the ceiling. He needed one more thing, so he made his chair creak. Oddly, the sound of something he could completely control helped him breathe a little easier.

Three things he could touch… The pen in his hand, which he’d been nervously twirling. He set it down. The feel of the chair under him, with his suit coat slung over the back. He could also feel his toes in his shoes. He breathed in more deeply than he’d managed so far and felt still a bit better.

Two things he could smell… He could no longer smell adrenaline. That was a good thing. He lifted his hand to his nose and smelled the soap he’d washed with maybe ten minutes ago.

And one thing he could taste, which was his cold lavender matcha latte.

Glancing at the clock icon on his computer, he saw it had been almost three minutes. Well, it was now or never. He doubted he’d be calmer if he sat here longer. So, he stood, straightened his white medical coat, and left the office. He listened to people talking quietly in the waiting room as he passed. He smiled at Carly, who mouthed, “Good luck.” Then he knocked on the door of Exam Room Three.

“Please come in.”

The voice that had responded was lightly accented, and he wondered why no one had ever told him Tilthos Charles was Hispanic. Then he was in the room, and he saw there were two people inside. The werewolf was certainly Tilthos Charles and the psychic vampire… Oh, yes. Tilthos Charles’s mate was a psychic vampire.

The alpha wolf sat on the exam table and his mate stood at his side. It was actually the psychic vampire who moved first, holding out his hand. “Dr. Othman, I’m Luis McLaughlin.”

Amir shook with him and then offered his hand to the burly werewolf. He saw the wolf’s eyes flicker quickly down to his hand and then away. Then his hand was taken and Tilthos Charles said, “Please to meet you, Dr. Othman.”

He sounded it too, but there was something bothering him. Well, and didn’t that make sense? Folks who were completely healthy rarely came to the doctor’s office.

“The pleasure is mine,” Amir returned, smiling at both of them. Then he retreated until he could sit on his stool. He watched Tilthos Charles’s eyes try to focus on him. “Forgive me, but while I have some information about your general health, I know very little about your visual impairment.”

He saw his guess had been right, that the alpha above all alphas indeed had something wrong with his vision.

“I told you he’d know,” said Luis as his mate brought out a folded white cane from behind his back.

“Forgive me the test, Dr. Othman,” said Charles, “but I’ve been seen by too many doctors who miss the obvious until I point it out to them.” He settled the cane on his leg, keeping one hand on it so it wouldn’t fall. “We’re here today, not because of my visual impairment, which has been unchanged since I was born, but because Luis is convinced there’s something…” He hesitated.

Luis said, “He’s distracted and agitated.”

Amir watched Charles’s nostrils flare and his pupils dilate. “I’m on edge because Agent Sowerby’s… Shit. I must be off-balance somehow if I’m about to spill state secrets.” He smiled ruefully at Amir. “Forgive me. Luis is right. I just can’t figure out how you’ll help me or if there is any help for the mess we’re about to be in.”

“May I examine you?”

Charles nodded.

Amir went through all the basics, including sending the alpha werewolf out to give him a urine sample. When the door closed, he turned to Luis. “How long has he been on edge?” He could smell the wolf’s almost panic.

“About three weeks. “

“Did anything precipitate his anxiety?”

Luis sighed. “I’m not sure what’s really private. I assume you’re bound by medical confidentiality?”

“I am.” He could see the psychic vampire hesitating. “Please tell me everything you can. I cannot be effective while only possessing half the facts.”

“My mate holds the belief that the head of SearchLight is going to expose all magical creatures.”

Amir’s mouth went dry. “I know Tilthos Charles probably has the ear of SearchLight. Is he correct?”

“Absolutely not, but I can’t convince him of that.”

“Has he talked to…” He couldn’t remember the name of the new head of SearchLight, only that Agent Weinberg had stepped down.

“I’ve tried getting Jack Sowerby to talk to him. No dice. Not that Agent Sowerby wouldn’t, but Charlie didn’t believe him.”

Amir held up his hand. The bathroom door had creaked open. He turned his head toward the exam room’s entrance for good measure.

Tilthos Charles entered. “Your assistant took my sample.”

Amir said soothingly, “Please, Alpha, sit down.”

He saw his words had the opposite effect to what he’d intended. Instead of resting on the table again, Tilthos Charles drew himself up. He was taller than Amir by half a foot and intimidating as hell.

Sitting on his stool, making himself as nonthreatening as possible, Amir put his hands palms up on his thighs. “I mean you no harm.”

 

About the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

 

Author’s Website

Emily on Facebook

Emily on Twitter

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15

 

Pre-Order Today

This post may contain affiliate links: If you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products/services that I approve of. Purchasing through my links allows me to continue to provide unique content and pursue my business dreams. Thank you for supporting me.
Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."

 FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books and products I review are provided to me for free by the publisher, author of the book, company in exchange for an honest review. If I am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 

[RELEASE PROMOTION] Merciless Promise by Anise Storm

 

       

♦ ♦ ♦

𝐄𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐊𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐯

I know I should avoid Kingston Brannington at all costs.

But when I end up in his path, I’m unable to resist his lure.

A proposition later proves he’s more dangerous than I thought.

And once he gets me at his mercy, all I can do is beg.

For what? As the lines blur, even I don’t know.

I want him… I need him… I despise him… 

And even more surprisingly, I’m beholden to him as well.

I’m in love with a man determined to break me.

He wants to destroy me. In the end, he just might.

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

After receiving an ultimatum, I stand to lose everything I have.  

Until her… Until Ekaterina… Our paths cross, and I want her…

On her knees… Under me… At my mercy… To destroy her… 

And I will because it was something I’d once sworn to do.

While we’d never met before in person, she’d still left her mark.

Now, I’m going to leave mine as I use, degrade, then break her.

I’ll end her life as promised. All I have to do is stick to the plan.

Only this twisted obsession might destroy us if we’re not careful.

Once upon a time, it didn’t matter. As fake becomes real, now it does!

♦ ♦ ♦

♦ ♦ ♦

Anise Storm is a USA Today Bestselling author of Contemporary and Dark Romance. A Southern transplant, Anise is married with children. She has a love of football, shoes, and tall, dark heroes. When not spending time with family or traveling, she can be found either curled up with a good book or writing.

  

♦ ♦ ♦

This post may contain affiliate links: If you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products/services that I approve of. Purchasing through my links allows me to continue to provide unique content and pursue my business dreams. Thank you for supporting me.
Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."

 FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books and products I review are provided to me for free by the publisher, author of the book, company in exchange for an honest review. If I am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored.