Stranger at the Hell Gate

by Ash Krafton

Jagger Sintallon, a half-demon warrior, has dedicated his existence to fighting demons who enter the world through Hell gates. A loner of conflicting ideals, he offers shelter to a troubled woman but knows he is too rough, too dangerous, and too cocky for her delicate nature.

Dedicated to Divine Will, Sonya Camael, a Seraph, is determined to discover why she is drawn to Jagger's doorstep and the reason behind her mission. She needs the demon's help but fears he may get himself killed before she can figure it out and the world slips into Hell's dominion.

Sonya faces grave danger with evil stalking her every move, and Jagger shouldn't care but realizes he cares more than he'd likely admit. Sonya knows Jagger cannot win this war alone, but will her divine intervention mean his imminent end? Or will just the right combination of Heaven and Hell set the world right once again?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Demons, Angels, Urban Fantasy, Novella

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 25, 2013

About the author

Ash Krafton is a USA Today and international best-selling speculative fiction author from the coal region of Pennsylvania. She's the author of urban fantasy and paranormal fantasy novels, as well as poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction articles on the craft writing and publishing.

Her first novel series, The Books of the Demimonde (BLEEDING HEARTS, BLOOD RUSH, WOLF'S BANE), earned several awards and distinctions, including Finalist ranking in several RWA chapter competitions. A paranormal romance WORDS THAT BIND also received distinctions and is published by The Wild Rose Press.

She has also written New Adult speculative fiction as AJ Krafton. Her début, THE HEARTBEAT THIEF was released in June 2015 and has made the Amazon bestseller lists for historical, fantasy, and coming of age fiction.

Currently, Ash is working on a new urban fantasy series, THE DEMON WHISPERER. The first two books, CHARM CITY and MURDER THE LIGHT are available now, with the series prequel STRAITJACKETS AND HOLY WATER coming out in late 2018 when it will be featured as part as a multi-author boxed set.


She is also releasing a stand-alone urban fantasy TAKIN' IT BACK in August 2018, a book that will put a fresh twist on the old swish-and-flick.


Audiobook lovers can find the Demimonde series on Audible as both individual books as well as a series bundle. Several other titles are currently under production and will be released over the rest of 2018.

Find out more abut Ash Krafton's work when you visit www.ashkrafton.com.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Ash Krafton and when I saw this book for free on Amazon, I just had to read it.
Easy to read and a great story, the chapters are split between Demons and Angels.

Sonya is a half human and half seraphim sent on a quest to find Jagger half human half demon – who slays demons from hells gates for a living.

Unsure of what her mission is when she finds Jagger, the two bond together and prepare for what battle is heading their way.

Jagger has a twin brother who is the complete opposite, working for Lucifer and opening the hell gates that Jagger is trying to stop. Unable to defeat each other, the fighting is a constant between the two.

I felt there could have been a little more to the steamy side of the romance and the good v evil.

The book gives you love and hope heartache and pain. A great little read.

I can also recommend Bleeding hearts and Ash has just brought out the sequel Blood rush, which I am looking forward to reading.

[✨✨ Claire✨✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect book for me at the moment!
Its short but sweet. Easy to read, and quick to read too!

There's one storyline and thats it - no drifting off to another kind of story, just the one - why was Sonja sent to Jagger.
Nice and refreshing!
I dont want to really write much about the book as it would give it all away!
Jagger is half demon and intent on destroying any and all demons that travel through the regularly constructed "Hell Gates" that his brother keeps conjuring up!
Sonja is a half angel who was told that she needed to find Jagger for her mission. The true aim of the mission doesnt present itself until towards the end of the book, but again, as the book is quite short and straight to the point, it doesnt feel long to wait.

recommended for a short read that you fancy a quickie to read during a lunch break or two!

Reviewed on behalf of Bewtiching tours in return for honest review

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, and occasionally felt like it skipped a beat and I missed something. I kept having to go back a page to make sure my ereader didn't skip ahead or that I had fallen asleep and hit the button (that's what I get for reading it really late at night).

I'm not 100% sure at the time of writing this whether it was part of a larger series. But all in all, I liked it, and wouldn't mind seeing more of this world.

I have to admit though, Jagger... every time I read the name, I had to remind myself it was Jagger (as in Mick Jagger) as opposed to Jager (as in Jagerbomb). For whatever reason I just could not remember that his name was Jagger.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think if this had been further developed, given more character depth and world building it could have been something really nice. Instead, it just felt rushed and incidental. I didn't feel any connection to any of the characters or the conflict and the ending was anticlimactic. The mechanical writing is fine, but the story just isn't all that.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY wish that this book had been a full novel instead of a novella. I enjoyed it so much. I quickly became engrossed in the plot and the characters and I couldn't get enough. I really hope the author expands on this series or puts out a reprint with a fuller version. There could have been so much more. Maybe I'm greedy but I just liked it that much. :)

[Camila JR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dios, tiene una trama, tiene un argumento bueno, pero está desarrollada muy a la carrera, había partes en las que de plano me perdía totalmente, no entendía nada, de nada, de nada.
¡Y ese final! Al menos que fuera hasta donde ella regresa o que tuviera al niño (que por cierto no entendí como es que él se entero de eso).
2.5 estrellas le doy.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quickly found myself lost in the world and characters Krafton created in this story. I particularly enjoy the balance between dangerous action and sensual details. I can't wait to finish reading it.

[Jocelyn Dex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This was an easy read that kept me entertained until the end. The ending was too abrupt and I want to know what happens next, but I enjoyed Jagger's and Sonya's relationship and the demon aspect of the story.

[OldBird · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Yes, it's flawed, but it's an easy writing style that doesn't go overboard with the lead characters' romantic feelings. There's also a faint hint of Devil May Cry about the demons...

It could have used a bit more depth in terms of the world it's set in - is it ours or some parallel universe? - and how the whole angels and demons things has been playing out there. The pacing suffered a little too: the romance came on slowly and then wham, or sometimes meandering away from the plot before suddenly rushing into a climax that felt... anticlimactic.

While I'm not sure that this story really worked for me, I did like the writing and would consider reading more by the author.

-Read as part of the First to Reign anthology-

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick read

I really liked the idea of the story, but was somehow disappointed. The storyline would be great with more character development, I didn't have time to connected to the characters, more depth to the story would have helped. As well more detailed information regarding to the city has been missing. It was all far to predictable and a bit more erotic would have teased the storyline.
But I really liked the book cover. Sorry only two stars.

[Tricia Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short, sweet romance between two sensual supernatural creatures. I was swept into the world of humans, demons and angels right from the start. Sonya is a Seraph seeking help from half-demon Jagger. Their world is gritty, harsh and painful, but there is beauty and hope, too. Because this was a short story, I don't want to give too much away about the plot. The characters were believable and well-written. I liked how the chapters were brief and split between Angels and Demons. This made it easy for me to slip back into this world when I had to step away from the book for a quick moment (I have kids who demand this attention all of the time!). As with her other books, I enjoy reading this author's writing style. Ms. Krafton has a way with words that leaves this reader breathless. Elegant and poetic with gothic undertones. A quick, enjoyable read for someone wanting to dip their toes into an imaginative world.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Denissa Levou · Rating 3 out of 5]

¿como pudo terminar así?