Candy: A Paranormal Second Chance Romance

by E.P. van Gelder

I bit my ex out of spite. But now, I’m thirsting for more than just his blood…When I met Killian, our love was like being hit by a truck. When I had his werewolf baby, it was like giving birth to one. I nearly died…And woke up a vampire, thanks to my fated mate’s mad-with-grief attempt to ‘save me.’ Was I furious? Heartbroken? Did I miss him? Nope, nope, and nope. I was dead inside.Decades later, Killian's pack battles my sire's nest. He doesn't fight me, even as I sink my fangs into his neck. But his magical lifeblood is mine as well. It restores some of my lost humanity. Now I remember - I have a son.And… a mate.For forty years, all I had of her was our dutiful son and her faded photographs under my pillow. When Candy saunters back into my life, I see that even my memories are pale reflections of her true radiance.She tries to kill me, but I can't blame her. Perhaps that's the closure I need to put all this behind me.Three days later, she appears at my hospital bed. Did she come to finish the job?No. She holds up flowers and a card that “Sorry.”But I’m an old wolf and she’s an ageless vampire. It will take more than a card to erase the years that separate us.'Candy’ is the second ‘Howl with Us’ book. It can be read standalone but will contain spoilers for book one.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

E.P. van Gelder has worked as an animator for video games, exhibited sculptures worldwide, and sold his soul making motion graphics for corporate TV behemoths—only to reclaim it by writing the books he loves.

He writes about flawed yet good-hearted characters who support each other through the struggles of being human—or orc, or dwarf. Now, more than ever, he believes that our only real power lies in togetherness.

In his spare time, he rides bikes, climbs mountains, and drinks an absurd amount of snob-coffee.

Reviews

[Jolene Pregent · Rating 4 out of 5]

True love story of fated mates. Vampires, werewolves, found family and past lover turmoil. I liked the new breed of vampire creation with a flare of magical traditions.

[Allyse Reinauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, okay! Admittedly this isn’t something I’d typically read, but I was offered an ARC and the blurb intrigued me and the cover is what really sold me. I was pleasantly surprised!

This is a well-written dark, paranormal, vampire, shifter, second chance romance. I really enjoy it! The plot was refreshing. It was well thought out and dynamic. It wasn’t just a rehashed version of the same thing we read over and over in this genre.

It had all the elements you’d expect in a typical book in this trope, but it was much more progressive. There were many elements of sex and gender positivity, but it was very organic and not “in your face” as some authors are guilty of. I am all for inclusion in the genre, but I’m still reading a romance novel and I want it to feel like that! This book was successful in being inclusive and sexy and I ate it up.

I was instantly invested in both the main characters and even the side characters as well. I will say that I was less than enthralled with Cynthia’s presence though. Even if she was “into” whatever that was, she was just too whiny for me.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book; thoughts are my own.

[Emma Louise Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic storyline, with a fabulously quirky lead female you can't help but like. The lead male is a bit meh, but the twists and turns and sexy times of the book are good enough to over look that. A great read all in all.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, even if I did get frustrated with both Candy and Killian! They both struggled so much with communicating with each other and let their past get in the way of a possible future together. Thank goodness they realised, before it was too late, that they had something worth saving.

[Laikyn Meng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on shifters and vampires.
Romance is heated, and so is the tension between characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.