Bound by the Wraith

by A.C. Ruttan

Will one year with a demon really save her soul?

Cali sold her soul to save her dying husband, only to have him walk out on her. Now, the sexiest reaper has come to collect. She’s prepared for an eternity of damnation, until the wraith offers her a way out.

Be his for one year.

Mind, soul and body.

Cillian only has ever pursued power and his favors always come with a price, but being dark and evil can be lonely. Maybe it’s time for him to take a mate, and desperate Cali makes his cold blood heat with a fiery passion. He’ll bind her to him and make her forget the mortal world.

It seems like an easy way out for Cali, but can she last the year locked away in his realm?

A steamy monster romance with a guaranteed HEA

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2025

About the author

A.C Ruttan started writing at a very young age. Life and responsibility got in the way and writing was put on hold. It wasn't until the birth of her second child and spending countless hours in a NICU she realized that life is precious and it shouldn't be wasted.

Now years later --and a healthy baby later--A.C. has realized her dreams. She was first published in 2007 under her alter ego Amy Ruttan, and she hasn't looked back.

Reviews

[Karla Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for Cillian to get a book since I read the first book in this series! In my mind, Cillian is a dark-haired version of Jareth from the movie Labyrinth, and he was delectably mischievous, but also sweet, in this story. You could probably read this book on its own and totally enjoy it, but I think you'll get so much MORE enjoyment if you read the first two books in A.C. Ruttan's Northern Realms series first, because you meet Cillian in those and he's just so much fun!

Looking forward to the next books because I love this Northern Realms world and can't wait to visit again.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cali (h) made a deal with a demon to save her husband—then got repaid with betrayal, institutionalization, and a lifetime of trauma. Cillian (H), a wraith from a shadowy realm, offers her a new bargain to stay with him for one year, get her soul back, and maybe something more. ‍But this isn’t their first meeting. Across countless lives, Cali has died again and again, always with Cillian watching, always too late to save her. Now, their past is unraveling in her dreams, the truth coming back piece by piece. He can’t tell her who she really is. He can’t use magic to sway her. And every few months, she must return to the mortal world—if she doesn’t come back by sundown, she’s lost forever. What starts as a contract turns into something deeper as Cali begins to remember the love they’ve shared through centuries. But enemies are watching, old powers are shifting, and even in a realm between worlds, freedom has a price. A dark, fantasy romance, exploring love, connection, soulmates, sacrifice, trust, and rewriting fate, no matter how many times the world tears you apart.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this world and these characters! This is a love-struck story, that is lived over and over again as our characters are torn apart time after time. Cillian has come up with a plan to keep them together, forever, finally, but it does have some dangers. Elodi has no idea, no memories, of her previous lives, but she instinctively knows she can trust Cillian. These two get to fall in love, again, for the final time, and while their plans change, it doesn’t deter them from their long-awaited HEA <3

[Anastey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you BookSprout, and AC Ruttan for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Labyrinth vibes are absolutely on point, and I loved every minute of it! The pacing was fantastic, and the characters were all interesting and memorable. Bonus points for having a non-binary character as well. I adore Honk, and want a little goblin friend of my own too.

If you love reincarnation stories, and true love lasting through time, this will be your jam. The spice was on the lighter side, and very enjoyable.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and steamy!

This was a super fun and quick read. It reminded me of My Blood Is Yours by Chiara Forestier. The scenes were great, the way it was written was easy to read and there was enough plot to keep it going but also leave it open for more books in the future. I love that this was part of a series of monsters, I will have to read the rest!

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really like Cillian at first, even though I was aware he's a morally grey MMC, but he got better as the story progressed. The book is an interconnected standalone, so you might be able to get a better sense of the backstory if you've read those first.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past Lives and Current Heartache

Cali has had a rough life and now she’s bound in a contract with a loathsome “demon”. Cillian has loved Cali through many lifetimes, only to lose her - this time, they are going to have forever together, he’s determined. I loved how much these two loved it other, and the sacrifices Cillian made for Cali gave the story depth and complexity. A wonderful read.

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good series. I enjoy the couples and their back stories. This one was intriguing. I enjoyed the reincarnation/ time travel aspect.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wraith's Wrath

What a wonderful story of undying love. He waited lifetimes to finally have her in this lifetime. Once her memories were restored of all her past lives, they finally got together. After a dangerous situation in which he saved her, they got their HEA.

[Victória · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virgin h
Non manwhore H
Hea

[꧁ᙏᗣᙃⱿꙆᗣ꧂]

Mated to the Monster: Season 3 - 14 books :
by Alana Khan (Author) , Evangeline Priest (Author) , Honey Phillips (Author) , Ami Wright (Author) , Karla Doyle (Author) , Andie Fenichel (Author) , Veronika Kane (Author) , SJ Sanders (Author) , Ember Davis (Author) , Debra Elise (Author) , Matilda Martel (Author) , YD La Mar (Author) , AC Ruttan (Author) , Vivienne Hart (Author)
❌ 1. Moth to Her Flame by Alana Khan (March 1, 2025)
❌ 2. Conning Her Dragonkin Boss by Evangeline Priest (March 3, 2025)
❌ 3. Can't Get No Satyrfaction by Honey Phillips (March 5, 2025)
❌ 4. Kraken Cove: Second Chance With The Sea Monster by Ami Wright (March 7, 2025)
❌ 5. The Rhino's Rose by Karla Doyle (March 10, 2025)
❌ 6. Wild for the Wyvern by Andie Fenichel (March 12, 2025)
❌ 7. My Orc Pen Pal by Veronika Kane (March 14, 2025)
❌ 8. Foxin' Around by SJ Sanders (March 17, 2025)
❌ 9. Wooded Bliss by Ember Davis (March 19, 2025)
❌10.Fated to the Panther by Debra Elise (March 21, 2025)
❌11.Demon Seed by Matilda Martel (March 24, 2025)
❌12The Oni's Heart by YD La Mar (March 26, 2025)
❌13.Bound by the Wraith by AC Ruttan (March 28, 2025)
❌14.The Imp Act by Vivienne Hart (March 31, 2025)

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