Whispers of Danger

The Hidden Hotel #2

by Marie Bellmere

Being the only human at a hotel for supernatural beings comes with all sorts of potential problems - especially when you’re now their customer service expert and asked to ensure their latest conference goes smoothly.

Despite Dahlia being unsure if she wants to stay at The Red Alder hotel longer than necessary, she’s determined to prove she’s up to the challenge of her latest assignment. She doesn’t need special powers or abilities for her job, just an unbeatable arsenal of customer service tactics. But when problems arise at the hotel, like they did during the last conference, she can’t help wondering if someone really is trying to sabotage The Red Alder.

Except that’s not her only problem. Being a human made her a target for blame the last time things went badly, and half the time she turns around the hotel owner with his obnoxiously captivating voice is standing there, waiting for her to mess up. This time can she prove someone is working behind the scenes? Or will she be thrown out homeless on the street before proving her worth?


Dive into this urban fantasy trilogy filled with sweet, slow burn romance, quirky side characters, and a heroine determined to save the day through quality customer service. Perfect for fans of K. M. Shea's Magiford Supernatural City trilogies.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2024

Reviews

[Ashley Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read!

Loved this sequel. Excited to see what happens next in the third book! Love that this author does rapid releases!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great continuation from the first book. Enjoyed seeing the FMC grow in to her new role and learn more about the world she didn’t know existed, while also figuring out more about who she really is. So glad the final book is only a few weeks away. Though I wish it just kept going past book 3.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this installment even better than the first one. It’s funny because I put this one down more (life) and took longer reading it, but I enjoyed it more. Dahlia/Lia is happier, even if she is still anxious about job security. The reader gets some answers about who and “what” she is, even if she remains in the dark, and that helped. I’m resigned to Zavion being the love interest, though still neither feeling it nor thrilled about it. There’s still not been any reason given for him continuing to keep what he knows of Dahlia/Lia’s past and identity secret even from her. It’s annoying, and while it should rightfully cause conflict in the next book, I fail to see why it’s necessary outside of the next book being the final one and the series needing some sort of tension and conflict. And if that’s all it is, it’s not a good enough reason. But there’s enough outside of that to hold my interest, and I’m still holding out hope that there will be some better reason for Zavion to be keeping the information secret.

This story has Dahlia/Lia engaged in mediation and conflict resolution, and she seems surprised at first, not seeing these things as part of customer service. It made me think, because even if a customer service rep doesn’t formally get called on to mediate disputes doesn’t mean they don’t use a lot of the same skills, as Dahlia/Lia eventually discovers. I do think the jobs are separate for the most part, but they have a lot in common.

Also, and I thought this in the previous book as well, Dahlia/Lia has three different customer service smiles that’s she uses for different sorts of customers/situations that come up. And I am so grateful that each time she uses one, the author has her explain which it is and who it’s for. At list point I could tell you her level one smile is for difficult customers, her level three smile is for silly customers, and her level two is the one she uses the most genuinely, but I couldn’t have done that during the first book, and wouldn’t be able to do it now without the repetition. This contrasts well with books that have introduced some sort of similar author invented system where the definitions are never mentioned again and the reader is left struggling to remember or having to go back to the original explanation over and over again for a review.

[Smasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content:

Profanity: None.

Violence: None. There is threat of violence, but everything is resolved before anything occurs.

Sexual: None.

Triggers: Deals with foster kid, belonging, and mild people-pleasing to be accepted.



So, this is the 2nd book in the trilogy, and I heartily enjoyed the first book. This book was slower, and the pacing was off for me, making it really hard to keep myself invested in the story. I wish there had been more of a focus on the character arcs than the plot (customer service in a supernatural hotel and solving conflicts between races).

There was very little progression on learning anything more personal about Dahlia or Zavion as our protagonists. The book was almost exclusively focused on giving Dahlia training to be the concierge and her problem solving for guests who fought with each other. I found it to be flat and uninteresting the longer it went on and I realized that this book wasn't going to progress either Dahlia finding out about her missing memory, or about Zavion's past. And a barely there hint that there's a romance coming.

With that in mind, I think the last book is going to be chuck full of fun info, which I look forward to finding, as well as (I really hope) the romance finally coming out more. I won't lie, if the romance goes from where it is now to full throttle it will not be happy-making for me.

I'm still rating it 4 stars, but if the last book doesn't pick up the pace I'm going to come back and knock a star off. Middle parts are hard, even middle books, so I like to give them the benefit of the doubt. There's a lot to build on in this book so I'm hoping the author pulls through for me with the last book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

another hit!

Okay, so, I really love this book. It has all the elements I loved about the first book:
- intriguing new world
- super likeable, powerful yet limited heroine
- great supporting cast
- realism without angst
- light hearted, not heavy
- good writing
- great pacing & plot action

In addition, there's the deeper glimpse into the foster care system/experience that is really nice too. Again, it's realistic about the good and the bad, without being too dragged down by the bad.

Again, I would be pretty unhappy if the last book wasn't out yet, or if it wasn't on KU, but it is in both cases, so all is well. The ending is not s cliffhanger per se but the romance is definitely unresolved so it just really doesn't feel fully complete yet without the last book in the trilogy.

Speaking of romance, this is a very clean book. And the romance is VERY slow burn. Which I love, but if you don't... Forewarned is forearmed, I guess. Anyway, at least there's no angst or stupid misunderstandings. So I find it very reasonable.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

After a promotion to concierge, Dahlia’s new job has her facing many more of the hotel’s magical guests.
When the hotel hosts a conference between the sirens and the sorcerers, Dahlia finds out that her unique skills make her a perfect fit as one of the hosts in charge.
Although there is still some conflict with her coworkers, she is gradually winning them over as she starts finding her footing at the Red Alder Hotel.

Book two picks up where book one left off (or at least only a few days later), and showcases a little more of the magical world. Dahlia is definitely finding her stride, and starts learning a little more about who she is. Zavion still hasn’t helped there, but it seems that he’s thawing a little towards her.

This is a lovely, low stress cosy fantasy, with an intriguing setting, and an interesting world in which it all takes place.
It’s an excellent choice for fantasy readers who want something relaxing to read, or who enjoy an escapist read.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really liking this series. Dahlia has found her place in customer service at the hotel and is doing a great job handling the various crises that occur. She has made a few friends, but is no closer to learning about the missing pieces of herself. She has been smart enough to realize that some sabotage of the hotel may be underway, but hasn't been able to prove anything yet. I have my suspicions as to who the saboteur may be, but I'll have to wait until the next book to find out. I'm off to borrow it from kindle unlimited now.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasant surprise

This is a new author for me and after the first book I couldn't wait for the second one. I love Dahlia's story and the way she is experiencing life at the Red Alder Hotel. I'm interested see what transpires between her and Zavion. Looking forward to the next book about Dahlia nd the enchanted races . I'm a fan!

[Kelsey L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is honestly so fascinating to me. If I was a human girl with an anxious foster mom who just got shoved into a magical world full of people who hated me I definitely wouldn’t have handled it as well as Dahlia did. I honestly can’t believe she survived the first book! I can’t wait to see what other customer service nightmares come along.

[Mildly Mad Hatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
And the plot is thickening! It's definitely getting more interesting, and more depth is being added. The romance is still non-existent, but seeds are being planted. I am really looking forward to the next book because clean, no-spice urban fantasy books have been hard to find, and this one is very good.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how Foster care is featured

I love how Dahlia seeks to connect with her foster brother and provide for him.what she wishes had been provided for her. This story just keeps getting better with more character growth and development. A well crafted, clean story!

[Cynde S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this highly imaginative series.

This author has a great imagination. I am enjoying the series she has written. I am on to purchase the next one. And then check out if she has any other books.

[whimsical reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storyline wasn’t much different than the first. Mostly conflicts between guests. She did figure out some of her past and revealed a little bit of her powers. Super ridiculously slow burn and only 2 curse words (words for mad).

My least favorite thing about the book on kindle is the covers.

[Hed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the first book… the writing is good… but it’s starting to feel like I am actually “working” at a hotel. So much repetition from stuff that happened in first book… boring and not interested in why they’re keeping secrets from her anymore. DNF unfortunately

[Georgen Charnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seamless continuation from book one. Our FMC continues to show how good she is, although the whole group seems pretty dense at times. What race can resist manipulation? Vampires and Nymphs. So she investigates vampires. Hit yourself up side the head, please.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story.

Content: clean

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second book about Lia and went straight into the final book as soon as I finished. I recommend this series and I'm excited to check out more books by this author.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeannette Mazur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and am enjoying the series. Solid 8/10

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supernatural Hotel

Awesome read found it refreshing and fun, mystery to solve and the main characters are surprisingly easy to like and even deals with modern day problems.

[ghislaine belair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story . I loved the characters and the originality very much.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Super(natural) Good Read!

Another fun romp through the Hidden Hotel series! I know it says trilogy, but I love the characters and setting so much, I can't help hoping that we get many more books at the Red Alder Hotel.

After her success with her first supernatural conference, Dahlia gets a promotion. Now she must navigate the next supernatural conference, a meeting between sorcerers and sirens..... Who don't exactly have a reputation for getting along.

At least the alder trees are getting better, but she doesn't have anything to do with that.... Does she?