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Seph
Vampires can’t cross running water—unless they first cross the River Styx. Long ago, one of Echidna’s spawn was granted the freedom to move across all bodies of water, even the mighty ocean, if she would do a favor for the king of Hell—bring back Seph, better known as Persephone, Hades’ beloved queen.
It’s been a thousand years as of this Lemuria, and Hades is calling in his marker. Deliver his queen, or else…
The problem? The “demon” slated to do the job is a vampire in love with one Emily Van Helsing, a woman who wants to kill him and all of his kind. They only have an uneasy truce, but only because the “good” monsters of Pine Ridge have convinced her to grant a stay of execution.
Emily van Helsing has been raised to kill vampires on sight. Following family tradition, Emily has taken on the task of hunting London’s most famous vampire— Simeon Crow, even though he claims to be retired. When his trail leads her to paranormal Pine Ridge, a sudden twist of fate left her at the mercy of monsters. Imagine her surprise when the people of Pine Ridge not only save her life, but help her start a new one.
She agrees to the truce, but that doesn’t mean she won’t kill Simeon the second he steps out of line. He may have journeyed to Pine Ridge of his own free will, but she knows the demon in a handsome human form is just waiting until her guard is down to turn this safe haven into hell on earth.
It’s a shock to Simeon when Hades appears and demands that he produce the missing Persephone in just seven days, or Hades will send him to the depths of the underworld—for good. With his unlife on the line, the vampire knows that there’s one woman on earth who can track down anything—even a goddess. Simeon might have to call in a few favors of his own to get Emily to help him. After all, it’s not really for him—it’s for true love.
Can Emily and Simeon find Persephone—and a love neither of them expected?
Seph is a steamy standalone in the Pine Ridge Universe.
It’s been a thousand years as of this Lemuria, and Hades is calling in his marker. Deliver his queen, or else…
The problem? The “demon” slated to do the job is a vampire in love with one Emily Van Helsing, a woman who wants to kill him and all of his kind. They only have an uneasy truce, but only because the “good” monsters of Pine Ridge have convinced her to grant a stay of execution.
Emily van Helsing has been raised to kill vampires on sight. Following family tradition, Emily has taken on the task of hunting London’s most famous vampire— Simeon Crow, even though he claims to be retired. When his trail leads her to paranormal Pine Ridge, a sudden twist of fate left her at the mercy of monsters. Imagine her surprise when the people of Pine Ridge not only save her life, but help her start a new one.
She agrees to the truce, but that doesn’t mean she won’t kill Simeon the second he steps out of line. He may have journeyed to Pine Ridge of his own free will, but she knows the demon in a handsome human form is just waiting until her guard is down to turn this safe haven into hell on earth.
It’s a shock to Simeon when Hades appears and demands that he produce the missing Persephone in just seven days, or Hades will send him to the depths of the underworld—for good. With his unlife on the line, the vampire knows that there’s one woman on earth who can track down anything—even a goddess. Simeon might have to call in a few favors of his own to get Emily to help him. After all, it’s not really for him—it’s for true love.
Can Emily and Simeon find Persephone—and a love neither of them expected?
Seph is a steamy standalone in the Pine Ridge Universe.
- GenresMonster Romance
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2025
15 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Principale
93 books134 followersAuthor of romance with bite.
Especially fond of monster and paranormal romance, but she'll write some all-human romances, too!
Especially fond of monster and paranormal romance, but she'll write some all-human romances, too!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 16, 2025
This was an interesting read, definitely one for the fantasy/PNR fans as it brings you vampires, vampire slayers and Greek gods in modern times and based in the Pine Ridge Universe. The story itself was in-depth and you get 2 romance stories between Simon and Emily and Hades and Persephone. I enjoyed the timeline it flowed well and was easy to follow. I really enjoyed the characters though I have to say Hades was my favourite, taking my usual ideology of him and changing it to hades the family man was interesting. Overall a good read.
January 11, 2025
I really enjoyed the plot heavy side of things here. This story was driven more by the world building. There were lots of side characters that had some good time on screen. There was intrigue and lots of character growth.
Even though this book was titled Seph, the real story is that of the vampire and the Van Helsing heir falling in love. It was beautiful, tough, and real.
Even though this book was titled Seph, the real story is that of the vampire and the Van Helsing heir falling in love. It was beautiful, tough, and real.
January 13, 2025
TWO super spicy love stories for the price of ONE!
❤️Hades x Persephone retelling
🧛Vampire x Van Helsing (enemies to lovers)
🔥Spicy banter
😂Epic meta humor
A Pine Ridge standalone you don't need to read the other books but you will still fall in love with this little paranormal town and its occupants!
I am not usually into enemies-to-lovers because there is usually SO MUCH animosity between the love interests but the connection between Emily Van Helsing and Simeon Crow (love that name, btw!) is truly sweet and genuine and gut-wrenching!! Gotta love a morally grey monster but also a strong female lead with her own inner demons to battle.
Then Hades is everything we know and love as a family man!! I wish there was more of him and Seph for their own story!
Thank you to the author for making me one of her ARC-angels so I got a free advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
❤️Hades x Persephone retelling
🧛Vampire x Van Helsing (enemies to lovers)
🔥Spicy banter
😂Epic meta humor
A Pine Ridge standalone you don't need to read the other books but you will still fall in love with this little paranormal town and its occupants!
I am not usually into enemies-to-lovers because there is usually SO MUCH animosity between the love interests but the connection between Emily Van Helsing and Simeon Crow (love that name, btw!) is truly sweet and genuine and gut-wrenching!! Gotta love a morally grey monster but also a strong female lead with her own inner demons to battle.
Then Hades is everything we know and love as a family man!! I wish there was more of him and Seph for their own story!
Thank you to the author for making me one of her ARC-angels so I got a free advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
January 13, 2025
Delightful
Wonderful new story with the Pine Ridge crew. Emily and Simeon are enemies with a generational history - vampire and vampire hunter. They are just working through getting acquainted and overcoming abusive, loveless childhoods when Hades comes along with a job and a threat. Hades and family are delightful, an itriguing look at Greek mythology that has no relation to past lore - fun! Nice romp through modern times looking for Persephone for Hades, figuring out the mystery and each other. Enjoyed it immensely.
Wonderful new story with the Pine Ridge crew. Emily and Simeon are enemies with a generational history - vampire and vampire hunter. They are just working through getting acquainted and overcoming abusive, loveless childhoods when Hades comes along with a job and a threat. Hades and family are delightful, an itriguing look at Greek mythology that has no relation to past lore - fun! Nice romp through modern times looking for Persephone for Hades, figuring out the mystery and each other. Enjoyed it immensely.
February 12, 2025
Adventure and two love stories in one!
This was so fun! It was like a hot version of a Percy Jackson book... seriously! Throw in Greek gods sending you on a mission with the descendant of the Van Helsings a the vamp that got away and you have a s*xy fun mystery adventure. Loved it!
This was so fun! It was like a hot version of a Percy Jackson book... seriously! Throw in Greek gods sending you on a mission with the descendant of the Van Helsings a the vamp that got away and you have a s*xy fun mystery adventure. Loved it!
January 28, 2025
Gleeful Goblin Review: Like many monsterfudgers I cut my proverbial teeth on the mythology section of my local library and of course the most represented pantheon was Greek mythology. Now as an adult I get an absolute kick out of twists on Greek mythology and this book is no exception. Despite it being a different take though, I really appreciated the author being able to balance how very....muddy and twisted divine relationship dynamics are while also not going into nitty gritty details. We've got a fresh, family man style take on Hades who is desperate to get Seph (Persephone) back into his life and to do that he tasks a vampire to get the job done. But the best part of Hades for me, is being able to see him focus so much on giving Seph choices; about Zeus, about him, about staying in his realm at all! We stan consent after all so I was jazzed to see it well represented here.
Our dashing fangs-about-town Simeon is the vampire in question and our boy's got his own set of complications with being in love with a Van Helsing! In just about any other setting but Pine Ridge this would be a pretty grim outlook but blessedly this story is anything but grim! IT HAS A MINI CERBERUS Y'ALL. There are so many little Easter egg style nods to monsterfudgers, audiobook enthusiasts (no spoilers but you'll laugh about it this when you read the book), and even some fourth wall bends (not full on breaks). I really loved having a chance to see really not just one but two love stories unfold in this book. It was as hard to stop smiling as it was to stop reading each night. 5/5 Stars
Our dashing fangs-about-town Simeon is the vampire in question and our boy's got his own set of complications with being in love with a Van Helsing! In just about any other setting but Pine Ridge this would be a pretty grim outlook but blessedly this story is anything but grim! IT HAS A MINI CERBERUS Y'ALL. There are so many little Easter egg style nods to monsterfudgers, audiobook enthusiasts (no spoilers but you'll laugh about it this when you read the book), and even some fourth wall bends (not full on breaks). I really loved having a chance to see really not just one but two love stories unfold in this book. It was as hard to stop smiling as it was to stop reading each night. 5/5 Stars
January 9, 2025
Oh dear, what a good story it is! ❤️🤩
🔸️What I have enjoyed the most is that story combines 2 romances: Simon (the vampire) & Emily (the vampire huntress) and Hades & Persephone. The idea of interconnecting those two storylines is executed in a very, very satisfying and pleasant to read way!
🔸️My favourite character was with no doubt Hades, who is presented here as a man devoted to his family and to the love of this life. He can be ruthless and morally grey, but purpose of his action is clear.
🔸️I also liked how many other gods and godesses were incorporated into the story and generally into modern world.
🔸️The story is settled in Pine Ridge universe, but comparing to others books from series it is definitely darker and brings uo some heavier tropes. I have enjoyed this twist and found it refreshing; however die hard fans of sweet Pine Ridge universe: fear not! It is still very safe and beautifully presents Pine Ridge as a perfect place to heal after difficult life experiences.
🔸️Overall, well written and interesting to read.
🔸️What I have enjoyed the most is that story combines 2 romances: Simon (the vampire) & Emily (the vampire huntress) and Hades & Persephone. The idea of interconnecting those two storylines is executed in a very, very satisfying and pleasant to read way!
🔸️My favourite character was with no doubt Hades, who is presented here as a man devoted to his family and to the love of this life. He can be ruthless and morally grey, but purpose of his action is clear.
🔸️I also liked how many other gods and godesses were incorporated into the story and generally into modern world.
🔸️The story is settled in Pine Ridge universe, but comparing to others books from series it is definitely darker and brings uo some heavier tropes. I have enjoyed this twist and found it refreshing; however die hard fans of sweet Pine Ridge universe: fear not! It is still very safe and beautifully presents Pine Ridge as a perfect place to heal after difficult life experiences.
🔸️Overall, well written and interesting to read.
January 23, 2025
The storyline was so gripping.
Take Van Helsing's daughter add an age old vampire (from a distant line) add in Hades and Persephone's love story and you have this 😍
I adore a good love story. Hades love for Persephone has lasted for thousands of years so when she goes missing you know Hades will stop at nothing to find her. This is where our main characters come in. After an ancient curse Simeon is required to find the lost Persephone but realizes he needs help. Who better than Emily, a hunter of evil?
The best bit about the story...how Emily and Simeon fall for each other. Crossing boundaries of what they have ever known and loving each other because of their differences.
Always love returning to Pine Ridge.
Take Van Helsing's daughter add an age old vampire (from a distant line) add in Hades and Persephone's love story and you have this 😍
I adore a good love story. Hades love for Persephone has lasted for thousands of years so when she goes missing you know Hades will stop at nothing to find her. This is where our main characters come in. After an ancient curse Simeon is required to find the lost Persephone but realizes he needs help. Who better than Emily, a hunter of evil?
The best bit about the story...how Emily and Simeon fall for each other. Crossing boundaries of what they have ever known and loving each other because of their differences.
Always love returning to Pine Ridge.
January 18, 2025
A really unique premise!!!!! I loved the characters and their depth, they had so much character development. The spice was just the right amount. The conversations and dialogue overall seemed very natural. Throughly enjoyed the ending and epilogue!!!! 😍
January 25, 2025
I enjoyed the introduction of the Hellenic pantheon in the story
I enjoyed the story of enemies to lovers between Emilia and Simeon. I loved seeing the love between Persephone and Hades and the deep care the community of Pine Ridge have for each other.
I enjoyed the story of enemies to lovers between Emilia and Simeon. I loved seeing the love between Persephone and Hades and the deep care the community of Pine Ridge have for each other.
January 11, 2025
S. C. Principal has out done herself again! This new book in the Pine Ridge Universe is the perfect addition! I devoured it so fast and couldn't put it down!
January 14, 2025
I liked it, but I just felt really bad for Hades and their kids. 1,000 years he has been trying to find his wife.
I would have enjoyed more time with Simeon and the heroine as a romantic couple.
I would have enjoyed more time with Simeon and the heroine as a romantic couple.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews