Only the dangerous survive the binding. She’ll risk her magic and heart to protect the ones she can’t afford to lose.
Zoey Halinger has one keep her head down and her secret buried.
As far as anyone knows, she’s a licensed Medium, hired to help the city’s supernatural homicide division speak to the dead. But Zoey’s magic doesn’t just listen—it controls. And in a world where necromancy is illegal, she’s spent her whole life pretending to be something she’s not.
When a string of magical murders shakes the city, Zoey’s tightly controlled life starts to unravel. Her dangerous powers are waking up, and so is the truth behind them.
She thought she was cursed. She was something far worse… and far more powerful.
Now, with her secret hanging by a thread, Zoey finds herself surrounded by three very different men who seem just as drawn to her as they are
A vampire boss who watches her too closely.
A kraken healer with quiet hands and a protective streak.
And a sharp-tongued oni detective with ancestral magic in his blood and loyalty that cuts deep.
The deeper they dig into the case, the more Zoey realizes something monstrous is circling her past—and what it wants could tear her apart from the inside out.
Because the magic she’s been hiding? It’s only the beginning.
3.5 stars: This stared off really really well, I loved the murder mystery element, a necromancer, who has been hiding her true identity due to the imposing danger she may find herself in and of course, a thrilling world of supernaturals and humans. Zoey was a nice enough character and I did appreciate her determination to make ends meet despite the odds. Her new colleagues at the station as well as her boss have their own unique traits and I could not help but be drawn into this story. The romance took time to bloom, but eventually things did take place. I am not sure what exactly did not sit right with me, but the second half of the book felt like I was reading a different story. The MMCs are lovely, but it just felt like the focus has shifted from a good murder mystery with romance to a tad too many group scenes. I am a bit conflicted about this one as I really liked the first half of the story, but unfortunately the second half went a bit downhill for me. Despite that, the book is quite interesting overall, so I hope other readers enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Zoe hides behind her facade of being a medium to hide her true nature which she doesnt understand she just knows its wrong!
Varon, Kenji & Alias are all so dynamically different and yet have a co-dependancy that makes their bond really special and Zoe is the missing piece to their puzzle that they didnt know was missing. I really loved the interactions and how the author built the relationship through out this book - lots of spice and heat.
Behind all of this is a really good murder mystery with lots of twists and turns which in its own right is a brilliant storey.
*Why Choose *Paranormal *Multi-1st-PoV *Banned FMC *Mixed supernatural group *Crime Thriller *Established Harem (3) *Established MM relationship *Mid Burn *Standalone Paranormal why choose crime thriller. This was very different to things I had read beforehand and overall I did enjoy it! I found it a little slow to get into to start with but after around a third of the way through as got to know the characters a bit more I became more engaged 😁 There’s an ancient, rare being murdering supernaturals and acting as a medium Zoey’s trying to help the detectives bring down the unknown evil 😣 however Zoey as secrets of her own as a necromancy Ron a world where they are banned having their magic stripped away….however it appears there are more to her powers than meets the eye 😅 The male characters in this book are unique and their different personalities make them stand out from each other. Plus they each have a different kind of relationship with Zoey in that they bring different sides to her personality out 😁 I found it just didn’t fully hold my attention - I found I could pick it up and put to down with ease. But still the concept was enjoyable.
I believe Aspen Black's Crossing Between is my first crime thriller monster romance. It was unexpected and right up my alley.
Zoey was a vibrant character, and her clothing choices certainly matched that. Her bright and sweet personality was not something I expected from a necromancer. Then again, everything about Zoey was completely unexpected, but not in a bad way. I will have to say Zoey has the balls to take a job with the police when just being herself is illegal. Go, Zoey!
Her new job meant big changes, primarily in the form of three supernatural hotties. Varron, her stoic vampire boss. Her partners are Kenji, a playful oni with a bright personality, and Elias, the sensitive kraken. They have history with each other, but Zoey was their missing piece. She fit in perfectly with the others and brought them all together. I love that they're protective of Zoey, and she is just as protective of them.
There were a few ideas that, to me, didn't connect, but otherwise I really enjoyed the story. Elias and Kenji, with the help of Zoey, are on the trail of a serial killer. Bodies are just being butchered, and there are very few clues. I couldn't help but be reminded of my favorite crime dramas. I really liked the characters. Quilith was fantastic. My favorite scene was the shopping trip they took Zoey on. It was simultaneously the most magical and yet normal thing. There were a few amazing twists that were more than a little shocking. Near the end, the final battle sort of read like a horror story. It was such a clear picture in my head and felt strangely familiar.
Crossing Between was a good read. One thing is clear: I need to read more paranormal crime thrillers. This book had the best of everything, and I wouldn't be mad if Aspen decided to write more books set in this world.
Settle in and get comfortable. This paranormal reverse harem romance is going to keep you glued to the pages and eagerly devouring this novel. Secrets, danger, mystery, romance (of course!) and a healthy amount of steamy! Zoey believes that she’s a necromancer and so she keeps her abilities a secret. It’s dangerous for anyone to know the truth. But the twist is...that even Zoey doesn’t know what she truly is! But when an evil that has not been in centuries. Now, it’s back with a vengeance, and when it discovers that Zoey is it’s counterpart...you can expect things to get even more volatile. This book packs in delicious steamy scenes that will keep you begging for more. We wanted more MM scenes...and more details. It just felt like if Zoey wasn’t the focus then it didn’t get as much attention to detail. There is a scene or two that leaned toward being truly steamy deliciousness, but we wanted more. There will be hints and nods that there may be more of these characters to come. Will there truly be? We can only hope and cross our fingers. Only time will truly tell, but it’s not something we’d say no to. LOL!
A refreshingly different RH monster crime thriller with plenty of steaminess added in too.
Zoey (FMC) takes a job as a medium but she's actually hiding what she is a necromancer because being one is a death sentence. Only her job is in the local police station which puts her life at risk but also has her working with Vampire - Varon, Kraken - Elias and Oni - Kenji. Starting an interesting and then steamy dynamic. I absolutely loved Dragon - Quilith. A brilliant mix of sweet, funny and blunt too. This book had great plot twists mixed in with some sad parts. It was a knockout read with characters I really liked.
I loved it! Zoey is a sweet but fierce FMC! She's loving, loyal and so protective of those she loves. I absolutely loved watching the bonds develop between all of the characters! Varon, Kenji and Elias all already have complicated history, Zoey becomes the glue that forces them all together. There's lot of spice but also a great storyline with a big bad to catch! There's a huge twist that will leave your jaw dropping!
Great book with a main character with powers that she has to hide as they are illegal. The world is full of interesting powers and supernatural creatures and seeing Zoey try to balance hiding her powers and finding a serial killer is great. Add in her boss and coworkers who there is quite a bit of attraction between them and her life is getting super complicated, but in a not entirely bad way.
I really enjoyed the crime thriller aspect of this book. I also enjoyed the characters, particularly Zoey and quilith. the way Aspen described the events painted clear picture of what was going on. Definitely a knew must read author for me!
I admit, I love mysteries and this one has it, and I am so here for it. The spice is off the charts, along with the body count. Throw in a sweet romance and I was hooked. It was a fun read
This is my first Aspen Black book and it did not disappoint! I loved that this was a crime thriller with some monster romance. I especially loved having a full-figured FMC. :) I love having FMC that have some extra on them that still kick butt and save the day. Zoey, the FMC, has had to hide what she is since she was a child. Necromancers are often killed because they tend to turn evil in this world. So Zoey puts on a "medium" front and the book starts with her running late for an interview at the local police station to be their new medium on murder cases. This new job partners her with two amazing men, Kenji a playful demon and Elias, a sensitive healer kraken. These two have some history that was amazing to watch build between them, Zoey and their boss Varron. Varron is the typical ancient vampire that also has some history with Kenji and Elias and I absolutely love how the three of them grow together and protect and love Zoey. There are some twists and turns you didn't seem coming but totally make sense when they happen and tie it all together. I absolutely love Quilith! Everyone needs a Quilith in their corner. This is a HEA and kept me hooked from page one. I love the quick wit and banter between Zoey and her men. This was an amazing read and I highly recommend it. :)
Crossing Between by Aspen Black was an okay read for me, but I really wanted more depth with the characters. The story itself was good, and I really liked the female lead. Zoey had a strong backstory that made her interesting right from the start, and I found myself drawn to her. I just felt like the characters overall could have been a lot stronger, with more development to really make me connect to them on a deeper level. I would have liked a slower burn when it came to the relationships, letting the chemistry build up gradually to that fever-pitch feeling I love. The men around Zoey—a vampire boss who watches her too closely, a kraken healer with protective hands, and a sharp-tongued oni detective with loyalty in his blood—all had great potential, but I wanted more time for their bonds with Zoey to truly unfold.
Even with that, the storyline kept me turning pages. I liked the mix of mystery, danger, and magic woven through the plot. Zoey’s secret power made for a compelling twist, and I enjoyed seeing how it all played out. For a standalone, it wraps up well, and I’ll definitely be watching to see what Aspen Black writes next.
This was amazing! Zoey desperately needs a job as she has bills to pay and also supports her brother who should be supporting himself but just goes from one bad decision to another. She applies and gets a job as a Medium with the Police department hiding the fact that she is actually a necromancer, or so she believes, as necromancy is illegal and if discovered she will be locked up, have her magic drained ... or worse. As a serial killer strikes her skills are needed to try to track down the killer but will her secret remain a secret for long when she begins to work closely with Varon, Kenji and Elias to stop the supernatural killer?
This book has a great cast of characters with Zoey, her supernatural love interests Varon a vampire, Kenji an Oni and Elias a Kraken. She also makes a new BFF with a dragon Quilith who is a fun and lovable but formidable personalty. The story itself is absolutely brilliant and a complete story which means no cliffhanger -yay! I could really see myself going back for a re read in the future, it is a book I would willingly read again. A definite 5 star rating
A supernatural world where humans and others live side by side, and the vibe is very much “eh, no big deal.” That’s where we meet Zoey, a necromancer trying to pass herself off as a harmless medium. She’s just hoping to land a job at the police department speaking to the dead to help solve unsolved cases.
With her snarky, calls it how she sees it, landlord (who feels like family) and a brother she feels responsible for, Zoey really needs this job. But being a necromancer is a death sentence, so she’s doing her best to fly under the radar while still using her abilities to keep herself and her family afloat. Of course, she runs into her soon to be, hot boss and co-workers and chaos follows.
The book has so many interesting threads that could easily be expanded into a series, and I would have loved to see some of them explored more. Still, it’s a sweet and charming read, with some surprisingly dark moments that gave it more weight than a typical RomCom. Honestly, it felt more like a RomDramedy! and I was here for it.
I really enjoyed this book by Aspen Black. Zoey gets hired on at the police station to be their medium – even though she is hiding a much darker secret. As a necromancer, her kind are hunted, so she tries to hide that part of herself. Her new team consists of the boss, Varron the vampire, Kenji, the demon, and Elias who is a kraken.
Unfortunately, there is something much deadlier and evil trying to kill off as many people as it can, and it can only be something that hasn’t been seen in a long time, and Zoey comes to realize that she is much more than just a necromancer. She is also something that hasn’t been around for a long time – the only thing that can actually defeat the evil presence. Along with her team, who are also her mates, she must face down the challenge of defeating the monster before it takes away everything and everyone she loves.
This is a great romantasy – and I really, really loved the characters and their relationships with each other. Great book!
I loved Zoe and her dedication to those she loves. It was pretty relatable and heartbreaking how far she pushed herself to try and take care of her brother, and even her own landlady. However, life has a tendency to kick you when you’re down. Even though things were starting to look up, with a new job opportunity, she was still cautious. After all, using her illegal powers in a way that made them look like something else, FOR said job, obviously comes with its risks. She soon finds herself in more trouble than she thought possible when things are learned about the killer, that lead to information that completely changes her own life. Now thrown into a situation where this killer is her responsibility, learning how to handle it(and her newfound abilities) is a lot to take in. But add in her growing attraction to her colleagues AND her boss, and she’s not sure which way is up. Together, they are determined to take down this killer. Even though it may spell heartbreak for our Zoe.
I was excited to dive into this one. Everything should have worked out for me —we had a mystery to solve; multiple POVs; paranormal elements in a contemporary setting where they don't hide from the humans; and no unnecessary drama. Unfortunately, there were little issues which affected me personally that derailed my enjoyment such as: 1. The FMC left the morgue and came back home and just sat in her work clothes on the sofa, I don't think she even bathed that night before going to bed. I'm sorry but this itched me so hard. 2. I feel like when the FMC discovered that her brother was making her powers feel iffy, given she loved so, then she shouldn't have rested or done everything else she did till she got to the bottom of the matter. But it took several days before she started to do anything about it. 3. Etc. Anyway, these are me-issues but because of them, I didn't enjoy myself immensely
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“Crossing Between” is a standalone for those who love something sweet and juicy, with lots of poly love between all the main characters. The men may look dangerous but their hearts are big and overflowing, and the love and devotion between all these characters is so sugary sweet your teeth may start to ache. And they love to show it through plenty of spice-filled times…
The story of “Crossing Between” is paranormal, with some interesting original powers and connections between different paranormal species. It’s not easy to still be original as a paranormal writer, but I think the combination worked in a new and refreshing way, and I really enjoyed it. The author even managed to touch up on some dystopian themes that worked well with the story.
All in all, this was a good paranormal why choose standalone, especially if you enjoy your men draped in green flags.
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to follow along. I love meeting all the characters. I do have a favourite ( I normally dont) Quilith. They are my favourite in this book and I really want more of there story.
I never felt lost or overwhelmed with this book. Alot happens in this world. It does t feel rushed or prolonged either which I find incredible. Zoeys life is intense
The character development is really strong. You can see the hard work they put in themselves and the support of others for the characters to become their best and true selves.
The spicy side of the book 🥵🥵🥵 its not overloaded and added just to add Spice. It's included in the plot of the book and it also needed which makes the spicy that much better.
Over all this is an amazing book, and if this becomes a series from other character POVs I would love it.
Zoey is the FMC. She’s smart, stubborn, and has a secret. She gets a new job as the police force medium and I enjoyed reading about her helping to solve the crimes, but it all too soon leads to something much bigger.
And then there are the love interests. A vampire boss who’s broody and intense, a kraken healer who’s surprisingly sweet, and an oni detective who’s all sharp edges and loyalty. The mix of personalities made the romance fun and sweet. They even have their own history (this book includes MM).
What starts as just a job, soon leads Zoey into learning more about her powers than she ever thought she would.
The world-building is interesting. Where humans, and paranormal live together.
It’s got magic, murder, romance, and a main character you can root for.
A.B. have written such Amazing book i loved her book Crossing between . I love following fmc in her journey and i loved to read her growth as a character…. I just really love the Way these authors writes… all the books she writes is always soo good and always keeps me on my toes… the Way their writing is soo intresting.. i have loved all the books i have read by her… i love the fmc story and i love watching her realstionship with grow stronger and stronger…. i really loved the twist and turn…This really Kept my interest the whole Way and i really loves this book…this book was freaking good.. What this author comes up with next
I highly recommed that people read her book Crossing between .. and if you haven’t read this book yet Then What are you waiting for you are really missing out on something…. Crossing between is such a good book
A classic monster RH romance with a thrilling twist. A necromancer hiding her powers, a serial killer on murder spree, and a growing attraction to three supernatural men.
In a world where necromancers are often seen as evil, Zoey has had to downplay her powers. Applying for a job at the police department as a “medium,” Zoey gets more than she ever bargained for as she meets her new boss and her partners.
Varron, Elias, and Kenji have history together and you can feel the tension brewing. I love the way their relationship grows and that Zoey was the catalyst. Makes for some steamy scenes.
I throughly enjoyed the murder mystery aspect of the story. It added a nice touch to the storyline. All the characters are unique and added depth.
It may have taken a bit to really get into the story but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a unique take, not following the same pattern as quite a lot of these type of books tend to nowadays, with the added romantasy/ paranormal crime thriller aspect involving multiple romantically connected characters. This is not a RH. The multiple POV aspect made this more interesting, although I would have enjoyed even more perspectives from the three male characters, Elias, Kenji and Varon. I will say the story could have used more in-depth world-building in the beginning, in order toto bring the reader up to speed, make the world the characters you are being introduced to more understandable so that you can become more invested. It does seem as if this story can be taken further, possibly a second book?
Crossing Between is a story that quickly pulled me in. I quickly loved Zoey’s character. Her personality is sweet and loving but yet has a strength that shines through. The way she meets each of the guys was fantastic. They all had things to bring to the story that just adds that extra charm to it. The story is packed with action, drama, suspense, and mystery. It will have you on the edge of your seat. You will be glued to it as you try to figure out the mystery of who or what is committing the magical murders. There are some twists and turns that will shock you. The story is extremely well written and developed. The journey that we go on with Zoey was like joining friends as they navigate through the dangers. I loved how the story ended. This is definitely a fantastic read.
After a hard life of raising her little brother, she gets her chance at a new life with a new job. The new job has some bonuses in three charismatic monsters that are drawn to her. The downside is that when she's given a case that will bring her true powers to light. Her powers, which are too close to one's that are illegal. Now, she has to work even harder to master her powers in the fight against an enemy that's out to kill indiscriminately. No one is safe, and even though her power scares the public, her men and new friends know that she's their only chance. And she will do anything it takes when her family is targeted. And those three monsters, they're not going anywhere unless it's with her.
Overall I liked the storyline of this book. It was pretty funny at times. Her guys are all great in their own ways. Kinda had a feeling I knew who would be the “bad guy”/pinned against her & was right. Only thing that made this book take me so long to read was Quilith’s character (& Saddie tbh), I liked the character’s mannerisms but calling the character they/them when there’s already a group of people around is too confusing to me to follow along, so in my head Quilith was a guy & Saddie was a girl. Ends in a HEA.
Funny scene: “Oh! This?" Laughing, I shrugged at him. "I'm a klutz and fell outside of the building yesterday, but don't worry! My face softened the fall in a beautiful fashion.”
Zoey is one lucky girl! I loved reading this book and if you like supernatural why choose.. this is definitely for you!
Zoey is a sister, friend and a strong person. She has a troubled brother who runs with the wrong crowd. Their parents died when they were young and Zoey has taken care of him since. She gets an interview to be a medium at the police department. She meets Varon who's the chief of the supernatural department, and two detectives Kenji and Elias outside when she face plants on the sidewalk. She got the job and was really excited to help her brother out for 1 last time. They fight and she tells him to grow up and get a job. The events that follow are funny, sweet, heartwarming and amazing.
When Zoey gets a job at the police department, her world is about to change. This was a pretty good book. I liked the characters and the storyline. I'd never read this author before so there was no expectation?. It did seem to take me a bit to get into it, for some reason. My one disappointment is the epilogue group scene. I didn't feel it really was one. Would've liked one were they were all really together, not this this one was set. Also, when they reference the past between the guys, this is somewhat inconsistent as early on, it's stated that it was just once and then much later in the book this is changed. Not a huge deal, but this happened several times and bugged me. Overall, a good read. I recommend.
The author does a fantastic of weaving a story of good versus evil. Her character of Zoey as she thinks all her life she is one thing and then finds out she is something else, and the adjustment she has to make, and the changes in her life. Zoey has raised her brother after her parent’s death, Zoey gets a job working with the police as a medium helping them to solve murders so that she can play the bills and help her brother out with the debt he owes. Little did she know she would be meeting her soul mates. The men are all different, for example one is a vampire another a kraken, and one is an oni. Zoey is struggling with the people losing lives over the evil coming after her. This is a wonderful story do read it and see what the evil is that they are fighting.