Bad Blood

Hellhound Heat #3

by Sherilee Gray

She was created to serve Hell.
He was the one sin she could never resist.

Roxana has spent her whole life as one of Lucifer's lethal handmaids—trained to obey, to sacrifice, and to bury every desire she wasn't built to feel.

Including the one that's always burned for Lothar.

Fate never forgets though. When Roxy and Lothar, the hellhound pack’s best tracker, are forced together to hunt an escapee from Hell, she finds herself struggling to deny the desire she’s fought for centuries to suppress.

To make matters worse, Lothar’s inner beast is fighting him for control. His instincts snarl for her.
Mine.
Claim.
Protect.
He’s determined to make her his. But little does he know, giving in to their desire could destroy them both.

And when an enemy from the past makes their move, turning the hunters into the hunted, Roxy and Lothar must fight side by side not only to survive a monster… but a history, a hunger, and a truth powerful enough to tear them apart.

Because some bonds aren’t meant to be denied, and resisting each other may be the one battle they’re destined to lose.

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

Sherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand with her husband and their two children. When she isn't writing sexy contemporary and paranormal romance, searching for her next alpha hero on Pinterest, or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other.

Sign up for Sherilee's newsletter for updates and giveaways: http://www.sherileegray.com/contactne...

Reviews

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delivers steam so intense it should come with a warning label.





This book sizzles, smolders, and absolutely scorches. From the first chapter, this grabbed me with the intense push and pull energy Sherilee Gray does so well. Lothar is dark, damaged, and absolutely magnetic. He’s the kind of man who shouldn’t get under your skin but absolutely does. And Roxy? Strong, vulnerable in all the right ways, and easy to root for. Their chemistry hits hard, and every scene between them has that delicious mix of tension, tenderness, and danger that keeps me glued to the pages.





And holy Hades! This romance doesn’t tap you on the shoulder, it kicks in the door and drags you under! Beneath all the grit and steam is a deeply emotional story. The stakes were high, the secrets were heavy, and I found myself holding my breath more than once. I loved how the connection between this couple didn’t just sizzle, it actually meant something. It healed, it hurt, it mattered. This left me buzzing long after the last page and I found myself thinking about the characters long after I closed the book. This is the perfect intense, protective, emotionally charged romance that doesn’t let go.


Multi POV
Safe both with others through the years, no om drama; ow drama
Triggers Per the author: contains scenes that include extra large penetration, knotting, blood, gore, violence, explicit sex
Steam 5/5; explicit

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW🤩

Bad Blood is the next book in the Hellhound Heat series and DID NOT disappoint🙌 This is the story I’ve been waiting for as it features Lothar and Roxy, Lucifer’s handmaid.

This story is full of twists, suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, betrayals and intrigue as to what’s going to happen next❣️Best of all we get to visit with some old favourites as well☺️ I’m not revealing anymore than that, but I highly recommend you read and if you haven’t started the series yet, now’s your chance😁 I received an advanced growly hellhound copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️

[Lori R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Though I would’ve loved to have Roxy & Lothar together (happily and lovingly) for more of this story. (Also, Luci really made me mad with what he did.) That being said, Sherilee is an AMAZING author and I will read anything and everything she writes. I look forward to her next book!

[꧁ᙏᗣᙃⱿꙆᗣ꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐇͟𝐞͟𝐥͟𝐥͟𝐡͟𝐨͟𝐮͟𝐧͟𝐝͟ ͟𝐇͟𝐞͟𝐚͟𝐭͟ ͟𝐒͟𝐞͟𝐫͟𝐢͟𝐞͟𝐬͟ ͟:
✅ 1 Bad Demon (2024) - 4.5 ⭐
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗬𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗧 𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 - The Hellhound and his demonic witch. It was moving, very dark, and full of brutal violence from the oppressors against FERN and later her friends from the new coven. Fortunately, when the Hellhounds intervene, everything gets back on track. It was a great introduction to the new series, but also one that connects with the old ones. Keep reading in order.
𝐈 𝐑✧𝐄✧𝐂✧𝐎✧𝐌✧𝐌✧𝐄✧𝐍✧𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒ⵑ
✅ 2 Bad Magic (2025) - 4.2 ⭐
𝐒𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 - Both characters annoyed me greatly. Fortunately, the supporting characters saved the plot.
This whole 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗬𝗙𝗘𝗥 is also a good guy, some of his experiments on those hellhounds keep coming to light 🤦♀
✅ 3 Bad Blood (2025) - 4.5 ⭐
𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑 "𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐇" 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐎𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐄 "𝐑𝐎𝐗𝐘"-it was dark, I don't like what they both had to go through with the selfish Lucifer 👿
I'm waiting for the next parts. Now it will be volume 7 of Fallen's Rebellion (2026) from the Knights of Hell series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D579HHWV?...

𝐬͟𝐩͟𝐢͟𝐧͟ 𝐨͟𝐟͟𝐟͟ 𝐓͟𝐡͟𝐞͟ 𝐓͟𝐡͟𝐨͟𝐫͟𝐧͟𝐡͟𝐞͟𝐚͟𝐫͟𝐭͟ 𝐓͟𝐫͟𝐢͟𝐚͟𝐥͟𝐬͟ 𝐒͟𝐞͟𝐫͟𝐢͟𝐞͟𝐬͟ :
✅ 1 A Curse in Darkness (2021) - 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓
-extra star for Warric for his patience with annoying Willow
✅ 2 A Vow of Ruin (2022) - 4.2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓
-I liked it a little more than part 1 and Iris wasn't that exasperating 😊
✅ 3 A Trial by Blood (2022) - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 - read 27.05.25r.
-It was the best reading so far from this author in this and the previous Knights of Hell Series. Less playing hot and cold. More communication, support and showing love to each other instead of constantly denying it. 🥰
✅ 4 An Oath at Midnight (2023) - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 - read 29.05 25r.
-not as good as the previous one, but also exciting. In addition, there is a bonus scene in the newsletter, so I gave it a full 5 stars 🥰
✅ 5 A Promise of Ashes (2023) - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 "𝐉𝐀𝐙𝐙" 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 - read 30.06.25r.
-there was more of the spirit world here, I liked the story with the antagonist's dhanpir and how our main characters dealt with him.
✅ 6 A Bond in Flames (2024) - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐀 𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 - 31.05.25r.
-an exciting end to this fantastic series, now it's time for BAD DEMON 🥰

https://www.amazon.com/The-Thornheart...

𝐒͟𝐨͟𝐦͟𝐞͟𝐭͟𝐡͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠͟ 𝐓͟𝐨͟ 𝐋͟𝐢͟𝐬͟𝐭͟𝐞͟𝐧͟ 𝐓͟𝐨͟ 𝐖͟𝐡͟𝐢͟𝐥͟𝐞͟ 𝐑͟𝐞͟𝐚͟𝐝͟𝐢͟𝐧͟𝐠͟ :
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
A playlist made of songs the Author listened to while writing, and a few others

Spin off with the series "KNIGHTS OF HELL"
I recommend reading Knights of Hell first 😉👍

𝐊͟𝐧͟𝐢͟𝐠͟𝐡͟𝐭͟𝐬͟ 𝐨͟𝐟͟ 𝐇͟𝐞͟𝐥͟𝐥͟ 𝐒͟𝐞͟𝐫͟𝐢͟𝐞͟𝐬͟ :
0.5 Knight's Seduction (2021) - 3 ⭐⭐⭐
-read 14.05.2025 - 𝗞𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗛
1 Knight's Redemption (2018) - 3.5 ⭐
-read 15.05.2025 - 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗦 "𝗟𝗔𝗭" 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗩𝗘
2 Knight's Salvation (2018) - 3.5 ⭐
-read 16.05.2025 - 𝗭𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗡 "𝗭𝗘𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗜𝗔
3 Demon's Temptation (2019) - 3.6 ⭐
-read 17/18.05.2025 - 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗬𝗔
4 Knight's Dominion (2020) - 3.6 ⭐
-read 18.05.2025 - 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘
5 Knight's Absolution (2020) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
-read 19.05.2025 - 𝗚𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗔
6 Knight's Retribution (2021) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
-read 20.05.2025 - 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗢 "𝗥𝗢𝗖" 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗬𝗟𝗘𝗥 "𝗛𝗬"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KBG375L?...

[Luckylovesbooks]

DNF @25%
Safety with spoilers:










‼️‼️‼️





Lothar cheats on Roxy. He doesn’t want to but he has sex with OW (not in the book but before the start of the book)
There’s also dubious consent, bordering on assault and that’s on page.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lothar & Roxy… oof. This one hit different.

Roxy is one of Lucifer’s handmaids created to stand by his side forever, never meant to have a mate. But fate of course had other plans.

Roxy and Lothar realised they were mates over 600 years ago… and then came the cruel twist. A devastating choice forced Roxy to give him up, while Lothar had his memories wiped clean. She’s spent centuries loving him from afar, carrying the weight of the ultimate sacrifice alone.

Now Lucifer has them partnered up on a mission to hunt down a lord and return him to Hell and being in such close quarters makes their connection impossible to ignore. Lothar’s beast knows. It recognises his mate instantly and fights hard to push him toward the truth, even when his mind can’t quite grasp it yet.

When everything finally comes out? The pain, the heartache, the lies, it’s brutal and emotional and so well done.

Roxy easily became one of my favourite characters. She’s strong, loyal and lethal, yet also deeply maternal and loving. That contrast just makes her shine.

And then there’s the bonus epilogue, set two years after the ending. Oh f*ck… she’s in labour. Title says it all!!!

Side note: This world originally began with Knights of Hell, which I haven’t read. I didn’t realise it was the starting point and jumped straight into Thornheart Trials instead. Until now that hasn’t been an issue, any references felt minor and never left me confused. But this book is much more closely tied to Knights of Hell than the others, and it’s the first time I really felt the missing links.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lothar and Roxy's story was everything I wanted and so much more! You could feel their heartbreak through the pages. Their journey was filled with secrets and lies, action packed danger, and the sort of unconditional love that only comes from being fated mates. All the stars!

Roxy was such multidimensional character! She had so many layers from badass warrior to soft hearted comforter and so much more. She can make someone feel safe and loved but will torture anyone who becomes a threat. I definitely have a crush on her!

Lothar was so easy to fall for. He's a hellhound who craves touch, a natural protector, and a little emotionally stunted. Until he's mated, then all the emotions hit. I just loved him so much!

My heart broke for these two. Roxy had a huge secret she was keeping from Lothar, but she thought she had to. Lothar could feel that something was wrong and got frustrated when she couldn't tell him. The action and suspense starts from page one and doesn't let up till the very end. Between fighting bad guys and figuring out who was behind everything, Lothar and Roxy fight their pull. Their HEA was hard won and so satisfying. I love them!

ARC review.

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 Stars

Bad Blood was a fast paced, action packed and suspense filled read. I loved it. Roxana and Lothar's story was an emotionally drenched one. Angst, tension and chemistry seeped from every pore of it. Danger lurked everywhere which made it that more intense of a read. It kept me up way past my bedtime. I kept telling myself just one more chapter then proceeded to read the entire book. I have zero regrets. It was time well spent deep in the bowels of an interesting, intriguing and entertaining story. I loved that we got to revisit some familiar places and characters as well as some unfamiliar ones. The world building was on point. This book was everything I love and so much more. I very highly recommend it especially to those who love paranormal romance.



Copy provided by author

[lilac wine]

I just have to say... Lucifer is a de facto parent of these handmaidens and throwing in the procreation in the mix was disturbing to read. Their relationship is a nightmare. I have a close friend who went through some stuff and this was too close for comfort. To have someone "love you" and you do not know any better or anything else... just vile.

I was looking forward to Lucifer's story but... I am not sure about anything anymore. (And, yes, I know the worst manifestation of this plot type was the one in Shattered King but damn...)

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels! 💔😭😍❤️
OMG I think this is the most emotional, heart-breaking book I have read, so far.
My heart really broke for Roxy and Lothar, what they went through is so freaking wrong, I don’t know how Roxy could live with this pain for so many years! 😭
Thankfully, they got their so well deserved HEA and that also brought tears to my eyes, Roxy got another of her greatest heart desires! 🙌🏻❤️
The intriguing story unfolding at the same time is so good!, I love how all the characters from the different series came together to save the day, I love this world so much! 😍

[Fae Massimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved Lothar & Roxi’s story so much!!! but as slight as it was, i’m so happy we got a small “cameo” from Death & Zinny 🥹 i loved their story so much & it’s one of my all time favorites! i never get tired of saying this but a Sherilee Gray book never disappoints! 🖤

Lothar & Roxi’s story had me tearing … i knew their story would be sad but omg my heart broke for them! the levity from the “flaming hot Cheeto dick” was hilarious though & had me LMAO & the Bonus Epilogue? ::chef’s kiss::

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Work got in the way of reading this!!

I absolutely love reading Sherilee Gray's books and the Hellhound books have fast become some of my favourites.

I received the ARC on Tuesday morning and it now Thursday evening, I honestly would have finished this in one day if I didn't have to work for a living 🙃

This book felt different form the last two, I'm not sure why but it was in all the best ways.

Jagger gives me "man I would climb like a tree" vibes with his brooding and heartbreaking back story but when the FMC gets him to smile, I smiled at my kindle 🤣. Sutton at first comes across as weak and needing protecting but literally turned into a bad arse!! I loved the part where she literally sticks her claws into the villain even though the MMC wants to be the protector (the MFC is bad arse).

I've said this before and I'll say it again but Sherilee Gray is one of my favourite Authors with her fantasy worlds (but all her books tbf), kickarse characters and storyline's that keep me coming back for more.

But let me make this clear, when (and I mean when) Lucifer gets his own book, I'm booking time off work and falling so deep into that story I might not return lol.

[Derryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I cried and laughed and swooned.

Roxy is brilliant and seriously badass. Lothar is worthy of a million hugs. Their story is tragic but the happy ending is worth it.

Im glad it took so long for Roxy to start forgiving Lucifer, what an ass.

I can't wait to read Ursula and Silas' book!

Spice - 🌶🌶🌶

[Sam D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Sherilee Gray is always a must read author for me. This one wasn’t my favorite because I didn’t really care about Lothar 😂🙃 sad to say!!

It also felt a little less intense and a little less fleshed out than the other books. The second was amazing so maybe I’m just comparing it to that

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great addition

This book was a great addition to this series. Roxy and Lothar broke my heart and put it back together again. The story was engrossing and full of angst, heat and action. Loved it. Looking forward to the next one.

[Denise Doughten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as always

This was an awesome and emotional read. Wonderful characters you will come to love like family. An exceptionally well written world you fall into. Can not wait for more.

[Terri All Spice Archive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxy and Lothar how tormented you both have been. Sherilee's writing had me gripped like it always does. The roles everyone played between these two including Luci was frustrating but in a good way. I am so happy that these two finally got their happy ever after. Would love more of these two.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I love these hellhounds. Lothar was a bad boy centuries ago but, he doesn't remember. Roxie does though. Lucifer sends them on a mission and, during that mission, their love starts coming back. The whole thing was so adorable. I really love Roxie.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Hellbhound Heat books. Sherilee's imagination takes you on such an incredible ride every time. Run don't walk to get these books.

[Nichole Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lothar and Roxy went through literal centuries of Hell to be together. I'm so glad these hounds are finding their loves! Great book, will keep suggesting to others when they ask for book recs.

[Anaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved almost everything about the book. The ending could be a bit longer .Still I had so much fun.

[~V~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Sherilee Gray’s PNRs!! ❤️

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Intriguing, angsty, amusing at times and a little spicy. Honestly the spice kind of just got lost tbh due to the nature of their relationship history and the heaviness of it all imo. Oh it was there but I felt the impact wasn't what it could have been.

I have always adored Roxy, so this book didn't change that. I kinda hated what Lothar did to them centuries ago but I also think I understood where his loyal hound brain had made the wrong choice from and why.

More than anything I loathed Lucifer for his part in all their heartbreak. Out of love or fear, I don't care. Inexcusable. I hope Roxy never forgives him.

While I ate this up in one sitting and really did like it best probably in the whole series thus far, I didn't find the big bad villainous as bad as she could have been? I just kept getting stupid dumb blonde on a vain power trip vibes from her and they didn't work with the big scaries she was supposedly putting out.

Otherwise I loved the ending and epilogue. My one wish was that we had wrapped the Sera storyline up much sooner so we could have had more actual chapters with Lothar and Roxy not in absolute misery and happily mated in the book.

I am definitely waiting impatiently for that Ursula and Silas book now.