Soft Deadlines: A Paranormal Witch x Demon Romance

by Angela Yuriko Smith

What if the demon you conjured refused to seduce you… and just wanted coffee and a nap?

Naomi has always done everything top of her class, a steady career, the perfect résumé. But every achievement leaves her emptier than before. Lonely and desperate for meaning, she cashes out her life savings, tosses her trophies, and chases magic across the globe. One night, a little wine and an internet spell kit lead her to summon the one thing that might finally make her feel alive—an incubus.

Duncan isn’t the monster she imagined. He’s tired, funny, impossibly handsome… and apparently addicted to daytime television. Instead of dragging her into hell, he’s crashing on her couch, raiding her fridge, and making her question everything she thought she knew about demons, sin, and herself.

But Duncan has baggage, including a furious succubus ex who isn’t ready to let him go. Drawn into a world of forbidden desire, dangerous bargains, and unexpected tenderness, Naomi must decide if she’s willing to risk her soul, not for lust, but for love.

Darkly funny, sensual, and full of heart, Soft Deadlines is a paranormal romance for anyone who’s ever wanted more out of life than safe choices and empty accolades.

Please note this book is a monster romantasy, and it contains strong language, violence, and spicy scenes.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2025

About the author

Angela Yuriko Smith, HWA president and Space and Time publisher, is a two-time Bram Stoker Award winner. As a Publishing Coach, she helps writers search less and submit more with her weekly calendar of author opportunities at authortunities.substack.com.

Reviews

[Kenneth Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two days. It’s a fascinating story, not at all like your typical romance. A budding witch summons an incubus for a bedroom romp, but the story takes a hard turn from there and just keeps getting better. The author, Angela Yuriko Smith, delivers a finale that is unlike any I have ever read, a story within a story. Looking forward to reading her next one.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft Deadlines is a delightful, cozy romp with the perfect ingredients for a quick read: an incubus banishing, a summoned demon lover who pays your bills, and a horny heroine turned powerful witch. This light-hearted coming-of-witch tale brings ancient beings into the modern world and its employment concerns. While the romance is out in the open, the steamy scenes are closed-door. Regardless, the author gets the spells flowing just the same. The enchanting 'story within a story delves into the witchy backstory of a pivotal character, adding wonderful depth to the plot. I started reading for the spells, stayed for the romance, and ended with a historical mystery. This story guarantees satisfaction for centuries to come (pun intended!).