Dark winds howl over the cornfields, but even three years after the pyres have burnt out, the cries of innocents still haunt the air. Tonight, the magic conjured by my blood will breathe life into a scarecrow carved of pumpkin and bone, binding a damned soul to return and avenge those burned by pious men, drunk on their own corruption.
Men who thrive in the chaos left in the wake of destruction.
But retribution is not all my dark passenger craves.
Summoned by my will, my reaper shall rise with eyes that burn like embers and an insatiable hunger for the hearts of sinners. He'll reap my enemies, one by one, devouring their darkness and on this most sacred of Hallows Eve, I shall have my vengeance.
And Silas Cohen shall have me.
Set just a few years before the Salem Witch Trials, Headless Haunt is a spicy novella around Samhain, and contains mature themes.
T.C. Kraven is three raccoons in a trench coat, writing stories that seek to promote the diverse dynamics she grew up in. You can often find her tucked into a Waffle House booth in New Orleans, frantically chasing a plot thread over a two egg breakfast.
-halloween novella -witch x monster -religious trauma & feminine rage -touch her & 💀 -pumpkin spice flavored 💦…
yall….silas literally follows mercy THRU TIME LOOPS…to ENDDDD her enemies…like come onnnn!!! thats a fucking maaannnn!!! i loved this!! it was so ragey too!! mercy is a tough cookie, you get em girl!! & peaches & amy as the narrators? ELITE!!
This novella was SO spicy! But the dive into the Salem witch trials part of history was so interesting. You could really feel the witchy vibes all the way through. The type of love story where he willingly worships at her feet is just pure perfection. The book is perfect for spooky season not the message is one that can be appreciated year round.
Holy retribution for her lover. Which is who have spent centuries together, and she brings him back from death killing those who have wronged. As well as being spicy asf. Fated mates coming back together.
It takes place in the 1600’s during the “witch” trials. Two fated loves have been separated by Silas being burned for helping a woman escape being burned. Mercy, his fated, brings him back by using pumpkins and other gourds, oh… and the blood of those that sinned again innocents.
When I tell you she carved his head from a pumpkin. When I tell you he took her so his gourd could become real. When I tell you my favorite line is Silas saying, “I fear the only altar I had ever worshiped at lies between her thighs.”
I don’t understand how this is a novella. Like… the writing is amazing. The historical piece is incredible. The spice be spicing. The witchling be witching. Like. All tied into this perfect bow.
This was the perfect spicy novella we needed for spooky season. A vigilante couple, separated by death and reunited through magic, scorch a path of revenge to all the people who caused harm to those they held precious. And in between tearing apart vile human beings? Fucking. Lots of fucking. Delicious, pumpkin headed, gourd-filled fucking. And let’s not forget to mention pumpkin spice flavored cum.
Headless Harvest was a read that was fast paced, romantic, spicy as sin, and dipped in vengeance. What else could we ask for?
Amy Hall and Peaches did such a fantastic freaking job on the narration to the audiobook. TC couldn’t have picked two better voice actors for the roles of Mercy and Silas.
My fist read of October and let me tell you this has started off the month on an AMAZING note.
This novella is SPICY 🌶️ 🥵 and bestie let me tell you I was literally devouring this book so fast, I needed to know what was going to happen next. And not going to spoil it for you, I’ll just say Silas Cohen SIR! 👀 iykyk
I am excited to read more from this series by this author.
Fated Mates coming back for each other, history of the Salem Witch trials and ritualistic sex throughout makes this book spicy AF! So if you are ready “Run little witchling!”
T.C. Kraven's Headless Harvest is a chillingly potent and utterly captivating novella that plunges readers headfirst into the superstitious and fear-laden atmosphere of New England in 1647. From the very first sentence, the dark winds howl with a palpable intensity, drawing you into Mercy Hawthorne's desperate and dangerous world. This isn't just a tale of historical unease; it's a searing invocation of righteous fury, a potent brew of dark magic, and a surprisingly compelling enemies-to-lovers romance that left me breathless.
Mercy Hawthorne is a protagonist who immediately commands attention. Scarred by the brutal injustices of her past, the memory of the pyres and the cries of the innocent fuels her every action. Kraven masterfully crafts her as a figure of both vulnerability and terrifying power. Her grief and thirst for vengeance are not abstract concepts; they are visceral, driving her to perform a ritual on Samhain that is both breathtaking in its audacity and chilling in its execution. The imagery of a scarecrow carved of pumpkin and bone, brought to life by blood magic, is vividly rendered and instantly sets a gothic, macabre tone.
The core of Headless Harvest lies in the summoning of Mercy's "reaper." This entity is not your typical, detached harbinger of death. He is a manifestation of Mercy's rage and a tool for her vengeance, described with an almost elemental power – eyes that burn like embers, an insatiable hunger for the hearts of sinners. The promise of him reaping enemies, devouring their darkness, is a delicious and darkly satisfying prospect. Kraven doesn't shy away from the grim realities of the era, and the hunger for retribution feels earned and justified within the context of the story.
What elevates Headless Harvest beyond a simple vengeful tale is the tantalizing hint of romance with Silas Cohen. The declaration, "And Silas Cohen shall have me," is loaded with unspoken tension and a captivating allure. Set against the backdrop of extreme piety and corruption, the idea of Mercy, empowered by her dark magic, finding herself drawn to a figure who represents something dangerous and perhaps equally corrupt, is incredibly intriguing. The novella promises a "spicy" encounter imbued with mature themes, and the brief glimpse we get here ignites a powerful curiosity about their dynamic. It’s clear that this is no gentle love story, but a passionate entanglement born from shared darkness or opposing forces colliding.
Kraven's prose is evocative and atmospheric. She effortlessly conjures the feeling of a windswept, fear-ridden landscape, steeped in superstition and the ever-present threat of divine judgment. The richness of the historical setting is palpable, making the supernatural elements feel grounded and even more impactful. The novella is a masterclass in pacing, building tension towards the climactic Samhain night and leaving the reader yearning for more.
Headless Harvest is a perfect example of how to deliver a powerful, concentrated story. It’s concise yet impactful, delivering on its promise of dark magic, intense vengeance, and a thrillingly unconventional romance. T.C. Kraven has created a world that is both terrifying and alluring, and a protagonist who is unforgettable. This novella is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fantasy with a dark, sensual edge, and I am already eagerly anticipating delving deeper into Mercy and Silas's story. A truly stellar five-star read!
Paranormal romance Halloween novella Paganism Witches & Magic Religious persecution/ witch trials Revenge Feminine rage Gourd peen Headless avenger Sin eater FMC Flavored cum Primal chase HEA ⚠️ Check your triggers
I picked this up for a quick seasonal read and it delivered exactly the vibe I wanted. Headless Harvest is moody, dark, and atmospheric in a way that really sinks into your bones.
The setting is one of the strongest parts. We’re in 1600s New England, where religious fear and cruelty run deep, and the story doesn’t look away from that brutality. There’s something about the pumpkin fields, dying crops, and the cold air of harvest season that makes everything feel eerie and inevitable. It really captures how grim that era was, and how rage and grief can take root in the soil itself.
What I loved is how the story threads revenge with devotion. Mercy’s pain and fury are justified, and the story lets her reclaim power in a way that feels both brutal and earned. And then there’s Silas. The way he’s brought back from the afterlife, stitched into a scarecrow that Mercy herself crafted (special gourd appendage and all) feels so symbolic and mythic. And the pumpkin head? It’s such a clever twist on Headless Horseman lore. Familiar, but twisted into something intimate and personal to their story.
What resonated with me most, though, was the revenge thread running through it. The story doesn’t just give you spooky atmosphere for the sake of vibes; it’s grounded in someone who suffered, was wronged, and refused to let herself be swallowed by what was done to her and her beloved. It captures the cruelty of the time period and the strength that grows out of surviving it.
Mercy is sharp-edged and resilient without being hardened beyond feeling. And Silas has that intense, unwavering devotion that demonstrates how he has loved her across lifetimes. Which makes sense since Mercy and Silas aren’t just tragic lovers: they’re immortal, tied back to the Viking age, bound by pagan magic, old gods, and a bond that has existed beyond time. The ancient language they share, the ritual undertones, the way their love feels like something older than the world around them really sealed it for me. The romance here isn't light or casual, its eternal. It makes the romance feel fated in the best way.
Their love is fierce, physical, and unwavering; it’s the kind that survives centuries of time, persecution, and death. When they come back together, it’s not soft. It’s hungry. It’s earned.
And the balance here is surprisingly smooth: the revenge is bloody, the themes get heavy, but the romance and spice offset it so it doesn’t sit heavy. It’s fast-paced, emotionally sharp, and never drags. I finished it in one sitting and didn’t even realize how fully it had pulled me in until I was done.
If you're craving a a deeply autumnal, witchy, harvest-ruin atmosphere plus a passionate, ride-or-die romance mixed with revenge served cold and righteous and something you can devour in a few hours... then It’s absolutely worth the read. It hit exactly what I wanted for spooky season.
This. Is. Pure. Perfection. I ate it up and left no crumbs!!! Yes, in one sitting!!!! Perfectly written and read around midnight, perfect witching hour!!!
I’m still in absolute awe over how beautifully haunting this story was. Set in the 1600s, during the dark and brutal era of the witch trials, this novella effectively captures both the cruelty of the time and the enduring power of love.
Two fated souls — Silas and Mercy — torn apart by injustice and flame. Silas, burned for showing mercy to an innocent woman, and Mercy, the woman whose heart refuses to rest until her love is returned to her. Out of grief, devotion, and sheer witchcraft, she brings him back — using pumpkins, gourds, and the blood of sinners who once condemned the innocent.
When I tell you she carved his head from a pumpkin, my jaw dropped. When I tell you he took her so his gourd could become real, I had to set my Kindle down and take a deep breath. And when Silas whispered, “I fear the only altar I had ever worshiped at lies between her thighs,” I was gone. Fully gone.
The writing is exquisite — lyrical yet raw. The historical detail pulls you right into the smoke and superstition of the 1600s. The emotion is gut-deep, the romance both tender and feral, and the spice? My god, the spice is spicing in the best way imaginable.
It’s witchy. It’s wicked. It’s wildly romantic. Every word feels like a spell — one that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
Mercy and Silas’s story is proof that love can rise from ashes, that even death can’t destroy what was written in the stars.
Do yourself a favor — read this immediately. Let it consume you. Let it enchant you. Let it remind you that love, in all its twisted, magical forms, is the most powerful force of all.
I want to start by saying this: I will read anything T.C. puts out. No questions asked. And Headless Harvest just proved exactly why.
From the moment we meet Mercy, I knew she was going to own my whole heart. Her feminine rage? Immaculate. Controlled, righteous, and earned. She’s not just angry—she’s powerful, purposeful, and impossible to look away from. Mercy is a full-on badass FMC whose journey was genuinely inspiring to follow. She’s a girls’ girl, through and through, and I loved every second of watching her burn the world down for the people she loves.
This story is set during the 1600s witch trials, and the historical atmosphere is unreal. Dark, brutal, unjust—and woven perfectly with folklore, vengeance, and devotion. Silas being executed for helping an innocent woman? Devastating. Mercy bringing him back through blood, pumpkins, and pure wrath? Iconic. And yes… the gourd situation had me absolutely losing it. Gourd cock. LMFAO. I said what I said.
The romance? Obsessive. Devoted. Unhinged in the best way. Silas doesn’t just love Mercy—he worships the ground she walks on, and it shows in every choice he makes. The altar scene? Unholy behavior (affectionate). I was absolutely here for it.
The writing is sharp, atmospheric, and somehow poetic while being feral. The spice spices. The witchling witches. Everything ties together into this bloody, beautiful little bow that left me wondering how this is “just” a novella.
Dark, romantic, vengeful, and unforgettable. Read this. Now. 🎃🔥
Getting the ARC for Headless Harvest literally made my spooky season.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Note to self, open a coffee shop and every October have a special drink called "pumpkin spice cum" iykyk 🫦
Now I will never look at a corn field the same again 🤣🤣.
TC Kraven knocked it out of the park with this novella, who knew revenge could be so sexy. The overall story was phenomenal, Mercy and Silas's story was poetic and the spice was spooky and kinky. I loved everything about this novella, a one sitting read. Another MMC that worshiped his FMC and I loved every minute of it. Plus who doesn't enjoy evil people getting what they deserve.
The banter and audiobook is as chef's kiss.
Once again TC Kraven is unlocking unknown kinks and fantasies, Silas welcome to my list of book boyfriends! 😏
Can't wait for book 2 in this series!
Favorite Quotes:
"If I am her vessel of violence, her body, her soul, is the gentle embrace of home for me."
"I fear the only altar I have ever worshiped at lies between her thighs,"
First of all that art in the book? Oh when you read you’ll know but I need that as a poster, sticker something because it’s hot af!!
The story itself was good! Now this is literally less than a two hour read depending on how fast you read but it’s worth it. They have a bumpy road but it all comes full circle and falls into place in the end and I loved it. If you’re looking for the old time setting with the witches and mates and all the chaos this is your spooky read to add to your tbr.
I enjoyed it. And I loved the ending. There was a couple of points when I got mad but again when you read you’ll know. Just makes you dislike certain people more for being scum.
Oh and there’s spice! We may need some NSFW art for that one scene for science lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I went in expecting a nice spooky season read to help get me in the fall/Samhain vibes….and got so much more. I should have known—TC always provides FEASTS—even with a novella.
This book right here is exactly what I needed to read right now. With the amount of crazed spiritual psychosis happening in society this healed something inside me. Retribution, hope, and seeing that we are all connected on a bigger wheel is exactly what I was missing. Not to mention this story is pagan AF (heck yes!) and pays homage to the Norse heritage beautifully, and the spice? It do be spicing just right (and pumpkin spice flavored too …IYKYK 😏).
Can not wait for this series to continue.
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
This was an interesting book that is set in the 1600s and told in dual POV. I haven’t read much about the witch trials and Norse heritage, so this was different for me. I do like how the author included the different terminology in the story because it helps readers who might be new to the topics within the book.
I enjoyed the way the author wrote Mercy and Silas’s chapters and characters. The epilogue of the book had me wanting to know what would happen next after the experience that happened with the vines.
Favorite Quote: “If I am her vessel of violence, her body, her soul, is the gentle embrace of home for me.”
This is the perfect novella to get you ready for spooky season!
Mercy, the woman you are! She was handing out righteous retribution while feeding on sins with the help of her lover and I could not be more obsessed with the dynamic they share especially when Molly comes into the picture!
A nice bite sized piece that leaves you wanting more. I truly love that even though this is a short and INCREDIBLY SPICY read there was still so much plot to digest. I cannot wait for the other novellas to come out! I’m definitely hoping to see more of Mercy, Silas, and Molly!
Loved this. This was the first book by T.C. Kraven I have read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark humour and spice perfectly blended with vivid storytelling. The narrators of this book, Amy Hall & Peaches, were exceptional, layering incredible depth to the text with their vocal talents. I will definitely be looking to engage with future collaborations from this author and these narrators.
5 ⭐ 3 🌶️ Several kinky explicit scenes 4 ☠️ Several triggers apply
1000/10 Perfect spooky season read!
Mercy is one fierce, focused, and determined woman. I aspire to be like her when I grow up!
Silas is Swoon-worthy! Ever the protector and a ravenous simp for his girl; eager to fulfill her every desire, whether lustful or vengeful.
While this novella is dark with heavy themes and plenty of gore, the spice offsets it perfectly for a quick, satisfying read. Perfect for your smutty fall TBR!
A perfectly fun, spicy, spooky Halloween novella that packs a punch! Mercy gives perfect feminine rage and Solar is everything you could want in a devoted MMC. It also gives a great vehicle for commentary about how evil can live in the most simple of places and how religion can easily be co-opted in the name of brutality.
It's one of my favorite reads for the month of October. This short Novella was so well written taking place in 1600. Where love is everlasting between Mercy and Silas. I devoured this book so fast and left with wanting more!
If you need a quick October read, pick up Headless Harvest! Be warned as this book does touch on a very dark time for women.
This book takes place in the 1600, when they have the witch trials going on. We have mercy give 5 sacrifice to bring back the love of her life Silas. This book is spicy, hot, and the ones that were the sacrifice were the worst of the worst. They all have done something or is still doing something that they think is right. She trys to just give the town a second chance with those people gone. If the second chance don't work she told Silas that they will be back. Overall good book.
A quick perfect short spooky read for Halloween 🎃. I finished it within hour. It was so good. Silas I love him and the way he portrayed his character. From starting to end it was perfect. It’s worth reading
Verrrrryyyyy spicy. Also love how the witches and kindreds are explained in this story plus all the revenge that the couple casted on all those nasty people that deserved it. Also…… the pumpkin head was also preferred for me too 😂
It was very confusing wasn’t really sure what was going on besides the spice. Maybe I just don’t like this era they were in. The language was harder to understand. Maybe that was the issue. Who knows.
The spice is phenomenal. The writing sucked me in. Spooky, witchy, spicyyyy. The vibes are vibing for this one. Highly recommend if you're looking for a Halloween novella!