The Spectral Seduction at Mason's Hole

by Devora Gray, Len M. Ruth

A darkly funny paranormal romance thriller
Special Agent Julian Worthy doesn’t chase ghosts for fun—it’s an obsession.
Ten years ago, an erotic encounter with the paranormal scrambled Julian's memory and shattered his reality. Now he works for Homeland Security’s hush-hush S.E.X.D. division, investigating phenomena with a dangerously sensual edge. When Mason’s Hole—a haunted Southern town pulsing with forbidden energy—hits his radar, Julian can’t stay away.
What he doesn’t expect is her—a woman who might help him exorcise the demons of his past... or awaken something darker.
Sex therapist Madeline Da Vinci doesn’t fix broken hearts for fun—it’s self-preservation.
Fresh off a breakup and tired of hiding her history in a cult, she’s ready to believe in something—anything—beyond her work. But when salvation comes wrapped in an octogenarian dating a ghost, Madeline questions whether she’s truly moved on from her past or just found inventive ways to keep the truth buried.
What she doesn’t expect is him—a sinfully hot federal agent who might finally understand her story... or unravel it completely.
As phantom hands wander and clothes hit the floor, Madeline and Julian must decide what Mason’s Hole really a sanctuary, a seduction, or a trap.
One thing’s certain—when the ghosts want to play, no one leaves untouched.
Editorial
Reader "A hauntingly sexy supernatural thriller!" "Page-turner! I love a small-town romance with a dark past." (Whatever our readers have commented on that has keywords)
The Spectral Seduction of Mason’s Hole is a steamy paranormal romance thriller that blends Southern Gothic mystery, dark humor, and forbidden attraction in a town where desire itself has a heartbeat. Perfect for readers who The X-Files and What We Do in the ShadowsSookie Stackhouse / True BloodNavessa Allen and Brynne WeaverIf you like your romance darkly funny, your mystery laced with heat, and your ghosts dangerously hands-on, welcome to Mason’s Hole.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2025

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well written amazing book. Not going to lie, I found this arc on a random tt video. I was excited because they were bragging it up but I didn't expect this level of great. Everything was on point and amazing.
The plot was interesting.
The characters draw you in and you can relate to them!
The pace was one that kept you going. It didn't slow.
The spice.... woah! I might need a friend like that. 😉
It was just such an amazing read!

[Anna Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely not what I was expecting but I loved it. Quiet a few times it had me laughing out loud. If you like a good laugh and paranormal you should check this out.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was way different than I’ve read before. It’s about ghosts and aliens. The town is under a spell like with everyone going sex crazy for one another. It had me hooked from the beginning. A good book to ready during spooky season!

[Ann Adolphson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC provided by the author — review is completely voluntary

Okay, this book had me rolling with laughter. I honestly wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but whatever I expected—it definitely wasn’t this. Think The X-Files… but make it spicy. 👀

We follow Special Agent Julian, who works for a secret Homeland department called S.E.X.D (yes, that’s the actual name 😂) where they investigate paranormal phenomena. Julian has a personal history with the supernatural—something that happened to him when he was 18—and now he’s determined to uncover the truth.

His latest case takes him to Mason’s Hole, a small town where strange events eerily mirror what happened to him years ago. There’s a haunted house, a woman named Constance who claims she’s been… romantically involved with a ghost 👻, and her son who hires Madeline, a sex therapist, to help. Madeline and Julian cross paths at the house and decide to team up to figure out what’s really going on. Of course, the deeper they dig, the more the past—and the spice—start to catch up with them.

The banter between Julian and Madeline had me laughing out loud, and the chemistry between them? Chef’s kiss. The balance between humor, heat, and paranormal mystery made this such a fun and unexpected read.

If you’re into ghosts, aliens, and off-the-wall paranormal romance with plenty of spice and laughs, this one’s for you. I had an absolute blast reading it. 👻🔥

[Susan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need a smutty book with spectral seduction this is for you. You have Special Agent Julian Worthy head of S.E.X.D investigating cases of paranormal phenomenon. He has experienced a phenomenon personally in his hometown when he was 18 and now, he is the lead investigator on his way to Mason's Hole where the town seems to be on a love spell. Madeline, a sex therapist, was asked to come speak with Constance, 82, about her sexual encounters by Constance's son Roland. Is it aliens, a spell or was everyone poisoned? The town members are friendly but also willing be extra friendly while Julian and Madeline are searching for answers. The book flowed well and reminded me of the x-files but with lots of sexual tension. It is a fun read with a dual Pov from both Julian and Madeline. Julian who is a believer and Madeline who see the science behind everything work well with each other and have good chemistry. It helped that I read Julien first before reading this, but you can read this without reading Julien first. I would recommend this for a fun read.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book free on TikTok, and I 1,000% don't think the authors gave it enough hype .

I had an absolute blast reading this book! I absolutely adored "BJ" and Mads, and even Constance stole a little piece of my heart. The chemistry, the chaos, the humor, every bit of it was pure perfection. I just wish we knew more about what happens to Mason’s Hole in the aftermath of everything because I’m still so curious (and slightly haunted, in the best way).

There were so many little moments that were just chef’s kiss, funny, spicy, weirdly touching, and entirely unforgettable. The world these authors built is so unique and delightfully unhinged in all the right ways. I’ll definitely be reading everything else they put out because if it’s even half as entertaining as this one, I’m in for a treat.

Thank you so much, Devora Gray and Len M. Ruth, for the opportunity to read this equally spooky and seductive story!

[Laurie Bristow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ARC of The Spectral Seduction at Mason's Hole was an interesting and unexpected read. And I loved it. I did have to go back and read chapter one again. I thought I had missed something. Seemed like I got dropped into the middle of the book, before my brain puzzled if out. So for me the beginning was a little rough. But once the story got going the pieces fell together.

In this seductive mystery we are following Agent Julian, and Madeline a sex therapist who have been sent to Mason's Hole to investigate ghostly seduction. This is where they meet 80 year old Constance who is having happy time with a ghost named Desmond. (I cracked up every time I read this name. My Blue Heeler mix is named Desmond).

But paranormal Sketchy things are afoot in this town. And now I need to wait for book 2...that ending.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spectral Seduction at Mason’s Hole is gothic, haunting, and sinfully addictive. Len M. Ruth and Devora Gray weave together passion and the paranormal so seamlessly you can almost feel the chill of the grave and the heat between the lines.

This story is everything I want in a dark read—ghosts that ache, lovers that burn, and secrets that demand to be unearthed. It’s rich, atmospheric, and utterly unputdownable. The tension builds like a storm and never lets go, keeping you teetering between dread and desire the entire time.

It’s seductive horror done right—beautifully written, hauntingly emotional, and unapologetically bold. If you like your romance with teeth and your hauntings with heart, this one will absolutely possess you

[Cassandra Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I signed up to be an ARC reader for this book. The cover had me intrigued so I jumped one it.
After starting it was jump feet first into sexual content, LOVED the banter between Special Agent Julian Worthy and Madeline Da Vinci! I hear two are what all readers want. The banter a slow burn build up. Love them. The story line was confusing in parts and I won’t lie this wasn’t my cup of tea. But I stuck it out to give it the benefit of the doubt. It I interesting and quirky. And for a paranormal sifi kinda romance it would be a great read. I wish the beginning of the book didn’t start out so hot and heavy but I did enjoy the middle and ending.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the seduction! I am in love with this book and these characters. Like oh my lord. The authors really and truly know how to create a story where I am beyond invested in the outcome. I read this straight through, ignoring a couple responsibilities in the process, and it was so worth the loss of sleep. I just had to know what happened. This book pulls you along and keeps you invested from page 1 to the bitter end. I immediately wanted the next chapter and had a true book hangover when I realized that was the last page. I highly recommend this book and will be delving into the entire series when it is available.

[Mandi Suddath · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC! I honestly wanted to like this book but turns out it was super corny and slow! I am not against the storyline completely it had its good parts but the in between parts were just not good, at all! The main characters were bland and boring. The best character was a side character. Alien smut count me in, ghost smut same. This tried to combine the two and left me wondering what in the HELL I had just read! Not a good story at all. I haven't read anything else by these authors so I have nothing to compare it to as far as their other works. But this was a fail in my opinion!

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was not at all what i expected but i was here for it. it was definitely just in time for spooky season. a town under a spell, ghosts, and aliens. what more do you need to run and grab this book. while a delicous smutt book the plot was great, characters were likeable, the pace was perfect, it didnt drag on or rush, and the spice!!!!!! highly recommend this book

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me by surprise. It had me laughing, wanting to jump in and say you idiot why are you doing that, and OMG what?? This is my kind of spooky smut book. Great for the spooky season! It flows great and I didn't want to put it down. The prequel is even more smut to go along with it! It is a must read if you like paranormal X-Files type reading with smut on the mix!

[Jenny Haselhuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! I started out thinking what did I get myself into?! So worth it!!
An entire town is overrun with sexual energy... Is it paranormal? Aliens? Poisoned water?
Can Special Agent Worthy and Madison, a sex therapist, work together to figure out what's going on or will they become a part of it?
I'm definitely looking forward to book 2!!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read with lots of spice. The characters are done in such a way that you can actually see them . If you haven't read the prequel novella you are missing out. I can't wait for the next book since this one ends on a cliffhanger..

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s different than anything I’ve read before and look forward to reading more from these authors. It was like an x-rated x-files episode and I couldn’t stop laughing. If you’re looking for out of this world smut, then look no further!

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely outside my normal genres, to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was okay but not for me.

[Jessica Verble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow. how does a paranormal book shock and amaze me this much!!! Absolutly amazing amd now sssoooo ready for the next one!!!! Such a great read from start to finish!!!

[Dawn-Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My expectations weren't high with the cheesy premise. But I was pleasantly surprised by a well written novel with an engrossing plot. Yes, there is a bit of cheese, but considering the entire premise it's not an annoying feature. The main characters are interesting and the pace of the story works. And yes, there is spice, some of which is a bit surprising. But it works.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start. The book has spice, ghost and it’s fun to read. The cover was beautiful so I had to give it a shot. It has some twist in it also

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very funny and spicy. I liked how the authors weaved in and out of seriousness and hilarity.

[StephanieMarisa14 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story! Smutty, paranormal, romance, mystery all in one

[Brianne Hersey · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun, spicy paranormal story that I randomly found on tt. the story follows Julian, investigating paranormal activity trying to figure out what happened to him when he was just a high school graduate. there is a lot of funny and spicy moments