For the Love of Demons and Katanas

by Loryn Moore

As a paranormal private investigator, I help the deranged and the desperate. But most of all, I hunt demons.

I kill them. They go back to hell. End of story. We don’t head into downtown Santa Sombra for microbrews.

But when my new client vanishes, along with twenty-four others, I’m confronted with a demon stronger than anything I’ve faced. Terrifying. Dangerous. Planning something that could crack my city wide open. And the people I love most—my two best friends, my chosen family—are at risk.

When my case collapses, help comes from an unexpected source—a lust demon whose touch threatens to undo me. With his help, I discover the truth. The past is personal, brutal, and entwined with the present in a way that might shatter me.

With my city on the brink, and my friends in danger, I’m running out of options. Can I trust the demon whose power shakes me to my core? Or is he the weapon that will destroy me?

392 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

I write stories where power awakens, danger lurks close to the heart, and love is never the easy choice. My fantasy romances blend magic, mystery, and forbidden desire, pulling readers into hidden worlds where destiny is tested and passion can change everything.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that secret worlds exist just beneath the surface of our own, waiting to be discovered. I love exploring morally complex characters, high-stakes choices, and romances shaped as much by consequence as by fate. For me, the most compelling love stories are the ones forged under pressure, where desire and danger collide.

I live in North Florida with my husband and our two young sons. When I’m not writing, my husband and I are usually knee-deep in DIY projects, tending our backyard garden, or living our best beach bum life. The ordinary moments of my life: my family, creativity, and quiet reflection are often where my most beautiful and magical stories begin.

Reviews

[Stefanie Verhelst]

In this book the protagonist Jenna is complex, struggling and growing as the story continues. As an orphan she doesn’t have a lot of people in her social circle but her friends are very loyal and she can count on them 100 percent!

She is constantly battling against what should be morally good or right in her head.

This battle is even more so when she has to work together with a demon where she starts having feelings for…

This book is character driven, fluently written and has a juicy storyline!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DoctorCopper]

So this got off to a great start. The beginning reeled me right in, a paranormal mystery with demons and demon hunters in this world where few are aware that such things exist, with a demon hunter who is also a private investigator.

At just over halfway through this book, the mystery of what happened to Tara is still going strong, along with the additional plot points involving the paranormal world that are coming into play. Add in the mystery of Jenna’s abilities and how she got to where she is, with her upbringing, it is all still keeping me fully engrossed at this point.
And I also enjoyed Roger’s character, the bit of levity he brings. Gaby did not seem as fully fleshed-out a character as she could be.

The only part I am not really wholeheartedly on board with at this point halfway into the book is the mysterious demon helper. I can tell his part in this story is important, insofar as a means to move the plot along but it is always accompanied by Jenna having these rather “inappropriate for the setting” sexual feelings/ intense lust. While I always enjoy spice in my books, the spicier the better for the most part, for some reason the inclusion of the sexual reactions Jenna has to this particular demon every time they interact consistently throw me off from the story. At this point it is not adding anything but is actually taking away from the main storyline. There is a time and a place but so far it has neither been the time nor the place.
Even if further down the line this develops into something more, so far it just detracts from the plot. Every time Jenna interacts with this demon it always devolves, ex. “…my panties soaked” is a frequent inclusion. It is incongruous with the story so far.

So…almost done with this and at ~85% of the way through, I am really detesting the interactions between Jenna and the “hot demon guy”. Well aware he is feeding her bits and pieces, as to what suits him and his plans. But her continued reactions to him, even knowing that his demon “sin” is lust, she still is written as being unable to resist and it does nothing to enhance the story. And that is just ticking me off at this point.
And I have to mention the nonconsensual sexual interaction that is towards the end, whether real or imaginary, also brought nothing to the plot. Quite frankly, this book would have been more enjoyable without that. I love enemies to lovers, dark romantasy, all of that. But it just doesn’t fit here. It just seems as if the author felt there had to be spicy scenes in here “just because”.

Finally reaching the end of this book and this is what we’re left with:
Hot demon guy: “Trust me.” “Trust me.” “Do you trust me???”
And guess what? 94% of the way through this book and Jenna decided to keep trusting and just going along with the “hot demon guy”.
(Insert major sarcasm from me starting here)…because excellent choice Jenna!!!
Just go along with what he says to do, but hey, don’t let the death of a bunch of people right in front of you that just happened stop you from appreciating how “hot demon guy” knows you prefer a katana without you having told him.

And the answer given for all those deaths was just an easy out. “There was no other way”. Well, when you’re not presented with all the facts even at the very end and used as part of someone else’s plan…
Jenna just so easily accepted that she couldn’t have changed anything or saved anyone. It is just too clean and too easy of an out. And relegating her feelings about all these deaths to a mere few sentences as if it was an afterthought.
And the epilogue was not the surprise it was probably meant to be.

This started off so intriguing, the paranormal world created here, the crime/ mystery aspect, a character that was far more than just a demon hunter. All this was initially so captivating. But this book just steadily lost the plot for me the further I got into this story and by the end (as is obvious in this review) I am just left disappointed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Moonburst]

Jenna is a private investigator with a side job of killing demons. Her current client goes missing along with twenty-four others, and two extremely powerful demons seem to be involved. However, one of those demon seems to be trying to help Jenna. As it's clear she's in over her head, Jenna has to decide if she can trust the helpful demon.

Jenna is a feisty, streetwise, but struggling protagonist. As an orphan, she knows almost nothing about her past, and all she has learned about fighting demons has been self-taught. Her social circle is small, comprising mainly of two friends that she depends on, and an ex-friend on the police force who is continuing to investigate her due to finding her in compromising situations. She doesn't trust easily, and her independence streak causes her to often take additional risks on her own. She finds the mysteriously helpful demon to be extremely alluring, and is extremely susceptible to his lustful powers. As they start to work together, Jenna's internal struggle with whether to trust him causes her to continuously second guess herself and seemingly make decisions by the seat of her pants. While this method of decision making made sense with the plot, it mildly undermined her character's strength.

Overall For the Love of Demons and Katanas was a very enjoyable paranormal detective novel with a conflicted main character with a mysterious past. The plot was quite fast paced with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I look forward to see where the series goes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angel]

loved it

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I just finished For the Love of Demons and Katanas, and I already want the next book.

Jenna’s sarcasm and wit had me dying throughout the book. She has exactly the kind of personality I love in an FMC, and Roger and Gabby completely stole my heart with how devoted they are to protecting and supporting her. Their relationship with Jenna was easily one of my favorite parts of the story.

And then there’s Khamden. 😈

At first, I actually wished he had shown up earlier and more often, but the slow burn and undeniable draw between Jenna and Khamden ended up being absolutely delectable. Every interaction made me want more, and by the end of the book I was completely invested in seeing where this relationship goes. The tension, attraction, and uncertainty surrounding him made the slow burn worth it.

I did have a couple of issues along the way. The opening scene initially gave me a much more comedic vibe than I was expecting, and I wasn’t sure I was going to connect with it. Thankfully, that feeling disappeared pretty quickly once I got further into the story. I also wish the activities that made Luke suspicious had actually happened on-page rather than being mentioned later as a recollection. That part felt a little like an afterthought, and I think watching those suspicions develop would have added more to the mystery.

But those issues were minor compared with how much I enjoyed the characters and became invested in the story. By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t ready to leave Jenna, Roger, Gabby, Khamden, or this world.

The slow burn got me. The found family got me. Khamden DEFINITELY got me.

Now give me the next book. 🗡️😈

[Tiffany]

Truthfully, I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the title! I can't seem to give 1/2 star ratings here but this book, for me was a 4.5 maybe a 4.75. This book was full of surprises. Just when I thought it was a light hearted mystery with some humor the author gave us intrigue, suspense, demons, magic and the opening for an entire new world to look forward to.

I loved the sarcastic humor in this book. The world building was not over the top but just enough to see the vision. Which may not work for some but for me, it was exactly my preference. The FMC is sassy and stubborn and willfull, my favorite kind lol. And the main characters, the "scooby gang" lol, were so easy to fall in love with. I especially loved the inanimate scooby; that story I'm dieing to break apart. Also, could this be the slowest of slow burn enemies to lovers in the making??? Or is that a plot twist unveiling in itself? The questions!! Overall, this story is a unique mix of mystery and urban fantasy, its literally just a blend of fun.

Just when I thought, the story was appearing to end all wrapped up in a pretty Christmas bow, Loryn subtlety, yet gracefully, drops the cliffhanger! So many stories and questions have peaked my curiosity. And now, I'm jonesing for book 2!

[Susan Murphy]

This paranormal story follows a demon hunter, a witch, and a medium as they work together to track down a missing woman—one who had only just hired the FMC. What begins as a straightforward missing person case quickly spirals into something far darker and more dangerous than anyone anticipated.

Jenna and Gaby, best friends since high school, lead double lives. By day (and night) they work at a bar, but beneath the surface they are seasoned demon hunters. When the missing woman is last seen in Jenna’s own apartment, their investigation collides with local law enforcement—cops who are regulars at the bar.

The story is packed with magic, witches, possessions, and escalating danger. There’s also a strong thread of tension, particularly involving Jenna and a lust demon, which adds an extra layer of intrigue and conflict to the plot.

This is an engaging paranormal read with solid world-building and plenty of suspense. The only downside? The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers eager (and slightly frustrated) for the next installment. Overall, it’s a good read for fans of urban fantasy and demon-hunting stories who don’t mind waiting for answers.

[CozyreaderLisa]

From the first chapter, I was instantly drawn to the story. Jenna, our FMC, possesses a unique ability to see demons that the rest of the world does not, making her stand out from the rest. Growing up without her parents, she grapples with unanswered questions about her origins, which serve as the central theme of this story. The plot takes an exciting turn as it unfolds into a fast-paced adventure. The mystery behind several missing people and their connections, especially involving Jenna, is gradually revealed. As the stakes rise, she faces a challenging decision: to trust a demon for survival and potentially save the world. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the gradual development of their reluctant partnership, particularly as the tension and chemistry between them intensify. The world-building, action sequences, and the slow-burn connection kept me completely engaged throughout the story. I eagerly anticipate the next book in this intriguing series!

[Zora]

This was a fun, easy read that kept me entertained from beginning to end. Jenna is an absolute badass, capable, determined, and easy to root for. I enjoyed following her through the chaos, action, and supernatural twists.

One of my favorite parts was the humor sprinkled throughout the story. The lighter moments balanced well with the action and mystery, making it a quick and enjoyable read. I was also pleasantly surprised by how intrigued I became by the lust demon. There is clearly more to his story, and I found myself wanting to learn more every time he appeared on the page.

While some questions are left unanswered, the book does exactly what a first installment should do. It introduces an interesting world, gives you characters worth investing in, and leaves you eager to pick up the next book.

Overall, a charming urban fantasy with action, humor, and a heroine who can hold her own. I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.

[Jessica Corley]

ARC review!
I was hooked from the very first page. Jenna, the FMC, fights demons with a katana and has no idea how or why she can see them when others can’t. Growing up without her parents, she’s always questioned where she came from and those unanswered questions are at the heart of this story.
The plot takes us on a fast-paced adventure to uncover the mystery behind several missing people and what connects them all, especially to Jenna herself. As the stakes rise, she’s forced to do the unthinkable: trust a demon in order to survive and possibly save the world.
I loved watching their reluctant partnership develop, especially as tension and chemistry begin to brew between them. The world-building, action, and slow-burn connection kept me completely invested. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next!

[Leslie Garcia]

Well this book was surprising and didn’t expect this story to capture my interest the way it did. I found my self fully connecting with the FMC. Her sarcasm was refreshing and her backstory is heartbreaking. I throughly enjoyed the twist and turns of this book. Honestly, I thrived on how chaotic this story was because I felt the urgency to resolve all the issues they encountered. I enjoyed how their found family comes be and how no matter what they would be there for each other. The FMCs love interest was absolutely chef kiss! Talk about sloooooowww bbbuuuurrrnn yyyeaarrnning. It was amazing. Only, constructive feedback i have is that there were times i did find repetition recapping within the FMC internal dialogue was not needed. Overall this book was a great and fun read and I can’t wait for BOOK 2.

[Lindsey Lou]

Loryn Moore has done it again. For the Love of Demons and Katanas is a witty, action packed, hilarious, killer story about Jenna “JT” Torrence, Private Investigator, facing off against the supernatural and trying to save the world.
Loryn has an uncanny ability to write the most amazing books about genres I’ve never even known existed before; and she has me hooked in the first paragraphs. This book was no exception. This story was written in such a unique way for first person, but it was so fun to read! It was so witty and hilarious to get the side notes and snarky comments that Jenna thought throughout the book. It truly made it even more fun to read.
Loryn did an absolutely amazing job with this book and I cannot wait to see where the series goes!!!

[Lisa]

We meet Jenna a P.I. with a unique case background of the super natural. Jenna has always been different from everyone else she just didnt know why or just how different she really was. She has always been able to see things others couldn't, Demons to be exact. Jenna has made it her mission to fight them all her life with the help of some friends.

A new case comes crashing into Jenna's life which has her learning a lot of new things about herself and finding some unexpected help from Khamden, a high level demon.

Jenna is drawn to Khamden even tho it goes against everything.

This book is full of surprises and the ending has me anxiously waiting for book two.

[The Book Ssirren]

I received this as an ALC. narrated by Iris Greenwood. She did a wonderful job narrating this story. It was awesome because of the life she brought to it. And the story itself, DO NOT BUY YOUR KATANAS FROM EBAY! 🤣 I died laughing at the very beginning when that thing went flying. This story as a whole was great. Witches, demons, devil hunters and more. This was truly an awesome story to listen to. I laughed, I swooned. I loved all of the characters. The description was awesome. And the world building was excellent. This is the first time I’ve listened to this author, but I’ll definitely be grabbing up more.

[Julia]

Wow, this was the best book I’ve read in awhile!! For the Love of Demons and Katanas by Loryn Moore is a must read for Romantasy lovers. In this urban fantasy Jenna and her friend Gaby hunt demons. They were formerly enemies but when they find out they are both part of the hidden supernatural world, they become fast friends. Tara finds Jenna one night to ask for help with a stalker no one else can see! This book is full of snarky sassy fun and a bunch of references to the best of the ‘90s. Add to that a forbidden romance with a demon and you have a great book on your hands. If you loved Supernatural and want that feeling again, don't waste any time. Pick this book up now!

[Reading_with_AAron]

For the Love of Demons and Katanas was an urban romatasy full of edge of your seat twists! I loved how the story unfolded and let us in on Jenna's past. Hot ass demon guy with waves of lust ✔️, located her missing client 🚫 not yet, found a kick ass sword ✔️, and saved the world.... you'll have to read it to find out!

I received this as an ARC from the author and loved how different this one is from her other books! If you like demons, angels, witches, and other things that go bump in the night than this needs to be on your 2026 TBR!

[PleaseGoAwayImReading]

This was very entertaining!

I love that FMC Jenna was a PI with a special predilection for slaying demons. I also enjoyed the supporting characters of Gaby and Roger. Gaby’s witchy abilities and Roger’s talents as a medium/psychic lent even more interesting variables to the plot. I also very much enjoyed hot demon guy Khamden. I’m looking forward to book 2 and seeing where things go for Khamden and Jenna- both together and individually— especially after the surprise appearance of s certain someone at the end of this book.

[Shana Morris]

I have been a long-time lover of Loryn’s writing style and was super excited for the opportunity to read For the Love of Demons and Katanas and as usual I was not disappointed.

If you love a good urban fantasy, look no further. She has no family, she was abandoned as an infant and has no idea why she can see demons. She becomes a PI and her latest client hires her to figure out who is stalking her – of course has reported this to the police but unfortunately no one else can see what she’s seeing – this mystery will suck you right in.
We have found family, forbidden love, slow burn and throw in an enemies to lovers with a demon she’s trained to hunt down and of course we have a sexy hot demon, a snarky FMC whose best friends are a witch and a medium will be sure to be one heck of a ride. And we naturally end on a brutal cliffhanger to keep you hanging on wanting more. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you Loryn for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of your book.

[Jennifer R]

This paranormal thriller throws you head first into a demon infested city where one new case sends this private investigator into a hunt with her friends that turns into much more then a missing client there are others who are also missing.They have to follow the clues to figure out where they went and why? after running into a lust demon a ally who's presence blurs the lines between enemy and salvation if you love fierce heroines, dangerous demons , and a city on the brink of collapse this will be your next great read!

[Joy McGurty]

I received this as an ARC, and it definitely earned the five stars from me. The characters and their dynamics pulled me in right away, and I loved how the story balanced action with real character development. The MMC is very sexy, and the banter and tension between the characters kept me turning pages. The world and setup were super compelling, and by the end I was genuinely excited to see where the story is headed next.

[Kylie Nichols]

Demon Hunter, witch, and a medium, what a fun trio! This book has the perfect balance of humor, action, and a taste of spice. Can’t forget the mild cliffhanger at the end that has you wanting to know more. This book focuses on Jenna, (demon hunter) learning about herself, her past, and how she is able to see demons when others can’t. She learns to trust who is suppose to be her enemy in order to save her world. Definitely a nice pallet change when it comes to paranormal/fantasy books.

[Hannah Reid]

For the Love of Demons and Katanas by Loryn Moore
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a really interesting read! Our FMC is a private investigator by day, demon hunter by night, who gets pulled into something way over her head. I really liked the relationships between characters in this book and watching them unfold, and I think the storyline was unique and well written. Good read!
Note: I received a free ARC of this book and am writing this review voluntarily.

[Visionary Impart]

A gripping, darkly witty urban fantasy that blends demon-hunting action with noir mystery and sizzling slow-burn tension. The morally gray lust demon and fierce PI heroine create irresistible chemistry, while the found-family stakes add real emotional weight. With high danger, sharp voice, and a haunting past woven into the present, this story promises a thrilling, see-you-can’t-stop-reading ride for paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans.

[Crystal Abbey]

This is my 5th read from this author and I absolutely loved it. The mystery of the disappearances, the tension between our MMC and FMC and the banter between her and her friends was so good! I felt like I was right there in the action! Then of course the will they or won't they aspect? The anticipation will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will not see the ending coming. Definitely recommend if you love your urban fantasy.

[Dawn Comstock]

I really enjoyed this story. It really hooks you im once you get into it. The beginning is a bit of a slow burn but it picks up and definitely keeps you reading. I loved the banter and sass. Its fun and funny and still has a good serious note to the story line. And once you start learning the history it really grabs you. I will enjoy reading more and finding out what happens between the demon and hunter. Thank you for letting me enjoy your story come to life.

[Anne M]

Loren Moore has done it again!! The first book in her new series shows amazing growth as a writer and I was sucked into this book from the moment I cracked it open on my kindle. The characters are relatable, the story engaging, and I love where the plot is going! I’m excited to see what happens in the next book! Happy I found this author!!

[Brittany Britton]

For the Love of Demons and Katanas by Loryn Moore is a great urban paranormal fantasy. The story is entertaining, enjoyable, romantic, mysterious, slow burn, interesting, and more. For the Love of Demons and Katanas is the first book in For the Love of Demons and Katanas trilogy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sissy Satterfield]

Jenna & Khamden
I absolutely loved this story! Jenna was awesome, I love an FMC the wields a Blade. She is fierce and strong and I loved her interactions with Khamden. This is such a good story, and I will look forward to more. I Loved It!!! I Recommend!! No Spoilers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer McWilliams]

What do you get when you cross a witch, demons, katana wielding demon hunter? A great read, that’s what. Took me a few pages to get into the story but pretty quickly I found that I didn’t want to put it down. I feel as though Jenna FMC is a character much like myself in personality.

[Karyn]

This is such a great story! I loved the characters and the banter. I had a few laugh out loud moments but also was super stressed out worried about where the story was going and what was going to happen. I’m excited to read more of this series!

[Doris Scales]

This is a very good book. I personally enjoyed reading it. I love the characters and really didn’t wanna put the book down. Most definitely added it to my list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.