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Claiming Red: A Dark Red Riding Hood Retelling
Not yet published
Expected 23 Apr 26
They called me Red for the cloak I wore. Soon they'd call me Red for the blood I spilled.
I saw my own death in a vision. Hands bound, water in my lungs, the village elder drowning me for witchcraft.
So I ran into the forest they warned us about. Into the territory of the wolf that had been terrorizing these woods for twenty years. Better a beast than a noose.
I found a man instead. Dark-haired, scarred, living alone in my dead grandmother's cottage like he'd been waiting for someone to show up. He offered me shelter for the winter.
I refused. He took me anyway.
The cottage smelled like pine smoke and old blood. He cooked for me. Argued with me. Watched me with amber eyes that tracked every move I made like I was something he'd been hunting his whole life.
Then I saw what he really was. Black fur. Amber eyes. A wolf the size of a horse standing where the man had been seconds before.
Wolves and blood-keepers have always been enemies. He should have torn my throat out. I should have run.
Neither of us did what we were supposed to.
When the village came hunting, when the real monster crawled out of the dark wearing the face of someone I trusted, I had to choose. Run again, or fight for the man who was never really a man at all.
I chose blood.
Claiming Red is Book 1 of the Once Upon A Monster series. Each book can be read as a standalone. MF dark paranormal romance. HEA. No cliffhanger.
Tropes: werewolf romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, plus-size FMC over 35, dark fairy tale retelling, he falls first, morally gray heroine.
Please check content advisory before purchasing.
I saw my own death in a vision. Hands bound, water in my lungs, the village elder drowning me for witchcraft.
So I ran into the forest they warned us about. Into the territory of the wolf that had been terrorizing these woods for twenty years. Better a beast than a noose.
I found a man instead. Dark-haired, scarred, living alone in my dead grandmother's cottage like he'd been waiting for someone to show up. He offered me shelter for the winter.
I refused. He took me anyway.
The cottage smelled like pine smoke and old blood. He cooked for me. Argued with me. Watched me with amber eyes that tracked every move I made like I was something he'd been hunting his whole life.
Then I saw what he really was. Black fur. Amber eyes. A wolf the size of a horse standing where the man had been seconds before.
Wolves and blood-keepers have always been enemies. He should have torn my throat out. I should have run.
Neither of us did what we were supposed to.
When the village came hunting, when the real monster crawled out of the dark wearing the face of someone I trusted, I had to choose. Run again, or fight for the man who was never really a man at all.
I chose blood.
Claiming Red is Book 1 of the Once Upon A Monster series. Each book can be read as a standalone. MF dark paranormal romance. HEA. No cliffhanger.
Tropes: werewolf romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, plus-size FMC over 35, dark fairy tale retelling, he falls first, morally gray heroine.
Please check content advisory before purchasing.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 23, 2026
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Sephyrra
12 books78 followersSephyrra juggles the lively bustle of family life with her passion for writing. She's a fan of all types of romance - from spicy love stories to intense dark romances. When she's not busy with her family or stirring pots in the kitchen, she's crafting stories about plus-size characters over 35. Her writing is a blend of humor, heart, and a wide spectrum of emotions, reflecting her love for diverse romance genres. In her world, every free moment is a chance to explore the many flavors of romantic storytelling.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
Shifter romance? Yes please! Talia. I dont even have words to describe how badass she is. Truly one of a kind. Absolutely loved this take on Mates and Shifters and how each branch came to be. Not explained like super in depth, but enough to understand and be relevant and totally unique. I love how the story grew and blossomed and you almost forget foretelling from the beginning until it literally smacks you in the face, because like why would you want to keep that in mind as you're going through this amazing story. And it happens and sadly you realize, of course it happened, because it was bound to do so. Definitely a good read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review