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Stake

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Return to Kel Bruem’s paranormal world with this thrilling, sexy installment in THE FANGLINGS.

Patrick Aglio, the vampiric head of the Boston Unusualities Society, agrees to mentor a rogue nest of teen fanglings in the curious village of Ashbourne. He must train them to control their intense new powers or the fiercesome vampire queen Madame Laveau will have them sentenced to ash.

Forced to partner with the tough-as-nails Rye Amato, a painfully alluring lawyer, Patrick tries to focus on his faux parenting responsibilities. But the scorching tension between them is too much, and his efforts to discover the strangeness hidden in Ashbourne are derailed by her entrancing beauty.

With Laveau's deadline fast approaching, Patrick is torn between his heart and duty. If he can’t lead the fanglings out of chaos, he risks a greater heartbreak than he has ever known.

Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

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About the author

Kel Bruem

15 books15 followers
Kel Bruem is a Bay Area-based indie monster romance author. Her Unusualities series include WHAT'S LUCK GOT TO DO WITH IT, EVERY BITE YOU TAKE, and the forthcoming NEVER GONNA DIG YOU UP in Fall 2024. She is also an editor for the annual monster romance anthology for debut writers TAILS, TRYSTS, and TENTACLES. When she's not writing, Kel trains her pit bull to be less stupid, explores new restaurants with her husband, and catches flights to her Sagittarian heart's content. You can find her online everywhere @kelbruem.

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Mouse Princess.
64 reviews3 followers
February 24, 2026
I need to state before getting into this review that I was given this book through Booksprout. Now that has been stated, I can now get into the book review. There are going to be spoilers in this review.

Patrick, The MMC, is the head of the Boston Unusualities Society, is asked to come mentor a rogue nest of teen fanglings. These fanglings where turned by a ghoul. Patrick has been tasked with trying to figure out how and why these teens where turned. While he is staying in the village of ashbourne he must train them to control their overwhelming powers and get them ready for the vampire society. If he fails the Queen of all vampires, Madame Laveau will take care of them herself. He is forced to work with Rye Amato. She is a lawyer, who has gained the respect of the fanglings. Since she walked into the hotel, Patrick has had a hard time not fixating on her. While he is unearthing the strangeness that is hidden with in the village of Ashbourne he is unable to focus on them because of Rye’s entrancing beauty. With the unknown deadline fastly approaching, Patrick is trying to figure out if he should follow his heart or his duty. Truthfully, he wants to find away to follow both.

Rye, The FMC, is a strong human Lawyer, has been asked to help train the fanglings and as well as find out what’s different about this village. She is also drawn to this brooding, grumpy vampire. While, he is throwing his weight around, she holds her ground and doesn’t bend under his pressure. She has gained the respect of the fanglings and they go to her when they are having issues. She may not be vampire but she is closest thing to them.

While they are trying to figure out what’s going on they find someone, who is someone important in the village, that can withstand completions. We don’t find out much about the town or the fanglings because the book is mainly focused on the building tension between these two. I enjoyed the spiciness and the build-up to the spice. I can’t wait to find out more about the fanglings and what’s up with this damn village.

Now for the star ratings I’m giving this book.
I’m giving this book an overall rating of 4.5 of out of 5 stars.
The story is getting a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
The writing style is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
The spicy level is getting a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
The spicy rating would be a 4 according to romance.io stem rating guide.
Profile Image for Amber.
224 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2026
I love this grumpy vampire

Patrick may be my new grumpy vampire love. (Billy still wins most fashionable love) and his love interest, Rye, is tough as hell and hot to boot. pretty sure she secretly runs the world. the spice is oh so good and the banters makes me cackle with glee.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews