Wilted Roses: The Masquerade Saga: Blood & Bone Novel

by Katye Tilstone

Two souls bound by love. Two monsters made by blood. One debt that can only be paid in ash.
********************************************************************
Ophelia Rosewood’s life ended the night her father died, not just from the cancer that ravaged his body, but from the shadow that slipped into his hospital room. Now, she is the "Key," a rare evolution in a world of ancient predators, hunted by the sadistic Strigon brothers who view her as nothing more than a vintage wine to be harvested.

Peter is the only thing keeping her tethered to her humanity. A simple hospital porter with a heart of iron, he has promised to protect her in this life and the next. But in the halls of the Strigon Manor, love is a liability, and mercy is a death sentence. When the scent of rosebuds and decay fills the air, and the line between protector and predator blurs, Ophelia must make a devastating choice. To save the man she loves, she must embrace the very darkness she fears.

In the war between the living and the damned, blood is thicker than mercy.

Genres: Dark Romance

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2026

About the author

Hi I'm Katye Tilstone,

Welcome to my crazy world of macabre and gory books, I make the grotesque look pretty. DO you dare to step into the worlds I create? Where the characters are all on the chopping board? No one is deemed 'safe' within the pages of my novels/novella's... So don't get attached to them to quickly!

Read. Rant. Review. As always my Misfits, cause chaos and remember to have a creepylicious day

Reviews

[Caroline Bristow]

🥀 I recived an ARC from the author so the thoughts are my own 🥀

First of all, I would like to thank the author for providing me an opportunity to read and give an honest review. I loved this book. I loved the story. I liked the evil vampire brothers. I loved our fmc, Ophelia. I always love a goth baddie. I liked how it ended. I can't wait to see what happens next in the next book!

[K D Davies]

Ophelia is tricked into giving over her soul to save the ones she love!
“A life for a life is the oldest rule.”
This is a tale of love, grief and loss. I truly loved the relationship between Peter and Ophelia. I felt totally invested! The tension builds quickly capturing the imagination. It has been a while since I’ve read a gothic vamp book and this one delivered. A true battle of survival and will! This dark romance was a great change up in pace for me and it’s worth noting that the formatting is on point! I will definitely be grabbing a paperback!

[Abbie 🌻]

Wilted roses ARC review - thank you to the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pre reading- this sounds right up my alley, I’m excited to read this. I love me a vampire anything 🧛‍♀️

The following are my thoughts written as I was reading the book so obviously some spoilers.

This book feels like it’s started in the middle of the story.

I don’t like the “insta-love” of it all. Why does Ophelia just immediately trust this guy she knows nothing about? And why is her family just okay with him staying at the house? Some guy turns up after their dad has died and they’re all like “okay. That’s fine” like what?? I would be more convinced if they were already a couple or they just started as friends. I don’t trust this guy AT ALL 😂 (I was wrong about this, Peter is great).

When she gets turned, why are the vampire brothers there to begin with? What are they doing in her dying father’s hospital room?
And why is no one questioning who MURDERED the doctor???

I love the writing style, but some descriptions are slightly repetitive.
I feel a bit confused with what is going on. Nothing has really been explained at this point, I don’t understand the world this is set in a at the moment.

“I love you” you’ve known each other a matter of WEEKS! Surely not? 👀

What was supposed to go down on the day of the funeral? They were counting down the days and it seemed like nothing happened in the end.


Final thoughts: As I was reading this story I felt a bit conflicted, because the story is good but I wish there was a bit more world building and backstory. We did get backstory as it progressed with flashbacks which explained what happened to Ophelia’s dad. But I wanted to know a bit more about the Strigon brothers and if the town is aware that vampires exist - it was all a bit unclear to me, which at times felt frustrating.
Ophelia and Peters story is sweet, but I’m not a fan of “insta-love” so I wasn’t convinced by their love in such a short time of knowing each other. I like a guy who yearnssssss, I can’t help it. I’m just a girl 🎀
The last 40-50 pages did save this story for me and I’m actually looking forward to the next book because that ending was pretty solid! The new characters interest me 👀 I hope we get backstory on them and more world building.
I like Ophelia’s character and how much gumption she has, she loves her family and wont back down without a fight, go off Queen 👸🏻
I absolutely love Katye’s writing style and it’s clear by the dedication at the end that this story means a lot to her. The relationship between Ophelia and her dad is beautiful and that it felt personal to the author.

Thank you again Katye for this ARC.

[Rae]

4.5 rated up 🖤

Thank you to Katye for entrusting me to go through this in editing stages 🫶🏻

So im a relatively new reader of Katye’s and going through her work I’ve been able to witness her progression with her writing through each released book and I’ve got to say, this is so far (not read everything yet) my favourite work of Katye.. this could change of course as I’m due to read a couple more ☺️

Katye is a Horror writer but this gem is a starter into her Dark Romance (/Paranormal/Supernatural) era and I’m so here for it!
The characters were easily connectable, you feel the emotions thats running through the story, how Ophelia is feeling with her sudden changes and also the grieving for her father. You get an urge to want to protect her from all the bad going on 🫂
The Strigons are the enemies here, chalking up deals and generally being a messed up bloodline and you feel the genuine hate for them, what they do and their reasoning for their actions, but there’s a darker reason behind their need for Ophelia. What it is, you’ll have to find out!
Whilst going through this, it gave me a nostalgic tv/movie feeling. Back when Twilight & The Vampire Diaries were popular and yes I loved those (I still love TVDs)

Cant wait to read the next in the series and see how things go for Ophelia!

[Georgia]

🖤Dark Romance
🧛‍♀️Vampires
🖤Paranormal
🌶Spice
🩸Violence

@katyetilstone_author is starting off a new series with this absolutely addicting gem of a book. Not only is the book design stunning and appropriately fitting in every way, the words in these pages have so much heart felt meaning that go far and beyond a thrilling dark vampire romance.

"Armed with nothing but iron and a debt that could only be paid in ash."

From the dedication to the afterward, I ate up every last word. I smiled, I swooned, I yelled, I cried. This has everything you want in a dark paranormal romance and the writing is so captivating that you'll keep turning page after page. There is no good stopping place as the visually bloody action and the steamy romance carries through every chapter and builds with every page.

"Immortality was just a longer wait for the end."

The twists are exciting, unexpected and perfectly set up the next book in the series without drop kicking you off a cliff.

“Just because you can’t see the light doesn't mean it’s gone...”

I recommend this book to all my vampire, dark romance loving friends. The ones who enjoy their romance burning and their violence visually graphic.

Thank you author @katyetilstone_author and editor @ravenwings3 for the early copy of the book. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the early process.

[Luci Gray]

A.R.C. Review!! All thoughts and opinions are my own, light spoilers ahead…

Firstly I want to thank Katye for giving me the opportunity to read this early for her in return for a honest review. Wilted Roses is a dark romance x extreme horror novel where you follow the FMC, Ophelia Rosewood. She is given the chance to save her father in return to sacrifice her humanity, but as she does it her father dies right in front of her eyes!

A story built on love, betrayal, grief and what happens after death! I was so impressed with the improvement of Tilstones writing in this from her other work. How she keeps your attention all the way through, the emotional bits with the flash backs to Ophelia’s father NOT TO MENTION THE SPICE!!! It’s everything you want within a vampire dark romance and trust me when I say I am craving more from this series!!

Definitely check your trigger warnings at the beginning, it is a very beautiful tribute to her father and the little memorial piece at the back for him had me crying! This is such a beautiful love/grief story and the vampires are just an added benefit! Please give this a chance you will NOT regret it. Well done Katye Tilstone for yet again another great piece 🖤🥀

[Brit J]

This book left me speechless! I've never read anything like this, the raw emotions, the love and rage that is soaking the pages... This one ripped my heart out multiple times to the point I didn't know if I should cry or rage myself! This one is a MUST read! Katye and her editor made this story into a masterpiece...i felt every emotion every burning desire and rage filled moment as if it were me in those pages... I highly recommend! 1000000/5 stars! Literally top 3 reads for me and that's not just for the year, that's within my whole reading journey... Im just glad I was given the opportunity to read this beautifully dark, heart wrenching, blood drenched story!
I can't wait to read more of her books! She's one of the most genuine people out there! And the fact that this one came from her heart and the dedication at the end... If anyone is reading my review and isn't sure if this is something for them... Give it a try I'm sure you will all love it!!!🖤💜 🥹💋😈

[Goose_Go_Honk Elizabeth]

ARC Review
Thank you to the author for giving me a ARC copy.

So I am going to be open and quick with this one, I am giving it 3/5 due to a few reasons.

1. I found it so hard to focus on the story, like I had to keep going back and check on a few things to make sense of it.
2. I struggled getting attached to the characters like I do with most stories. To explain it the characters felt very two dimensional, or just flat to say less.
3. The author does attempt to do a bit of a gothic horror writing style to suit the premise of a dark romance story involving vampires, but most parts made me think these characters are a bit edgy. This coupled with complex and wordy metaphors dotted throughout descriptions made for a tricky read.
4. I wouldn’t say extreme horror or splatterpunk since there wasn’t much gore in it or any really unsettling moments.

As with all ARC books the final work may change.

I would say this book is more of a YA than an extreme horror in my personal beliefs.

Story: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Gore: 1/5
Descriptiveness: 3/5

Total: 3/5

[Curt Dunnam]

“Wilted Roses” by Katye Tilstone is a dark gothic 4-star read! Ophelia Rosewood is presented with an opportunity she simply cannot pass up, but things do not go as expected for her or her family.

While this is not my usual type of read, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. In fact, the only other vampire series I can recall reading is Twilight, and that was years ago. The gore and spice were fairly minimal in my opinion, but they felt appropriate for the story being told. The author does an excellent job of immersing readers in the world and making them feel as though they are right alongside the characters as the events unfold.

This was an engaging start to the series, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I can't wait to read the second book!

Thanks to Katye Tilstone for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

[Reader]

If I could give the book anything higher than 5 stars I WOULD! My god I don’t usually do reviews but considering how AMAZING THIS BOOK WAS I had to review it! The love that Peter and Ophelia had OMG heart throbbing and so adorable 🥹 knowing that instant love at first sight happens is beautiful and that’s what I think of this couple and after reading the ending I’m curious to what Peter thinks of his new life 👀👀

It has everything you need!

-Romance
-Vampires
-High Stakes
-Betrayals
-Nail Biting Moments
-Spice
-Gore

The list could go on and on for this book and I can’t wait to read the next one of the series! Thank you so much Katye Tilstone for giving me the chance to review it and I can’t wait to buy my copy when it’s released!

If you’re thinking of picking up this book stop! And pick it up because trust me you’ll not regret entering this Saga 😏

[BrewedBookDragon]

I adore Katye Tilstone and met her through her extreme horror/splatter punk novellas. This is her debut into a full novel and her first foray into a series.

This is a fun dark paranormal romance with traits of extreme horror mixed in and I very much enjoyed this start to the Masquerade Saga!!!

Ophelia is made a vampire under the guise of saving her father. Once that is broken, she seeks revenge on the twins who turned her. Along the revenge arc she finds love in Peter Black a human who had been watching her sit with her dying father.

There is definitely information and back stories that are intentionally left out and leaving you guessing on what is next and wanting more. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!!

Two notes:
This is insta love from both the MMC and the FMC
Spice is fade to black

[Scotti]

OMG This book was everything I didn't know I needed!! All Ophelia wanted was to save her father. She thought Derek was truly going to help her. Derek was there to chain her to him and see if she could become what so many others couldn't. Derek and Declan, brothers creating an army of vampires.

Insert Peter. *swoon* There to protect Ophelia from the brothers and sometimes herself. I ate this book up soooo fast. The spice, the action, the grief. I love this book was written in memory of Katye's dad. Katye did such a great job writing this story in such a great way that honors her dad and makes you go yessss gimme more.

Thank you Katye for this amazing book!! I am so proud of you and know your daddy is so proud of you too!!! ❤️❤️

[Dakota Madison]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m happy I had the opportunity to read it before publication.

This is the amazing authors first book of a different genre and she did not disappoint!

The author has us follow FMC Ophelia & MMC Peter going through loss, grief, happiness, and obstacles in a way that will have you feeling all of the emotions along with the characters.

Antagonist Derek & Declan take advantage of Ophelia for their own personal gain and throughout the book we get to watch both sides of the battle slowly build against each other.

I am excited for book two! Give the book a chance, it won’t disappoint!

[Jennifer Reimer]

I was sucked into this book from the beginning, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ophelia needed to save her dad and doing what she thought was the best thing for him, went and found the Strigons brothers but things turned, and I mean they turned her, which wasn’t what she was thinking of doing. This was filled with so much emotion from betrayal, love, suspense, tension, vampires and so much more I was loving every minute of this. I would love to know about each of these characters, but this is a first to this series. This was an engaging start, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I can't wait to read the second book!

[Jillian]

**Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read the ARC**
This was hands down 5 ⭐ for me. Okay so I'm not typically into vampire stuff but the way this was written was beyond amaZing and I mean that!
Ophelia thought she could save her dad when she ran into the Strigons brothers that promised her, her dad would survive.. Becoming a vampire was not on her list of things that would happen and meeting Peter was a blessing. Their love for each other was just genuine and I could feel it through the book....now I'm ready for the next!

[Brittney]

I received an advanced readers copy from the author and want to give my honest review in return!
This was a very quick read at only 180 pages, the story is fast paced but enjoyable. I would put the spice level at 1🌶️ out of 5, the gore was 2🩸 out of 5 for me, and the horror aspect was a 1🧛🏼 out of 5 for me. Overall the plot as a short story gets 4⭐️ out of 5 from me. I really liked all the characters and the the world in which the story takes place. I would love to see what the story could have developed into as a whole novel!

[Miss E]

This is a dark Gothic novella and unlike anything I’ve ever read.

You think you have read Vampire books? You haven’t seen the cruelty in this nest and its half-breed soldiers.

Peter and Fern are Ophelia’s found family (rowan-what is he?) the ones she leans on and asks for help but they’re also her weakness.

This book is dark and testing with 🌶️ and gore and i hope we get to see what happens next at the masquerade manor.

A special mention for the most beautiful and love filled dedication ever 🥀

[Niya]

I did find myself a little lost at first and did go to the author in my confusion. The book is written the way it is on purpose, but I won't spoil why. Try to be patient and read with an open mind, it may help. I was sitting here trying to figure out what was going on. There will be additional books that I hope will tie everything together with a nice, neat bow. All that aside, this book helped me remember why I used to love vampire romance books in the first place. I love Ophelia and Peter, and I look forward to experiencing the rest of the saga.

[Jani]

Thank You to the Author for my ARC copy, Wilted Roses was a beautifully dark and captivating read. The gothic atmosphere, intriguing world building, and emotional depth kept me hooked from beginning to end. The characters were complex and flawed, making their journey feel raw and authentic. The romance was filled with tension, while the twists and secrets kept me turning the pages late into the night.If you enjoy dark fantasy, gothic romance, morally gray characters, and stories packed with mystery and emotion, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

[Tammy]

A very enjoyable read. The FMC becomes a vampire under false circumstances to save her father. After she becomes a vampire, she seeks to destroy the two who made her, along with keeping her family and loved ones safe. Along the way, she finds love and the strength she wasn't sure she had. A good vs. evil story with love and mysteries about the FMC. I do wonder about the protagonists and what their story is.

[Gabby Daley]

Thank you Katye, for choosing to let me read the ARC of Wilted Roses.

This book took me on one heck of a wild ride. It started right out smashing my heart with the painful death of her father. Then I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, desperately hoping for Ophelia to find the strength she needed and worrying that it wouldn't be found in time.

This work is going to take you through the entire spectrum of dark emotions and desperate desires.

[April Elliott]

Wow! Katye, I have read several of your books and this one by far shows the love and devotion in your heart for writing. The love for Ophelia's father is beyond beautiful and knowing why makes this book even more beautiful. Also, the love that Ophelia shares with Peter is a dream come true. His heart is so full and they create an unbreakable bond that keeps them both going. I can't wait to continue their love story! Thank you for letting me read this journey. You are an amazing author!!!!!

[Ruby Rivera]

This book was completely different from what I'm used to reading and I'm happy I was given the chance to read it. Ophelia has truly gone through a lot and Peter has as well. I swear I almost DNFD the book of heartbreak until the Lady entered the scene. The twist and turns kept me on my toes and the emotions as well. I really enjoyed reading this story and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Panda Pup in Bootz]

*~*arc for honest review my opinion and statements are my own~*~


Vampires and a love worth dying for
This book was a fast paced dark romance.
A choice made out of love and the consequences of that choice can either destroy you or galvanize you into being far more dangerous than the monsters that walk the night

Loved this

[Kortnie Jensen]

I absolutely loved this book!! The graphic details really paint a perfect picture of everything going on. I felt my heart breaking and healing all at the same time. I could feel the love and energy Katye put into this book, especially when writing about the bond between Ophilia and David. Katye has become one of my favorite indie authors. Can't wait for the next one!

[Sarah Mickus]

Katye has done it again. I will say this story was much less gory then the other I have read by her but a wonderful read. Vampires and revenge. A cliffhanger making you want more. Katye is fantastic about keeping it short and sweet but this book was so engaging.

[J.D. Crist]

I have read my fair share of vampire stories but this one was a breath of fresh air. Katyes unique twist, relatable characters, and rich world kept the pages turning. The ending was just how I like my series books to end. It's not a cliff hanger but leaves you ready and wanting the next part.

[Dayna Rose]

I was an ARC reader for this book and this is my honest review.

At first I wasn't sure about this book, however I continued on and I am glad I did. It has a really good story to it, and a good old love story. I am a sucker for a vampire book!!!

[Richie Pinheiro-Rivera]

OH MYLANTA!

If you like vampires READ THIS NOW! This is one of the best indie reads of 2026 for me so far. Loved every bit of it! Literally devoured this overnight, no sleep and completely entranced! Im a fan!

[Janel Bienert]

This book was such an amazing read!! The story was executed Perfectly.... the love story was one that everyone thrives for. I cannot dive into more reads by Katye Tilstone.