Veil of Night & Flames

by J. Kenner

Dark, seductive, and impossible to put down, Veil of Night and Flame is a spellbinding romantasy filled with dangerous magic, impossible choices, and revelations that change everything.

Some promises are stronger than prophecy.

Cora Lyte paid the price to save the man she loves.

Now she’s bound to another.

Betrothed to Adric, the immortal King of the Nightmare Realm, Cora returns to the Real believing she can keep her impossible bargain without surrendering her heart. But the barriers between worlds are weakening, ancient enemies are moving in the shadows, and everything she thought she knew is beginning to unravel.

Chase has kept devastating secrets.

The past refuses to stay buried.

And the bond tying Cora, Chase, and Adric together is becoming impossible to deny.

As nightmares bleed into the waking world, Cora must decide who she is before she decides who she loves. Because if the prophecy is wrong…

…then the greatest threat to the realms isn’t her forbidden desire.

It’s the lie that has shaped them all.

The barriers are weakening.
The realms are colliding.
And between night and flame, desire burns dangerously bright.

Perfect for readers who



Why Choose romanceLove triangles that become something moreFated mates and impossible choicesHidden prophecies and deadly secretsMorally gray heroesSlow-burn tension with scorching spiceHigh-stakes romantasy where love might save—or destroy—the world

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy) and in 2017 for Wicked Dirty in the same category. Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development as a television show.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a why choose romance and there are some spicy scenes.
I found this to be a bit darker than I anticipated. The why choose is ok, it’s not my favorite trope but I don’t mind it. The world building is very well done and the mood I’d say is intense. It’s high stakes as he characters navigate there situations. I definitely recommend reading in order as each story builds on the last. I’m invested and intrigued to see where this is going and why things are happening. Really trying to not give spoilers. Fantasy, romance and shadowy elements make for a great read.

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

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

VEIL OF NIGHT AND FLAMES is the second instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, new adult DREAMBOUND dark, academia, paranormal, fantasy erotic, romance series focusing on nineteen year old St. Augustine freshman Cora Lyte, and brothers Adric, the Nightmare King, and guardian and hunter Gage ‘Chase’ Chasen. VEIL OF NIGHT AND FLAMES should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one REALMS OF DREAMS AND SHADOWS.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person Cora, and dual omniscient third person Adric and Chase VEIL OF NIGHT AND FLAMES focuses on the weakening of the veil between realms, including the veil protecting Earth aka the Real. Cora Lyte was unaware of her heritage, her powers and her own family history when she entered St. Augustine’s as a freshman student but within days, our heroine will discover she is the last female descendant of ancient mystical powers meant to destroy the world. From the outset, Cora is ‘courted’ by brothers Chase and Adric, Adric who is locked behind the Veil in The Nightmare Realm. The threshold is thinning at an excelerated rate, and Adric is determined to set himself free. Cora’s mother died trying to fight the Nightmares, and our heroine is willing to embrace them all.

The world building focuses on the hunt for the truth as two brothers vie for the love of the same woman but all is not as it appears to be. Blood is magic and powerful, as the brothers battle for our heroine’s heart, a heart that belongs to both. St. Augustine’s College, the Realm of the Other, and the Nightmare Realm are preparing for war as the Veil continues to weaken, and someone is determined to take control.

The relationship between Cora, and Adric and Chase is one of immediate attraction. Chase has been assigned to protect and train our story line heroine but to save the life of the man with whom she has fallen in love, Cora finds herself owing her own life to the Nightmare King .A ‘why-choose’ love, MFM triangle is developing, as the brothers learn to work together but together means something different in the Nightmare Realm, and our heroine may become a pawn between brothers in an impending war. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of magical, paranormal and entertaining secondary and supporting characters. We are reintroduced to former hunter and bookstore owner Griffin, a practitioner of the occult; Cora’s Roommate Tia, a witch whose powers have been bound; Tia’s girlfriend Riley; Cora’s Uncle Finn, the school’s Dean; Kali, Adric’s advisor; Sebastian Vance the Oneiroi, hunter/ protector Whistler, and healer Mistress Solenne.

VEIL OF NIGHT AND FLAMES is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is intriguing, inviting and familiar; the $ex scenes are spicy and passionate; the characters are sassy, desperate and determined. VEIL OF NIGHT AND FLAMES ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.


copy supplied for review

[Sheila Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

Veil of Night & Flames was another five star read for me! This book picks up right where the first one ended and gave me everything I wanted: more magic, dragons, danger, romance, complicated characters, and a cliffhanger that left me needing the next book immediately.

I really enjoyed watching Cora grow into her powers and become more confident about what she wants. Her relationship with Chase and Adric becomes even more complicated, emotional, and spicy in this book, but I loved seeing how each relationship developed. Adric continues to be the perfect morally gray character. There were moments when I loved him, moments when I wanted to shake some sense into him, and moments when I wasn’t sure whether I could trust him at all.

Tia was still one of my favorites because she brought humor and loyalty even when everything around them was becoming more dangerous. I also enjoyed Riley’s role and how she used science to investigate all the strange activity happening around campus.

The mystery surrounding Cora’s powers, her bloodline, the barriers between the realms, and her mother kept me completely invested. The final chapters were intense, emotional, and heartbreaking, and that ending changed everything I thought I understood. Now I have even more questions, and I need the next book!

If you enjoy romantasy with morally gray characters, powerful bloodlines, dangerous magic, dragons, betrayal, multiple realms, plenty of spice, and a romance that refuses to follow simple rules, this series is absolutely worth reading.

[Sharon in SF · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must read the first book, Realm of Dreams & Shadows first, since this this book continues with Cora and Chase coming to terms with his brother, Adric's involvement in their lives. Cora thought she was just an average college student until she learned that she's actually the last decendent of an emperor who used to reign over several realms. Her boyfriend, Chase, and her betrothed, Adric, used to be a united being, The Guardian, who helped maintain balance amongst all the realms. But when Adric forced a separation, the brothers became foes as Chase became a Hunter to keep creatures from other realms from infiltrating the Realm of the Real, where humans resided, and Adric became the immortal king of the Nightmare Realm.
This second story focuses on the developing relationships between Cora and each of the brothers, as well as trying to understand her role in trying to seal the portal that's been keeping out most of the denizens from the other realms from overtaking an ignorant and unsuspecting Realm of the Real. The story and number of characters, both past and present, are complex and more questions than answers keep multiplying. This one ends on a cliffhanger that I did see coming, but I'm looking forward to getting all the answers in the final book!

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

VEIL OF NIGHT AND FLAMES is the second book in THE DREAMBOUND Series by J Kenner. This is a spicy, open door, first person for Cora/third person for Chase and Adric, triple POV, contemporary fantasy romance with tropes that include why choose romance/love triangle, enemies to lovers, magical realism, multiple realms, magical monsters, LGBTQIA+, and political intrigue. Cora Lyte is betrothed to Adric, immortal King of the Nightmare Realm, while navigating her feelings for his brother Chase and the barriers between the realms weaken. I enjoyed this sequel. Cora is really struggling with her relationship with Chase and Adric, although that appears to be evolving. The main focus of the first book was about Cora not marrying Adric and causing the realms barriers to disappear, however, that seems to be happening even without a marriage taking place. Now the focus is on how to protect residents of the realm “The Real,” (which is our realm) from the thinning of the barriers. There is more cooperation with Adric instead of opposition and more political intrigue and betrayal. The book ends again in a cliffhanger, and I will definitely be grabbing the next book when it arrives. This book is considerably spicier than the first and the chemistry between Cora and her two men is considerable. I did find the switching from first to third person a bit confusing. There are sections that are definitely Chase or Adric’s POV, but only Cora’s POV is written in first person. I recommend this book for readers who enjoy fantasy romance with magical realism and why choose tropes. (3.5 rounded to 4 stars where necessary.).

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

[Jamie Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I KNEEEEW that person would should their face, but not in the last sentence of the book!?!

This was a great continuation to the storyline. It would have been a little more compelling if there was more emphasis on Cora herself, in regards to the barriers and how her bloodline fits into it all. It almost felt thrown in towards the end. I'm getting a bad feeling about how her mother might have dealt with things in the past; like she was possibly one of the "bad guys".
I love Cora's relationship with Chase, and I'm warming up to the idea of her and Adric. What I REALLY like is that the "brothers" are behaving themselves when it comes to her. I say "brothers" cuz I still feel like they're almost the same person kinda.
We find out there is treachery afoot in Adric's realm, and it goes on to affect Cora's in a scary and sad way. Someone had to die and it's bittersweet to see it.

Looking forward to book 3!


Thank you to Netgalley and Oliver Heber Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[MoonWillowArchives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veil of Night in Flames picks up right where the Realm of Dreams and Shadows ends!

I liked the characters and their chemistry, and there was plenty of tension between them. A lot of the beginning and middle, though, felt very focused on the relationship dynamic and the whole “I want both of them, I shouldn’t want both of them, we definitely should not all be doing this” situation. 😂

There was a larger fantasy plot happening in the background involving the veils between realms failing and the search for a keystone, but for a good portion of the book it felt very cryptic and distant compared to everything happening romantically.

Then the last few chapters hit and suddenly EVERYTHING was happening. The larger plot finally came fully into focus, things got intense very quickly, there were deaths, major consequences, and then the ending dropped another huge reveal right before the book ended. 🪦

I think that was really my main issue with this one. I liked the relationship side of the story, but it felt like that took up most of the book while the bigger plot stayed in the background until the very end. I just wish a little more of that had been worked in earlier instead of so much happening all at once in the last few chapters.

That ending definitely got me though, because now I absolutely need to know what happens next. 😬

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this ARC!

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veil of Night & Flames picks up right where the Realm of Dreams and Shadows finishes so please make sure you have read that one before picking this one up.
Cora Lyte has paid the price to save the man she loves.
Now she’s bound to another.
Betrothed to Adric, the immortal King of the Nightmare Realm, Cora returns to the Real believing she can keep her impossible bargain without surrendering her heart. But the barriers between worlds are weakening, ancient enemies are moving in the shadows, and everything she thought she knew is beginning to unravel.
This romantasy is mixed with love, morally gray characters, multiple realms, sizzling chemistry and betrayal. From the first chapter to the last line there was no putting down but be warned this book ends on a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming……..

[Rhonda Brant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive read almost every book JKenner has written, and this has to top the most action packed story shes written. Sadly, I have not read book one, but I had no issues with getting the gest on the storyline and sailed through book two.

I think the only issue I have is the "threesome" aspect in the relationship with Cora, Chase an Adric. Just not my thing anymore, so I found myself skipping over those parts quickly and continuing on. There's alot to keep track in this book, so it took a bit longer to finish, but boy what a story. Definitely planning on read book one, but want to get my hands on book three asap!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

[Lana-White Hot Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora, Adric and Chase are something else. These three have an incredible bond and once they figure it out, its on. The three of them are so hot together. Both Adric and Chase can feel each other when they are with Cora. She loves them both for different reasons. As they try to figure out how to stop the barriers from falling, someone inside the nightmare realm is conspiring against them. The end was a WTF moment and I can't wait to get the conclusion.

[Anadosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veil of Night & Flames is a dark and addictive continuation of Cora’s story, filled with dangerous magic, secrets, and forbidden attraction. The tension between Cora, Chase, and Adric becomes even more intense as the boundaries between the realms begin to collapse. I loved the darker atmosphere and the constant feeling that there was more to the prophecy than anyone realized. A captivating romantasy with plenty of twists, complicated relationships, and a strong cliffhanger-worthy storyline.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review:

I really enjoyed this series. I enjoyed the first book a lot better. I don’t enjoy why chose so that took it down a star for me. The world building and character development was great, but the FMC quick to be attracted to both men etc was not believable to forced in the story.

[Pamela Blatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly addictive reading of a world filled with unusual characters.
Cora is a college student trying to negotiate her way in world of deceit and desire.
Adric and Chase are brothers who want power and both want Cora.
Detailed world building and exceptional supporting characters.
I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I was quickly pulled in and this was a great escape. I will be watching for more by this author.

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

[Amy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from the author!

[Meghan Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book.
I loved continuing the relationships between Cora, Chase and Adric.
Thank you Julie