Camouflaged

The Bureau #8

by Kim Fielding

Life isn’t always easy for a Bureau agent who’s also a dragon.

Ever since Ralph Crespo was trapped in human form, he’s been going through the motions at a job he once loved. Maybe that’s why the Bureau chief seems to have demoted him to messenger. But this time a letter delivery allows Ralph to meet Anton Steinmann, and Ralph’s life takes a turn toward the unexpected.

Anton loves his remote home with its extensive caves. He’s less fond of his leadership position, however, and definitely doesn’t want the offer Agent Crespo hands him. Then Anton is kidnapped and tortured. Someone wants him dead and he doesn’t know why.

How can anyone be true to himself in a world where he doesn’t really belong? Perhaps Ralph and Anton can find the answer together—if they survive long enough.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Dragons, Romance, Fantasy, Historical, Urban Fantasy

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2021

About the author

Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that eighth tattoo.

Reviews

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very curious to read Agent Crespo’s story ever since he was introduced in Conned. 40 years later, in 1968, while on Bureau business, he meets Anton and what comes next is what this story is all about.
As it’s usual when it comes to this author, the book is well written and this time the pairing is very unusual, I think it’s the first time I read about a gnome as a MC and I liked how the insta-lust/insta-connection—which has been a recurring feature in this series, sometimes not to its advantage—had a solid reason in the partnership dragons and gnomes shared historically, even though by the time Ralph and Anton meet, it’s been so widely forgotten that they find out about it only later thanks to the book Townsend gave to Ralph.
The story and the romance development are straightforward and I enjoyed both, although I didn’t feel particularly invested in this couple. I was also disappointed that we never get to see Ralph in his dragon form. I was okay with that since at the beginning and for most of the book it seemed like the illness that had left him unable to assume his other form was a done and close deal and he would never recover that part of himself, but by the end of the book it was clear that something was starting to change and he would eventually get completely “healthy” again. Maybe things were left there on purpose because there’s something planned for future books. I hope so, because otherwise I don’t understand the need to hint at it without delivering on page.

[Kim]

Yay! Another Bureau book! I do love writing this series.

This book lets us get to know Agent Ralph Crespo, who played a small part in Conned. However, as with the other books in the series, you can read this one as a standalone. This one takes place in the late 1960s, mostly in the Sierra foothills. Ralph is a dragon. And Anton? Well, he might be a fun surprise. (Hint: Disney got it all wrong.)

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

this book out of all of them felt like the most insta-love than the others... which is surprising since all the books are less than 200ish pages, some go over but most are novella length.

Ralph and Anton, what a pair, I am going to wait to finish the series when it is out on audio, Joel Leslie does a great job bringing these characters to life.

I will be interest to see what the Agents of the Bureau get up to in the next books. but now time to listen to some of Kim Fieldings other books! Can't wait to dive in to her backlist!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately I'm not in the mood to review. So I'll just that I liked this story very much but was terribly disappointed we never got to see the dragon. VERY disappointed.

[Eugenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous addition to the Bureau Series!

I adored this book!!

Camouflaged:
1968
A dragon and a gnome
Fated
In a cave
A kidnapping and torture
A rescue
A betrayal
An HEA

You don’t need to read/listen to these in order to enjoy them!!

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining short novel. It had likeable MCs, very little plot and a whole lot of instalove and destiny. I enjoyed it as an in between book. It didn't leave a lasting impression, but the author's writing was solid.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been putting off reading Camouflaged because I love the Bureau series with all my heart and it's the last instalment available (yet) and I definitely need Kim Fielding to write more Bureau stories, and fast! :)

I've been looking for some other paranormal/urban fantasy series that would grip me so much and have a similar dark-ish, bleak-ish and a bit kink-ish vibe... I've tried Some Kind of Magic and lately Soul Eater, and while I enjoyed those books quite a lot, the stories and the writing style haven't hooked me so wholeheartedly... :(
(BTW, Friends, can you rec me some other similar books? Series, most preferably?)

But, getting back to Camouflaged... Bureau agent Ralph Crespo grabbed my attention already in Conned and I'm really glad that this time we could read his story :) Ralph is a dragon with a problem. He's fierce, proud and efficient; (and I'm sorry, Ralph!) but he's also the biggest sweetie-pie ever! ;) I tore up a bit at his dreams and (lovemaking) expectations...
And Anton is one of the most unique beings I've come across. He seems weak and stubborn and a recluse and yet... That first scene between him and Ralph made me sputter my coffee in a public place! ;) Cause Anton is so much more than what he shows on the outside.

To sum up, Camouflaged is a delightful (and angsty) story that fits the Bureau series perfectly. The pairing is unique, as usual (and yes, the oxymoron is intended) and the intrigue is maybe a bit straightforward and not plot-heavy, but I still loved it to bits!

A totally recommended read for all the Bureau fans!!! :)

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd been so looking forward to this read which promised such an interesting paranormal MC pairing. Alas - the plot was a little 'thin', and I wasn't all that convinced regarding the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs' interest/intervention in this instance. My biggest WTF moment was at a crucial battle/showdown moment near the end (after mutual declarations of love), one of the MCs had a sudden urge to take the other into a cave, strip him down and to have hawt sex! Definitely not one of the better books of the series - 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

[QuietlyKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites in this series.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Hmmm... the relationship's progress went a little too fast to my liking. BUT, I have always enjoyed having a rather less popular supernatural beings to be featured in this series, and Anton the gnome fit the bill.

The story is rather straightforward - someone is aiming Anton's leadership position, they even willing to torture him for it. Ralph (the Bureau's agent who comes to Anton's house to deliver a message but ends up feeling the bond between himself and Anton) then sets himself up to the task of saving and protecting Anton.

I would LOVE to understand more about Ralph's sickness that makes him unable to turn into dragon anymore, and whether his relationship with Anton can reverse the effect. Unfortunately, the story finished before I know all that *pout*

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was really, really good. A road-weary dragon meets a spunky gnome and all sorts of adventure ensues. I fell into this and soaked it up. Loved it.

[Kassu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+⭐

Another good Bureau story. It's not as good as some of the best ones, like the emotional journey of Convicted or the most complete mystery novel Conned but it's interesting and engaging like all the Bureau books. I really enjoyed the grumpy gnome Anton and hopefully we get to see what happened to these two in the future stories.

Smiling slightly, Anton shook his head. “Your Bureau is full of really weird shit.”
“Says the gnome to the dragon.”

[William Kibler · Rating 3 out of 5]

My frustration grows with this series

The books in this series have been written well and are very entertaining! My frustration lies with the supernatural beings that have lost some of their "powers" but we are never given a clear answer why. In this story, Ralph Crespo is a dragon than can no longer shift. Why? We are told that he became "sick" but what exactly does that mean? There are hints that his powers might be returning but they are nothing more than hints and it's not addressed directly. Overall it was a good story but the author needs to provide a better resolution for the readers.

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this entry in the Bureau series entertaining, overall, but it just didn't capture me quite the way that previous books did. The story of Ralph and Anton is interesting but a bit more straightforward than I was expecting as the plots of these novels tend to be a bit twisty. So in some ways it felt more like a placeholder entry in the series to me -Fielding's writing was good, as usual, but I hope more happens in the next novel.

[Marzipop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.

[Fani *loves angst*]

DNF at 16%

Couldn't connect with the MCs & the cave setting somewhat creeped me out.

[morten · Rating 3 out of 5]

人間ではない種族を管理するエージェントたちの物語シリーズ8作目。今回はドラゴン（人型）のエージェントとノームが主人公。迷路のような洞窟の冒険や、命を狙ってくる謎の4人組、ドラゴンとノームの歴史、Bureauの目的、種族の今後……など盛りだくさんが描かれつつ、ロマンスはストレスない展開でスルスルと読めてしまう。個人的に、6作目で登場したとき楽しい奴だったRalphがその後悩みを抱え、でも幸せになってよかったのと、6作目と1作目の主人公CPの言及があって嬉しかった。シリーズ次作は彼が出るかな？楽しみ楽しみ。

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic storytelling!

Rating: 5 🌈

It’s been a while since I’ve delved into Kim Fielding’s Bureau universe but this book stands on its own feet and what superlative feet they are.

Considering it’s a Bureau tale, it’s remarkably straightforward. Agent Ralph Crespo, ailing dragon, has been given the assignment to deliver a sealed letter to Anton Steinmann.

That meeting has unexpected ramifications for both Ralph and Anton, including an immediate emotional connection and physical attraction.

In the fantastic, Kim Fielding manner, Camouflaged many storylines and romance slowly comes together, as aspects of Ralph’s and Anton’s species mutual histories are revealed as well as a murder plot against Anton’s clan.

This story is one of those that’s feels effortless because it’s that well crafted. You can easily miss some special small elements tucked here and there because it flows so smoothly. I had to reread it again to pick up a few of the tiniest clues and pieces I’d passed over because I was reading it so quickly. I was just that involved in both the romance and that conspiracy!

Kim Fielding’s a must author. I think I’d read a new urban dictionary if she wrote it. Camouflaged is simply just one more example why Fielding’s an auto buy, auto read for me.

I’m highly recommending Camouflaged, and the Bureau series if you’re not familiar with it.

Enjoy! And happy reading!

The Bureau:
Corruption #1
White Clay #2
Creature #3
Chained#4
Convicted #5
Conned #6
Caroled #7
Camouflaged #8

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another chapter in the Bureau's involvement with all kinds of non-human species. I think those of us who have read the prior stories know that Bureau Chief Thompson is mainly a matchmaker who also happens to attempt to deal with aliens in a human culture. So here we have another match between Ralph, a dragon who has lost his "mojo", and Anton, a gnome, who is, but doesn't really want to be, leader of his clan.

My opinion is that readers should probably be familiar with some of the earlier books (short reads) to get a grasp of the aliens in our world so one isn't prone to disbelief or even laughter when they try to get their mind around these wonderful characters (driving with the top down in their fire engine red Mustang).

[Jody Hebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Fielding as a writer is vastly underrated and that is exemplified in the Bureau series.
I mean, it's noir at it's finest. Gritty and stark. At the same time there are dashes of Other that's reminiscent of Patricia McKillip and Charles De Lint in the imagery and sense of yearning.
The characters. They aren't ever just one thing or another but a satisfying blend of edges and softness, light and shadow. Sexy. Sweet. Romantic.
This books delivers all that. And opens up the setting a little and teases for future books.
Well done.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I love this series! Each book is so unique, with incredible characters and plots. I feel as though we wait forever for each new story, but when they come out the reader is dropped back into that world as though they never left

[Mel Polk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure at the beginning of this one. I recall the Bureau stories being more serious and was thrown by "thanks for the letter, hey wanna screw?" In the end, though, the plot got serious and I enjoyed the characters quite a bit.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This writer does very well at a short length. This surprises me, because I usually don't like shorter stories. There is a good balance of romance, external plot and world building. I will read more in the series.

[JoAnn]

***squeal*** I am so excited

[Kobie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as all her books. It's just so lovely to read a well written book and an unusual story.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to this series. It felt a little simpler to me, but satisfying, too.

Townsend is SO weird.

[Mak · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started well enough, but then I became a bit bored and had to skim to the end. My book slump continues.

[Light · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 starts
Not bad

[Nix Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice addition to the series :)

[... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh. This has been my least favorite of the series by far, but I'm still glad to have read it. I do love the world that this author has created, and don't want to miss any of it 😊