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Cronin's Key #1-4
The Cronin's Key Series Collection
Book One
NYPD Detective Alec MacAidan has always been good with weird. After all, his life has been a string of the unexplainable. But when an injured man gives him cryptic clues, then turns to dust in front of him, Alec's view on weird is changed forever.
Cronin, a vampire Elder, has spent the last thousand years waiting for Alec. He'd been told his fated one would be a man wielding a shield, but he didn't expect him to be human, and he certainly didn't expect that shield to be a police badge. Both men, strong-willed and stubborn, are still learning how to cope with the push and pull of being fated, when fate throws them another curveball.
Rumors have spread quickly of turmoil in Egypt. Covens are fleeing with news of a vampire who has a talent like no other, hell-bent on unleashing the wrath of Death. Alec and Cronin are thrown into a world of weird Alec cannot imagine. What he learned in school of ancient pharaohs and Egyptian gods was far from the truth. Instead, he finds out firsthand that history isn't always what it seems.
Book Two
History isn’t always what it seems
With the battle of Egypt behind them, Alec and Cronin are enjoying the thrill of new love. Though fate doesn’t wait long before throwing them back into the world of weird. They know Alec’s blood is special, though its true purpose still eludes them. And given Alec’s inability to be changed into a vampire, Cronin is free to drink from him at will.
But the ramifications of drinking such powerful blood starts a ripple effect. With the help of Jorge, a disturbing vampire-child with the gift of foresight, Alec and Cronin face a new kind of war. This time their investigations lead them to the borders of China and Mongolia—but it’s not what lies in the pits beneath that worries Alec. It’s the creator behind it all.
In the underground depths of China, amidst a war with the Terracotta Army, they will find out just what the Key is, and what Alec means to the vampire world.
Book Three
History isn’t always what it seems
Twelve months after his change, Alec MacAidan is still getting used to his many vampire talents. While most vampires would give anything to have more than one supernatural power, Alec craves nothing more than peace and time alone with Cronin. But when Alec meets entities from outside this realm, he’s left powerless in their presence.
Zoan are half-lycan, half-dragon creatures that have slipped through time and reality, seemingly undetected by man and vampire. Or have they? They bear an uncanny resemblance to gargoyles, leaving Alec’s view on all things weird to get a whole lot weirder. This new quest leads Alec, Cronin, and their band of friends to Paris, Rome, and Moscow, where they learn that gargoyles aren’t simply statues on walls.
In the underground pits beneath churches all over the world, Alec discovers the Key’s true destiny. Facing the Zoan might take every talent he has. And he may need help from the dead to get them all out alive.
Book Four
Kennard and Stas have been enjoying being newly bonded mates, hidden away for the last six months in Stas’ cabin, deep in the forests of Northern Russia. When they get a visit from Alec, Cronin, Eiji, and Jodis, Kennard and Stas decide to return to London where they get news of a supernatural disturbance in India.
Excited for a new adventure, the band of friends embark on a journey as they’ve never seen before. Following a trail of snakes and serpents, they slip through gates into timeless dimensions all over the world, leaving them without their vampire powers. Even Alec is powerless as they follow a trail of gates and doorways to their final destination.
But the bad guy isn’t who they think it is, and Kennard will need to draw on his past to save their future. Because history is never what it seems.
NYPD Detective Alec MacAidan has always been good with weird. After all, his life has been a string of the unexplainable. But when an injured man gives him cryptic clues, then turns to dust in front of him, Alec's view on weird is changed forever.
Cronin, a vampire Elder, has spent the last thousand years waiting for Alec. He'd been told his fated one would be a man wielding a shield, but he didn't expect him to be human, and he certainly didn't expect that shield to be a police badge. Both men, strong-willed and stubborn, are still learning how to cope with the push and pull of being fated, when fate throws them another curveball.
Rumors have spread quickly of turmoil in Egypt. Covens are fleeing with news of a vampire who has a talent like no other, hell-bent on unleashing the wrath of Death. Alec and Cronin are thrown into a world of weird Alec cannot imagine. What he learned in school of ancient pharaohs and Egyptian gods was far from the truth. Instead, he finds out firsthand that history isn't always what it seems.
Book Two
History isn’t always what it seems
With the battle of Egypt behind them, Alec and Cronin are enjoying the thrill of new love. Though fate doesn’t wait long before throwing them back into the world of weird. They know Alec’s blood is special, though its true purpose still eludes them. And given Alec’s inability to be changed into a vampire, Cronin is free to drink from him at will.
But the ramifications of drinking such powerful blood starts a ripple effect. With the help of Jorge, a disturbing vampire-child with the gift of foresight, Alec and Cronin face a new kind of war. This time their investigations lead them to the borders of China and Mongolia—but it’s not what lies in the pits beneath that worries Alec. It’s the creator behind it all.
In the underground depths of China, amidst a war with the Terracotta Army, they will find out just what the Key is, and what Alec means to the vampire world.
Book Three
History isn’t always what it seems
Twelve months after his change, Alec MacAidan is still getting used to his many vampire talents. While most vampires would give anything to have more than one supernatural power, Alec craves nothing more than peace and time alone with Cronin. But when Alec meets entities from outside this realm, he’s left powerless in their presence.
Zoan are half-lycan, half-dragon creatures that have slipped through time and reality, seemingly undetected by man and vampire. Or have they? They bear an uncanny resemblance to gargoyles, leaving Alec’s view on all things weird to get a whole lot weirder. This new quest leads Alec, Cronin, and their band of friends to Paris, Rome, and Moscow, where they learn that gargoyles aren’t simply statues on walls.
In the underground pits beneath churches all over the world, Alec discovers the Key’s true destiny. Facing the Zoan might take every talent he has. And he may need help from the dead to get them all out alive.
Book Four
Kennard and Stas have been enjoying being newly bonded mates, hidden away for the last six months in Stas’ cabin, deep in the forests of Northern Russia. When they get a visit from Alec, Cronin, Eiji, and Jodis, Kennard and Stas decide to return to London where they get news of a supernatural disturbance in India.
Excited for a new adventure, the band of friends embark on a journey as they’ve never seen before. Following a trail of snakes and serpents, they slip through gates into timeless dimensions all over the world, leaving them without their vampire powers. Even Alec is powerless as they follow a trail of gates and doorways to their final destination.
But the bad guy isn’t who they think it is, and Kennard will need to draw on his past to save their future. Because history is never what it seems.
- GenresRomance
877 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2019
54 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
N.R. Walker
133 books5,263 followersAuthor also writes as A. Voyeur
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 27, 2025
4.5 stars. Audiobook. I liked these books very much, great balance of spicy romance, adventure, questing and family/friends. Series of three books, follows the same couple throughout, must be read in order. Finally I see why so many folks are fans of narrator Joel Leslie, his performance for these books is beyond excellent and I usually cannot listen to him at all. So, give it a try.
OTT? Yes but still great. Plot holes? Yes but still great. I am very forgiving, it’s fiction, it’s fun. vampires and magic! Adding the NYPD to the story leaves a few holes that don’t quite get the attention they need, but it’s still enjoyable. The story is fast paced and entertaining with the narrator elevating the words to a different level. Worthy of a listen, reads like a Mary Calmes novel and diverts a bit from the traditional NR Walker super sweetness with a bit more angst and drama.
HEA, series, m/m, vers, magic, vampires, questing, adventure, humans, New York, London, fated.
OTT? Yes but still great. Plot holes? Yes but still great. I am very forgiving, it’s fiction, it’s fun. vampires and magic! Adding the NYPD to the story leaves a few holes that don’t quite get the attention they need, but it’s still enjoyable. The story is fast paced and entertaining with the narrator elevating the words to a different level. Worthy of a listen, reads like a Mary Calmes novel and diverts a bit from the traditional NR Walker super sweetness with a bit more angst and drama.
HEA, series, m/m, vers, magic, vampires, questing, adventure, humans, New York, London, fated.
January 7, 2024
For some reason, this series had completely passed me by. I love N.R. Walker's writing and when I saw this was a vampire series, I was intrigued enough to pick it up so I could see her take on vampire lore. There certainly is a lot of lore in this series, the research it must have taken is astonishing, there's so much going on. I think because I read the complete series in one go, it really seems like a lot.
I do like a good fated mates story, and the first book when Alec and Cronin meet seems to be a typical fated mates tale. If it's done well then I don't mind instant love or lust and this was done really well. It's not that instant, Alec is resistant at first, as you would be, while still feeling the pull to Cronin and the attraction is there on both sides although it does take them some time to act on it. Added to that is the complication of Alec being a human key, and all that entails through their various adventures over the course of the 4 books.
I did like the supporting cast too, Eiji and Jodis, and Kennard and eventually Stas too. I loved the little moments, like Eiji and Alec's banter and friendship, Kennard and Cronin's friendly rivalry and the strong bond of friendship between Cronin, Eiji and Jodis. I really want to make a special mention for not writing Cronin in a 'scottish' accent as that's something people never get right when they're writing scottish characters. I loved Cronin and seeing his history written when it's something I've had an interest in (I am scottish and love history) was wonderful.
I honestly loved this whole series, and was so happy that finally Cronin and Alec and the others get their few hundred years of peace, finally. It's hard won and so deserved.
I do like a good fated mates story, and the first book when Alec and Cronin meet seems to be a typical fated mates tale. If it's done well then I don't mind instant love or lust and this was done really well. It's not that instant, Alec is resistant at first, as you would be, while still feeling the pull to Cronin and the attraction is there on both sides although it does take them some time to act on it. Added to that is the complication of Alec being a human key, and all that entails through their various adventures over the course of the 4 books.
I did like the supporting cast too, Eiji and Jodis, and Kennard and eventually Stas too. I loved the little moments, like Eiji and Alec's banter and friendship, Kennard and Cronin's friendly rivalry and the strong bond of friendship between Cronin, Eiji and Jodis. I really want to make a special mention for not writing Cronin in a 'scottish' accent as that's something people never get right when they're writing scottish characters. I loved Cronin and seeing his history written when it's something I've had an interest in (I am scottish and love history) was wonderful.
I honestly loved this whole series, and was so happy that finally Cronin and Alec and the others get their few hundred years of peace, finally. It's hard won and so deserved.
Read
September 15, 2022Very low stakes vampire adventure with zero character development. A detective with a strong moral code who takes to being with vampires like a fish to water, and his mate, a vampire with a strong moral code, who only kills criminals (so that's ok then), save the the world together with their vampire friends.
Dramatic tension consists of:
* extreme jealousy over anyone platonically touching, saying hi to, or breathing the same air as character's "fated one." Which then went nowhere, because "haha, isn't that just how fated ones are?"
* someone losing their temper (but then apologizing immediately thereafter)
* worrying about someone else (needlessly)
And the list goes on. File under "milktoast."
Dramatic tension consists of:
* extreme jealousy over anyone platonically touching, saying hi to, or breathing the same air as character's "fated one." Which then went nowhere, because "haha, isn't that just how fated ones are?"
* someone losing their temper (but then apologizing immediately thereafter)
* worrying about someone else (needlessly)
And the list goes on. File under "milktoast."
September 13, 2022
I read this whole series in order and I really enjoyed the whole thing. NYPD detective Alex is used to the strange things that happen to him. One night a man turns to dust after saying something really confusing to him. Then as is that is not enough a man (Cronin) comes to station and asks Alex to come with him. Of course Alex goes with the man because it feels right. Cronin tells Alex that he is vampire and that they are fated mates. The adventure starts. Alex is the key to saving mankind and vampires. The books tell how Alex adjusts to being with and then in love with a vampire. This series was recommended to me by a friend and I highly recommend this series.
August 5, 2023
That was a ride.
Very interesting, lots of lore included, characters are great, each book had a great plot, and the little bonus novella was nice.
Editing was not good, but it was consistent and things lined up, so I guess that’s all you can hope for these days.
It must’ve taken a hell of a lot of research and planning to get this all together, so I have to give credit where credit is due. I enjoyed this world and the fact that even though it was PNR, it was believable.
Oh, and the romance was very romantic and I loved it.
4/5!
Very interesting, lots of lore included, characters are great, each book had a great plot, and the little bonus novella was nice.
Editing was not good, but it was consistent and things lined up, so I guess that’s all you can hope for these days.
It must’ve taken a hell of a lot of research and planning to get this all together, so I have to give credit where credit is due. I enjoyed this world and the fact that even though it was PNR, it was believable.
Oh, and the romance was very romantic and I loved it.
4/5!
September 6, 2023
Great series, great characters, great stories
Loved this entirety series, the array of characters were interesting and the history woven into the modern setting worked really well.
The narration by Joel Leslie was masterful, his accents, characteristics, voicings, handling of gender were individual and so well chosen, even though the 4th book doesn't seem to have an audiobook I could still hear all his voicings clearly when I read it.
I can tell this will be a series I'll revisit and enjoy again and again.
Loved this entirety series, the array of characters were interesting and the history woven into the modern setting worked really well.
The narration by Joel Leslie was masterful, his accents, characteristics, voicings, handling of gender were individual and so well chosen, even though the 4th book doesn't seem to have an audiobook I could still hear all his voicings clearly when I read it.
I can tell this will be a series I'll revisit and enjoy again and again.
March 5, 2022
Series was good! The love story amazing!
May 17, 2024
Amazing
This is the very best vampire series I have ever read.
N.R Walker is fast becoming a must read author
This is the very best vampire series I have ever read.
N.R Walker is fast becoming a must read author
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews