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Good Neighbors #5
Dangerous Flames
No killing until the wedding's over. No killing...
It is such a simple, temporary rule - but Carmilla, the notorious Countess Cardenza, will still find it hard to follow when she's confronted by her most dangerous old flame at Mia and Leander's wedding. With appallingly respectable neighbors, shambling zombies, and old enemies on every side, will her reunion with Eliza end with murder or kissing - or both?
A novelette set after the events of Good Neighbors: The Full Collection. Exclusively available on Stephanie Burgis's Patreon until mid-February 2023.
It is such a simple, temporary rule - but Carmilla, the notorious Countess Cardenza, will still find it hard to follow when she's confronted by her most dangerous old flame at Mia and Leander's wedding. With appallingly respectable neighbors, shambling zombies, and old enemies on every side, will her reunion with Eliza end with murder or kissing - or both?
A novelette set after the events of Good Neighbors: The Full Collection. Exclusively available on Stephanie Burgis's Patreon until mid-February 2023.
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2023
19 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Burgis
82 books1,393 followersI grew up in America, but now I live in Wales with my husband, fellow writer Patrick Samphire, our two sons, and our sweet (and extremely vocal) tabby cat, Pebbles. I write fantasy rom-coms for adults (most recently Claws and Contrivances and Good Neighbors) and fun MG fantasy adventure novels, too (most recently The Raven Crown duology). My next series will be the adult romantasy trilogy The Queens of Villainy, published by Tor Bramble, starting in 2025 with Wooing the Witch Queen.
To get early sneak peeks at new stories and novels, sign up for my newsletter here: stephanieburgis.com/newsletter.
To join my Dragons' Book Club and get early copies of every ebook that I put out myself (so, all of my novellas, short story ebooks, etc!), check out my Patreon page, where I also published a series of fantasy rom-coms (Good Neighbors) across 2020-2021.
I only rate and review the books that I like, which is why all of my ratings are 4 or 5 stars.
To get early sneak peeks at new stories and novels, sign up for my newsletter here: stephanieburgis.com/newsletter.
To join my Dragons' Book Club and get early copies of every ebook that I put out myself (so, all of my novellas, short story ebooks, etc!), check out my Patreon page, where I also published a series of fantasy rom-coms (Good Neighbors) across 2020-2021.
I only rate and review the books that I like, which is why all of my ratings are 4 or 5 stars.
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February 13, 2023Hooray! Carmilla, the Countess Cardenza, finally gets to star in her own story, along with her most dangerous old flame, Eliza de Mornay. Thanks to all of my patrons on Patreon who voted for Good Neighbors to get a new tie-in story this year!
And hooray - it's available on all online booksites now! Happy book birthday to my favorite murderous couple. :)
This one will also remain available as an ebook on Patreon for all of my Dragon Ruler subscribers until the end of April. Subscribe to scoop it up along with several other ebooks!
And hooray - it's available on all online booksites now! Happy book birthday to my favorite murderous couple. :)
This one will also remain available as an ebook on Patreon for all of my Dragon Ruler subscribers until the end of April. Subscribe to scoop it up along with several other ebooks!
January 1, 2023
3.5 stars. Fun second chance f/f romance featuring necromancers.
February 7, 2023
Rep: sapphic mcs
read my review here
read my review here
January 6, 2023
With Mia and Leander fairly well settled in Hapthorn, it’s fallen to Carmilla, Countess Cardenza, to investigate the last loose threads from the previous novella. But first, she has to not kill anyone at their wedding, not even her annoying (-ly beautiful) old flame. That’s right, it’s a second-chance sapphic romance between two necromancers!
Carmilla’s taken it upon herself to check each and every bit of bland, boring respectable wedding preparations to avoid any nasty surprises. Sure, Leander’s undead minions are doing a great job arranging the centerpieces, but he and his soon-to-be-wife have both made a lot of enemies. If only a certain necromancer who looks very good in tight black trousers would stop badgering her about their failed romance…
This is a pretty classic second chance trope, with added zombies. Sixteen years ago, Carmilla and Eliza met in Larimont, Eliza’s hometown, and were a good match in both their necromantic and romantic pursuits. But when Carmilla resolved to do something about the rising prejudice against magical members of society, Eliza refused to leave Larimont with her. Of course, there’s hurt feelings all around, and zero contact until Eliza moves to the same village as Carmilla’s adopted nephew. Forced to interact again, it’s just part of Eliza’s nature to try to ferret out the truth of what happened back then.
Without spoiling the whole thing too much, both of the reasons behind their misunderstandings made sense and vibed with the characters and their previously established backstories. It’s all woven in with the backdrop of the wedding, plus there’s plenty of humor (some of it about the completely besotted couple).
So overall, let’s just say that I’m very much looking forward to the next novella about Carmilla!
Carmilla’s taken it upon herself to check each and every bit of bland, boring respectable wedding preparations to avoid any nasty surprises. Sure, Leander’s undead minions are doing a great job arranging the centerpieces, but he and his soon-to-be-wife have both made a lot of enemies. If only a certain necromancer who looks very good in tight black trousers would stop badgering her about their failed romance…
“Years ago, Carmilla had been drawn to the other woman’s blunt honesty and more—that stubborn core of unquenchable moral fire that had powered her most reckless acts and had given her ‘Flame’ as a nickname between them. Now, Carmilla finally saw how that endless blaze of fire could easily blind the one it filled.”
This is a pretty classic second chance trope, with added zombies. Sixteen years ago, Carmilla and Eliza met in Larimont, Eliza’s hometown, and were a good match in both their necromantic and romantic pursuits. But when Carmilla resolved to do something about the rising prejudice against magical members of society, Eliza refused to leave Larimont with her. Of course, there’s hurt feelings all around, and zero contact until Eliza moves to the same village as Carmilla’s adopted nephew. Forced to interact again, it’s just part of Eliza’s nature to try to ferret out the truth of what happened back then.
“That boy looks at her like she’s the oldest bone in a newly-discovered crypt and someone’s about to whip it out of his reach if he doesn’t hang on tight enough.”
Without spoiling the whole thing too much, both of the reasons behind their misunderstandings made sense and vibed with the characters and their previously established backstories. It’s all woven in with the backdrop of the wedding, plus there’s plenty of humor (some of it about the completely besotted couple).
So overall, let’s just say that I’m very much looking forward to the next novella about Carmilla!
February 20, 2023
Carmilla, one of the more powerful necromancers, has a wedding to attend, a castle (and the nearby town) to help keep safe, and an old sweetheart (one whom she didn't part ways with in the most amicable manner) to harden her heart against. That said, Carmilla tries her very hardest to pretend like Eliza doesn't affect her. BUT SHE DOES.
Which means when an old enemy appears right before the wedding to do whatever he can to cause a little havoc, Carmilla is both a little off her game and VERY ready to cause some damage to said enemy. Because trading veiled barbs with your old honey-bunny while trying to pretend their long ago parting didn't hurt sometimes puts a lady in a fighting mood.
On the plus side, Eliza is more than willing to stand by Carmilla's side in this battle. Even more of a plus, they find a way to talk through some of their issues and clear up a few misconceptions.
A little danger, a very bad man, two powerful protectors, and the potential for something more to be rekindled.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Which means when an old enemy appears right before the wedding to do whatever he can to cause a little havoc, Carmilla is both a little off her game and VERY ready to cause some damage to said enemy. Because trading veiled barbs with your old honey-bunny while trying to pretend their long ago parting didn't hurt sometimes puts a lady in a fighting mood.
On the plus side, Eliza is more than willing to stand by Carmilla's side in this battle. Even more of a plus, they find a way to talk through some of their issues and clear up a few misconceptions.
A little danger, a very bad man, two powerful protectors, and the potential for something more to be rekindled.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
September 25, 2023
3.5⭐
I was glad to see a bit more of the sapphic love story of Carmilla and Eliza, but I also really wanted to see the wedding...
I was glad to see a bit more of the sapphic love story of Carmilla and Eliza, but I also really wanted to see the wedding...
February 1, 2023
This novelette does SO much in such a small space. The chemistry is exquisite, the tension is palpable, the characters are sexy, fascinating and lovable, the romance holds the balance perfectly between banter, regret and tenderness, and the ending leaves plenty of space to imagine more adventures for Carmilla and Eliza who are, in case you were not aware, KICKASS MIDDLE-AGED LADY NECROMANCER EXES. Five crying hearteyes emojis out of five.
January 24, 2023
Dangerous Flames is the fifth story in the Good Neighbors series of short novellas about necromancers in a secondary world that resembles Victorian England. First four were about Leander and Mia, accidental neighbours turned a romantic couple.
This is a story about Carmilla, Countess of Cardenza, a powerful necromancer and Leander’s adoptive guardian. She’s preparing for Leander and Mia’s wedding with a single-minded focus stemming from a fear that villagers with pitchforks will come at the new couple again.
She’s therefore unprepared when the attack is against her own heart in the form of Eliza de Mornay, the love of her life that ended their relationship sixteen years earlier and broke her heart. Only, Eliza seems to think it was the other way round.
Both are stubborn and proud, and neither would admit to any feelings, past or present. But then a common enemy forces them to work together. In the heat of the battle, pride doesn’t seem so important anymore.
This was a good addition to the series, read in about half an hour. It’s told solely from Carmilla’s point of view and even in that short space she emerges as a complex figure with an interesting past. But Eliza gets her say too. My only wish was that we’d get to witness the wedding in the end, or at least catch a glimpse of Leander and Mia, but that wasn’t to be.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about Carmilla, Countess of Cardenza, a powerful necromancer and Leander’s adoptive guardian. She’s preparing for Leander and Mia’s wedding with a single-minded focus stemming from a fear that villagers with pitchforks will come at the new couple again.
She’s therefore unprepared when the attack is against her own heart in the form of Eliza de Mornay, the love of her life that ended their relationship sixteen years earlier and broke her heart. Only, Eliza seems to think it was the other way round.
Both are stubborn and proud, and neither would admit to any feelings, past or present. But then a common enemy forces them to work together. In the heat of the battle, pride doesn’t seem so important anymore.
This was a good addition to the series, read in about half an hour. It’s told solely from Carmilla’s point of view and even in that short space she emerges as a complex figure with an interesting past. But Eliza gets her say too. My only wish was that we’d get to witness the wedding in the end, or at least catch a glimpse of Leander and Mia, but that wasn’t to be.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2023
Delightful and Deadish Sapphic Romance
Dangerous Flames
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Release date: 13th February 2023
This delightful sapphic novelette is linked to the 'Good Neighbours' trilogy by the same author and takes place after the third book - right at the start of Leander and Mia's wedding day.
Old frenemy and ex lover - Eliza de Mornay - is invited to the necromantic supernatural do of the year, much to the chagrin of Countess Carmilla. Though she once called her 'Flame', she now saw how an "endless blaze of fire could easily blind the one it filled." Namely herself.
And they'd been bickering for years since their first fallout, when Eliza refused to go away with the Countess sixteen years prior.
Like the Gothic Fairy Godmother you never wanted, Carmilla is Leander's closest friend, aunt and mentor. Yet at the wedding she finds herself joining forces with Eliza to make a necromancer's wedding perfect and to fight old enemies.
We have lots of regular characters, particularly Leander's zombie minions who are always worth a chuckle, lots of fun, sizzling chemistry and of course ... the dead.
It's a great accompaniment to the original trilogy and though it's great if you've read those books it's not essential.
This is after all, Carmilla and Eliza's story.
Absolutely dead wonderful.
Dangerous Flames
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Release date: 13th February 2023
This delightful sapphic novelette is linked to the 'Good Neighbours' trilogy by the same author and takes place after the third book - right at the start of Leander and Mia's wedding day.
Old frenemy and ex lover - Eliza de Mornay - is invited to the necromantic supernatural do of the year, much to the chagrin of Countess Carmilla. Though she once called her 'Flame', she now saw how an "endless blaze of fire could easily blind the one it filled." Namely herself.
And they'd been bickering for years since their first fallout, when Eliza refused to go away with the Countess sixteen years prior.
Like the Gothic Fairy Godmother you never wanted, Carmilla is Leander's closest friend, aunt and mentor. Yet at the wedding she finds herself joining forces with Eliza to make a necromancer's wedding perfect and to fight old enemies.
We have lots of regular characters, particularly Leander's zombie minions who are always worth a chuckle, lots of fun, sizzling chemistry and of course ... the dead.
It's a great accompaniment to the original trilogy and though it's great if you've read those books it's not essential.
This is after all, Carmilla and Eliza's story.
Absolutely dead wonderful.
January 22, 2023
I loved the world Burgis created in her Good Neighbors story collection and was really looking forward to seeing more. I definitely feel we need more cozy rom-coms with necromancers!
This story features estranged lovers Eliza de Mornay and Countess Carmilla Cardenza as they prepare for Leander and Mia's wedding… and renew their old acquaintance.
I absolutely loved this from beginning to end. It’s told from Carmilla's POV and her voice was just perfect. The first sentence sets the tone,
“Carmilla, the Countess Cardenza, was not a person who worried. She was a person who inspired worry whenever she swept magnificently into a room, and she had spent years perfecting that effect.”
My only complaint is that it’s just too short. But I hope we get further adventures with these characters. They’re so much fun!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
This story features estranged lovers Eliza de Mornay and Countess Carmilla Cardenza as they prepare for Leander and Mia's wedding… and renew their old acquaintance.
I absolutely loved this from beginning to end. It’s told from Carmilla's POV and her voice was just perfect. The first sentence sets the tone,
“Carmilla, the Countess Cardenza, was not a person who worried. She was a person who inspired worry whenever she swept magnificently into a room, and she had spent years perfecting that effect.”
My only complaint is that it’s just too short. But I hope we get further adventures with these characters. They’re so much fun!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
February 17, 2023
This is a cute follow-up novelette showing what happens immediately following the events of GOOD NEIGHBORS. I really enjoyed seeing this universe from a different perspective (GOOD NEIGHBORS is told entirely from Mia's POV) and I would love to see more of Carmilla's story in future novellas. There are really only 3 characters in this entire story (I don't count the minions) and they were all minor characters in the prior book, so it was fun to see them take center stage in this one.
January 8, 2026
No killing until the wedding's over. No killing...
It is such a simple, temporary rule - but Carmilla, the notorious Countess Cardenza, will still find it hard to follow when she's confronted by her most dangerous old flame at Mia and Leander's wedding. With appallingly respectable neighbors, shambling zombies, and old enemies on every side, will her reunion with Eliza end with murder or kissing - or both?
It is such a simple, temporary rule - but Carmilla, the notorious Countess Cardenza, will still find it hard to follow when she's confronted by her most dangerous old flame at Mia and Leander's wedding. With appallingly respectable neighbors, shambling zombies, and old enemies on every side, will her reunion with Eliza end with murder or kissing - or both?
February 5, 2026
No Mia and Leander? There are undead minions, but not THEIR undead minions. I'm glad a couple side characters from the first collection get a story now, but it would have been nice to continue following the old through at least some cameos. Is there another collection for the original pair that includes their marriage and life after?
Nice action scene, but it seems to mostly be 2 people regretting choices from their past. I'm not generally a fan of the Miscommunications trope.
Nice action scene, but it seems to mostly be 2 people regretting choices from their past. I'm not generally a fan of the Miscommunications trope.
January 22, 2023
As with Good Neighbors it took me a minute to adjust to necromancers being normal, especially since that's essential to the story, but this is a great romantic tale. Love lost years ago, people very different backgrounds, but can they get back together? Should they? And will enemies from the past hurt the people Carmilla loves?
January 31, 2023
I absolutely love Burgis's writing! It's so delicious and well constructed, every word a gem! This new tale set in the Good Neighbors world is delightful. The tension she creates between the Countess Cardenza and Eliza de Mornay is wonderfully tantalizing. A very fun read.
February 16, 2023
Adorable story, but I wanted MORE! More character development, more witty banter, more epic necromancer dueling, just more of all of it! I really would have loved this story as a longer novella. Still delightful though.
February 27, 2023
Rip Off
I have no issue spending money on books. Buy this was an insult. It is so short it should have been offered free as part of a newsletter promotion.
Paying for this was insulting
I have no issue spending money on books. Buy this was an insult. It is so short it should have been offered free as part of a newsletter promotion.
Paying for this was insulting
December 25, 2024
too short
Excellent but, as said, way too short. I really hope the author rounds this out as she did the stories in Good Neighbors. It would be wonderful to see these two adventuring together.
Excellent but, as said, way too short. I really hope the author rounds this out as she did the stories in Good Neighbors. It would be wonderful to see these two adventuring together.
January 24, 2023
This was a delightful and charming little tale. An amuse bouche.
January 30, 2023
Fun little novelette in the Good Neighbors world, featuring a second-chance f/f romance; and I love Carmilla's appropriately necromantic attitude to problems!
September 16, 2023
Totally fun follow up to Good Neighbors
This one takes place at Mia and Leander’s wedding, as Carmilla and Eliza face some old and new truths about themselves and each other.
This one takes place at Mia and Leander’s wedding, as Carmilla and Eliza face some old and new truths about themselves and each other.
October 18, 2024
An adorable addition to the main series.
February 29, 2024
This is a novella to spend a little more time with two of the characters from Good Neighbors. I enjoyed this series but I like the Scales and Sensibility series so much better! And the Kat, Incorrigible trilogy.
January 3, 2024
A delightful F/F romance novelette
Before reading this story, I HIGHLY recommend reading the Good Neighbors book first. Both characters are present there and their backstory referred to. Dangerous Flames gives us THE REST of that background! A lovely story!
Before reading this story, I HIGHLY recommend reading the Good Neighbors book first. Both characters are present there and their backstory referred to. Dangerous Flames gives us THE REST of that background! A lovely story!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews