Car trouble on a desolate road? Terrifying. The brooding, irresistibly hot mechanic who shows up? Utterly distracting…
Kess
Running is my only option. When a job offer across the country promises a fresh start, I grab it like a lifeline. But fate, it seems, has other plans. Stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken car, I’m at my wit’s end.
Then he appears. Gregory, the grumpy mechanic with smoldering eyes, a scowl that could cut steel, and secrets as dark as the night. Trusting anyone has never been my strong suit, but when he uncovers evidence that my “accident” wasn’t an accident at all, he’s the only one I can turn to.
And the more time I spend with him, the more I realize—beneath the gruff exterior is a man worth risking everything for.
Gregory
Patience? Never heard of it. Tact? Doesn’t live here. I prefer my life quiet, my sanctuary off-limits, and my secrets buried deep.
Then she crashes into my world: Kess, the fiery little stray with a broken car and danger on her heels. She’s fierce, maddeningly stubborn, and absolutely captivating. Against every instinct, I find myself letting her in.
The closer she gets, the harder it is to keep my distance. And when her past threatens to destroy her, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means revealing the beast within.
This is Book Two in the Hillcrest Hollow Shifter series, but each book can be read as a standalone. Bound to the Minotaur delivers a grumpy Minotaur shifter, a fiery human heroine, an adorable kitten who knows too much, and a sizzling HEA that will leave you breathless.
Explicit Novel
In Hillcrest Hollow, the ordinary is only a façade. Beneath the town’s quiet streets and misty forests lies a world where dragons, griffins, minotaurs, and vampires live hidden among humans, each carrying secrets that could change everything. When Rosemary inherits a forgotten farmhouse, she is drawn into this hidden realm, discovering not only her own mysterious powers but also a bond with Chardum, a dragon long bound beneath the earth.
As the series unfolds, every shifter brings a new story of danger, desire, and discovery. Kess faces her past while forming unexpected connections, Gwendolyn navigates a fresh start complicated by love and responsibility, and others confront the boundaries between loyalty, destiny, and the heart. Through each tale, Hillcrest Hollow pulses with its own life—shadowed, enchanting, and alive with magic.
Vala Stone blends romance, suspense, and fantasy into a world where every relationship is tested, every secret has a consequence, and every choice can ignite transformation. Rich with atmospheric tension and vivid character arcs, the series explores themes of identity, belonging, and the transformative power of love, offering readers an immersive journey that lingers long after the last page.
For those who crave supernatural intrigue, emotional depth, and worlds that feel both dangerous and intimate, Hillcrest Hollow Shifters opens the door to a hidden reality you won’t want to leave.
Share your experience with other Risingshadow readers.
What Risingshadow readers think about this book
This was a fun story and a nice addition to the Hillcrest Hollow Shifters series of standalone shifter romances. This story was about Gregory (Minotaur shifter) & Kess (Human) and I enjoyed seeing how the two of them got together as well as overcame the obstacles that came up. I am also looking forward to reading the next book in this series about Jackson (Griffin shifter) & Gwendolyn.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
