Tag Archives: Van Doren

Malin (Van Doren 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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Malin (Van Doren 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 27, 2025

I’m haunted by a childhood of abuse.

Ten years ago, the Van Dorens rescued me from a megachurch cult where the leader kept me as his. I’ve spent a decade trying to escape my past.

But that past refuses to let me go. The cult leader’s voice lingers in my mind and his figure is always there in my peripheral vision. He reminds me that I’m his, I’m filled with sin, and I’m going to hell if I don’t join him in death like I should have when he was murdered.

The day Gracen fills my office with phone books, I discover that his presence silences the voice incessantly filling my head. As we get closer, the voice gets louder until one day, Gracen realizes that the cult leader isn’t in my head at all. He’s haunting me—tormenting me—even in death.

***

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

••••••••

REVIEW: Crea Reitan’s Malin, is an emotionally charged story that takes us to the dark corners of trauma and recovery. ❤️‍🩹

The story follows Malin, who has spent the last ten years escaping the demons of his past after being rescued from a megachurch cult. This sad story sets the stage for a gripping tale that dives deep into the struggles faced by this survivor of abuse.

He was raised by two of the Van Doren triplets after rescuing him from the cult he was held prisoner in. It’s not necessary to read that book, as most of the information is given to you in this one, but it does give you insight into the twins (taboo) relationship and their love for Malin (they treat him as a son.)

From the very first page, the author drags us into Malin’s world. His haunting memories of the cult leader and the dark nature of psychological abuse are so sad. I liked how the author uses the cult leader’s voice as a character, for me it just amplifies the horror of unresolved trauma, creating a tension throughout the story. I had tissues ready 🤧

Malin’s journey of healing is written with raw honesty. His struggle to reclaim his identity while dealing with the shadow of his abuser is heartbreaking. Malin has to be one of my favourite characters, he’s, written with flaws and strengths that made him feel real. I found myself rooting for him as he confronts his fears and seeks freedom from his tormentor’s influence.

Gracen adds a refreshing dynamic to the story. His quirky approach, symbolized by the phone books he floods into Malin’s office, serves as an unexpected lifeline for him. I did chuckle when I first read that moment.

Gracen’s character brings warmth and humor to the story, easing the heavy themes with moments of levity. The chemistry between Malin and Gracen develops gradually, and I’m glad it did, I don’t think it would have suited the story if it had been and instalove moment.

The romance blossoms amidst the trauma, showing us how love can be both a sanctuary and a catalyst for healing.

The relationship between Malin and Gracen is not just about attraction, but about understanding and support, making it one of my favourite reads of the author.

Malin (Van Doren)” is a must read. But be prepared to cry 😢

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Loren
Noaz
Imry
Avory / Ellory
Oxley/

Copy supplied for review

🦋 Reviewed by Julie

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Oxley ( Van Doren 5) by Crea Reitan-review and tour

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Oxley ( Van Doren 5) by Crea Reitan-review and tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2025

His scream changed my life forever.

I clean up the streets of Anaheim from the hate one man left behind. On the surface, I work with the local authorities but in secret, I kill those who hurt others.

During a planned interception, we arrive on the scene too late and a man’s scream fills the streets. The moment I look upon his face, my entire life shifts to make him the center. Instead of going to a hospital, I bring him home.

Now I need to figure out how to nurse him back to health and hope he can accept my quirks so I can keep him.

••••••••

REVIEW: The story centers around Oxley, a vigilante whose mission is to cleanse the streets of Anaheim from the shadows of hatred left by a single man. The novel opens with a chilling moment—an anguished scream that shatters Oxley’s world and sets him on a journey that will change his life!

Oxley is not just a vigilante, he is a deeply flawed but great character grappling with his own moral compass. His motivations for cleaning up the streets stem not only from a desire for justice but also from a personal quest for acceptance and connection.

The moment when Oxley meets Huntley, had me in a grip(the man whose scream reverberates throughout the streets.) Instead of opting for the conventional route of taking him to a hospital, Oxley’s decision to bring Huntley home gave me vibes of protection and vulnerability.

The dynamics between the two characters evolve beautifully, shifting from a moment of crisis to an exploration of healing and intimacy.

I love this author’s work, she excels in writing relatable and layered characters. Huntley, initially a victim, is given the opportunity to emerge as a resilient force in his own right. Their relationship grows from a foundation of trauma to one of mutual support and understanding.
The quirks that Oxley worries may drive Huntley away add a lighthearted touch to the otherwise intense story, providing moments of levity that balanced the story. I love that we also get to see past characters and possible future characters and their stories. This world just keeps growing. 😃

The dialogue is sharp and often infused with humor, making the characters feel authentic and real. The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid setting in Anaheim, allowing me to visualize both the gritty realities of the streets and the intimate spaces Oxley and Huntley occupy.
The relationship between Oxley and Huntley is written with sensitivity and authenticity. There are no clichés or stereotypes here.

In conclusion, “Oxley (Van Doren)” is a captivating read that successfully melds action, romance, and deep emotion. Crea Reitan’s talent for character development and her approach to storytelling make this novel a standout in the LGBTQIA genre.

It’s a story of love blossoming in the midst of chaos, where healing is possible even when the odds seem insurmountable.

If you’re looking for an engaging tale that challenges perceptions of love and morality, look no further than “Oxley (Van Doren).”

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Loren
Noaz
Imry
Avory / Ellory

Copy supplied for review

🦋 Reviewed by Julie B

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Imry / Avory & Ellory (Van Doren 3&4) by Crea Reitan-review tour

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Imry / Avory & Ellory (Van Doren 3 & 4) by Crea Reitan-review tour

IMRY
Van Doren 3
by Crea Reitan
Genre: Genre: adult ,contemporary, LGBTQ+, erotic,romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date May 15, 2025

I’ll paint this moment immortal.

Months of texting silly innuendos leads to the hottest moment of my young life. Instead of dealing with the moment like an adult, I ghost him for nine days. Just when I think I’m ready to face him, he’s on his way out to hook up.

I lose my shit.

Coming clean about past heartbreak isn’t easy. Navigating what I promise is a ‘no expectations’ relationship proves impossible – not just because falling for Haze Prosser is far too easy, but because I’m internally freaking out as two thirds of my brothers are off fighting brutal criminals, leaving me home to take care of my unhinged brother’s perfectly safe husband.

It’s all fine until Voss calls in a panic and needs immediate back up. I don’t have a choice but to drag Oakley and Haze straight into the heart of NYC’s mafia families.

Everything will be fine…

••••••

REVIEW: Imry Van Doren is one third of a triplet set. Almost impossible to tell them apart. His love for his brothers has him putting the man he’s coming to love and his brother’s husband in mortal danger…

But I’m getting ahead of myself!

Imry has been texting (rather naughty texts) to a family friend. It all gets a little steamy, and before he knows it, or has time to think about it, Haze turns up and…. 😜 Now, instead of acting like an adult, Imry runs… and ghosts Haze for days! Why? Well, Imry had been in a toxic relationship and this damaged not only his confidence, but his willingness to see that a relationship with anyone else could be good!

But when Imry finds out that Haze is going to a bar to “hook up”, all bets are off! He races over to demand that Haze not go! And things spiral from there!

And the beginning of a tentative relationship begins. (Sort of!)

This story is told from both sides of the relationship. We see both struggle (Haze wants to stretch himself as his past home life kept him in the closet! And doesn’t want a relationship just yet.)

So they agree to just be “friends with benefits”.

Imry is part of the Van Doren family, so his job isn’t a 9-5. He’s an assassin, he usually goes with his brother Loren on any missions, but now Loren has a husband, it’s Imry’s job to look after him. He’s the only one Loren trusts with his husband. 😝

But Avory/Ellory (the rest of the triplets) are sent on a mission with Loren to an island that houses a cult!

This is bad enough, but when another brother asks for his help with another mission that’s turning bad, Imry has to make a choice…. Leave his brother to cope and hope it goes ok, or take his brother’s husband and Haze on the mission (that does not sit well with Imry.) and hopes Haze won’t hate him!

This book runs alongside Avory/Ellory (which sadly isn’t being published anywhere else but the author’s website,)

The painting scenes with Imry show his softer side, the side only family usually see. I loved those parts.

So, will Haze and Imry get to a place they are happy with? Can Imry allow Haze to make choices and find his feet without butting in? And can Imry really let go of his past and left Haze into his life and heart?

I like this family, there is so much going on, and so many characters. The world interconnects with other series the author has written. It’s not necessary to read them all, as I don’t think you’d miss anything, but it is fun when a character is mentioned and you connect the dots 😊

______

AVORY & ELLORY
Van Doren 4
by Crea Reitan
Genre: adult ,contemporary, LGBTQ+, erotic,romance

AVORY / ELLORY is only available at the Author’s Website 

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date May 15, 2025

If you think loving him is wrong – f&%k off!

What’s between us is more than just unconventional. It’s wrong. Taboo. Dirty and bad in every conversation. Quite frankly, the world can burn. I’m going to love him until the end of time.

Giving Ellory his every whim has been my sole guiding light for as long as I can remember. He’s my world. My absolute life. We’re happy and content in the life we’ve built.

Now he’s talking about marriage and babies and while I want all that too, there are concerns that I simply can’t shake. How do I give the man I love more than the air I breathe these things when it’s a mountain at every turn?

Then again, maybe it won’t come to the point where we need solutions since we’ve just plunged ourselves into the midst of a megachurch cult unarmed and on a remote island with no escape.

Everything will be fine…

***

This is a LGBTQIA+ TABOO story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

•••••••

REVIEW: This book sadly isn’t on Amazon, you can only get it from the author’s website due to the taboo nature of the storyline.

Avory and Ellory are in love, they have been in love since they were little. Awww 🥰 you say, that is until you realise they are brothers! And part of a set of triplets! So BIG TABOO!! But you know what? They don’t care! And nor do the family that they come from? The Van Dorens are of the mind,”if it makes you happy, then do it”

We get to discover when their brotherly relationship went further, and why (and that did raise an eyebrow and a chuckle.)

I had to chuckle when describing Ellory, he hums/sings nursery rhymes (his version) whilst on jobs as an assassin! (Not very scary) he loves blood, especially his targets.

Avory on the other hand only wants his other half to be happy.

Oh and the third part of the triplet is Imry, but he doesn’t love his brothers the way they do! (His heart belongs to Haze 😉)

There is intimacy between Avory and his brother. But there is also a love so deep and strong that sometimes you forget they are siblings!

This book could have been added to Imry’s book (but it probably wouldn’t have gotten published!) It runs alongside that one, and the author even gives you a way to read both books at the same time (she gives you a summary of which chapters to read in which order) I didn’t read them that way, but I may go back and try it at some point.

Ok, back to the story….

We have a cult that is definitely dodgy! Contracts are coming in to the Van Dorens, people want the cult investigated and their loved ones “rescued” from the brainwashing that’s going on! Extensive research is done, meetings with the family are held and background checks are triple checked. Then they decide as a family on whether they do the “job” or not.

Avory along with Ellory and Loren are sent to the island to establish a plan and execute it and the cult leader!

It’s bloody 🩸 literally, if you don’t like those scenes then maybe give this book a miss. But it’s also funny (dark humour?) there is lots going on that the boys need to figure out before they serve justice. Q

And the ending…. Well I did like where the idea is heading (gives more options for books 😜)

Copies supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

 

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Noaz (Van Doren 2) by Crea Reitan -review tour

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Noaz (Van Doren 2) by Crea Reitan -review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 16, 2025

Sometimes stars grant you wishes that come covered in blood.

I’ve wanted one thing for as long as I can remember – someone to love, a family, and a happily ever after. I finally found it with the least likely person across the street. Our life together has been dipped in espresso and given a massive jolt forward, but we couldn’t be happier.

That is, until someone threatens that happiness and I’m forced to respond in order to protect my family that’s barely begun. I didn’t mean for this relationship to begin bathed in blood but I will do anything to protect the love I’ve waited decades for.

••••••

REVIEW: Now, I absolutely loved the first book in this series “Loren”, and I mistakenly thought Noaz was a brother to Loren. He’s not, he’s an uncle! But with that mistake sorted I inhaled this book. It was totally worth reading past my bedtime.

Characters were just so adorable, catching up with previous characters and finding out that this world is connected to the “For Puck’s Sake series” is an added bonus, it makes me want to reread that series to see if I can spot any Van Doren’s 😉 I know of one.

Noaz Van Doren is an uncle, they control New York City with their crew. But lately they’ve been feeling that they need to step back and begin their next phase/journey. Noaz isn’t your typical contract killer, they answer to either he/she/they, all depends on how they are feeling that day. They also dress accordingly.

Briar is friends with a group of people that moved recently. (Due to one of the characters in these books.) They are all the best of friends, which makes relationships a little tricky. But Briar is not sure where his life is taking him! He’s non committal about his job and he’s in between relationships at the moment, and he’s in no hurry to change either status!

What Briar secretly yearns for is a family of his own!

You don’t need to read this series in order. Other characters do crop up, but as they are family and apparently they will all get involved with the Van Doren’s at some point! and I love this series already, so I’m looking forward to seeing more of them.

It is a slow burn romance, and for one I’m glad. We needed to see how Briar, who has only ever dated girls copes with Noaz. And I loved how he just accepted them. All the shows of affection were just so sweet.

Their relationship goes from 0 to 100 in a matter of weeks…. Noaz had always planned to have a family, and adoption was really the only option (they didn’t want a surrogate, just a baby to love.)

And when the opportunity arises, Noaz is faced with a dilemma! Do they go ahead and possibly lose the love of their life? Or can Noaz have both Briar and a baby?

Things don’t go smoothly though! And Noaz is left with choices, return to being the cold killer they were, and loosing their unborn baby, or ignoring the baby’s plight to keep Briar!

What happens next? 🤫 I can’t tell you, you’ll have to read the book to find out 😉

The only problem I now have…. I have to wait for the next book. 😜

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one LOREN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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Loren (Van Doren 1) by Crea Reitan -review tour

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Loren (Van Doren 1) by Crea Reitan -review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 11, 2024

I will kill to keep him.

Oakley

It’s a new start – brand new school in a completely different state. For the first time, I now have the freedom to be unapologetically me. But as my luck would have it, I have shit taste in men. The first man to pay me a compliment has so many red flags, I think I’m in a storm. Life can’t get any worse… until he turns into a stalker.

Then my stalker ends up brutally murdered, I walk blindly into a serial killer’s nest, and I catch the attention of a sociopath.

Loren

The moment I see Oakley walk into the cafe, I know he’s mine. I may be here to finish a job, but it’s impossible to concentrate on anything but him. My fascination quickly turns into an obsession, which might be fortunate for him because I think he’s trying to get himself killed.

Which is fine; I’ll protect him. It doesn’t matter how many lives I have to end to make Oakley mine.

***

This is a LGBT+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

•••••

REVIEW:A new series by one of my favourite authors. This one is darker than her usual works.

Loved that it could be a family series. The Van Doren family are a mega wealthy family. Wide spread in lots of companies, but they specialise in tracking and taking care of undesirables! People who think they are above the law! Each family member has a part to play, and at the end of the line is Loren.

He is what society classes a sociopath! He has no emotions (except where his family and best friend, Noah are concerned.

We first got to see Loren and Oakley in different stories (both set in another series) both had only little parts, but I did hope that Loren would get a book.

He looks at the world in black and white, he does see the logic that most people see, so he takes his social queues from Noah and his family. I loved where he would phone Noah up, then remember to check the time zones! 😆

Oakley comes a bigot family! His brothers (except for Oren, who by the way has a book 😉) and father were narrow minded and absolutely horrid to his brother Oren! Oakley managed to stay under their radar by being quiet and agreeable (which didn’t always work!) but it left him feeling guilty about his brother being the brunt of the families meanness! Getting an opportunity to leave the town in which he grew up in, Oakley takes it and never looks back…..

Meeting Oakley is a life changing moment for Loren. All he can see is him! And when he sees his intended target touch HIS Oakley, then it’s definitely sealed his fate! His brother has to keep Loren from exacting his vengeance! And that has never happened! Loren doesn’t understand what’s happening to him, but with the help of family/dad and his best friend, Loren navigates his way through!

Now that Oakley and his best friends have escaped his family’s clutches, he’s breathing so much easier. And starting a new school means a clean sheet, no one knows his background. And as a bonus, he has his first compliment, swapping numbers and agreeing on a date, Oakley thinks his luck has changed…

Watching the new family move into the house opposite has Oakley and his friends wondering who they are. They don’t realise at first it’s because Loren wants to be near Oakley, but then the two houses become friends (it’s funny watching the Van Dorens interact with Oakley and friends)

Date one ends in disaster! Red flags and alarms are going off in Oakley’s head! The guy shouldn’t be this possessive and obsessive! But trying to avoid the guy in college is a nightmare too! And he’s also getting the feeling of being watched! Can his week get any weirder?

I love how Oakley feels safe around Loren(even though Loren isn’t a safe guy to be around!) I really liked how the Van Doren family took oakley in and made him feel like family (think they knew how Loren felt about Oakley, they just wanted it in a controlled environment.)

But how will Oakley react when he finds out who Loren really is? Will his friends be right? Has he jumped from the frying pan and into the fire? Poor Oakley thinks he’s jinxed, only attracting kill£rs! 💀

I also liked the issues Loren has with contact (he gets overloaded and has to step back, and then he worries that Oakley won’t understand!)

Please check trigger earrings as so many people aren’t and then giving bad reviews.

Can’t wait to read the next book. 👍🏻🖤

copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links:

Facebook Group / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Website /

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