Monster in My Closet

Monster Haven #1

by R.L. Naquin

I stopped believing in monsters long ago. But I knew I wasn't imagining things when I found one in my kitchen baking muffins. I'd seen him before: lurking in my closet, scaring the crap out of my five-year-old self. Turns out that was a misunderstanding, and now Maurice needs a place to stay. How could I say no?

After all, I've always been a magnet for the emotionally needy, and not just in my work as a wedding planner. Being able to sense the feelings of others can be a major pain. Don't get me wrong, I like helping people--and non-people. But this ability has turned me into a gourmet feast for an incubus, a demon that feeds off emotional energy. Now, brides are dropping dead all over town, and my home has become a safe house for the supernatural. I must learn to focus my powers and defeat the demon before he snacks on another innocent woman and comes looking for the main course...

77,000 words

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Magic, Demons, Paranormal Romance

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2012

About the author

Rachel is the author of the urban fantasy Monster Haven series from Carina Press. She believes in magic, the power of love, good cheese, lucky socks, and putting things off until stress gets them done faster at the last minute. Her home is Disneyland, despite her current location in Kansas.
https://www.facebook.com/rlnaquin
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Reviews

[Monica (is working the heck out of · Rating 3 out of 5]

In flight from the ubiquitous and terrifying pandemic news, I was looking for a nice, light, slightly humorous paranormal read, even if it meant corny jokes, clichés, and careworn plot devices. Monster in my closet came up on a list of audible recommendations.

Hopeful, I scanned the blurb and decided that this was just what I needed to take my mind off of the possible collapse of American society.

The opening chapters told me that I’d made the right decision. We meet the “quirky, free spirited Zoey (cliché number one) and her orange strawberry muffin baking closet monster.

We meet Sarah, Zoey’s best friend and business partner, (cliché number two), a type A personality with an impeccable sense of fashion.

We meet some bridezillas and some seriously heinous MOB’s(Zoey's acronym for Mother of the bride).

We meet the requisite and cliched “gay best friend” and Milo, his cute little pet fox.

On a side note, beware the homophobic moment near the end of the book.

We also meet some adorable supernatural characters, among them are a family of brownies seeking shelter from an abuser and an overheated dragon who eats the entire contents of Zoey’s freezer.

We meet Sabastian (cliché number four), a diabolical incubus with an insatiable hunger for female auras.

Aaaaand it is at *this*point where this promising ball of escapism begins its long and brutal fall off of the quality cliff.

Zoey Donavan joins the ranks of some of the most TSTL heroines of the paranormal genre. She has Isabella Swan’s martyr complex, Rachel Morgan’s pacifism, Holly Boldt’s battle readiness and Stevie Cartwright’s dependence.

Naquin takes multiple swipes at kickass heroines while at the same time illustrating how much stronger, smartter and better prepared they are than hers.

Zoey is an awkward, feckless, trembling, dependent and occasionally angry kitten who needs rules and round the clock supervision like a 13-year old.

No joke, the monster, cook and nanny she’s allowed to move into her house informs her that he wouldn’t have “let her out” of the house for a dinner date had he not trusted that said date could protect her.

Thing is, though, that Zoey has and continues to prove that she is all but defenseless against her enemy.

Worse still, she is completely devoid of self-preservation skills and is libel to fall on her metaphorical sword(this woman isn’t armed with even the most basic of magical weapons but elects to head straight for the lair of an incubus who has killed multiple women because she figures that the best way to end this is to “give up”)when unsupervised, so he’s got a point.

I’m guessing that her physical, metaphysical and emotional under preparedness for “hard” defensive work is supposed to be endearing, but it mostly comes off as embarrassing.

She can’t even wield her own soft weaponry autonomously in a fight, not even at the sticking point when multiple lives, hers included, are on the line.

All this, and we’re supposed to take her seriously as the guardian of a haven for supernatural creatures, all of whom she hides behind and answers to throughout the entire book.

Even her refusal to obey her requisite and more powerful (Of course they’re unmatched in power) boyfriend’s command to “stay here” isn’t enough to pull this one out of the three-star box.

Ultimately, if I do decide to keep reading this series, I’ll be reading for the supporting characters.

[atmatos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I wanted to hug it, and squeeze it, and then read it again. I am so happy this is going to be a series, I love the characters that much.

It starts off with Zoey, a free spirit with a questionable taste in clothes. Zoey is an empath, but never being trained, doesn’t know how to shield, so she suffers from migraines. Zoeys powers are pretty rare, so when she becomes the target of an incubus it takes some old friends, and new to keep her safe.

Enter Maurice, oh Maurice how I love you, you can come live with me anytime. Maurice is a closet monster that has left his cheating wife, and decided to move back in with Zoey, to her complete and utter surprise. In with Maurice moving in, it is like a beacon has been lit, and creatures of the Hidden, ones with problems come to her in droves.

I really enjoyed this, because the author put in some real issues among the amusing. I mean Zoey has to deal with a dragon with a cold, but she also finds room in her house for a brownie mother of three, that has been abused by her alcoholic husband.

The world is well fleshed out, and very interesting. Naquin put her spin on a few things which gave it a freshness. I liked her reasoning for grim reapers, it was an interesting spin on how Death is everywhere.

I couldn’t put it down once I started it, so I recommend this book to anyone that likes Urban Fantasy, it’s fun, sassy, sarcastic, and interesting.

[Aisling Zena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

"Sometimes we all need a hug and a heart full of lies, even if the relief won’t last."

I really enjoyed this book! I found my self smiling through most of it and got a tiny bit teary eyed in some parts. I cry easy, don't judge.


Zoey wakes up one morning thinking an intruder broke in her house only to find the monster that scared her as a child lounging in the kitchen having coffee and behaving like her BFF. Coincidentally dressed in a Hello kitty t-shirt and armed with a toilet brush(Zoey not the monster).

And just like that I fell into her world and didn't resurface until I finished the book.


Why not 5 stars if I love it so much? Well, I don't like it when I figure out the twist easy. Towards the end it was obvious(at least to me) what was going on but it took Zoey a bit to catch on. But as I said that is simply my pet peeve and others might not even notice it or mind.

I loved how quirky Zoey was as a character and the way she dealt with everything thrown at her. We have the main obvious plot throughout the book which concludes without cliffhangers and then we have the subplot that will probably go through the whole series. The subplot raises several questions that are left unanswered in this book and set up the rest of the books nicely. I also loved the world the author built, the supernatural crashing into Zoeys world and discovering it with her.

All in all an enjoyable read, well worth a try.

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As easy entertainment, the book was cruising right along and taking me with it. Until a bit after the midpoint. Zoey had an interesting personality and an interesting ability. Further, it informed her character as someone who likes to help other people. I'm not much of a fan of the doormat female, but it didn't get too annoying in this book so I was mostly able to roll with it.

As long as I wasn't taking it too seriously, it worked. I mean, there's no way an empath could get to her late 20s and not notice that she's the only one able to sense other people's feelings. Sorry. And the houseguest pile-up is a little too smooth (no conflict between some very disparate peoples?). Anyway, while it was on that easy footing no big deal.

And then someone dies. Someone we know and liked. And things get real--a little too real for this story. Which would be bad enough on its own, but then the author forces Zoey to be stupid and I had an increasingly hard time giving the book breaks. Seriously, you're chasing down a villain who sucks the life force from his victims and is targeting people you know. So when your best friend starts lagging at work and is exhausted and increasingly weary your natural explanation is that she has a really bad cold? For close on a week? I'm sorry, but Andrew was right there and more than willing to stop by and he could easily have taken one look and told you what was up and you never even thought of it?!? I don't think it takes any great genius to have cracked that code and Zoey continuing to miss it for chapters and chapters broke my sympathy for her--not because I liked the character less, but because I lost respect for the author in thinking that was a realistic plot possibility. A day or two, maybe. But even that's a stretch given the dire circumstances Zoey knew were happening.

Anyway, I felt the book was heading for a solid four stars in the beginning. In the end, it was lucky to keep the three.

A note about Steamy: Well, it's not really steamy, per se. But there's some death-by-orgasm shenanigans and that qualifies for the tag. (kind of like the ocean is made of water--true, but I wouldn't want to drink it. Or bathe in it. Or wash with it.)

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With quite a few heavier reads lately, I was so in the mood for something lighter and honestly, just something fun. I got exactly what I was looking for in Monsters In My Closet.

I am a huge sucker for secondary characters that are every bit as fleshed out and fun as the main characters. There is just something about knowing that someone has the protagonist's back that makes a read better for me. I need witty banter, humor, and a strong bond between people and thankfully this book delivered on all counts as well as making the main character downright lovable and endearing.

I had so much fun with this! Zoey was so fun and lovable, this read really did have a bit of it all. Humor, suspense, a slight romance, mystery, great unique paranormals, a great setting, really, need I say more.

I am seriously looking forward to reading book two and it definitely won't take me long to pick it up and dig right in. I can tell that these characters are going to be ones that will stick with me for some time.

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[roxtao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I fell in love with the book from the first words. In fact..no, I’m lying! I think that since the moment I saw the book’s title I became desperate to find out the story. I have a bad habit of creating different expectations around a novel, depending of it’s title and cover and of course, in this case also, once I saw those elements I suspected/hoped that the story would be as original as it seemed to be. And fortunately, I wasn’t wrong. I loved the novel written by R.L. Naquin from the first page till the last one!
I discovered a totally surprising story, full of magic, supernatural and adorable creatures, funny characters, entertaining fragments, sarcastic dialogues or on the contrary, dialogues that were so sweet that I read them over and over again, almost not believing that such a lovely story actually exists. Because, overall, I think a word like “cuddly”, “lovely” or “sweet” would best define Monster in my Closet. Indeed, the story also has a dramatic part, which is actually the novel’s story line, but I was so fascinated by some of the un-human characters that everything else was cast into the shade by them. I have the feeling that no matter what I’d say about the book couldn’t express how much I actually liked it. I think that if my list of unread books wouldn’t be so big, I would start again the novel right away. In fact, during the time I was reading Monster in my Closet I got back at the beginning of the book and read again and again some fragments. Not because I didn’t understand something or because I forgot something, but because I loved them too much.
The story begins with the morning when Zoey, the protagonist, a 28 years old woman, wedding planner and totally anchored in reality, with no affinity with anything paranormal, realizes that there’s an intruder in her house. One look at him sends her in her memories, at the moment when she was 5 years old and she’d seen a monster coming out of her closet. And now, in front of her is the exact same monster that she'd forgotten about, thinking that it was only a childish fear. And the exuberant monster, called Maurice, greets her with coffee, a delicious breakfast and the prayer to be sheltered in her house for a while. From that to a complete crazy life there’s just a tiny step. Zoey finds out that her gift to empathize completely with the others, to feel all their emotions and feelings is not such a normal thing as she thought and this makes her the perfect target for a demon, an incubus that sees her as a delicious meal. And in the same time, all the women that interacted with Zoey in the recent time are also a target for the demon. And some of them already lost their lives. Zoey must learn how to live among all the supernatural beings that burst into her life, to discover a way to develop her relation with a reaper - a death’s soldier that collects souls and, most important, to get rid of the demon that threatens her life and the lives of all the women around, human or not.
The story was perfectly built, I haven’t noticed a single aspect to seem forced or not in it’s place. The characters are certainly the best part of the book. I think that Maurice became one of my favorites characters from all the books I have ever read. Zoey is extremely credible, although everything that happens to her is incredible. And all the other minor characters raise the book’s enchantment. I loved the fact that the characters are not created based on a common draft. Although she manages to fight alone with Sebastian, the demon that threatens her life, Zoey has moments full of weakness, when she needs to be saved by others. Riley, the reaper that she falls in love with, stays beside her only later, because at the beginning he tries not to interfere with her fight, even if he would be a huge help. Andrew, one of the few humans that know the way her life goes now stays with her as a friend, a teacher and an advisor in the same time, but he remains vulnerable in front of the danger. And Maurice, the lovely closet monster, doesn’t have the possibility to use his magical powers in the fight against the demon, in order to help Zoey.
The novel is available for shopping since yesterday in the most important shops, as an e-book. I don’t know if it’s going to appear in a printed version or if it will ever be translated in Romanian. Still, if you’re usually reading e-books, I totally recommend you this novel. Not only that you’ll have fun reading it, but every time you’ll remember something about it, you’ll have a smile on your face. If you’re still not convinced, please read bellow the first conversation between Zoey and the closet monster:
<< “You’re up!” he said. “Sit-sit-sit! I made you orange-strawberry muffins. They’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He jerked to his feet and waved me to a chair. “I’ll get you some coffee.” He paused for a long moment, and his smile grew larger as he gazed at me. “Gosh, you grew up pretty, Zoey. Sit-sit-sit.”
.....
“Zoey, Zoey, my friend, Zoey!”
.....
“So can I stay? Wait, don’t answer that yet. Taste a muffin first. I’m a good cook! I can clean the pool, too. Honest, I won’t get in the way.”
I blinked again. „What?”
“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you. I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you the last time I was here.”
.....
“…and that’s why I came here when she kicked me out. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt safe.”
“What?” I knew I’d missed something crucial. I glanced down at the table in an automatic search for the DVR remote. I needed to rewind and replay that last part.
“You’re not awake yet.” He patted my arm again. “Drink your coffee. We’ll try again when you’re fed.”
.....
“I was only eight, myself, back then,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, and your mom took me in. Oh, Zoey, she was so mad at me that night. I was supposed to stay in the hall closet, but yours had all those great toys. Even then I loved to cook, and your Easy-Bake Oven was perfect for trying out your mom’s recipes in small batches. The lightbulb inside it gave such a warm, even toast to my shortbread.” He reached toward me as if to touch me again, then pulled away, looking down at his hands. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. I thought we were playing a game. Didn’t you see me smiling?”
I nodded, the memory of that grin still giving me chills. “I thought you were going to eat me.”
Maurice wrinkled his fat nose. “That’s disgusting, Zoey. >>
Pros:
- I don’t have idea what else I could write here, because the whole novel was a “pro”. I don’t have any complains, I really thought that Monster in the Closet was a perfect reading and I would recommend the book to anybody. I had a lot of fun reading it and even if I already started a new book, I still have moments when I remember some dialogues from Monster in the Closet and I still find them as delicious as they were the first time I read them.
Cons:
- The novel is considered an urban fantasy volume, but because it was published by Carina Press, a publisher known especially for it’s erotic novels, I suppose that some readers might expect a bigger number of hot moments. Which are not totally missing, but are not enough frequent in order to make this novel a romance or erotic one. I was not a bit disturbed by this aspect, but I think I needed to mention this, so that nobody expects some kind of fantasy Sandra Brown book.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the age of 28 Zoey discovers that she is not like other women. She learns that she's an empath in the worst possible way. An incubus has developed a taste for her and is using her as an all you can eat buffet. Before long the people around her start dying, sucked dry.

Determined to protect her friends she enlists the help of a motley group of psychics, monsters and fairies but as a demon the incubus can't be destroyed and the best she can hope to do is banish him...but to do that she'll need to get close enough for him to suck her life force from her.


Monster in My Closet was great fun. It's not perfect, I don't think it ended as strongly as it started but it's still I book I loved. Well worth the effort and I'll be continuing with the series.

[Kara-karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Egalley thanks to Carina Press
This is very much a paranormal chick-lit novel, despite the bodies dropping right, left and centre. It's lighthearted, funny and entertaining, and it was a pleasure to read it.

Zoey is what I like about chick-lit. She is flamboyant, geeky and very eccentric redhead wedding planner. She is also an empath who ends up absorbing feelings of everyone else around her.

So when one morning she gets out of bed and finds a closet monster in her kitchen making her a fresh cup of coffee with home-baked muffins, she is terrified but charmed just as well (see: muffins). This is the same monster who terrified her as a child, but now his wife cheated on him with a bridge troll and he needs to stay away from his own house for awhile.

Okay... Talking to Maurice, Zoey finds out that her own mother used to run a shelter for monsters and everyone loved her, now it's Zoey they come to. Our girl blinks and finds herself surrounded by monsters, her house is sparkling and magically protected... but at the same time she attracts attention of one greedy incubus who thinks of her like all-you-can-eat buffet, and soon her clients start dropping dead like flies, her business partner feels ill and a gorgeous paramedic Riley can't stop bumping into her.

Above all looms the wedding of the year, which can make or break her business, and Zoey is determined to succeed even if both mother of the bride and her incubus try to kill her.

Funny, warm and lively, I'm definitely recommending it to anyone looking for lighter paranormal romance/comedy.

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was really super thrilled and happy that I picked this book to read - it was soooo funny and I was really enjoying it - but then I made a mistake: I skimmed to the end because it was late and I wanted to sleep.

speaking of sleep, I do that now, maybe I'll edit it later.

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening Sentence -
Of all the possible weapons I might have grabbed, I chose a toilet brush....

Review -

I received this book from Netgalley to read and review.

The story starts off with Zoey waking up to sounds in the kitchen, she grabs a toilet brush and rushes in to find the monster from the closet when she was five years old. He pushes her into a seat at the table and servers her fresh orangestrawberry muffins (totally made me want to make some and still might) He explains how sorry he is to have scared her 23 years ago he thought they were playing a game that's why he had been smiling. He explains that he was 8 and her mom had taken him in but he was supposed to stay in the hall closet but her closet had all the fun toys including the easy bake over. He tell's her that her mom found him a new home, he grew up married a gargoyle but she kicked him out and he had nowhere else to go and since her mom had helped him he came to her. The unique pair instantly forms a connection over muffins and coffee.

Zoey is a wedding coordinator but she's also a magnet for the super needy, she draws them to her and can't help but bend over backwards to help them. Hence she can't get rid of her ex hubby who she happens to have been divorced from for eight years. I love that she's the super nice girl that everyone wants to love, and loves to help people even if it's no benefit to herself. She also has a very unique fashion taste too.

Zoey bumps into a incubus who marks her as his and uses her to as a link to kill the woman she's helped. Soon her brides start turning up dead and it's time for Zoey to put a end to the incubus. Along the way to stopping the incubus she learns a lot about herself, that she has the power to control the emotions, and can use them to help people in a new way. She also makes many new friends in addition to the closet monster, she helps out a sick dragon, takes in a small family of brownies on the run from a abusive father, as well as others. She learns that her mother was a healer who helped the hidden as they are called.

Monster in my Closet has it all, suspense, romance, growth for the character. I couldn't put it down it sucked me in from the start which is what I love about a book. I had to know more about Zoey, she was always in the back of my mind when I wasn't reading. I love the descriptions of the characters I had a good idea exactly what they looked like which was a plus. I feel that the characters in the book especially Zoey are well written, we see Zoey grow as a character. I can easily see myself picking up this book and reading it again. I plan on purchasing a copy for my sister when it comes out. A very entertaining book, kept me wanting more. I really hope that this book turns into a series. The setting of the story just touches on the world that I found interesting.

Scene -

The doorbell rang.

I reacted the way any normal person would. I went to answer it. My hand was on the doorknob before I realized there shouldn't be anyone at my door. No one would have been able to make it through the security posted outside. Getting as far as the front step should of been impossible.

I glanced at the doorway to the kitchen and saw Maurice look out, then duck his head. I shrugged. If Maurice wasn't worried, I shouldn't be. I turned the knob and opened the door.

Riley was standing on my doorstep, holding a bouquet of flowers.

I was stunned for a moment and stood there like a idiot my jaw slack.

"Can I come in?" he asked

I looked out over his shoulder at the darkness behind him.

Iris was out in the yard, leaning against a tree. He shrugged at me and held his furry palms up, as if to show his inability to stop this particular intruder. "How the hell did you get in? I asked

Riley smiled and shoved the flowers in my hands. "Doesn't matter how good your security is. Nobody can stop Death."


I give this book 5 of 5 it met all my expectations and then some.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One-word review: fun.

To expand upon this: What a ridiculous amount of fun!

To explain: This is the tale of Zoey, an unusual lady who with her friend Sarah plans weddings for those lucky enough to find them. It doesn't really signify that Sarah is single and Zoey is divorced from the extremely clingy Brad (who just will not go away) – they're good at what they do.

As the description says, one night Zoey is wakened by the sound of someone in her house, and discovers her intruder is not entirely a stranger. Strange, yes; stranger, no. It's the monster who scared the daylights out of her by peering from her closet when she was five. He didn't mean to frighten her, Maurice tells her now; it was all a misunderstanding. Now – sit-sit-sit! – he makes her coffee and the most amazing muffins and begins to try to help her understand that her ability to know what those around her are feeling isn't, as she's always assumed, is not something everyone can do.

Things become stranger for her from there. Maurice has come to her for help because he knows she shares the ability her mother had, the talent for helping others that made Zoey's mother a heroine among fairies. And so begins Zoey's rise as her mother's successor, and before long she is rubbing elbows with brownies, fairies, and a small dragon… Not to mention the local herbalist and his atypical pet. And the paramedic who isn't exactly what he seems.

Oh – and the succubus. Forgetting the succubus would be for Zoey hazardous to her health. Not just for Zoey – for all the women in her life. She has, apparently, due to her abilities, a special flavor, a savor unlike ordinary mortals. Some, less subtle demons, would just visit Zoey and suck her dry – but not this one. He's cleverer than that – that would be killing the egg-laying goose. Come to find out, every woman on whom she has – intentionally or un- - used her gift carries away a tinge of that flavor of hers, and the connoisseur succubus is tracking down these women and consuming them. And it's up to Zoey to stop him.

I love that Zoey never realized how unique she is – she has gone her whole life assuming everyone can tell what those around them are feeling. How else can people communicate? Once she works her way through the reality (that's why people don't communicate very well), she has to rethink almost everything she does every day. She has always been able to soothe ruffled feathers, and find a way to make people happier, and to tell if someone was lying to her or had her best interests at heart. And now she has to make up her mind about whether this is as it should be, or does she have the right to manipulate others' emotions, now that she knows what she's doing?

The characters are lovely, the whole concept is just a hoot, and I am very, very happy that this will be a series. (Number two in March! Hurrah.)

[Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/07/...

Zoey is half owner of a bridal consulting firm, Happily Ever After, with her best friend Sara. She’s also an empath, although until recently, has always thought she was just particularly sensitive to others’ feelings. When she gets up one morning and there is a monster at her kitchen table, humming to himself, reading the paper and sipping coffee, her world is turned upside down, very suddenly. The monster’s name is Maurice, and did I happen to mention he makes a mean muffin? Well, he does, and his wife has kicked him out, so he needs a place to stay. Soon, a fairy ring is being built around Zoey’s house, there’s a family of brownies taking up resident in her closet, and an incubus named Sebastian that’s out to get her. It’s a lot to take in, but when people start dying, Zoey knows she must do something before the body count gets even higher.

I enjoyed Monster in My Closet so much, and Zoey is my kind of heroine. She’s instantly likeable, has a penchant for loud outfits, and adapts to her situation pretty quickly, considering how fast things begin to happen. I appreciated that once her initial surprise passes, she goes with the flow and does her best to learn about her new friends. And what friends! They call themselves the Hidden, and pretty much encompass any being that humanity doesn’t know about. They prefer to keep it that way, but Zoey is a special case. Turns out her mom, who disappeared when she was just a girl, helped out the Hidden, so it kind of runs in the family. So, we have an empath that’s slowly learning how to keep from being emotionally bombarded, a house full of the Hidden, a skunk ape for a bodyguard, a fox named Milo, and a sex demon that’s determined to make Zoey one of his conquests. Then there’s the hunky paramedic, who may be a little more than he seems, and is certainly interested in getting to know Zoey better. Zoey will have to gather her friends, and her power, to fight a force that’s determined to steal her soul, and the souls of those she loves. Although things wrap up nicely, there’s plenty of material for the next book, and of course, the mystery of her mother’s disappearance still hasn’t been solved. Fans of Molly Harper’s novels will be delighted and it’s sure to appeal to urban fantasy fans that like their creatures charming as well as their heroines. I can’t wait to read more about Zoey and her fascinating friends!

[Lori {Romancing the Dark Side} · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun escape into a paranormal world of monsters and mayhem!

Most kids think see monsters in the closet or under their bed throughout their childhood but Zoey was almost scared to death by one when she was five. She's put that awful memory behind her and tried to move on, owning her own wedding planning business...until she wakes up one morning to the smell of coffee and muffins in her kitchen by none other than the very same monster who she encountered in her childhood. The monster in question named Maurice, calmly explains to Zoey that he didn't mean to scare her as a child and is in need of her help and a place to stay.

It turns out Zoey's sensitive abilities to feel others emotions and see the supernatural run in the family. While alive her mother helped supernatural beings and was highly regarded by all sorts of paranormal creatures. Zoey also learns that her house is magically protected and soon the "Hidden" paranormal beings are seeking refuge in her home. When a sinister incubus invades the town and Zoey's clientele starts to die off (literally), she's face to face with the darker side of the paranormal world and must learn to use her power before she becomes his next victim.

Monster in My Closet is a perfect blending of comedy and darkness in an urban fantasy. My favorite element of the story is our heroine Zoey, she's quirky, funny and is as kick butt as any other leading lady in this genre. I am thankful to the author for giving us an unconventional but lovable heroine. The story is fast paced and flows effortlessly with plenty of laughs and suspenseful moments. A mild romance between Zoey and a sexy paramedic adds a lighter tone in the midst of the chaos and darkness.

This first installment in a developing series shines with its originality and playfulness. Ms. Naquin has created an entertaining world of the supernatural with intriguing characters that will have you anticipating the next book. If you're looking for a story that's equally creepy as it is funny, this is one for the reading lists!

{ebook courtesy of NetGalley}

Original Romancing the Darkside Review:
http://romancingthedarkside.blogspot....

[elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Zoey was five a closet monster scared her half to death. She never sees him again until the morning she wakes up to find that same closet monster, whose name is Maurice, sitting at her kitchen table with homemade muffins and no place else to go. She's pretty sure her life just skidded off track. Add to that her heretofore unidentified empathic abilities, a murderus incubus and a super hot paramedic and you get a funny and thrilling fantasy.

Really fun, I'm hoping for a sequel!

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoey is an empath (she feels other's emotions). Until recently, she didn't know she was different (she's 28). Like 1st chapter of this book she finds out. Maurice, a closet monster, needs a place to stay so he moves in. I liked him as a character; a good cook & housekeeper, he was a friend that Zoey needed. One who understood her and her ability.
There is also an incubus running loose, and he really likes Zoey and the people she is connected to. Zoey realizes that she needs to learn to control her ability more (which she did pretty easily). She meets Andrews (he can read auras) and his familiar Mila (a fox). Then there are Molly and her kids (brownies). There's Iris (a skunk monster- I think I remember that right) and Riley (a Reaper).
Zoey's interactions with Riley the first couple of times they meet are funny (and a bit embarrassing).
A couple things bothered and/or really irritated me. Firstly, I would have thought Zoey would have caught on to what was really going on with Sara (common, a cold? really? When there is an incubus draining people you interacted with? Really? And it didn't occur to you that he MIGHT target your BFF (who is also her business partner)?). Secondly, her ex Brian. Why does she feel like she needs to continue helping, enabling, and responsible for him? Just cut him off already (they've been exes for 8 years, so it's not a recently ended relationship). He is a fucking adult. Let him figure his shit out and either succeed or fail. I just didn't get it and she was definitely a doormat where he was concerned.
On the fence about reading more in this series.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Much Fun!
Even at five, Zoey knew monsters weren't real. Sure, she was terrified when she thought she saw a monster in her closet as she lay in bed at night, but when her mom came in and opened that closet door, turned on the light, and shooed that imaginary monster right on out of there, Zoey knew that her mom was being the wonderful mother she was, humoring her and taking her fear away by being silly. Monsters aren't real. Everyone knows that.

And for twenty-three years that was merely a fact of life. She grew up, lost her mother, then her father, went to college, even started up a wedding planner business with her best friend. She was a normal, if slightly fashion-challenged adult leading a normal life in the real world. Right up until the morning she wakes up to the tantalizing scent of coffee and finds her closet monster, larger than she remembers, calmly sitting at her kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading the paper. His name is Maurice.

Normal pretty much flies out the window for Zoey at that point, never to be seen again.

In fact, her head hasn't even stopped spinning from one massive paradigm shift when she gets a closet monster for a roommate, starts providing a halfway house for a family of brownies, has a skunk ape on security detail, and an incubus who wants to devour her in all the worst possible ways. Yeah, that last one's got her shaking in her stylishly purple Doc Martins.

And as if being hunted by a sadistic sex demon intent on gobbling her up isn't bad enough, the bastard starts killing women she's been in contact with. No amount of hiding under the covers and squeezing her eyes shut is going to make this particular monster disappear. That's up to Zoey. The wedding planner empath with a heart of gold.

Quotables:

Of all the possible weapons I might have grabbed, I chose a toilet brush. The men's boxers and oversized Hello Kitty t-shirt I wore reinforced my feeling of absolute stupidity. I made a mental note to buy myself a baseball bat, should I live through the next few minutes. And maybe some grownup pajamas.

Best opening paragraph in a book ever! And what a great kickoff to a totally fun read. I'm so happy I tripped over this little gem, because I can't remember a time I've had such a delightfully good time reading about someone else's issues. It wasn't that it was a comedy, though it did have its moments. It was more that it was just a totally awesome cast of magical characters (both human and Hidden) with quirky foibles and immense heart, and all were just too easy to adore.

Zoey was awesome. Loved her. Her narrative was a bright, engaging good time fraught with so many amusing social faux pas that I couldn't help but tumble helplessly into rabid fandom. And I loved Maurice even more. From his first words I knew I would adore him for life. To the point that I was all angsty about the potential for him going back to his estranged wife. The gargoyle who may or may not be cheating on him with a bridge troll. HA!

Balancing out the warm fuzzies and all that delicious weirdness was a Big Bad with some serious teeth. There was nothing fun or easy about Sebastian. I liked that mostly because it kept this book from swaying too much towards the lighter end of urban fantasy, which is always hit or miss for me. No, this certainly isn't a dark and moody piece, but it's not fluff fantasy either. A sex demon hunting Zoey and killing women while taunting her with their deaths definitely adds the gravitas.

It was a solid plotline, though not my favorite part of the book. Critically, it lacked depth and complexity and never quite seemed to become a primary plotline of the story. I found that troubling given the severity of the danger and felt it should have been more of a focus. At times it got overshadowed by other things in Zoey's wacky new life, and I'm not sure I could totally justify that, despite how much I enjoyed Zoey's wacky new life.

That was really my only issue with the read, though. Had the plot threads of the external conflict melded a little better with everything else going on with Zoey, this would have been an absolute grand slam for me. It was still a completely fun, entertaining read with absolutely memorable, lovable characters. I can't wait to get my hands on the next chapter of Zoey's life and spend more time with her extended and expanding family of monsters.

Quotables:

Any day that started this rough should be ignored until it went away.

~*~

"There is no way in hell you're getting married in a graveyard. You'll get married in a church like a normal person. I won't have it. Getting married surrounded by dead people. What is wrong with you?"

Spider gave her mother a dramatic, condescending sigh. "Death is the ultimate expression of love, Mother."

And this is when I decided I'd better intervene before Mama throttled my bride to show her exactly how much she loved her.

Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading Monster in My Closet, this is the first book in what is set to be an incredibly fun series and I can't wait to read more from R.L. Naquin. The main character Zoey is just your average girl, she lives a fairly normal life and enjoys working alongside her best friend Sara as a wedding planner. Zoey hasn't believed in monsters since she was a child and thought she saw one hiding in her closet but of course she grew out of that fear, until she comes downstairs one morning only to be confronted by that exact same monster sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee and reading the newspaper! Zoey quickly comes to realise that monsters are real but they aren't always the bad guys and before long she has a house full of closet monsters, brownies and all manner of other creatures that she didn't even know existed.

Considering she is thrown in at the deep end Zoey copes quite well with her uninvited guests and she quickly becomes friends with closet monster Maurice and her other visitors. I had so much fun watching Zoey try to come to terms with her new reality, at first she thinks she is losing her mind but with her empathic abilities she quickly adapts to a new way of life. Zoey's mother disappeared when she was a child but it turns out that she used to help supernatural creatures who had nowhere else to turn. Their problems are often very human but where else does a closet monster go when he finds out his wife has been cheating on him and he needs a place to stay? How many refuges do you know of for brownies who are suffering from domestic violence?

Zoey is largely untrained on how to use her empathic abilities, she finds it difficult to be around crowds of people because she has no idea how to shield herself from the onslaught of emotions and her power makes her aura shine brightly which soon attracts the attention of a passing incubus. Zoey is now a target and with the help of her friends she is going to have to put a stop to the incubus before he can kill more innocent women. Without a doubt it is the characters that made this book so much fun to read, I loved Zoey but I also enjoyed getting to know the supernatural creatures who come into her life. Maurice is definitely a favourite and I hope we're going to be seeing a lot more of him as the series continues.

Monster in My Closet is a light hearted and very amusing story that I devoured in one sitting. It has action, comedy and a hint of romance that I'm hoping will be expanded upon in the next book. Zoey is the kind of woman you can easily picture yourself being friends with, she isn't kickass, and she doesn't really have any special powers apart from her empathy but she has some great friends who are there to support her. She also happens to have a fantastic shoe collection and how can you not like a woman who owns a pair of Iron Fist Zombie stiletto heels?



Come on, what woman doesn't want a pair of these bad boys in their wardrobe? LOL

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of us have a memory or two where we called for our mommies and daddies in the middle of the night because we saw a shadow or we thought there was a monster in the closet or under our beds. Well, what if instead of a bad monster it was really a creature that was temporarily living in your house until a more suitable home could be found for it? Zoey is a wedding planner in Sausalito, California. She recalls screaming for her mother in the middle of the night when she saw a monster come out of her closet and smile at her with big sharp teeth. Her mother would always send the monsters away and eventually she grew out of it, or did she?

Early one morning Zoey awakens to the smell of coffee and muffins baking in the oven. When she sneaks down the hall to see who has broken into her home, she sees a monster from her childhood sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. He introduces himself as Maurice and explains to her that he in fact was the monster temporarily residing in her closet when she was a child until her mother managed to find him another home. It seems Zoey's mother had a secret. She aided the supernatural community whenever there was a need. Maurice goes on to further explain that Zoey is an empath and that is why she always feels the misfortunes of others including causing her to want to help including the user ex-husband of hers, Brad.

As Zoey attempts to come to gripes with what she has learned she goes to work in the city where she and her BFF from college, Sara work as wedding planners. Due to a lack of sleep, Sara insists Zoey leaves early for the day. Maurice texts a list of things he would like Zoey to pick up from the store. As Zoey is leaving the store after helping one of the clerks with a problem she witnesses a man being struck by a bus. That is when she sees a handsome paramedic smile and wave at her. She has a major migraine causing her to sink to the ground. Unfortunately, she is assisted by a strange man in a velvet smoking jacket who scares her. One of the merchants from a herb store steps in and saves Zoey from the menace. Andrew the herbalist takes Zoey into his shop where she meets his pet a cuddly fennec fox named Milo. Andrew makes an awful tea that immediately takes away her migraine. Then he teaches her how to build a wall to ward off so many emotions.

A Zoey attempts to come to gripes with all she has experience in the day, she discovers that the strange man that approached her on the streets is a inncubis. He has had a taste of her now and he will not stop until he drains her of everything she has. Fortunately, Zoey will have aide from the most unique sources but will it be enough to help her defeat her greatest enemy yet? This is not some childhood monster, this is the real deal.

I just loved this story and the potential for this new series. It's quirky, fun, and heartwrenching at times. R.L. Naquin knows how to weave a great new world and the characters are outstanding. If I had a criticism it would be that at times, I was disturbed by the actions of the villian. However, what is a good story without a dastardly villian, right? Treat yourself and give this book a try. You will be in for a great adventure.

[Vannessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up from NetGalley a while ago as it sounds like a fun read, but I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it. Zoey is a quirky girl, running her own business as a wedding planner with her best friend Sara. Business is pretty busy and keeps her on her toes.

When a strange creature appears in her kitchen one morning, everything Zoey ever knew changes. This creature is the monster from her closet from when she was a child. The monster who scared her to death, but he only really wanted to play. Soon Zoey's home becomes a safe haven for all things Hidden and she helps a family of brownies, a pink dragon, who not supposed to be pink and has her own bodyguard in the form of a skunk-ape, who follows her around making sure she's safe from the incubus who is determined to have his wicked way with Zoey.

She makes a new friend Andrew, who is a herbalist and aura reader and realises what the incubus is and wants from Zoey. When girls who have hired Zoey's company to plan their wedding start dying and Sebastian, the incubus, starts to appear in her dreams, Zoey realises that she has to stop him. Luckily for her she has some good friends, who can help and she also discovers that she is an empath and learns to use these powers against him. Several times she wishes she was a kick-ass heroine with good sword fighting skills, but realises that she isn't one, so uses the skills she does have.

She also starts a new relationship with a man who is a little strange himself and he is definitely not what she thought he was.

I thought this book was funny and the characters, especially the side characters were brilliant! I loved Maurice and hope he makes a return in the next book. Brad always seemed to make an appearance at the wrong time and Zoey ddealt with him so much better than I would have done! A very fun, quick, light-hearted read! The writing was very easy and flowed very well. The pace of the plot was fast, but not too confusing.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for this free book in return for my review.

[All Things Urban Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

After the first few sentences involving a plunger being used as a weapon, I knew I was going to love MONSTER IN MY CLOSET complete with all of its cheekiness and quirky characters. I liked how fast Zoey accepted the fact that all of these creatures she is discovering are real and she has empathic powers. Since she discovers all of this in pretty rapid succession her acceptance was pretty much out of exasperation at the constant barrage of more strangeness in her life.

Zoey’s closet monster (called Maurice) from her childhood who happens to be an amazing cook is the first in a line of creatures that start popping up around her house. I loved the fact that the author actually created a species of monster that dwells in closets. R.L. Naquin added a lot of interesting takes on well known fantasy creatures including miniature dragons, a Sasquatch-like creature, and brownies. I also really enjoyed Riley, Zoe’s hot paramedic boyfriend with his own secret supernatural occupation. Riley comes off as sweet and funny and is a great compliment to Zoe’s quirky personality.

The main conflict with an evil incubus draining people’s emotions was fun especially since his powers were the opposite of Zoey’s. Zoey helps others and brings about positive emotional changes, whereas the incubus just sucks the emotions up leaving behind a dry husk of a person. The climatic battle was a touch confusing with how Zoe figures out how to defeat the incubus and what exactly she does with her powers in that battle.

I will definately be looking forward to POOKA IN MY PANTRY, book two in the Monster Haven series, for another cheeky humor filled story and to figure out more about Zoe’s past and her powers when it comes out in March 2013.

Sexual Content: Kissing

[Cee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monster in My Closet is the first book in the Monster Haven series, which centers around our eccentric main character Zoey.

Zoey gets the fright of her life when the monster in the closet from her youth is sitting at her table. It quickly becomes more shocking when she finds out his name is Maurice, and that his wife has left him. Zoey tumbles head-first into a world she never knew existed. She always helps people - but who is going to help her?

The best thing about this book is that it's such light-hearted fun. Depending on a chicklit-esque humour, our heroine stumbles through life as a wedding planner slash monster rescue-er. There are some truly laugh out loud funny moments in this book, and the supporting cast of characters is the best. Maurice the closet monster is one of my favourites.

Monster in My Closet could have used some restructuring. The first third is too heavily centered around Zoey meeting all kinds of monsters. The second third kind of abandons the cute monster stuff, and focusses entirely on the main conflict. The problem with this is that the main conflict is mostly absent throughout the first part, and by the time it finally gets going we've passed the half-way mark.

I didn't fully get a read on Zoey as a character - we know she's clumsy, loves quirky clothes, and is extremely helpful. I'm hoping we can get to know her better in the next book in the series, and maybe see a bit more of her best friend Sara. There is plenty of room for character growth in Zoey - something that is lightly touched upon in this book - that I'm hoping will continue in the next.

Don't be put off from this book by the awkward cover. Monster in My Closet will appeal to fans of Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison and Hounded by Kevin Hearne.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monster in My Closet is a breath of fresh air that isn't afraid to step outside the box. It has all the aspects of a book that I could ever hope for. Urban Fantasy, a dash of romance, paranormal creatures, and silly scenes. There was no doubt in my mind that this book is a must read just by reading the first line.

"Of all the possible weapons I might have grabbed, I choose a toilet brush."

The main character, Zoey, is an empath that always seems to draw in people that are in need. Upon confronting the intruder in her house she realizes it is the monster that terrified her once in her childhood. When hearing his relationship woes, she lets him crash at her house. It doesn't hurt that Maurice, the closet monster, can probably out cook gourmet chefs. It doesn't take long before the Hidden (paranormal creatures/beings) are actively seeking Zoey's assistance.

Zoey finds herself as the book goes on. She takes control of her power, and learns how to use it. She kind of has to since not all of the paranormal beings are nice and cuddly. There is a succubus that wants to get his emotional fix and Zoey is at the top of his list. She has to find a way to stop him before everyone around her dies.

Monster in My Closet was a great read that I recommend if you are looking for something light and unique.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for an honest review via NetGalley.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half. Zoey seems like a funny, kind person who finds herself on the road to self-discovery, prompted by the return of a monster who hid in her closet when she was a child. The world building was delightful and sweet, except for the incubis. (He was described a few times as being sexy and pirate-like. Personally, I think pirates are far more creepy than sexy, but pop culture tells me I'm in the minority on that one).

Anyway, somewhere in the second half, things started to fall apart -- details started getting sloppy (Zoey's date with the mysterious EMT guy changes from Saturday to Friday from one page to the next) and her behavior makes her seem more and more oblivious. Then what happened to her friend Sara at the end -- so horrible, yet glossed over like it wasn't important.

At the end, I'm not sure what to think. The geeky, quirky parts I liked a lot, but the parts that I didn't like bothered me enough that I'm not sure I'll be reading more by this author.

Note: the romance in this is pretty light, so if that's what you're looking for, it might not satisfy. Also includes several scenes of rape-by-incubus, which get increasingly disturbing as the book goes on.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Oh, well...This one was sweet! I wasn't sure how would turn this "Monster in My Closet" premise, but the writer took my doubts away and pleasantly surprised me.

Starting with empath, kind-hearted Zoey, a slightly weird woman with outrageous fashion style, to the magic creatures like good-smelling Skunk-apes, Brownies, Dragons and more, to a Demon who kills women in a very strange way...all combined in this story, made this a light book with some dark corners with a lot of adventures!

I liked the idea of magic creatures who are soul weary. The "closet monster" is the fancy leaving Maurice, which is a good gourmet, with a lots of interesting sweet friends.

In real life it seems when one terrible thing happens, a ton of others seem to follow. That's exactly what is going to happen in this book and I'm not going to divulge any mistery!

By the way, there are a few adult scenes, even if it's filled with colorful childhood characters, it's not for kids. This book have little mistakes, but they're not very disturbing.


If you are looking for some fresh fun, mistery and adventure, this is it!

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Just some quick thoughts... Zoey is a quirky empath/wedding planner with questionable taste in clothing who discovers a hidden word of supernatural creatures when her childhood monster-under-the-bed comes home (after his wife kicks him out). Monster in My Closet, the Monster Haven series starter, was cute and sad both - the muffin making monster and the new residents of Zoey's home which has suddenly become a half-way house for displaced supernaturals was cute but there is bit of darkness to it to that was sad because an incubus - who is playing with his food and toying with Zoey - is killing off women and we get to know the all victims at least a little bit. (And I really liked one of them:(

Despite the hint of darkness and the alternate world with monsters, brownies, dragons and witches this is urban fantasy light sans the kick-butty heroine - though Zoey is no wimp - and with a very mild touch of romance - kisses only. I liked Monster in My Closet enough to read the next one (Pooka in the Pantry) whenever it comes out - this was just light cute read I needed as a palate cleanser before moving on to my stack of new releases.

[Aspen Junge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: the author is a friend of mine. However, let that not distract from her general awesomeness.

Monsters in My Closet is charming. Unlike most urban fantasy, there are no dark-eyed, smoldering vampires, no werewolves with animalistic passions, and the heroine, quite frankly, has much better things to do than faint at the first sign of danger. There are weddings to be planned, after all.

Zoe would do anything for her friends and family. The definition of "friends and family" grows unexpectedly larger and weirder when Maurice, the eponymous closet monster of her childhood, moves in. With friends. Since he's a considerate roommate and an excellent cook, this looks to be working out well. Unfortunately, there's trouble in Monsterville, what with all the mysterious deaths and all, and Zoe finds herself on the front lines, protecting the Things That Go Bump in the Night from Things Even Worse.

This is a charming, light read. More substantial than brain candy, more delicious than a physician-recommended brain-strengthening diet.

[Fefi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una storia con elementi e creature soprannaturali che però sa affrontare temi come la grande sensibilità/emotività delle persone e violenze domestiche.
Nulla di particolarmente indimenticabile però la simpatia di Zoey, che non ha mai creduto che esistano altri mondi abitati, mi ha fatto passare qualche oretta di relax.
Lei è una wedding planner molto emotiva e quando incontra le persone ne assorbe tutti i loro problemi e stati di animo, anche se non perde mai il suo umorismo:grazie a qualcuno imparerà ad assorbire sempre meno sofferenza.
Il personaggio di Riley è molto scontato, si capisce chi veramente sia dopo due righe dalla sua apparizione, ma mi piace come si instaura il rapporto tra lui e Zoey.
Ora Zoey non è più da sola ad affrontare la vita e, anche se sono creature fantastiche, la stanno tutti aiutando molto, o forse è lei che sta aiutando loro?
Proseguo.

Maurice, il mostro maggiordomo di Zoey a me ricorda tanto un Gremlins

[Olivia ツ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story! 28 year old Zoe wakes up one morning to find her childhood closet monster seating in her kitchen reading the paper and drinking coffee. While most people would've been scared, Zoe takes it all in stride. So ends her "normal" life. Unknown to Zoe, she is an empath. Her skills come in handy in her wedding planning business and all would've been well except that an incubus demon is after her.

Throw in a mixture of "hidden" or mythical creatures along with a quirky Zoe and you've got a quick paced, fun UF story. There are many unanswered questions such as what really did happen to Zoe's mom? Why does Zoe have a memory block? Looking forward to exploring this series further!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rocked! I could not put it down! Such a different take on paranormal! Light, fun, easy read! I want more! This one is going in my new favorite series pile!!!