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The Bureau #7
Caroled
Charles Grimes hasn’t celebrated Christmas in years, so spending December in San Francisco while keeping an eye out for monsters sounds like an easy way to earn a few bucks. He should have learned by now that nothing is ever easy—not his job, not his existence as the son of an angel, and not his relationship with a formerly captive demon. It’s going to take more than a few rounds of Jingle Bells to make Charles feel the joys of the season.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2020
About the author
Kim Fielding
134 books1,199 followersKim Fielding lives in California and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that fifth tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 29, 2020
Loved it! This was the closer look at Charles and Tenrael together that I wanted. And who would expect magic for an angel and a demon? 🥰🥰
November 29, 2020
You know those couples that stick with you? The ones that you remember for a long time and maybe think about at odd times or in unusual places?
Charles and Ten are that couple. They have a special mojo that appeals to me. Maybe it's because they're both outcasts? Outcasts who enjoy a bit of kink is probably closer to the truth.
Regardless, I'm glad I got to spend a little more time with them in this holiday novella that was heartfelt and quaint with an interesting case that held my attention but didn't overpower the romance.
Charles and Ten are that couple. They have a special mojo that appeals to me. Maybe it's because they're both outcasts? Outcasts who enjoy a bit of kink is probably closer to the truth.
Regardless, I'm glad I got to spend a little more time with them in this holiday novella that was heartfelt and quaint with an interesting case that held my attention but didn't overpower the romance.
December 9, 2021
Set in 1942, 3 years after Corruption and 15 after Conned, Caroled sees Charles and Tenrael in San Francisco for a few weeks during the holidays to act as substitutes for Abe and Thomas, put temporarily on the sidelines by an accident on the job for Thomas.
Charles and Tenrael are one of my favorite couples in this series, I’ve loved the little glimpses that I got in the other books of them at different time periods, but their previous book was so short that I felt some essential parts of their relationship development were missing, so I was happy to see those gaps addressed in this book. Not only that, I also got to see them a few years down the line, solid but with still some issues to deal with. I really felt them as a couple in this story and got to know them better as individual characters, while they both had some interesting character development.
I knew from the previous (in series order although not always in terms of timeline) books that would be solved in some way eventually and I was glad to get to see how that worked out in this book. There was also a little nugget at the end from and I hope that means that this is not the last book planned with this couple as MCs.
Charles and Tenrael are one of my favorite couples in this series, I’ve loved the little glimpses that I got in the other books of them at different time periods, but their previous book was so short that I felt some essential parts of their relationship development were missing, so I was happy to see those gaps addressed in this book. Not only that, I also got to see them a few years down the line, solid but with still some issues to deal with. I really felt them as a couple in this story and got to know them better as individual characters, while they both had some interesting character development.
I knew from the previous (in series order although not always in terms of timeline) books that would be solved in some way eventually and I was glad to get to see how that worked out in this book. There was also a little nugget at the end from and I hope that means that this is not the last book planned with this couple as MCs.
November 23, 2020
4.5 stars
More about my favorite couple in The Bureau series, Charles and Tenrael. Just wonderful! Happy Holidays to me!
More about my favorite couple in The Bureau series, Charles and Tenrael. Just wonderful! Happy Holidays to me!
December 16, 2022
4 stars
Back with Ten and Charles!! Love them and seeing them again was a treat, it was a little bit of a holiday book… if that book included finding a murderer haha!
It was also good to see Abe and Thomas again!
Now on to book 8!
Back with Ten and Charles!! Love them and seeing them again was a treat, it was a little bit of a holiday book… if that book included finding a murderer haha!
It was also good to see Abe and Thomas again!
Now on to book 8!
January 27, 2021
4.5 stars.
So sweet it pretty much gave me cavities! I loved it. Now Charles and Tenrael can be together forever. ❤️
I really hope Kim Fielding continues the Bureau series, and that we’ll revisit these lovely couples in the future installments.
So sweet it pretty much gave me cavities! I loved it. Now Charles and Tenrael can be together forever. ❤️
I really hope Kim Fielding continues the Bureau series, and that we’ll revisit these lovely couples in the future installments.
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November 5, 2020It's always a treat to revisit the Bureau series, and this novella was especially fun because I got to spend some time with Charles and Tenrael. If you're new to the series, you might want to read Corruption first, but you should be fine if you'd rather start with Caroled.
This is a holiday story, so it's a tad bit lighter than the other books in the series. But it's still a Bureau book, so expect some angst, a dead body or two, and some paranormal surprises.
This is a holiday story, so it's a tad bit lighter than the other books in the series. But it's still a Bureau book, so expect some angst, a dead body or two, and some paranormal surprises.
December 12, 2020
Loved this! Something tells me we haven't seen the last of Charles and Ten. At least I hope not.
November 20, 2022
I ADORE this series!!
What a joy it was to get back to Charles and Tenreal! 😍😍
The set-up:
A half angel and a demon (Charles & Ten)
1942
3 years after Charles set Tenreal free
San Francisco
WWII
Men are disappearing
Charles and Ten are sent to investigate
BIG SURPRISE for them and us!!
If you haven’t yet picked up this series, do so now! You can jump in anywhere since the stories aren’t chronological, but characters do appear throughout the time of the series.
What a joy it was to get back to Charles and Tenreal! 😍😍
The set-up:
A half angel and a demon (Charles & Ten)
1942
3 years after Charles set Tenreal free
San Francisco
WWII
Men are disappearing
Charles and Ten are sent to investigate
BIG SURPRISE for them and us!!
If you haven’t yet picked up this series, do so now! You can jump in anywhere since the stories aren’t chronological, but characters do appear throughout the time of the series.
January 6, 2021
Oops, she did it again, she played with my heart... aaaaand.... put it back together!!!
Indeed, Kim Fielding put my heart through a huge wringer with Charles and Ten's story. It hurt, it made me sad and it was beautiful!
I haven't expected anything particularly 'meaty' out of this short read but what I got made me an even bigger fan of this extraordinary Bureau series and of my fave agent-and-his-partner couple.
So, instead of a sweet and fluffy Christmas short, I got an emotionally packed story with Abe and Thomas from Conned as side characters and a very satisfying HEA :)
TBH, I liked Abe and Tom even more in Caroled than I did in 'their' book, even though they mainly stayed at home and supported our MCs from afar. But they made up a great, quaint quartet and I simply loved how their mutual story evolved :) :) :)
And now I want similar stories and for all of the other pairings from The Bureau universe!!!! Please, Kim Fielding, make it happen! :)
P.S. I did find a few hints at possible further stories, lovely re-appearances and surprising MCs. I really hope I'm correct about this! ;)
Indeed, Kim Fielding put my heart through a huge wringer with Charles and Ten's story. It hurt, it made me sad and it was beautiful!
I haven't expected anything particularly 'meaty' out of this short read but what I got made me an even bigger fan of this extraordinary Bureau series and of my fave agent-and-his-partner couple.
So, instead of a sweet and fluffy Christmas short, I got an emotionally packed story with Abe and Thomas from Conned as side characters and a very satisfying HEA :)
TBH, I liked Abe and Tom even more in Caroled than I did in 'their' book, even though they mainly stayed at home and supported our MCs from afar. But they made up a great, quaint quartet and I simply loved how their mutual story evolved :) :) :)
And now I want similar stories and for all of the other pairings from The Bureau universe!!!! Please, Kim Fielding, make it happen! :)
P.S. I did find a few hints at possible further stories, lovely re-appearances and surprising MCs. I really hope I'm correct about this! ;)
December 11, 2020
Although I liked these characters and I loved the resolution, this one was very slow and I had to push to get to the interesting parts near the end, hence the three stars. Also, there's quite a plot hole that would have been ridiculously easy to close for a critical plot point, had anyone caught it. Tsk.
January 30, 2021
It was great catching up again with Abe ,Thomas ,Charles and black-winged demon Tenrael .And ’Caroled’ certainly is a lovely and sweet holiday novella but it’s totally different from the others . I would lie if I said I didn’t liked it.
This is also Charles and Tenrael’s story where they discover their true and undeniable love for each other ,with a great and surprising HEA.
I’m already hooked on this Bureau series and hope they’ll continue because I really love this author’s impressive world building .
This is also Charles and Tenrael’s story where they discover their true and undeniable love for each other ,with a great and surprising HEA.
I’m already hooked on this Bureau series and hope they’ll continue because I really love this author’s impressive world building .
January 11, 2021
I loved catching up with Charles and Tenrael.
Seriously Corruption is one of my favorite gut wrenching shorts, and to be able to visit this couple again was amazing. I’ll admit that while I enjoyed it, there were parts that did drag on. I mean Corruption was only 45 pages and filled with 10 times the feels this one was, but it was also dark and painful while this story is more of holiday and acceptance of love.
I also want to mention I was so thrown with Thomas and Abe being in this story... and only because they were in the last book, but the last book was a prequel. The timing just really threw me off, and I had to really focus and remember the time line, rather than the story run natural.
Seriously Corruption is one of my favorite gut wrenching shorts, and to be able to visit this couple again was amazing. I’ll admit that while I enjoyed it, there were parts that did drag on. I mean Corruption was only 45 pages and filled with 10 times the feels this one was, but it was also dark and painful while this story is more of holiday and acceptance of love.
I also want to mention I was so thrown with Thomas and Abe being in this story... and only because they were in the last book, but the last book was a prequel. The timing just really threw me off, and I had to really focus and remember the time line, rather than the story run natural.
November 21, 2020
3.75 stars rounded up
It's December 1942, Charles Grimes and his demon partner of three years, Tenrael, are going to San Francisco as a favor to Chief Townsend, Charles' former boss from the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs. There's not much happening at the moment, but Townsend requires extra help to cover the city as his agents are indisposed.
I was happy that the story returned to the original couple, Charles and Tenrael, who first appeared in Corruption. We also had Donne and Ferencz from Conned, older of course, but still working for the Bureau. It was great to see the two sets of couple becoming friends when they were there.
This story has more of contemplating from Charles though, than any mystery involving supernatural being. Oh, we still have that near the end, but the bulk of the story is about Charles.
He's mulling over his relationship with Tenrael, his mortality (Charles has angel's blood since he's son of angel father and a human mother, but he's NOT immortal), his seemingly inability to love (that he's too dark, too icy shark), and whether or not he's a good Master for Tenrael. There were a number of sweet moments, in my opinion, because Charles seemed to learn a lot about himself and his demon in this holiday season.
I hope that there are more stories coming in this series 🤞🏻
It's December 1942, Charles Grimes and his demon partner of three years, Tenrael, are going to San Francisco as a favor to Chief Townsend, Charles' former boss from the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs. There's not much happening at the moment, but Townsend requires extra help to cover the city as his agents are indisposed.
I was happy that the story returned to the original couple, Charles and Tenrael, who first appeared in Corruption. We also had Donne and Ferencz from Conned, older of course, but still working for the Bureau. It was great to see the two sets of couple becoming friends when they were there.
This story has more of contemplating from Charles though, than any mystery involving supernatural being. Oh, we still have that near the end, but the bulk of the story is about Charles.
He's mulling over his relationship with Tenrael, his mortality (Charles has angel's blood since he's son of angel father and a human mother, but he's NOT immortal), his seemingly inability to love (that he's too dark, too icy shark), and whether or not he's a good Master for Tenrael. There were a number of sweet moments, in my opinion, because Charles seemed to learn a lot about himself and his demon in this holiday season.
I hope that there are more stories coming in this series 🤞🏻
June 25, 2022
Still don't like Abe and Thomas. Haven't forgiven them from the last book.
January 12, 2021
大・満・足！人ではないものたちを扱うエージェントたちの連作短編シリーズ７作目。１作目の主人公２人のその後（と、６作目の主人公２人のその後）が描かれる。１作目で「ええっ、これで終わり？この２人の話をもっと読みたい」と思った読者たちへの、作者様からのプレゼントですこれは。物語は、１作目の３年後。サンフランシスコで隠遁生活を送るCharlesは、頼まれて一定期間LAで再びエージェントとして働くことに。彼のパートナーの悪魔Tenraelを連れて──。／悪魔Tenがいちいち可愛くてニヤニヤ。また、私は６作目の２人も、とても好きなので、AbeとTomが相変わらずの２人で、しかもすっかり良いふうふになっているのが分かってすごく嬉しかった。クリスマスは過ぎてしまったけれど、少し遅れたクリスマスプレゼントをいただきました。ああ良かった！
December 28, 2022
Heh. I thought this was Kim Fielding's Christmas book for 2022. Nope. That would be A Very Genre Christmas. Hell, Caroled wasn't even published in 2022!
It's been a while since I've read The Bureau books and only three at that. Most can stand alone, but Corruption (book #1) really should be read first, since Charles and Tenreal seem to show up in several of the others.
Caroled focuses on Charles and Tenreal, so I thought I'd be okay having not read books #4-6. I was. I haven't yet read Conned but was still able to enjoy Abe and Thomas. And even though their book revealed what Townsend is, I still don't know the answer. Very clever what you did there, Ms. Fielding!
Charles and Tenreal are possibly Fielding's two best creations, so it's nice to see them front and center again.
Caroled was very enjoyable. It focuses on the growth of their relationship. Mainly Charles, because Tenreal is already content. But Charles still has his (emotional) demons. This is his chance to grow, and he does. He changes. He ends up being more at peace than he's ever been, and it's lovely to see.
The book might actually be 5 stars, but I've noticed my reviews for this series have been off. I need to reread them to see how I really feel. I can think of worse ways to start 2023.
One thing "spoiled" the story for me. It's a MAJOR spoiler so I probably shouldn't post it here, or even put it behind spoiler tags. But I will. Maybe it was necessary. It helped Charles become more focused.
Now Charles and Ten have a true HEA. Emphasis on the EA.
It's been a while since I've read The Bureau books and only three at that. Most can stand alone, but Corruption (book #1) really should be read first, since Charles and Tenreal seem to show up in several of the others.
Caroled focuses on Charles and Tenreal, so I thought I'd be okay having not read books #4-6. I was. I haven't yet read Conned but was still able to enjoy Abe and Thomas. And even though their book revealed what Townsend is, I still don't know the answer. Very clever what you did there, Ms. Fielding!
Charles and Tenreal are possibly Fielding's two best creations, so it's nice to see them front and center again.
Caroled was very enjoyable. It focuses on the growth of their relationship. Mainly Charles, because Tenreal is already content. But Charles still has his (emotional) demons. This is his chance to grow, and he does. He changes. He ends up being more at peace than he's ever been, and it's lovely to see.
The book might actually be 5 stars, but I've noticed my reviews for this series have been off. I need to reread them to see how I really feel. I can think of worse ways to start 2023.
One thing "spoiled" the story for me. It's a MAJOR spoiler so I probably shouldn't post it here, or even put it behind spoiler tags. But I will. Maybe it was necessary. It helped Charles become more focused.
Now Charles and Ten have a true HEA. Emphasis on the EA.
December 16, 2022
I was so excited to see these guys again! I actually thought the story was a little slow at first, but once I got into it I really got into it. There were so many other things I was supposed to be doing, lol, but I didn't put this one down until it was over.
This series just continues to impress.
This series just continues to impress.
December 21, 2020
I love this author so much. Think everything she writes is terrific, so was surprised when I could put this down. It just didn't grab me. By the end, I liked it more, but overall, meh. I think there wasn't enough story.
January 8, 2021
The completion of Charles and Tenrael's story from Book #1, "Corruption" with Abe and Tom joining in from Book #6 (Conned). This book is longer than most of the others and but has the greatest HEA ever. I really enjoyed this series.
November 22, 2020
Another chapter in a favorite book series!
I have very much enjoyed this series, so it was really nice to have a holiday addition. Looking forward to the next book!
I have very much enjoyed this series, so it was really nice to have a holiday addition. Looking forward to the next book!
November 30, 2020
I've been a fan of the Bureau stories from the start and this was wonderful; a small dose of supernatural horrors, and a very satisfying revisit with Charles and Tenrael.
October 2, 2022
A very sweet continuation of the first instalment. It was lovely to read more about Grimes and Ten - with Thomas and Abe as side characters 14 years after their story.
April 28, 2021
3.5. Love this couple from the original story and good to see them get more time, but the story was a little dull.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews