Promotional Shortlink: N/A
Published: Mar 17th, 2026
Pairing: MF
Standalone: Yes (HEA)
Style: Paranormal Monster Romance / 18+
Related Art: Phi and Lari in the Airport Bar by Mocco
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Pattern Recognition (A Carnal Cryptids Short) is a novella length MF paranormal monster romance book by author Vera Valentine. The 4 main romantic characters are Lari Broadloom (a human woman), and Phi (a powerful pattern-and-chaos-based Concept cryptid).
While Vera is still working on the story for the forthcoming (pub date TBD) full-length Carnal Cryptids 3: Deep South, she wanted to give her readers something fun to enjoy. This story originally appeared in the now out-of-print charity anthology Strange Love in early 2025.
Story Notes: Pattern Recognition is set in the Carnal Cryptids universe, a world that looks and feels just like our own…if it contained an endless, semi-secret variety of cryptids masquerading as humans, of course. These beings, created by intense belief systems, feed on fear and other strong emotions, with targeted disbelief or denial having the opposite effect. Drawn to rare, powerful humans known as believers, they are also known to be a bit…possessive around these chosen mates. Our main character in this story, Phi, is a regional king among cryptids. He’s more powerful than most, owing to his place of creation–his “origin grounds”–continually feeding him virtually limitless power.
Content Considerations: This story contains mature themes, including sexual harassment (non-MC coworker to FMC, no tactile contact), physical violence (by MC to non-main character), dirty talk, BDSM play, safe sex, oral sex, discussions of murder/mutilation (referenced, not described in great detail), manipulation of the human FMC (no non-con or dub-con), and in-depth descriptions of prior paranormal stalking, including hiding in the FMCs room and observing her intimately, by the MC.
Blurb: He’s a powerful carpet design-induced manifestation of every yearning in Las Vegas, chasing a dream that, for once, is entirely his own.
She’s the heir to a modest textile company just trying to get back to Atlanta after a difficult convention, looking to shake things up with an impulsive airport hookup.
Fate is about to roll some cosmic-level dice.
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