Author: Adriana Noir
Series: SKALS #1
Genres: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 Stars
After a chance encounter in the woods leaves her shaken and reeling, the last thing Taylor McAvay wanted to do was accept an invitation to dinner. Then again, after seeing what Sebastian Baas was capable of, she felt she had little choice. The guy did just save her life, and the feel of his partner’s assault rifle pressed against her cheek still lingered in her mind.
What she discovers surprises her. Beneath the armor and fatigues, is a smart, attentive, and sophisticated man. Unable to resist, Taylor finds herself drawn in by the Special Agent’s charm. Everything about Sebastian, from his imposing presence to his hypnotic eyes, pulls her under his spell. When a drive by shooting leaves her apartment riddled with bullets, she falls under his command as well—not to mention the shadow of a lethal, underground organization known as SKALS.
Her lover has a dark and dangerous side he tries to keep hidden, but when a series of events sends their lives spiraling out of control, she realizes there is much more to him than meets the eye. Whether she wants to leave or not doesn't matter. Taylor soon learns, when it comes to Sebastian and SKALS, there is no escape.
MY THOUGHTS:
When twenty year old Taylor McAvay along with her cousin went to the woods to play airsoft, the last thing she expected was to hear real gunshots. And most definitely, a rifle to her face and a threat to blow hear head off were the last things she wanted. She knew she was in a very dangerous situation that can cost her life, until a man with curly blond hair and the most piercing green eyes she had ever seen saved her from being killed by his ruthless partner, only to ask her to go with him to dinner. But what Taylor didn't know, was that a chance encounter in the woods would lead her fate into the hands of the dark and dangerous Sebastian Baas—a man who would do anything to have her, a man who was more ruthless and sinister and showed no guilt or remorse, and a man capable of being a monster.
Once she accepted, one thing was for sure: there was no going back, and she could never escape the strong grip Sebastian has around her neck for he wouldn't let her go—ever.
I wasn't supposed to be reading this book—for the nth time—again, but I accidentally swiped it while scrolling through my reader and damn, once I started reading this even though I have read it a hundred times, I just couldn't stop. I was that hooked! Yes, I admit some parts were boring, but it wasn't a big deal to me. I love this series so much that it's my favorite re-reads of all time and I always find myself coming back for more.
"Death is the only thing that could ever tear us apart, even that would fail. It's you and me, Taylor. Nothing else matters."
I wasn't supposed to be reading this book—for the nth time—again, but I accidentally swiped it while scrolling through my reader and damn, once I started reading this even though I have read it a hundred times, I just couldn't stop. I was that hooked! Yes, I admit some parts were boring, but it wasn't a big deal to me. I love this series so much that it's my favorite re-reads of all time and I always find myself coming back for more.
And I have never done a casting for a particular book. Ever. This one's my first.
Please be warned that Sinister Kisses isn't your average romance, as the author says. Sebastian and Taylor's relationship ain't no rainbows and flowers. Their's were darkness that it borders on obsession and hovers over the thin line between dominance and submission. Please also note that this book does not have any aspects of bondage or any kind of play done in the bdsm field. Basically, Sebastian's hunger for complete dominance and Taylor's submission to his every desires are mostly what their relationship is about.
Please be warned that Sinister Kisses isn't your average romance, as the author says. Sebastian and Taylor's relationship ain't no rainbows and flowers. Their's were darkness that it borders on obsession and hovers over the thin line between dominance and submission. Please also note that this book does not have any aspects of bondage or any kind of play done in the bdsm field. Basically, Sebastian's hunger for complete dominance and Taylor's submission to his every desires are mostly what their relationship is about.
The first book of SKALS series is divided into two parts. In part 1, Sebastian met Taylor in the woods with his partner, Josh, pointing a rifle to her face, accusing her of being a lookout. But then the most unthinkable thing happened. Sebastian saved her from being killed by his partner and proceeded to ask her to dinner. And that's when he began pursuing her. Their relationship blossomed into something more and both agreed to meet each other again. From going out to dinner to bringing Taylor in his home, things between them pretty much started to get intimate. Since then, Sebastian's relentless pursuit of Taylor only showed how overly possessive he can be when it came to the girl he only has his eyes for.
"Sebastian's a very possessive man. He doesn't share, and he will take out anything he sees as a threat. ~ Josh
Basically, in part 1, we get to see how Sebastian and Taylor's relationship progresses. Though their relationship was like a whirlwind, to say the least. I wish we get to see more of the build-up between these two. And when an incident happened in Taylor's apartment that almost put her into danger, Sebastian manipulated Taylor into moving in with him.
"Let you? Taylor, I want you to stay. I didn't bring you home to spend a night or two just so you could turn around and leave. Stay with me. I'll give you whatever you want or need. I will take care of you." ~ Seb
At this point, everything seemed to happen so fast: from the steamy hot sex, to the declaration of their love for each other, and to planning their future together and having kids along the way. Sounds like a fairy tale, right? A beautiful romance where the Prince and Princess live happily every after.
Well, that's where we're wrong. Nothing about this book is a fairy tale. And the problem is, Sebastian ain't no Prince. Not even remotely close. There was just too much darkness in him. His character was so unpredictable that he can go from sweet to rough in a blink of a second. One moment, he and Taylor were laughing, cuddling together and having sweet moments. And then the next, he had his powerful grip around her throat. He was like a ticking time bomb ready to explode in any minute. His temper was so thin that one wrong move or answer and you'll see just how dark he can be. I don't know why, but I love his character. Call me crazy, but Sebastian is and always will be my favorite anti-hero of all time.
I love his twisted mind and how messed up his thoughts are all the time. He may be scary, intense, lethal, domineering, controlling, abusive, and psychotic but in some sick way, he loves Taylor with all his might even though he manipulates and controls her to always be at his mercy. Years training at SKALS may have made him this way, to be heartless and to show no guilt or remorse in everything he does. But then he loved Taylor, anyway. And I like how overprotective he was of her.
And as for Taylor, I seriously have no words for this woman. She's this girl-next-door type of girl: young, innocent, sweet, and full of light. But she's doormat in every sense of way. She's weak, couldn't stand up on her own, cries all the time and always beg for forgiveness. For some reason I understand her. If I was in her position, maybe I also wouldn't be able to go against Sebastian. I just wish that she was strong enough when faced in a situation with Seb and that she won't cry all the time. I don't know how she could stand being with Sebastian with his overly controlling and abusive nature, but somehow, she did. But that doesn't mean that she knew everything about Sebastian, especially about SKALS.
Taylor was the one unblemished thing in his life. She didn't look at him like everyone else. She knew a side of him no one else ever would. He'd tried so hard to keep her and his work separate. No matter how good things were between them, he couldn't help but wonder if she would still love him if she knew the things he had done.
At some point near the second half of the book, this was where the intense part of the story began. Sebastian almost killed a man in front of his teammates for touching Taylor at a Christmas party in their home. This particular scene, I believe, was where Sebastian showed what he's truly capable of doing when it comes to the woman he loves. But then again, SKALS would never let what happened miss. And Marx, the director of SKALS, will do anything in his might to recondition Sebastian and his teammates to where their priorities truly belong to, even if it means killing his brother, his brother's pregnant life, and his nephew.
The 2nd part of the book consists of how Sebastian and Taylor will keep their relationship tight and will prove how far their love for each other would go with Sebastian's obsessive desire for her, the dark looming shadows of SKALS just behind them, and the watchful eyes of Marx.
Excerpt
"Do you want to leave, Taylor?" he asked softly.
She winced, trembling as the cold press of steel kissed her temple. "N-nooo p-pleaaasee. Please, Sebastian."
"Shh," he soothed, stroking the back of her head. "Listen to me carefully, sweetheart, because I am only going to say this once. This... this is the only way you are ever going to get to leave me."
She sobbed, choking back a scream as his lips settled above the gun, kissing the side of her head.
"Do you understand me?"
Her chest jerked with rapid inhales. She was panting, her breath coming a hundred miles a minute. Slamming her eyes shut, Taylor nodded. God help her, she was going to pee—and then he really would kill her. Her body snapped into rigid tension as she felt him smile into her hair.
"Good girl," he whispered.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Adriana Noir is an avid fan of dark fiction, taboo subjects, and tortured anti-heroes. She also tends to write about these things. Most of the time she can be found plugging away at the computer, guzzling coffee and energy drinks, or mumbling to herself as she sorts out the twisted plots and character conversations in her head. She's also been known to binge read or slip into Netflix comas whenever time allows. Adriana has a weakness for all things Australian. Tim Tams and red licorice are her kryptonite. She's also mildly obsessed with the Cheshire Cat. When Adriana isn't reading or writing, she's usually spending time with her family, sharpening her culinary skills, or interacting on Facebook.
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