Brutally Beautiful by Christine Zolendz

Book Title: Brutally Beautiful
Author: Christine Zolends
Series: Beautiful #1
Genres: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary, BDSM
Book Links: Goodreads, Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 Stars

With blood still on her hands, Samantha Matthews is on the run, running from dark secrets and a man she prays to God will never find her. Running and hiding, just to stay alive. She had no choice but to run, to leave, to hide and forget about her life before. When Samantha believes she's gained enough distance from her past and her demons, she stops running, hoping to find her future in the heavily wooded area of the Adirondack Mountains, a place she never expected to encounter a man with secrets as dark and as sordid as hers.  

Kade Grayson is hiding, not from the demons after him, but from himself and from the entire outside world, wishing every day he could have just died. Arrogant and domineering, he’s tormented and terrorized by his past, seeing nothing good for his future. With the ghosts of his past still haunting him, he has exiled himself to a life of solitude, only living for his words and through his stories. 

Until her. 

An undeniable attraction, turns into hate and then ultimately obsession, an obsession that grows into a powerful story of love and redemption. 

Will the bond they have begun to build between them grow stronger than the tragedies that have scarred both of their lives? Or will they allow their demons to consume them?

QUICK REVIEW:

"I'm falling in love with you, and I'm going to let you destroy me."

This was a pretty great read. I was curious right from the very first page, until curiosity got the better of me and all I know was that I suddenly couldn't put the book down. Brutally Beautiful is the first book I've read by this author and immediately I was captivated by her compelling and very polished writing style. The characters were very unconventional, not the usual or average MCs you would read in a book, but they weren't difficult to like at all. This book was messed up, but I loved and enjoyed it. By 90% of the book and I was like what the hell is going on. I need more details and answers because that ending did not do any justice to how good this book was!

Brutally Beautiful is a dark erotic romance novel which can't be read as standalone, Obviously, you'll need the next book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christine Zolendz resides in New York City, and is the author of five novels. Her first series, a paranormal romance (heavy on the romance and light on the paranormal) was published in 2012-2013 and includes Fall From Grace, Saving Grace, and Scars and Songs. Her newest series, published in 2014, includes the dark romance Brutally Beautiful and Cold-Blooded Beautiful.

STALK CHristine:

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Blog

Owning the Beast by Alexa Riley

Book Title: Owning the Beast
Author: Alexa Riley
Genres: Adult Fiction, Erotica, Contemporary
Book Links: Goodreads, Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 Stars

When Annabella Blanca finds herself on the doorstep of her new home, she is terrified, yet hopeful of what her new life will be.  

Griffin Stone has locked himself away from the world. One minor mix-up, and all his carefully built walls come crashing down.  

When love finds its way in to even the darkest of hearts, will it be enough to stand the greatest tests? Can beauty own the beast? 

Warning: This book contains a scarred hero, a virgin bride, insta-love, and tons of sex. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Read this in one sitting and I loved it! The very second our hero first laid eyes on our heroine, sparks flew. Yep. Insta-love, baby. I know people are probably tired of reading about "insta-love" in romance novels but I have no complaints given that this is a short story and I absolutely enjoyed it.

Griffin was such an alpha male and I fucking love the shit out of him. He may have been a jerk at first—treating the heroine badly and all—but he has his reasons to justify his actions and rude behavior towards our heroine when they first met that will make you go from hating him to wanting to cradle him in your arms and just hold him tight. The moment he saw her, he wanted her in his bed. When he had her, he went from cold to sweet to "I can't keep my hands off her" and to "I want her to stay with me forever." He was OTT jealous and possessive, didn't want another man looking at what belonged to his. And I loved the fact that he didn't wear protection with the heroine, where he always wore one with other women in the past.

On the other hand, I was a bit confused with the heroine, Annabella. One moment she was shy and sweet, then the next she was throwing an attitude. And the plot twist that suddenly came out of nowhere had me arching a brow. Other than that, it was still an entertaining read.

If you're looking for a quick read to spice up your time with insta-love, a bunch of smutty sex scenes, hot-as-hell dirty talks, a sweet virginal heroine and an OTT possessive hero with extreme caveman tendencies who will do anything in his might to keep his woman, you're in luck! This book fits just right up your alley and I guarantee it would be worth your while. You might need extra panties though, because this one is panty-dropping hot. *winks*

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alexa Riley is a mom, wife, and business woman by day and smut writer by night. She specializes in the Dirty Date Night reading. She wrote her first book, Owning Her Innocence, because she just couldn’t find any daddy books to her liking. So she sat down and just started writing, bringing the fantasies she find herself often dancing to in the dark of night to life, one page at a time.

STALK ALEXA:

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr

Flawed (Butcher, #1) by Francette Phal

Book Title: Flawed

Author: Francette Phal

Series: Butcher #1

Genres: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary, Romance, BDSM

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon

My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 Stars!

"You are this beautiful thing I want to destroy."
Blood. That's the only memory he carries from a childhood he does not remember. And now it is all he knows. Blood is his life.
Knox Bishop has done a lot of horrible things, all at the command of the man who holds his leash. It's a matter of loyalty for him. Allegiance to the man who saved his life when he was a child. So he goes where he is needed and does what he is told. He tortures. He kills. He kills. He tortures. It is an unrelenting cycle that he constantly craves and can never quite satisfy.
Until her.
Eighteen year old Lacey Barnes distributes her assets to fund her dreams. Medical school is the end game and she is determined to get there by any means necessary. But a family member's careless mistake derails her plans and now she must pay a price in order to save him. 
She goes to Knox willingly offering him the only valuable thing she has. Herself. In doing so he allows her into his world, a world she quickly realizes is void of any light and hope for escape is utterly elusive. But escape is something she finds that she no longer wants. 
"He lays a path of pleasure laced agony for me to follow and I do. Stupidly I follow him down the blinding darkness of his euphoric hell."

MY THOUGHTS:

One thing I learned from Flawed: Never read a book this fucking awesome if the second book isn't out yet! But, hell,

I was so engaged in reading this that I couldn't even blink much less breathe for a second. It's raw and gritty and dark throughout the book! The hero and heroine are so messed up and flawed and I was invested in them!

Lacey isn't your average heroine. At eighteen years old, she's already been through hell. Having a mother who's addicted to drugs and a brother who does nothing but fuck up, her life is pretty much messed up. She sells herself no matter how much she abhors it, but sex is her job, the only way she knows how to live and achieve her goals. And her family and her dreams are at the top of her priorities. At some point, things in her life seem to turn much worse when she learns that her brother owes a huge debt to those who work for the Khitrova family, in which she then meets the dark and brooding Knox Bishop, where she offers herself to pay off her brother's debt.

He's immense, intense, and lethal. His eyes... God, his eyes are the most frightening and beautiful thing I've ever seen. There is no escaping them. No escaping him.

Knox is someone you would dare not cross path with. Working for the Khitrova family, he kills for a living without remorse and tortures the victims he prey on. He is every bit fucked up, a psychopath who craves putting his knife on someone else's body and ripping their organs out until there's nothing left. The constant hunger to kill someone has consumed his entire being, until he meets Lacey Barnes, sister of the man who owes a huge debt to the Khitrova family. One look at her and he decides that he wants her, and plans to have her no matter the consequences.

It would be smart of me to live her alone. Her brother will live to see another day. But her...
I release a sharp breath and jam my fingers through my damp hair. And then I smirk. Her fate has been decided. She will not be so lucky. Not this time.

To be honest, it was kind of scary to be in Knox's head. You will see in his perspectives just how fucked up of a man he was. He's definitely an anti hero, but there is something in him that just basically draws me in, and I hate to love this man despite his flaws. When Lacey comes to him to offer herself to pay off her brother's debt, I was screaming at her and telling her to run and never look back! But another part of my messed up mind wants her to go to him.

These two are so complex and flawed that you will deeply feel the depths their characters. I love Lacey's strength. She may not have the easiest life, but she's a survivor and I adore her for it. It surprised me to know at first that she's only eighteen. I mean, aren't eighteen-year-olds supposed to have sleepovers and pajama parties at night? Not have a guy on top of you grunting his own pleasure in a cheap motel? But, as I said, Lacey isn't your average heroine. And that makes me love her even more.

Knox, as Lacey has described, is dark, lethal and intense. He's thirty-two or thirty-three years old, years older than our heroine. He stalks and follows Lacey, desperate to know everything about her as if she was his next target. I just love his stalkerish behavior. Sometimes, it bordered on obsession. He was very possessive too, seeing red when a guy friend touches Lacey in school, or threatening a maniac teacher who harassed her. No matter how scary it was to be in his head, I love it just as equally. The things Knox did in this book were beyond horrifying. It was gut-wrenching that I'm surprised I did not puke my guts out. If you do not know what Sadomasochism is, I think Knox and Lacey's relationship is one to describe it. Knox is a sadist, and Lacey was his equal: the lightness to his dark, this beautiful willing thing he wanted to destroy.

She's a part of me now, her touch, her smell, every single beat of her heart, and all that she is has been permanently etched within the dark recess of my soul. Everything I do now is for her, to protect her.
She is the only one that sustains me. The only person in this world I cannot do without. She is the one person I will not share. She is mine. 

One of the things I loved about this book was that the author did not hold back anything. The scenes were dark and intense all the way, which ends in a major cliff hanger, leaving us in a state of desperation thinking what's about to happen next. I hope the next book will be due soon.  I don't think I will be sleeping soundly tonight, or the many days that will follow, for that matter. *sighs* Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. But beware: some scenes contain explicit descriptions of non-consensual sex, S&M, degradation, human-trafficking and graphic violence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Francette lives in Massachusetts with her amazingly supportive husband of ten years and her darling two year old son. Reading amazing books has led her to writing and she's dabbled in fan-fiction before self-publishing her own works. She's constantly thinking up new stories to write and does her best work when music is playing in the background. Romance is where she's most comfortable but she hopes to one day venture in mystery novels. She has a weakness for coffee ice cream, tropical fruits and a good glass of wine.

STALK FRANCETTE PHAL:

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Website

Sinister Kisses (SKALS, #1) by Adriana Noir

Book Title: Sinister Kisses
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.

"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.

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.

STALK ADRIANA:

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Website

Addicted (Addicted, #1) by Charlotte Featherstone

Book Title: Addicted
Author: Whitney Bianca
Series: Addicted #1

Genres: Historical Fiction, Erotic Romance, Regency

BookLinks: Goodreads Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 Stars

Friends since childhood, Anais Darnby and Lindsay Markham have long harbored a secret passion for one another. When they finally confess their love, their future together seems assured, sealed with their searing embrace. 

But when a debauched Lindsay is seduced by a scheming socialite, a devastated Anais seeks refuge in another man's bed while Lindsay retreats to the exotic East. There, he is seduced again—this time by the alluring red smoke and sinister beauty of opium.
Back home, Lindsay's addiction is fed by the vogue for all things Oriental—especially its sensual pleasures—in fashionable London society. In his lucid moments, Lindsay still lusts after Anais, who can neither allow him near nor forget his smoldering touch. 

Tortured by two obsessions—opium and Anais—Lindsay must ultimately decide which is the one he truly cannot live without. 

MY THOUGHTS:

What a wonderfully written erotic historical romance by Ms. Charlotte Featherstone. This was the first book I've read of her and I regret not having to read this sooner! It had been an emotional, heart-clenching journey for me and I was indeed left a sobbing mess! Addicted tells a heartfelt tale about lies and betrayals and its disastrous consequences that left a massive impact between our flawed hero, Lindsay and our troubled heroine, Anais. It is a story of passion, jealousy, addiction, forgiveness, redemption, and a love so powerful that it overcomes and conquers all.

“I vow I am, and always will be, constant and faithful in my love for you, Anais. Nothing you or anyone else does shall alter these feelings. I am forever loving, forever waiting, forever yearning...forever yours.”

I myself fell helplessly addicted with Lindsay and Anais that it left me bereft knowing their story had come to an end. I loved every moment I was reading this even though pages upon pages of this book seemed to have painfully gripped my heart. I loved the awe-inspiring lines all the genuine characters had delivered. And I hated that I felt weak and helpless after reading this book, that until now, Lindsay and Anais' love story still clung heavily in the confines of my mind. I absolutely love the author's skilled and flawless writing. She will bring you into a world where she will but no doubt break your heart to pieces. But have faith! Because she will once again pick up the pieces and make your heart whole as if there hadn't been a dark void in the first place. Well done, Ms. Featherstone! For writing such a brilliant literary work that had left a huge stamp in our hearts.

"From a letter to the Corinthians. 'Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated. It is not rude, it does not seek its own interest, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury. It does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things. Love believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things. Love never dies...'"

Addicted is a novel by Charlotte Featherstone which can be read as standalone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Charlotte Featherstone writes erotic historical romance for Harlequin Spice, as well as erotic paranormal romance under the name Sophie Renwick.

STALK CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE:

Goodreads | Amazon 

SECOND BOOK TO THE SERIES:

Sinful (Addicted, #2)

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency, Adult Fiction

He must find redemption in the most unlikely bedchamber...
In Victorian England vice of every kind can be purchased, and Matthew, the Earl of Wallingford, makes certain he avails himself of every possible pleasure. Bored and jaded, he is as well-known for his coldness as for his licentious affairs with beautiful women.
While these numerous dalliances fulfill Matthew's every physical need, they secretly leave him numb and emotionally void. Until one night when he finds himself beaten, eyes bandaged and in the care of a nurse with the voice of an angel - and a gentle touch that soothes the darkness in him and makes him yearn for more.
Yet Jane Rankin is a lowly nurse, considered shy and plain by most. There is no place for her amongst the lords and ladies of the aristocracy - despite Matthew's growing craving for the fire that burns behind her earnest facade. And then there is Matthew's secret. A secret so humiliating and scandalous is could destroy everyone he loves. A sin, he fears, not even the love of a good woman can take away... 

Boy Next Door by Emma Clark

Book Title: Boy Next Door
Author: Emma Clark
Genres: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary, BDSM
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon Smashwords
My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 Stars!

"I'd glimpsed the human behind the monster. Now I couldn't go back." 

At a busy coffee shop near Houston, Mia meets tall, dark, hot Brandon Levine. 

Brandon's jade-colored eyes captivate her. His smile beguiles her. But what secrets is he hiding behind those eyes and dazzling smile? 

Soon she'll discover Brandon's insidious motives, and truths that will shock her. 

And just wait till she meets his brother Tyler. 

BND: This isn't role-play. This is the real deal.

MY THOUGHTS:

5 "Insanely Sick Fucked Up Twisted Demented Mind Fuck" stars.

Holy. Fuck. I need a minute to calm my nerves. Okay. I don't even know what possessed me to like this. I didn't connect much with the characters (since the heroine was fucking dumb and stupid and the hero as well as his fucking brother and stupid fuck of a father were a freaking psychopath with severe mental issues), the time setting was a bit off (considering how fast one scene jumped to another), and there were some messed-up scenes that I found myself grimacing at times. I understand that a lot of people didn't like the book. But it worked for me. Call me crazy but I loved this book. I loved the extreme dark elements and how it almost made my heart burst. To those who'll read this in the future, READ THE DAMN BLURB for your own sake. Do not read this if you're averse to kidnapping, rape, impregnation, dubious consent, a psychopath with severe mental illness, abuse, incest, and a lot more. You certainly won't find sunshine and roses here.

"The combination of 'Stockholm Syndrome' and 'cognitive dissonance' produces a victim who firmly believes the relationship is not only acceptable, but also desperately needed for their survival."~ Love and Stockholm SyndromeJoseph M. Carver, Ph.D

"I'd glimpsed the human behind the monster. Now I couldn't go back." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emma Clark writes novels, novellas and short stories. Most of her books feature the anti-hero, who is feared, loathed and loved.But now she is diving into the world of Graphic Novels, and she hopes her fans understand this. She is a very "visual" type of writer and, for her, it's more of an immersive experience using images with stories. She is also an artist, not just a writer. Being artistic is just as important to her as writing text. Emma's Genres are: erotica, dark erotica, erotic romance, paranormal romance.Friendly Warning: Some of her work involves offensive themes such as non-con and dub-con. 

STALK EMMA CLARK:

Goodreads | Smashwords | Website

Joseph Fallen by M.S. Willis

Book Title: Joseph Fallen
Author: M.S. Willis
Series: The Estate #0.5
Genres: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary, BDSM
Book Links: Goodreads and Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 Stars

There is a fine line between genius and madness…
Between love and hate,
Between right and wrong.
Joseph had created The Estate for her…
His wife,
The woman he chose to bear his child.
She was beauty unsurpassed;
And her song was unlike anything he’d ever known.
However, their love was a story that would not find a happy ending. 

In this prequel novella to the Estate series, follow Joseph Carmichael as he creates a world unlike any other. Because, in order to comprehend The Estate, you must understand Joseph; but, in order to understand Joseph, you must discover how a man falls from light into the pitch black depths of ultimate darkness. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Holy fuck. What I felt towards this book is beyond words I can imagine. Mind. Fucking. Blown. Fuck, I hate to admit that my insides are still shaking and my heart is still breaking. Joseph Fallen had me at the prologue and I loved the first few pages of the book. The story started out like a fairy tale and a promise of forever. We were introduced to Joseph Carmichael and his lovely wife, Arianna Carmichael: two people truly, madly and deeply in love with each other like any other young married couples. I loved seeing this side of Joseph, a prince charming who worships his wife at his feet and a man who would be worthy of her love. He promises to build a kingdom for her, and that kingdom is known as The Estate. But as he becomes more and more consumed with greed for money and power, he slowly slips away from his wife and the good husband that he was, slowly becoming the man unworthy of her, and thus, warping him into a deranged, sick monster who had allowed darkness to take over and insanity to rule him. And then the real horror begins...

This book was brutally devastating that I could hear the sound of my heart breaking to a million pieces. I love the author, I love how she portrayed the characters, love how she made her readers loathe the evilness that existed in this book. I hated Joseph with every fiber of my being. He was the epitome of pure evil and I wanted to kill him over and over, to stab him to death and revive him, only to kill him again and take utter joy over his brutal demise. I can never describe how much I fucking abhor him. And Arianna, God, sweet, naive Arianna. My heart hurt for her and there were times I was bawling inside. The things he did to her... fuck. This was pure madness, sickeningly twisted, and utterly horrifying that the amount of darkness in it was so freaking immense it couldn't be measured... This book devastated me, and I hate how much of a sobbing mess I am inside right now. God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M.S. Willis is a romance novelist whose debut novel, Control, was released in 2013. Although currently writing in the romance genre, Willis has plans to expand her literary pursuits into multiple genres and has no fear conquering difficult subject matters in her writing. Willis is a native Floridian who is also a photographer and musician. When not absorbing herself in written, visual or musical expression, Willis is an adrenaline junkie, a 'closet' video game enthusiast, and an avid outdoors person and nature lover.

STALK M.S. WILLIS:

Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon 

Twisted Together by Pepper Winters

Book Title: Twisted Together
Author: Pepper Winters
Series: Monsters in the Dark #3
Genres: Dark, Erotica, Contemporary, Adult Fiction
Book Links: Goodreads Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 Stars!

“After battling through hell, I brought my esclave back from the brink of ruin. I sacrificed everything—my heart, my mind, my very desires to bring her back to life. And for a while, I thought it broke me, that I’d never be the same. But slowly the beast is growing bolder, and it’s finally time to show Tess how beautiful the dark can be.”  

Q gave everything to bring Tess back. In return, he expects nothing less. Tess may have leashed and tamed him, but he’s still a monster inside.  

After surviving the darkness, a new dawn has begun. Twisted Together wades through black to grey, chasing the light of true love to banish the shadows forever. 
Pain is a requirement, connection a necessity. But ultimately Q and Tess must face their demons, before they can embrace their future.

MY THOUGHTS:

58 Wonderful, Dark, Sick and Twisted Stars!

Absolute. Fucking. Perfection. I would like to thank Ms. Pepper Winters for having to write such an amazing, breathtaking, heart-stopping series. And f*cking thank you for playing with my emotions, for ripping my heart out, breaking it into a million pieces, and picking it all up together and making it whole again. There are no words to describe how much I freaking love this series. I loved Tears of Tess and Quintessentially Q. But this book, this book fucking consumed me the moment I started reading this 'til the very end. I  absolutely admire Ms. Winters's writing. No words were left unsaid, no things were left undone. It. Was. Fucking. Perfect. I devoured every chapters of this book, imprinted every dialogues in my mind and embedded every words in my heart.

The blackness tried to swallow us whole, kill us, ruin us, capture our soul. But our demons didn't play well with others, the beast broke free to make them suffer. We're altered, we're abnormal, our souls stained with each other's mark. Our souls are that of monsters born in the dark.

Twisted Together started where the previous book left off with Q and Tess battling their own demons to find solace in the dark. Yes, they're in love, engaged, and getting married. But Tess is still being haunted with the horrors of her past in Rio, and Q still struggles to fix his esclave and make her whole again, unbroken, all the while facing his own demons.

I love how Q is willing to do everything to save Tess, to bring her out of her own darkness and slay every nightmares she has to endure. I love that Q, as her maître, would do anything to bring back the once strong, lively and passionate esclave who finds pleasure in pain and craves it like her next breath. He decides he can't marry her, not yet, when there is still clouds hanging over their heads and there are more demons they need to battle. But when he finds out that Tess no longer craves for pain, that she no longer gets wet with every pain Q inflicted for the sake of pleasure, he was devastated. He burned her, she destroyed him. So he decides to do this one thing that will both change their lives forever. He is about to kidnap her. He is about to make her relive everything, to stamp out the past and replace each with a new memory. And guess what? He did.

Intertwined, tangled, knotted forever, our souls will always be twisted together, our demons, our monsters belong to the other. Bow to me, I bow to thee, now we are free.

I admit, the first half of the book was a tad bit slow for me. Q and Tess have lots of internal struggles (both from their point of views), and I felt like some of it can be summarized into a paragraph instead of a whole chapter. But I guess that was what makes Ms. Pepper Winters's writing so unbelievably beautiful and utterly mesmerizing. She bids her time, she doesn't rush things to get the story done right away. Instead, she makes us feel. She makes us feel all the pain and agony these two characters have. Most of all, she makes us feel the intense passion, desire and love Q and Tess have for each other: a love that is true, honest, powerful. 

I thought that Q and Tess will finally have the happy ever after they deserved after everything they've been through in the two previous books. Until the second half of the book came like an explosion, and I was left completely shocked, gaping at my phone like an idiot. I should have known that danger is inevitable in this series. It shocked me immensely. I remember my fingers trembling as I held my phone, I remember holding my breath the entire time while I was reading in the darkness of my room. I couldn't help it, I was deeply affected by the major twist of this book. I was angry with the traffickers who kidnapped Tess in Q's office in Quintessentially Q, but I was more aggravated with the captors who stole Q from Tess in this book. I wanted to torture them, to cut off their foul dicks, feed it to them and shred their hearts to pieces. I hated that Ms. Winters toyed with my emotions. I hated that she tore my heart open and made me cry. There was a time when I was reading this book that I nearly lost hope: lost hope for Q, for Tess, for their love, for their forever. But I was wrong for doubting Ms. Winters's ability as a writer. I should've known better. I should've had trust and faith in her.

One esclave and one maître, no longer captive or thief, just perfect certainty and belief. You are my saviour. My forever. My salvation. My together. My absolution. My treasure. The crown to my home. You are my home.

I'm so absolutely fucking in love with this series. It was dark, twisted, gritty, suspenseful, but it was worth it. I tried so freaking hard not to finish this book fast. I wanted to devour every scenes, every words. But Pepper Winters has a way of writing that will always keep you over the precipice. And I loved reading every moment of it. I loved Q and Tess together. Their passionate moments were unlike any other. The sex scenes were hot, probably the hottest I've read for quite some time. They've been through a lot of terrors before finally having their happy ever after. And somehow, I felt like I've created an invisible bond with all of the characters in this novel. I'll never forget this series. Bravo, Ms. Pepper Winters for bringing us into the world of Q and Tess, a world where monsters find love and peace together in the dark.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pepper Winters is a NYT and USA Today International Bestseller. She wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex... her books have sex.

She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. She's also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestsellers, best BDSM series voted by the SmutClub, and recently signed a two book deal with Grand Central. Her books are currently being translated into numerous languages and will be in bookstores in the near future.

STALK PEPPER WINTERS:

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook