Reap by Tillie Cole

Reap by Tillie Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am ashamed to admit that I have not read Raze yet. I had planned to read it before reading Reap, but I got my review schedule confused and didn’t have a chance to do so. That said, I didn’t feel the least bit lost at what was going on in Reap. There is a possibility that I missed some of the series thread nuances, but as far as Zaal (221) and Talia’s story goes, I had no problem following along. And what a story it was.

Not being familiar with what was done to Raze/Luka, I got to witness the horrors of Zaal’s time as 221 without any preparation. It is appalling to think that there are people in the world capable of the cruelty that Jakhua and the other Bratva bosses engage in over the course of Reap – yet, I know there are. That what was done to Zaal started when he was EIGHT is horrifying. But there is no doubting that 221 was a finely tuned killing machine. Thankfully, when Luka learns that his friend’s twin brother has been found, he stops at nothing to rescue him from the monster that has turned him into a mindless killer. Unfortunately for Luka’s sister, Talia, the only place Luka can secure 221 is at the family’s home in the Hamptons – the place Talia has gone for two months in order to escape the pressures of being a Bratva boss’s daughter. Although Talia is at first disgusted by her brother’s actions to save a Kostava, she soon finds herself drawn to him. Much like Kisa calms Luka, when Talia is forced to make physical contact with him, we find that she calms 221. As they spend time together, Talia finds that her hatred for all things Kostava is soon replaced by feelings of compassion, affection, and attraction for Zaal. When Jakhua returns to collect his “dog,” Talia finds out just how much Zaal returns her feelings.

I really enjoyed Reap. I’ve read books where drugs were used to create super-soldiers and mercenaries. I’ve read mafia books. But this is the first I’ve read that combines the two and Cole makes it work wonderfully. Watching the relationship that develops between Zaal and Talia is very sweet in its own way. To see the Bratva princess tame the savage beast within (literally), and help him learn to live in the world as a free man was actually heartwarming – not something I’d expect from a mafia book, even if it is a romance. But Cole does a great job of off-setting all that sweet with some seriously action-packed scenes as Luka taps back into Raze to rescue Zaal – twice – and make Jakhua pay for Anri’s death. The final scene in the Epilogue is an excellent hook for the next book because I have to know what happens next. Until then, I get to backtrack and read Raze and I am really looking forward to it.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Theirs to Take by Natasha Knight

Theirs to Take by Natasha Knight

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So this was a much better read than I expected. That sounds awful and isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement, but bear with me as I explain. Four months ago, when I signed up to review Theirs to Take I was in and out of the mood for dark books. For the last month (possibly longer) I haven’t had any interest in reading books featuring dark subject matter and as this book neared the top of my schedule, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. Heck, I even read another book out of order on my schedule to delay reading Theirs to Take because I wasn’t ready to face it. No one wants to read a book in a genre that they’re not feeling at the moment, especially when a review is expected, and I really don’t like to do it because it’s not fair to the author. So it was with great trepidation that I queued it up on my Kindle last night.

Fortunately for me (maybe), Knight managed to suck me into the story so fully that I was up until 2am reading and only stopped then because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. While Theirs to Take certainly contains dark subject matter – we are dealing with human trafficking after all – the author didn’t take it too dark. Human trafficking is a story element that can be used to show the redemption of the trafficker or slave owner via love, to show human cruelty and suffering through the unnecessary abuse of the slave, to show criminals brought to justice, or, in the case of Theirs to Take, to show how a relationship that begins as Stockholm Syndrome can become a “real” relationship. When Eva suspects her fiancé of an affair and follows him to a meeting, she soon learns that his love was all an act as he has her added to the shipment of women with instructions that she is not to be there when the truck reaches its final destination. I cannot imagine the terror she felt as her life was turned upside down by the man who was supposed to love and protect her. But her situation gets worse when the “shipment” is hijacked and the women trade one set of captors for another.

Knight does an excellent job of combining Eva’s first person point of view with the brothers’ side of the story being presented in the third person. Had you asked me if an author could successfully combine first person and third person points of view in a book I would have said it was doubtful. Yet it works wonderfully for Theirs to Take as the main focus of the book is Eva and how she handles her abduction and falling in love with not one, but both of her kidnappers, and the first person POV is crucial to making it work. In the same vein, enabling the reader to see what the brothers were doing kept them from seeming evil and made Eva’s feelings toward them make sense. And while we were privy to some things before Eva, there was much we didn’t learn until Eva did which kept me connected to her plight. Most of the ménage scenes are heavy on the BDSM elements and I found them to be quite hot, again mainly because I knew the brothers’ intentions. I really enjoyed Theirs to Take and will be adding Knight to my shortlist of dark authors so I can check out more of her work the next time I’m in the mood for the genre.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Deadly by Ker Dukey

Deadly by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Were you ears burning Ms. Dukey? Because I pretty much cussed you out – out loud much to my dog’s dismay – when I got to certain point in the book. It wasn’t nice either. I used words I don’t tend to use unless I’m really angry or upset and you made me both. I know you know what point in the book I’m referring to. You made me cry and the worst part about it was that I didn’t know who I was crying for. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I absolutely loved this book. Then again I have been fascinated by all of the books in the series because the author creates characters whose insanity is horrifically realistic.

There’s not much I can say about the book itself for fear of revealing spoilers, but I’ll do my best not to let the cat out of the bag. Deadly takes place three years after Vacant and we learn that Ryan is still trying to get Cereus to accept who she is by owning her actions. There are parts of Deadly that are confusing, but they’re meant to be. The book is written from the points of view of Ryan, Cereus, and Blake and only one of those three is actually sane … maybe. We learned in Vacant that Cereus was not only sociopathic like Ryan, but she was also hallucinating – seeing and talking to people who weren’t there. Needless to say, her chapters are those that will make you question what the heck is going on, what’s real, and what is not. Don’t be afraid to reread passages to make sure you grasp what’s going on – remember, crazy people are narrating. Adding to the confusion is that the story begins in the present and jumps to the past so that you can see the events unfold that lead to Cereus and Ryan being where they are – pay attention to chapter and section headers because they will help reduce timeline confusion … maybe. Again, crazy people narrating. As for me, just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a turn and I was wrong. Boy was I wrong and I was so very glad to be wrong.

I enjoyed getting to catch up with Mel and Blake, even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Mel’s visceral reaction to Blake’s betrayal was only surpassed by his reaction to her refusal to keep him in her life. If you have read the previous books in the Empathy series, then you won’t be shocked by the violence in this installment. If you haven’t read them, don’t start with Deadly because none of the books in the series are stand-alone reads. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, romantic suspense, and sociopaths and serial killers, then I strongly recommend this series. Deadly is an excellent addition to it and I love that it ends in such a way that it serves as a conclusion, or an opening for another book. Yet again Ms. Dukey, I am impressed with your mastery of the sociopathic mind.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Deadly by Ker Dukey is Now Available & Reviewed post on Wicked Reads.


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Tarnished by Erica Chilson Blog Tour

Royce Kennedy believes he has the town of Rusty Knob and its citizens in the palm of his hand. For altruistic reasons, of course. A real man takes care of his land and the people on it, whether they want to accept the help or not.

After fostering an orphan, adopting underprivileged kids, creating businesses to bring jobs back to the area, donating his time, energy, and money by founding the Community Growth: Life Skills Center, people are beginning to wonder if the man is running a campaign to earn the status of a saint.

Royce’s family is getting frustrated by idly watching their patriarch spread himself too thin, because he won’t allow them to shoulder his burdens or their own. Drastic measures are taken before the man can see reason. When the dust finally settles, Royce realizes he’s been taking care of everyone but himself.

But there’s a problem with sorting out your issues, with the clarity of mind, you can’t hide from the good, bad, and downright filthy secrets buried in the depths of your past.

With dark, violent, depraved skeletons, Rusty Knob’s patriarch isn’t as pure of soul as he appears to be. Will he finally surrender and accept the help to buff the tarnish away?

Just because it’s the moral thing to do, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

“Our very own Wynn Gillette has prepared a speech for us today. Rusty Knob’s valedictorian, 2015 Basketball State Champion, and recipient of a basketball scholarship to West Virginia University.” Miriam gestures to the podium, and then takes a seat on stage.

“My God, Wynn’s glowing like a supernova.” Mesmerized, Kade’s pupils are blown. “I will not be held accountable for my actions after graduation.”

Striding across the stage like he owns the place, Wynn turns on a dime to face the auditorium with a huge grin stretching across his face. He clears his throat twice, lifts his index cards, and memorizes a few lines. His lips twist into an expression I’ve never seen grace my son’s face before. A warped mix of excitement and fury, tarnishing what should have been a proud moment.

“I prepared a speech for today,” Wynn begins in a defiant tone. “It was going to be poignant, proving how eloquent of a speaker I am after growing up in the hollers. I was going to hit on how isolation breeds ignorance, not a lack of intelligence. I was going to put a voice to my struggles, being the youngest of poor white, abusive, drunk trash. How I was adopted at seventeen. How through all of that, I maintained a high GPA and led our basketball team to victory.”

Wynn raises the cards in his hands, and tears them down the center while wearing a rebellious smirk– the microphone picks up the audible ripping sound, causing it to echo around the auditorium. Speech fluttering to the ground, he releases all of the pent-up rage he’s held on to for far too long.

Hands gripping the edge of the podium, Wynn leans into the microphone with eyes blazing fury. “I agree with Francis Parker. Fuck you, Rusty Knob!” Slowly enunciating, words quiet, they hit their intended targets like ammunition fired from a gun. “Fuck! You!”

Deafening silence rings throughout the auditorium, and I have no idea where Wynn is leading with this, and no one else does either. I crank my head around wildly, trying to gauge the reaction from the crowd.

“Rusty Knob?” Wynn cups a hand to his ear. “Can you hear me now? You’ve been mighty deaf lately. For the past seven months, I’ve either been called a faggot or patted on the back for being courageous. Both reactions were insulting– both insinuating something is wrong with me. Whether we’re at fault or not, it doesn’t change the fact that this school fired my boyfriend because we’re gay. So fuck you!”

Kade leans forward, releasing a noise I hope to never hear again. I yank the idiot back by the collar before he crawls on stage.

“But I owe you a thank you,” Wynn circles back, finally having our undivided attention. “Thank you for the education, for allowing me to make the most of it. I hope your eyes and ears are now open to the sources of education all around you. I’m no longer ignorant, so thank you.”

Wynn reclaims his seat while whispers roll through the auditorium, all versions of ‘what the fuck was that?’ Miriam has everything under control. Whatever speeches and events planned for the ceremony are cut in the wake of the chaos weaving its way through the auditorium.

Miriam walks to the farthest part of the stage near the steps. One of her helper monkeys on the school board hands her rolled up fake diplomas from a woven basket. Child after child crosses the stage, exiting down the stairs to join their family members as a high school graduate– an adult.

☆☆☆☆☆

Once again, in the interest of full disclosure I will begin my review of Tarnished by letting you know that I was one of the beta readers for this book. Yes, despite the fact that I got so sucked into Rusty Knob that I missed errors (I know this because of comparing notes with the betas), Ms. Chilson graciously allowed me to take part in the beta read for Tarnished. Needless to say, I was beside myself with glee because upon finishing Wynn’s story, I was dying to learn Royce’s. Again, I got sucked into the story so fully that despite reading it twice, I’m sure that I missed errors that the other betas caught. But let me tell you folks, I blame Ms. Chilson for writing a tale that is so engaging that I forgot my duty and immersed myself once again in the town of Rusty Knob.

A few things you need to know about Tarnished. Unlike Rusty Knob and the remaining books of the series, it is an M/F romance. Before the strictly M/M readers ick out and bail ship, you should know that first and foremost, Tarnished is a romantic suspense novel. This means the focus is on the secrets from Royce’s past and the suspense that accompanies their revelations. Yes, there is a romantic element and there are sex scenes – and they are seriously hot – but you can skim past them if you’re a strict M/M reader because this is NOT a book to be missed. While Royce’s romantic parts are M/F, the LGBTQ theme is continued in this installment as we get to see Wynn and Kade’s relationship continue to develop as well as learn of what they have endured since their “coming out” to the town’s residents. And let me tell you that Wynn’s valedictorian speech is not to be missed, but make sure you have your tissues handy when you hit the graduation scene because I bawled both times. The author also gives us more insight into Bren as she lays the foundation for his book in such a way that I was left with my mouth hanging open. Literally. Thank goodness there were no flies around.

Next, Royce’s story is a darker read than Wynn’s. If you picked up on Royce’s reactions and statements in book one, you would expect it to be so this shouldn’t be a surprise. It was clear in Rusty Knob that Royce loves his sons fully whether they are his by blood, adoption, or foster care and their sexuality is not an issue for him nor does it diminish his love for them whatsoever. This point is made even clearer in Tarnished even as the author reveals the events from Royce’s past that could have easily made him feel differently. To be clear, while this book certainly has darker tones to it, the author reveals the incidents via memories and therapy sessions in such a way that the reader knows what happened without having to relive every horrific detail with Royce. So while I know what happened to Royce and how it has affected him, Ms. Chilson didn’t subject me to graphic and grisly details of his past simply to shock me as the reader – which considering the tone set by Wynn’s story – would have been a serious case of whiplash.

And speaking of Wynn, Tarnished reveals that there is so much more going on in the lives of the people of Rusty Knob than Wynn knew. In blog and Facebook posts, Chilson has reiterated time and time again that books written in the first person (her style of writing) are meant to suffer from the faulty narrator, meaning that you can only know what the narrator knows. Despite having read almost every book she’s published, I never appreciated this concept as fully as I did once I finished reading Tarnished. If you read my review of Rusty Knob you know that I despised, hated, loathed, and detested Wynn’s parents. Yet by the end of Tarnished I had not only changed my opinion of Wynn’s father, but I actually cried for Corbin. Granted, Wynn was 16 year-old kid who couldn’t possibly know everything about the adults in his life, but as memories are revisited and facts are unveiled, we learn that there was more going on in Rusty Knob than even Royce knew and my entire viewpoint of Corbin Gillette has changed, which makes me rabid for more of the series to find out who else has me and the narrators fooled. Willa definitely fell into this category as well because there was so much more going on in her life that Wynn wasn’t privy to and rightly shouldn’t have been in the know about.

The hardest part about writing my review for Tarnished is not spilling the beans because there are a LOT of secrets revealed in this installment. I found myself shocked, dismayed, angered, flabbergasted, relieved, devastated, and over-the-moon happy as I read this book. I laughed, I cried, I squirmed, I groaned, and I fell in love once again with the characters as well as the author’s writing. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I will say it again, Ms. Chilson writes the first person point of view beautifully and her skill improves with each book she writes. I don’t feel as though I’m being told a story, but rather that I am living the character’s life in that moment. Tarnished was no exception as I got to experience Royce’s fear, hate, happiness, passion, and love as it occurred. This is yet another of the author’s books to be added to my reread shelf and I’m looking forward to reading Rusty Knob and Tarnished back-to-back and can only hope that the West Virginia muse comes a-knockin’ on the author’s door sooner rather than later so I can get my hands on the next book in the series, Stainless.

Also Available in the Rusty Knob Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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Erica Chilson does not write in the 3rd person, wanting her readers to be her characters. Therefore, writing a bio about herself, is uncomfortable in the extreme.

Born, raised, and here to stay, the Wicked Writer is a stump-jumper, a ridge-runner. Hailing from North Central Pennsylvania, directly on the New York State border; she loves the changes in seasons, the humid air, all the mountainous forest, and the gloomy atmosphere.

Introverted, but not socially awkward, Erica prides herself on thinking first and filtering her speech. There are days she doesn’t speak at all. If it wasn’t for the fact that she lives with her parents, giving her a sense of reality, she would be a hermit, where the delivery man finds her months after expiration.

Reading was an escape, a way to leave a not-so pleasant reality behind. Reading lent Erica the courage she gathered from the characters between the pages to long for a different life. Writing was an instrument of change, evolving Erica into the woman she is today- a better, more mature, more at peace thinker.

Erica has a wicked mind, one she pours out into her creations. Her filter doesn’t allow all of it to erupt, much to her relief. Sarcastic, with a very dark, perverse sense of humor, Erica puts a bit of herself into every character she writes.

Connect with Erica

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I was provided a free copy of Tarnished (Rusty Knob #2) by Erica Chilson to read and review.

Black Iris by Leah Raeder

Black Iris by Leah Raeder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Things you should know before you read Black Iris. This book is raw and it is intense. It is not a love story, it is a story of revenge and love just happens to find its way in. What happens to Laney and what it drives her to do is ugly and yet the story is beautiful in its honesty. Laney tells you from the outset that she is broken and not a nice person and on this point, she does not lie. Black Iris deals with bullying, sexuality, mental illness, and addiction and it does it in a harsh yet truthful way. If you are okay with reading ugly truths, then proceed. I think you will quickly find yourself immersed in a dark and thought provoking story. But if you're looking for a hearts and flowers romance or a story of redemption, stop now because Black Iris is not it.

Black Iris is told from Laney’s point of view and we have three timelines playing out – the present, the past in which Laney’s relationship with Blythe and Armin begins, and the slightly more distant past of Laney’s time in high school when she endured the events that set her revenge plot in motion. Much like a braid, the initial weaving of the tale is a little haphazard as I got accustomed to Laney’s narration and the author’s writing style. But as I continued reading and became immersed in Laney’s world, the shift from one timeline to another was smooth and flowed seamlessly, getting tighter and tighter with each passing page. It is true that Laney is not a nice person, but as I learned about her past I found myself caught up in her plan for revenge and couldn’t hate her for it. While it’s true that two wrongs do not make a right, this is a work of fiction and within it Laney does what many of us have only daydreamed of doing – giving Karma a helping hand. Was what she did right? No, not by societal standards. She is a vigilante whose vulnerability calls to others to help her. And she has no problem using those close to her to exact her revenge. The thing is, Laney isn’t self-righteous in her revenge – she knows it’s wrong, but she does it anyway.

Ms. Raeder unfolds the story in such a way that you are nearly toward the end of the book before you realize the full ramifications of what was done to Laney and what she set out to do. This is the beauty of the three timelines. It does not make the book an easy read – so be sure you can read without distractions and disruptions – but it is definitely worth the read. I know I was shocked at the final reveal because I NEVER suspected it…or them, as there was more than one reveal. I feel I should point out that I typically do not read F/F books because they’re just not my preference. I won’t shun a book that contains F/F interactions, but I don’t tend to sign up for them either. But the blurb for Black Iris was so intriguing that I couldn’t pass it up and I’m glad I didn’t. I don’t feel qualified to comment on whether or not those scenes were sexy, but I will say they were intense and full of emotion yet not gratuitous – they were timed right within the storyline and added to it. The same can be said for the M/F sex scenes – some of which were hot and some were not, but the nots weren’t supposed to be hot. Black Iris was an intense journey of revenge and I loved it. I for one am glad that Ms. Raeder did not feel the need to make Laney a redeemable character and left her flawed as it made for one heck of a read.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Black Iris by Leah Raeder blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Third Debt by Pepper Winters

Third Debt by Pepper Winters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?! What the heck was that? That wasn’t a cliffhanger. I’m not hanging from a cliff here! I’m sliding down the mother-freaking summit to end all mother-freaking summits!!! I understand how Jethro feels because I feel like I’ve been buried under an avalanche of emotions. I’m overwhelmed, yet numb. My mind has been boggled.

Third Debt is an intense series of highs and lows. I don’t want to call it an emotional rollercoaster because there’s not a lot of happiness found within and what bits of happiness do occur are tainted by the darkness that pervades the Hawks. It’s a bad case of whiplash in the very best way. This installment picks up right where Second Debt ended, with Nila’s liberation from Hawksridge Hall. Nila has no understanding of the repercussions her departure will cause and as awareness sets in before she has even left the grounds she tries to return to Jethro but is unable to. As Nila learns yet again that she has absolutely no control over her life, Jethro is forced to face his failure in collecting the debts. Cut’s cruelty knows no bounds, but he attempts to convince Jethro (and the reader) that he does love his son as he offers Jethro an alternative. Yet all are aware that there is no choice being given, rather Jethro’s trading of one cage for another.

As the third debt must be paid, it is obvious that Nila must return to Hawksridge. And while she does so with a plan, she underestimates Cut’s cunning and finds herself in a worse situation than in the beginning. The level of detachment and coldness that Jethro displays in Third Debt exceeds that of previous installments, yet Cut’s cage proves to be an unworthy opponent in the face of Nila’s love. But a woman in love can only endure so much abuse of her heart, body, and trust before that love is snuffed out and the third debt promises to do just that … cut the tie that binds Nila and Jethro once and for all. Yet again I found myself disgusted by the Weaver ancestor’s behavior that led to the third debt. Honestly, I’m not sure whose depravity disgusts me more – the Weaver ancestor or Cut and Daniel. Granted, Kes and Jethro are not innocent in their actions, but they don’t take pleasure in collection of the debts the same way that Cut and Daniel do. And that ending. I have not felt the fear for Nila in any of the installments that I do now for her. I see the Fourth Debt as a train wreck (and I’m not talking about the writing) – I don’t want to be witness to the horrifying events that are soon to become a part of Nila’s life and yet I can’t NOT see them. I HAVE to know what comes next. I have to know if the ending of Third Debt is as it appears or not. I take nothing for granted when it comes to Ms. Winters’ writing and thus begins the countdown to the Fourth Debt AND the Final Debt. Fingers don’t fail me now.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Vacant by Ker Dukey

Vacant by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Too short. I absolutely loved Empathy and Desolate. The way that Ms. Dukey has delved into the mind of a psychopath has kept me mesmerized and I have been looking forward to Vacant since the moment I finished Desolate. It is because of my fascination with Ryan and his relationship with Cereus that I am saddened by the fact that this was a novella, but mainly because I wanted more of the story. Yet despite its length, the author has given fans of the series an enticing look into the Ryan and Cereus’s life and did it in such a way that I didn’t feel like I was rushed through it.

As Vacant is primarily about the relationship Ryan has with his niece Cereus, the story is told from their dual points of view. This not only allowed us to see what Ryan was doing while he was trying to give Cereus the space he felt she deserved, but we also got to see the inner workings of her mind as well. What amazed me about the book is how well Ms. Dukey balanced the darkness of Cereus’s thoughts with age-appropriate angst consistent with what she’s dealing with as a college freshman. Although there is so much I cannot say because I don’t want to spoil the book for potential readers, I can say that while it was clear that Cereus harbored the same darkness in her that her uncle did, I really wasn’t expecting that it was anywhere near as pervasive as it was. Well done Ms. Dukey. Yet another insightful addition to the Empathy series. I can only hope that the next time Ryan and/or Cereus come knocking on your muse’s door again, that they decide to stay and torture her for a much longer time.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Vacant Release Blitz! blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Lily by Alaska Angelini

Lily by Alaska Angelini

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



To understand how much I enjoyed this book, I feel I should explain that I have put off reading it until the last minute because I haven’t really been in the mood for a truly dark read in the past couple of weeks. Not being in the right mood made me hesitant to begin it because I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to fully appreciate the author’s work. Ms. Angelini proved my worries unnecessary. Yes, Lily is a dark read, but the author manages to infuse enough hope and love into Lily and Zain’s story that the light kept the darkness from taking over.

As this is the first book in the series that I have read, I do not know how much of Lily’s abduction and time as a slave played out in Slade (her brother’s book), but the author does an excellent job of setting the stage for Lily in the Prologue so that a new reader to the series will know what is what from the beginning. That, combined with Lily and Zain’s nightmares and flashbacks throughout the novel, allowed me to understand the horrors that Lily endured, the PTSD she now deals with as a result, and the battle she faces each and every day as she strives for normalcy. Because the book is told from the dual points of view of Lily and Zain, the reader is able to see just how effective Lily’s armor is, not only when we are privy to her thoughts, but also when we can observe her from Zain’s point of view and the differences he sees in her public persona and the woman she is when she is home alone. Being aware of the internal battle Lily wages against the intellectual belief that she should not want her Master back in her life and her actual love for him left me anxious to see how their reunion would play out and I’d say it’s safe to say that my imaginings of it were nowhere close to the actuality of it. I was shocked at the twists, turns, and obstacles that Lily and Zain encountered as they fought for a future together. Each time I thought it couldn’t get any worse, Ms. Angelini proved me wrong. And when Saul actually showed up in the book, I was seriously worried with how things would play out – the collateral damage potentials were astounding.

As noted above, I have not read the prior books in the Captive to the Dark series and read Lily as a standalone. While I do not believe that hindered my enjoyment of Lily and Zain’s story at all, I do believe that fans of the series will enjoy catching up with Slade and Mary, Blake, and Gaige. As I actually own all three of the previous books and find myself intrigued by each of these men and the women who love them, I hope to rectify this egregious lapse in my reading experience as soon as I can. Lily was an intense read for so many reasons and I encourage potential readers to take note of the author’s warning because it is not for the faint of heart. However, if you like your romance with a heaping helping of dark, murder, mayhem, and seriously hot Master/slave sex, then you may want to give it a go.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Lily (Captive to the Dark, #4) by Alaska Angelini blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Asylum by Lily White

Asylum by Lily White

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Asylum is an intense read that appealed to my love of romantic suspense and psychological thrillers. In the same vein as Ker Dukey’s Empathy series and the Serial series by Jaden Wilkes and Ms. White, Asylum delves into the mind of psychopaths and the criminally insane. What is truly terrifying about this book is that it quickly becomes apparent that not all of the crazies at the Statham Institution for the Criminally Insane are patients, some of the employees are just as certifiably insane as the patients.

We meet Alex on the day that she meets her new psychiatrist. While Alex believes that she has only been at Statham (or the Asylum as the patients refer to it) for a month, we learn that she has been there for a year and has almost no recollection of the past four years of her life, including the two men she is accused of murdering. Although her previous psychiatrist, the staff, and a good number of the patients believe Alex to be faking her amnesia, Dr. Hutchins questions the accuracy of her diagnosis and current treatment regimen. What follows is a brilliantly crafted journey into a troubled mind using a combination of hypnosis and drug cocktails that enable Dr. Hutchins to unlock parts of Alex’s memories regarding the circumstances of her alleged victims’ deaths. Between the investigative efforts of Dain, her police detective brother, and the progress Dr. Hutchins makes during Alex’s therapy sessions, more facts regarding the deaths are revealed and while some point to her innocence, others do not.

While I do not and cannot condone doctor-patient relations in real life, the same does not hold true in fiction because Jeremy – Dr. Hutchins – was about the only bright spot in Alex’s life in the Asylum. Not only did he care about her wellbeing and made her feel safe, the man was apparently sex-on-a-stick hot and their chemistry was undeniable … when they were alone. Just in case her mental health issues and an inappropriate relationship with her doctor are not enough, Alex is being targeted by several of the staff, bringing her safety into question on a near daily basis. When things come to a head, I must admit that I was relieved that the friends Alex made over the course of the book came to her aid and resulting carnage couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy. And despite ALLLLLL that happens in the book, I still found myself floored by the Epilogue. Even with my graduate level abnormal psych classes, I never saw THAT coming. Well done Ms. White.

I appreciate that Ms. White clarifies in her Author’s Note that she has taken liberties with the psychological diagnoses, symptomology, and treatment include in Asylum. That said, as a student of psychology, I loved the way she dealt with the psychologies of the various patients – some of the patients presented with textbook symptoms while others’ embellished symptomologies were skewed ever so slightly that they maintained a feeling of realism while scaring the bejeezus out of me (freaking eyeballs!). While the facility described is nearly nonexistent today (I haven’t been to every facility so I can’t say they’re completely absent), it is reminiscent of the early years in psychiatry and every freaking horror movie ever set in an asylum – again, scaring the bejeezus out of me. My only real concern about this book is that it’s classified as a “Dark Erotic Novel.” While the book is indeed dark and it is erotic, it’s not what I would consider dark erotica. So if you’re looking for dark erotica (e.g., Pepper Winters and CJ Roberts) you’re probably not going to find what you’re looking for in Asylum. However, if you’re looking for a dark psychological thriller with erotic elements, well buckle up and enjoy the journey into madness.

Check out the Asylum by Lily White Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


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Lana's Awakening by Kristin Elyon

Lana's Awakening by Kristin Elyon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I’m not sure what is more frightening, that this book is inspired by “true real life events” or the sloppy editing in the last third of the book. Because I often review pre-release copies of books, I rarely comment on the editing because I don’t always know if the copy I received is the final version or not. But as this book has been out for several months, I am assuming that it is the published version and would feel remiss if I didn’t comment on the fact that the frequency of errors increased significantly towards the end of the book – enough so that missing or misspelled words kept pulling me out of the story. I consider myself a rather forgiving reviewer when it comes to this because no one is perfect (myself included), but when it interrupts my reading flow repeatedly I feel I have to note it. That said, Lana’s Awakening was a really good read.

If you do not enjoy dark subject matter, do NOT read this book. If reading scenes involving abduction, sexual assault, and physical violence bother you, do NOT read this book. If sexual interactions involving bondage, sensory deprivation, breath play, and humiliation bother you, do NOT read this book. However, if you are an open-minded reader and can enjoy books with these attributes, grab yourself a copy of Lana’s Awakening and hunker down for an intensely dark read that will leave you questioning which monsters were created, which monsters were unleashed, and who created whom. I use the term “monster” in accordance with the book and not my belief that one’s sexual proclivities marks one as a monster. While I am a firm believer of “to each his own” in the bedroom, this does not apply to Lana’s abductor because nothing he did was consensual. That his actions led to Lana learning more about herself is entirely moot – the ends do not justify the means, especially as that was not his intent.

Without giving away too many details, Lana’s recovery after her abduction causes her to examine her reactions to what Daniel did to her and she comes to understand that she is submissive by nature and, although the book does not come out and say it explicitly, she is also a masochist. While she finds safety in her post-abduction relationship with Sergio, he is unable to give her what she truly needs. She is forced to end their relationship so that she can find someone to meet her needs without stringing him along. Her second relationship with he who will not be named in this review fulfills her newly discovered needs and Lana begins to plan long-term. But when a truly unexpected twist is revealed – one that had me yelling WTF? at my Kindle – Lana finds her world turned upside down and she is left once again struggling to find her way in the world.

As I stated before, Lana’s Awakening is an extremely intense read that is not for the faint of heart. Lana’s experience is horrific, made even more so by the fact that it was inspired by real events. The consensual sex scenes are dark, graphic, and erotic and the nonconsensual sex scenes left me crossing my legs, cringing, and thanking the universe it wasn’t me on the receiving end of them. I found the transformations that Lana and some of the other characters undergo absolutely fascinating. But I had a huge problem with the speed with which Daniel was released from prison; I get that this is a work of fiction but that the reader is expected to accept that the events transpired in the course of a single day requires a tad too much suspension of belief on my part because the criminal justice system does not work that fast. Despite that minor issue, I appreciated the opportunity to accompany Lana on her journey and I found the ending of the book unbelievable satisfying.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Second Debt by Pepper Winters

Second Debt by Pepper Winters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Curse word! Curse Word! CURSE WORD!!! Even knowing that Second Debt ended on a cliffhanger was not enough to prepare me for the way in which events unfolded. Honestly, I don’t even know what to say about this book except that I am in awe of the fact that Ms. Winters is able to one-up herself with each installment. The story just keeps getting better as we have the unveiling of macabre history of the Weavers and Hawks intertwined with the developing relationship between Nila and Jethro.

While much occurs before the second debt is extracted, I can’t really talk about it as this series builds with each respective book and makes the discussion of specific facts ripe for revealing spoilers. That said, I found myself both fascinated and horrified by the revelation of what act the Weavers inflicted upon the Hawks that led to the development of the Second Debt. Honestly I can understand why the first and even the second generation of Hawks demanded the debts. The need for vengeance would be ripe, possibly even enough for the third generation to still demand it. But I found Bonnie Hawks’s actions toward Nila disturbing – believable, as I suspect that madness truly does run through the family – but disturbing nonetheless. As for the act that is undertaken to extract the second debt, Ms. Winters you scare me with how realistic your writing is. I felt like I was right there with Nila, suffering the same fate as the previous Weaver women right along with her. I blame you for disturbing my dreams tonight because I know it’s coming,

I am reluctant to call Nila and Jethro’s story a romance because it’s not. There is no romance between Nila and Jethro – their family history and situation doesn’t allow for it, forbids it actually. But it is a love story. While we have seen hints of it in the previous books, Second Debt proves to be pivotal in the shaping of their relationship. The physical aspect of their relationship definitely intensified and if there were ever a case of pregnancy by Kindle, this is it. Nila never stood a chance against Jethro. But seriously, their sexual chemistry is the bonus because their souls are so entwined and it quickly seems to becoming a case of them against the world. I cannot wait for the Third Debt to find out what happens next and to find out if my suspicion about Jethro’s “disease” is correct.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Second Debt Tour Stop! blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Heart Recaptured by Tillie Cole

Heart Recaptured by Tillie Cole

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Heart Recaptured is a continuation of the story that began in It Ain’t Me, Babe. Although this book is primarily Delilah and Ky’s story, it moves the series storyline forward as the Hades Hangmen and The Order once again find themselves at odds with one another. I am still amazed at Ms. Cole’s ability to make two people from seemingly opposite ends of the morality scale mesh so perfectly. The faithful and the faithless. The saint and the sinner. The devout and the debauched. Delilah and Kyler. Since the moment I finished reading It Ain’t Me, Babe I have been anticipating this book and Ms. Cole did not disappoint.

Unlike Mae, Lilah is not happy to be free of The Order and fears that Mae has condemned their souls to Hell by taking them to the Hades Hangmen’s compound. It is clear that Lilah’s faith has been instilled deeply within and she needs to return to her people to seek salvation for her condemned soul. In short, she drank the Kool-Aid and is a devout believer of the Prophet’s teachings. She clings to her rituals and prayers and refuses to “adjust” to life on the outside. But after an ill-timed trip to the clubhouse, Lilah finds herself under Ky’s tutelage as Styx charges him with helping her adjust to life outside the commune. Ky is not happy about this task as he is quite attracted to her but she is off limits. As they spend time together, Lilah begins to trust him and feels safe with him, while the unthinkable happens to Ky – he begins to fall for her. Like Styx, Kyler had a similar visceral reaction to what Lilah endured at the hands of The Order – horror, disgust, hatred, rage, and protectiveness. It was horrifying to read the scene as she relayed the circumstances that led to her being labeled as a Cursed. Unfortunately for Lilah, despite the safety that Ky’s status provides, she finds herself in situations that seem to support the Prophet’s designation of her as a Cursed. When The Order finally reveals itself by reclaiming Delilah, Ky admits to himself and his brothers how deep his feelings are for her and they set off to rescue her.

Ms. Cole has created such a unique storyline in this series that despite it being eight months (and a couple hundred books) since reading book one, I was able to pick up Heart Recaptured and begin reading as if I had just finish It Ain’t Me, Babe. There is so much going on within the book and the series that I found myself immersed in the Hangmen’s world within just a few pages. I devoured this book as I had to see how Lilah and Ky’s story played out. The depth of Delilah’s “faith” is disturbing, yet consistent with real-life victims of cults. The lengths to which she goes to rid herself of her curse was startling from a human perspective, yet unsurprising from a psychological one – even if I didn’t see it coming. I loved that the author did not end the book after Lilah’s rescue and simply leave that as their happily ever after. Instead she gave Lilah and Ky a realistic resolution consistent with their lifestyles and brought me to tears at the same time. I cannot adequately express just how much I love this series. I am so looking forward to the next book in the Hades Hangmen series as I am cannot wait to read Maddie and Flame’s story.


Check out the Heart Recaptured by Tille Cole Blog Tour blog post on Wicked Reads.


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First Debt by Pepper Winters

First Debt by Pepper Winters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



OH! MY! GOD! I am gobsmacked! I am practically speechless. I don’t know where to begin. So many questions. So few answers, but the answers given just lead to more questions. And that ending, that glorious effing ending that I never saw coming. I didn’t suspect. It wasn’t even on my freaking radar. Worst part is that with the way this series builds upon itself, I can’t talk about any flipping specifics without treading on a spoiler!

What I can say: Nila is coming into her own identity. She is no longer the dutiful daughter. She is a woman and she is her own woman, contract be damned! As for Jethro, his complexities are growing at a monumental rate. I cannot wait to find out what his secrets are, including the one he shares with Kestrel. But the chemistry we saw flickering between Nila and Jethro in Debt Inheritance had nothing on the inferno that blazed between them in First Debt. These two push one another’s buttons so thoroughly that I’m waiting for the nuclear fallout.

As the title would suggest, the First Debt was collected and it was an extremely intense scene. Not only was Nila horrified to learn what her ancestors did to the Hawks hundreds of years ago, she could understand why revenge was sought – even as she feels that she and Jethro are too many generations removed to take part in this farce. Her silent vow to be the Weaver who ends the cycle is a noble one and I cannot wait to see how the story plays out in Second Debt. Well done Ms. Winters, well done.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the First Debt Tour Stop! blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Kick by Carmen Jenner

Kick by Carmen Jenner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Some of the most difficult reviews to write are for books that are well-written and contain all the right elements but don’t quite pack the punch I was anticipating. Sadly, despite its gritty bikers, dark themes, tons of action, revenge, and hot sex, Kick ended up being one of these kinds of reads for me – a good read but not a great one.

Now before you go getting your panties in a bunch, I’m not saying that Kick wasn’t any good because it was. Ms. Jenner has a lovely writing style that made reading the book enjoyable. I had no problem keeping up with the storyline and Kick’s character development as she moved from present events to past events – Ms. Jenner excelled at insuring that her readers would know when in time we were during Kick’s life as we learned how his past had shaped him. As the details regarding Lauren unfolded, I felt badly for Kick. I understood his pain, his need for revenge, his heartache – but I never connected with him and actually felt his pain. For me, it was my inability to connect with Kick that I believe prevented it from being a great read.

Through Kick’s story, Ms. Jenner takes the reader on an action-packed blood bath as he tries to help Indie extract revenge while he tries to find redemption. I was fascinated with how the storyline regarding Indie’s abduction played out and loved her final act of revenge – so very fitting. As much as I enjoyed Indie’s character and seeing how she grew and survived after the abduction, I was no more successful in connecting with her than I was with Kick’s character. It wasn’t until the Epilogue that I finally felt a connection with Kick and Indie and it just was just too late at that point, hence my 3-star rating. Kick is a solidly written book that is going to have a lot of rabid fans – the good kind – and I am disappointed that I won’t be joining their ranks. This is definitely one of those books that I recommend you check out for yourself, especially if you enjoy dark and gritty MC books, because you may just your next series to stalk.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Kick Tour Stop! blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Debt Inheritance by Pepper Winters

Debt Inheritance by Pepper Winters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



That was intense! Even though I read the blurb, I wasn’t exactly sure of what to expect from the book. But I certainly wasn’t prepared for all that is the Debt Inheritance. As this is the first book in the series, it sets the stage for Nila’s deliverance to Jethro. In doing so, the reader learns most of the information at the same time Nila does, thus making it easy to understand her confusion and resulting mood swings from anger to helplessness. What little information that is revealed to the reader separate from Nila does more to provide understanding of Jethro’s actions than impart anything potentially useful for Nila.

I’m still not sure what disturbs me most (in a good way) about this book. The agreement that was signed that gives Nila to Jethro was entered into at a time when women were considered property and would seem to be completely legally binding, especially as it is set in England and was enacted with the crown’s authority. While one would hope that laws passed since that time would override it, it adds a believability to the story that I found quite disturbing. What also bothered me was the failure of Nila’s father to warn her, prepare her, or protect her from her fate – especially once we learn the truth about Nila’s mother. The luncheon scene was also unsettling; I expected a much darker and more violent induction, yet the formality and false civility was far more effective in stripping Nila’s defenses (and freaking me out).

Debt Inheritance is an intense and dark read. Although it does not meet the same level of twisted darkness of the Monsters in the Dark series … YET … do proceed with caution if dark reads are not your thing as there are scenes that will likely disturb some readers. And this is only the beginning of the ride. The author does an excellent job of setting the foundation for the series by creating far more questions than answers. Unless I completely missed it by being caught up in the luncheon scene, I still do not know WHY the Weavers owe a debt to the Hawks. But Ms. Winters definitely lived up to her promise of a cliffhanger ending and I for one cannot wait for First Debt.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Debt Inheritance Tour Stop! blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Desolate by Ker Dukey

Desolate by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I didn’t know what to expect from Desolate, but I can guaran-damn-tee you that it wasn’t to fall for the sociopath. When I finished reading Empathy I was happy that Ryan got what he deserved and though I must admit that I forgot all about last part of the Epilogue that laid the foundation for this book, I still never would have expected to finish Desolate feeling like Ryan had been redeemed. Yet, Ms. Dukey has managed to leave me feeling exactly that way. Now the hard part begins, writing a review that is spoiler free while conveying how much I loved this book.

Desolate finds Blake and Melody together eighteen years later, preparing for their daughter to go off to college in the fall and planning to have another child. Their love and devotion to one another is obvious as is the fact that they still have that “spark,” as evidenced by the extremely hot kitchen sex they have in the beginning of the book. Clearly, all is well in their world. Until Blake gets the call from Ryan’s psychiatrist and learns that Ryan has been deemed to no longer be a danger to himself or others and is expected to be released from the psychiatric hospital in the next three months. At this news, I was likely as outraged as Blake was but obviously for an entirely different reason. Sociopaths cannot be cured. As Ryan says later in the book, there’s nothing to fix because it’s missing, not broken. My outrage was not directed at the author. Oh no. Sadly, the narcissism that led Ryan’s psychiatrist to believe that he fixed the unfixable exists in every profession, including psychiatry. And as a highly intelligent sociopath, Ryan would have easily been able to pick up on the doctor’s narcissism and manipulate him to obtain his freedom. Nope, my anger was at the character who unleashed Ryan’s darkness back into the world.

As for the rest of the story… Oh. My. Goodness!!! Ms. Dukey writes so many twists and turns into the story that I never saw coming, yet they’re all believable. I loved the relationship that Ryan developed with Cereus and that after he spent some time with her, he didn’t want to hurt her – no desire to whatsoever. His desire to protect her was so thorough that any plans for revenge he had for Blake and Melody were discarded because to hurt them, was to hurt Cereus. But you know what they say about good intentions – the road to hell is paved with them. Where Empathy was about Blake’s redemption, Desolate is Ryan’s trial by fire and it’s a freaking bloodbath. But we are talking about a serial killer here, so that’s not surprising. Again, Ms. Dukey’s attention to detail when it comes to the sociopathic mind is impressive and I can only hope that the epilogue is a promise for another book in the series. Well done Ms. Dukey.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Desolate Release Day! blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Review of Serial: Volume One by Lily White & Jaden Wilkes

Serial: Volume One by Lily White & Jaden Wilkes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Wow! I have to say that Serial is off to a blood-curdling start. As this is the first book in the series, it serves to set the stage – introducing the major players, getting a lay of the land, and providing a good amount of background on Jude and insight his sociopathic tendencies. I liked how the authors took us inside Jude’s mind when his urge to kill would come on him and drug us along for the ride when he fed his red. The care with which Ms. White and Ms. Wilkes develop Jude’s character and kills is impressive. As is the abused persona that inhabits Ronnie’s character. It is obvious that these ladies have done their research in both of these disturbing topics and have got to great pains to get their creation right. The interactions feel real as do the murders. I will admit that there was one murder in this volume that I wish could have been done more than once because that individual deserved to die, repeatedly.

Like most, I read for different reasons and the books I choose tend to depend upon my mood (yes, even when I sign up for a review). Sometime I read to get away, to laugh, to fall in love, to fall in lust, to be entertained, to look at the world in a way that is not my normal view, to expand my horizons, and to challenge my belief system. Sometimes I want the book to be so fantastical a work of fiction that there is little or no basis in reality. Other times I like my book to be a work of fiction with a healthy dose of reality. Serial falls into this latter category and provides one heck of a read. This is not a love story (at least not yet) nor is this erotica, this is the mind of a serial killer – so strap in and enjoy the ride because it promises to be a bumpy one full of twists, turns, and things that go bump in the night. I, for one, cannot wait until Volume Two’s release.



Check out the Serial: Volume One by Lily White & Jaden Wilkes blog post on Wicked Reads.


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Empathy by Ker Dukey

Empathy by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My hats off to you Ms. Dukey. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be a dark read. The blurb clearly states that Blake is a contract killer who didn’t feel empathy. As such, I pretty much knew we were dealing with a sociopath – yes, that master’s degree in psychology does have its uses. What I did not expect was the mind-bending trip down the rabbit hole that is Empathy. The twists and turns that the author introduces throughout the story make for one intense psychological thriller.

If you read the blurb, then you’ve likely surmised that Blake’s “profession” and Melody’s “tragedy” are entwined (and if you think that’s a spoiler, trust me when I tell you I have not ruined the book for you). The author does an excellent job of setting the stage, so to speak, for Blake’s sociopathic tendencies. When Melody makes first contact with Ryan (her classmate and Blake’s brother), it’s clear from the way that she describes his eyes that he didn’t survive that fateful night unscathed either. They take comfort in one another’s presence and their friendship develops. Once Melody learns that Blake and Ryan are brothers, I felt like I could hear her internal groan as she dealt with the knowledge that her best friend was the sibling of a man she hated interacting with. As events unfold, Blake finds himself unable to resist the pull he feels for Melody and when he finally gives in, well the sex is aggressively hot.

While a work of fiction, Empathy is a study of human behavior. The author seems eager to explore the nature vs. environment debate regarding sociopaths – are they born or are they made? I suspect this is just one of the reasons why this book appealed to me so much. That it is also the story of Blake’s redemption and I was constantly left wondering whether or not he would allow his love for Melody and hers for him to redeem him completely appealed to the romantic in me. And that I never saw IT coming, all I can say is well done Ms. Dukey. You’ve just made another fan.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Empathy by Ker Dukey blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.

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