Showing posts with label Captive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Captive. Show all posts
I only wish to be with you
- Ella
- Ella
────── ♔ ──────
Ella and the Emperor by Honey Phillips
Standalone - Alien Abduction #5
Release - February 28, 2019
Genre - Scifi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / filthy and frequent
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 244 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - February 28, 2019
Genre - Scifi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / filthy and frequent
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 244 pages
Publisher - Indie
An alien emperor. A silent young woman.
Captured by aliens as a child, Ella was raised as the beloved pet of a kind alien couple. One night of blood and terror destroyed her sheltered life and shattered her voice. Now she’s a slave in the emperor’s palace.
Alone in a terrifying new world, she clings to the person who saves her - the dashing young emperor. But the handsome alien also arouses unfamiliar longings in her heart.
When Emperor Karthajin rescues a silent female from an attack, he does not expect to become an object of worship to the enchanting little creature.
New to the throne, surrounded by smiling faces and hidden enemies, he finds unexpected comfort in the innocent human who trusts him so completely. But as his feelings grow stronger, so does his reluctance to expose her to the viciousness of the Imperial Court.
Can an emperor lose his heart to a human slave? And will his empire ever accept such a match?
My Two Cents
3 "The Mute and the Master" stars
I'm still not sure how I feel about this one. I couldn't connect to the characters and it kind of felt like I was reading this story through a filter. Things were happening, but they weren't really penetrating for me.
Ella was stolen from Earth as a child. She became a slave to a somewhat benevolent couple who wanted her to remain a child. Why? Well, it all becomes clear as the story goes, but for quite some time, everyone believed that she was a child. I can't even comprehend being 18 and acting like a kid. Add the fact that she couldn't or wouldn't talk... yeah, it was hard to get behind.
Then there's Karthajin. As emperor, he never seems to have a free moment. He doesn't remember the last time he had some fun. With Ella, everything he'd forgotten was brand new. She brought out the best version of himself, as he did for her.
I will say this... the way the author described his manhood... Let's just say that I couldn't imagine something like that, but the idea of it was a bit enticing. Don't tell!
About the Author
Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies!Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.
Visit https://www.honeyphillips.com/ for more information
"You make me feel safe and loved and so very happy.
But I need to be able to fight things on my own as well."
- Deb
But I need to be able to fight things on my own as well."
- Deb
────── ♔ ──────
Deb and the Demon by Honey Phillips
Standalone - Alien Abduction #4
Release - January 17, 2019
Genre - Scifi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5 / frequent and descriptive
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 260 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - January 17, 2019
Genre - Scifi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5 / frequent and descriptive
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 260 pages
Publisher - Indie
An alien prince. A pregnant slave.
Deb is ripped away from her comfortable life on Earth and sold as a slave to a vicious alien. Six months later, all she has to live for is the child now growing inside her. Her child’s safety is worth any price, even submitting to the disturbingly attractive alien who has just purchased her.
Rastrath hides a sharp mind behind a careless facade. He may be a Prince of the Royal House, but he has always been despised for his mixed blood, even by his own mother. A female who values her child more than herself is an unexpected prize - one that comes wrapped in a luscious package.
When an unexpected danger forces them into a marriage of convenience, the stakes are raised. Can Deb trust Rastrath’s feelings for her are more than a desire to protect his investment? Can Rastrath follow his duty and build a family of his own at the same time?
My Two Cents
3 "Where can I find my own alien prince?" stars
Okay, so here's the deal, and I really hope I don't come off sounding like a jerk, but... I do not like stories in which the heroine is already pregnant for another dude. I really don't. And despite the fact that Deb became pregnant through unorthodox means (triggers people), I still couldn't get down with it.
It didn't help that Deb wasn't the warmest, most encouraging heroine I've come across. She made things so very difficult for me.
But Rast... yeah, this prince really made this story for me. He was sweet and kind and generous and loyal to a fault. He was also harboring a lot of hurt. And yet he was such a blessing to everyone, especially Deb. I love how dedicated and patient he was with her. He was the epitome of everything she needed and I loved every moment with him.
So while this wasn't my favorite story of the series, Rast definitely made an impression with me. Kudos to the author for that and for making me want to keep on reading!
About the Author
Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies!Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.
Visit https://www.honeyphillips.com/ for more information
"I am not always in control, sweetness.
I control my station.
I may even control your body.
But you, sweetness, control my heart.
I would be empty without you.
I control my station.
I may even control your body.
But you, sweetness, control my heart.
I would be empty without you.
────── ♔ ──────
Cam and the Conqueror by Honey Phillips
Standalone - Alien Abduction #3
Release - November 15, 2018
Genre - Scifi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / frequent and filthy / dom-sub dynamic
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 242 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - November 15, 2018
Genre - Scifi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / frequent and filthy / dom-sub dynamic
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Length - 242 pages
Publisher - Indie
He made a bargain. She was the payment.
Torn from her quiet life on Earth, Cam doesn’t expect to end up enslaved to an alien ruler. But even as he trains her to submit to him, she begins to see through her master’s cold facade. While her body learns to surrender, her heart learns to love.
Exiled by his people, Kievan Rus has fought to establish his place in the galaxy. The space station he rules with icy control is the outward symbol of his success and it means everything to him - until a beautiful woman challenges his restraint. Her warmth eases the cold he has felt for so long.
But Kievan has promised a trained human female to a member of the Royal House. If he fails to deliver, everything he has struggled for is in danger, including the lives of everyone on board his station.
Can Kievan abandon everything he has built? And if not, can Cam’s love survive such a brutal betrayal?
My Two Cents
3.5 "Absolutely filthy" stars
After meeting Kievan in the previous book, I really wanted to see him again. I even mentioned it in that review (see here).
I really should have been prepared for what I found here. Based on Kievan's actions before, when he had to convince people of his ownership of Beth, I really should have known. But I wasn't and I didn't and here we are. I read some alien BDSM and I can't complain.
Kievan had saved Dragar and Beth from a disgusting prince's evil machinations and still owed the prince a human slave. That's where Cam fits in. He's supposed to train her for her future and yet she was made for him. How can a dom ever resist a true sub?
While there wasn't much to their relationship outside of sex, it seemed to work for them and therefore it worked for me. I found myself enjoying this far more than I could have expected. I guess I'm a sucker for filth!
My Two Cents
Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies!Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.
Visit https://www.honeyphillips.com/ for more information
A fierce protectiveness washed over him as he cradled her in his arms, along with an equally strong wave of possessiveness; the little human belonged to him and he was never going to let her go.
────── ♔ ──────
Anna and the Alien by Honey Phillips
Standalone - Alien Abduction #1
Release - September 25, 2018
Genre - SciFi Romance / aliens, captivity
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / filthy and frequent
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 224 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - September 25, 2018
Genre - SciFi Romance / aliens, captivity
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / filthy and frequent
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 224 pages
Publisher - Indie
Anna Elliott wanted to get away. But an alien spaceship was not on the itinerary.
All Anna needed was a calm, relaxing vacation. Instead, she finds herself enslaved aboard an alien spacecraft and forced to help an injured prisoner — a huge, golden-skinned warrior. Even wounded, he arouses her in ways she’s never known. But if he dies, so does she.
When the spaceship crashes on a strange planet, she must put her trust in him to survive. But the passion he stirs in her may cause her to lose her heart as well.
Jakkar is a Sardoran mercenary searching desperately for a new planet to replace his dying home world. He never expected to be injured, captured, and then shipwrecked. Forbidden to mate outside his species, he can’t help but be tempted by Anna’s curvy body and her caring heart.
Now he’s responsible for the small group of survivors — and the luscious little human he’s determined to claim as his own.
Can a girl and her alien find happiness on a deserted planet at the far end of the galaxy?
My Two Cents
4 "If I get abducted by aliens, I better end up with one like Jakkar" stars
Jakkar was such a yummy alien and Anna, though she had some growing to do because her situation was utterly hopeless, she was brave and sweet. I'm so glad I went ahead and tried a new-to-me author, although she wasn't new new because I had promoted her work in the past. Actually, I did promo for this book before its release and added it to my tbr right away — where it stayed until now. So YAY me for branching out AND tackling my to-read list.
This story was just filthy enough and action-packed enough for me to give more of this author's stories a go. Seeing as how the side characters will be getting stories of their own, I've got plenty of books to devour. The writing, the characters, the plot, the everything has made a fan out of me and I would definitely recommend this read to anyone who enjoys scifi romance.
I'll see you at the next one!
About the Author
Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies!Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.
Visit https://www.honeyphillips.com/ for more information
When she first came into my captivity, I found her unremarkable. But now, I thought she was exceptional.
The Scotch King by Penelope Sky
Scotch #1
Release - August 15, 2017
Genre - Dark Romance/captive
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 346 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - August 15, 2017
Genre - Dark Romance/captive
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 346 pages
Publisher - Indie
Joseph Ingram made the mistake of stealing from me—four million dollars. He took my intelligence without paying for it. And thought he could get away with it.
Think again.
Now I’ll take something from him—something irreplaceable.
His sister.
Collateral.
But even when Joseph doubles the amount of money he owes me, I don’t give her up.
Nope. I have an image to maintain.
So I keep her.
And I’m not giving her up.
Find The Scotch King on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gIJhju
After catching her hand as she went to slap him, Crewe gave her a backhand across the face... "If you don't want me to slap you, don't slap me. If you don't want me to hurt you, do as I say."
Visit https://penelopesky.com/ for more info!
I used to be a sister, a daughter, a girlfriend and a friend. A poet, a dreamer and an honor student. But now... now I'm alone, left to fend for myself, with no one to look out for me.
Blood to Dust by L.J. Shen
Standalone
Release - July 17, 2016
Genre - Dark Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/several scenes
Format/Source - Kindle Amazon purchase
Length - 266 pages
Publisher - Indie
His name is Beat, and I should hate him.
Bound, blindfolded and bruised, I'm tied in his basement, waiting for the men who stripped me from clothes and humanity to collect his debt to them. Me.
His name is Nate and I should hate him, but I don't.
I'm not supposed to know his real name, even worse, I'm not supposed to care. He is nothing to me but means to an end. The plan is simple: break free, collect the pieces of my broken soul, kill the bastards and run away.
His name is Nathaniel Thomas Vela, and I've never seen his face, though I hear that it's beautiful.
Behind the rugged and handsome exterior, there's a quiet murderer, a killer who thinks guns are for pussies and ends people with his bare hands.
His name doesn't matter, neither does his face, but what does matter is my heart. And right now, sadly, it's his.
Blood to Dust is a standalone, full-length novel. It contains graphic violence and adult situations some may find offensive.
Find your copy of Blood to Dust on Amazon
FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
I love her like a slave, I kneel in front of her like a subject, I crawl back to her at night like a drunk and I worship her like a believer.
While it wasn't as dark as I thought it was going to be, considering the blurb, Blood to Dust was full of the off-the-wall craziness I've come to look for in my dark reads. Prescott was a puzzle that I still haven't been able to solve. She was a woman burdened by pain, betrayal and secrets. The life of horrors that she had to live was not for the feint of heart. Good thing this girl was a survivor.
Broken people do things better; we learned how to make it in life without the missing parts other people have. Because when you're in the dark, you appreciate everything that shines. - Nate
Nate had never had it easy. He suffered through childhood, finally freed himself only to be tried and judged as a criminal. Never really fitting anywhere, this too-pretty-for-his-own-good man carved his own path. When his boss tasked him with holding onto Prescott, keeping her prisoner until his son could 'fetch' her, Nate planned to do just that. Only Prescott had other plans. And when he heard her story, when he found out why she was such a hot commodity, he realized how truly alike they were. His heart, that organ of his that knows the difference between right and wrong, switched sides.
Prescott Burlington-Smyth is everything I want to be. A storm smoving out of a shit situation at the speed of light, not looking back to spare a glance at the casualties of her actions.
And then it was utter chaos. Granted, what Prescott and Nate did defied imagination. None of it was realistic, but it was still tons of fun to read. She got her own brand of justice and through blood and more pain, these two kindred spirits found their own happily ever after.
“You make me uncomfortable.” I yank my arm away.
“What, and the other guy makes you warm and fuzzy?” He sounds genuinely offended.
Beat inches closer behind me, and I feel the heat of his body drifting into mine. He’s close. Hot-jock-leaning-against-your-locker close. It’s going to be hard to bypass someone his size.
“You think I’m nice?” His breath moves through the plastic of his mask, tickling my ear. I shudder down to my toes. His mouth smells like peach. How bad can a guy who smells like a peach be?
“Nice-r.” I clear my throat, my eyes still trained on Ink in front of me. Ink shakes his head, indicating that I’m dead wrong. The air becomes chilly. Why hadn’t I noticed it’s so chilly?
Because it’s not. It’s August in California, and I’m cold because I’m frightened.
“Let’s test your theory. I’m going to touch you now. Move without permission, and I’m breaking your arm.”
My busted lower lip splits open again as I scowl at his threat. He definitely looks like a guy who makes good on his threats.
“Okay.” I lick my blood, my voice tender.
Beat kicks my legs open and brings my arms up, patting me down dryly, like airport security. His rough fingers stroke the curves of my shoulders as he moves down from my skull to my outer breasts, circling them lazily. Down to my stomach…lower to my tensed inner thighs, pushing the fabric of my mini dress away to make room for his warm paws.
Every muscle in my body is ready to plow forward, to run away, to try and hurt him; the memory of every experience I’ve had that started this way demands for me to take action. But this…it doesn’t feel like a violation. The sour taste of bile has yet to explode in my mouth.
His hands move down my legs, stroking my ankles…then he stops.
“Got something inside?” He squats down, hooking one of his thumbs into my ankle boot. His masked face is eye level with my pelvis, and warmth spreads along my bones like hot wax.
“No,” I lie. There’s still a slight chance he won’t check.
But he checks.
Beat jerks my boot out and a Swiss army knife falls with a clank on the concrete pavement. I let out a sigh and drop my head. Shit.
Happy thoughts.
Frozen yoghurt with Preston down the local mall.
Curling up on the egg-swing with a Mia Sheridan book.
Water lilies blooming over the artificial pond in the Burlington-Smyth’s garden.
A genuine smile from a stranger.
Beat stands up slowly, his gleeful mask zeroing on my face. It all looks like a scene from a horror movie.
And I’m the victim.
She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.
Find all of her details on her website: http://www.authorljshen.com/
“My name is Tess Mercer. I’m no longer weak or afraid or broken. I’ve taken control of my fate. I no longer need a tower or dark angels or help. I am fear. And I take your soul in penance for everything that was done to me. I take it for the women you’ve raped. I take it for the women you’ve sold. I take it for my master, soul-mate, and husband. I take you for me.”
Twisted Together by Pepper Winters
Monsters in the Dark #3
Release - June 1, 2014
Genre - Dark Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 572 pages
“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.
I can't begin to explain how much I enjoyed taking the time to re-read the Monsters in the Dark series after all this time. It's given me the chance to fall in love with Q all over again. What I found so intriguing was the fact that I read this story like it was new. I forgot so many of the details that it really was like reading this series for the first time.
So here's what happened...
Tess was blissfully happy with Brax. Or so she thought. Away on vacation in Mexico, she was kidnapped, brutalized, tormented and trafficked. Destined to be a slave, she lucked out when her new owner turned out to be Q. Not only was he unlike all the monsters she'd already met, he was unlike any man she'd ever known. He was a monster in his own right, but his beast called to her in a way that answered all of her unasked questions. He sent her home. She came back. And they should have lived in happiness. But she was taken again, Q rescued her, but she was broken to a point where no one knew how to heal her. Then Q made the ultimate sacrifice and she was back. However, their happiness was stilted because all of the bad guys wanted to take out the hero to slaves everywhere. Too bad the bad guys didn't realize the monster Tess had become.
While this book wasn't as neat or as fluid as the books that came before, it was necessary. How else would we get to see Tess come into her own? I'm still not her biggest fan and I don't understand why Q had to come off so psychotic and abusive, but aside from that, I needed this book. It tied everything up into a nice little bow and gave me a glimpse into the true happiness this couple deserved.
https://amzn.to/3bbNHgp ➤ FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
I needed to be touched. I needed to be kissed.
Kiss him. Let him know.
Launching upright, I splashed a wave over the tub. Q jerked back, but wasn’t fast enough. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I dragged him down toward me. His hand slipped on the rim, plunging his arms into the water, landing on either side of my body.
His mouth opened to curse, but I swallowed whatever he said. My lips stole his, and the moment I tasted him, I went a little mad.
My core squeezed with delirium, demanding to be filled. My eyes rolled back at the sheer bliss of kissing.
He tasted like freedom and violence and pain.
“Esclave…wait…” Q tried to speak, but he only gave me the opportunity to slink my tongue into his mouth. Joy bounced and fizzed in my heart, demanding more.
I moaned, dragging him closer. My hands dug into his hair, tugging with sharp-laced desire. His mouth opened, either in shock or passion—I didn’t hesitate. I thrust my tongue deeper into his mouth, willingly drowning myself in all things Q.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. She’s also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestseller.
After releasing two books with Grand Central, Hachette (Ruin & Rule and Sin & Suffer) Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work.
Find all of her books and contact info on her website: https://pepperwinters.com/
The moment Tess walked into my life she owned me.
I would never be free again.
I never wanted to be free again.
Quintessentially Q by Pepper Winters
Monsters in the Dark #2
Release - December 11, 2013
Genre - Dark Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat level - 5 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - ebook purchase (I own the signed paperback)
Length - 392 pages
“All my life, I battled with the knowledge I was twisted… screwed up to want something so deliciously dark—wrong on so many levels. But then slave fifty-eight entered my world. Hissing, fighting, with a core of iron, she showed me an existence where two wrongs do make a right."
Tess is Q’s completely. Q is Tess’s irrevocably. But now, they must learn the boundaries of their unconventional relationship, while Tess seeks vengeance on the men who sold her. Q made a blood-oath to deliver their corpses at Tess’s feet, and that’s just what he’ll do.
He may be a monster, but he’s Tess’s monster.
This is a story of eroticism, horror, and sweet tragedy. It contains graphic scenes, but there’s always light in the darkness.
Find my review of book 1, Tears of Tess, HERE
Is there a better man out there than Q? Someone who is willing to do anything, give anything, sacrifice everything for the woman he loves? I'm blown away with the many facets to this man and the ways that the author gave him such depth. While this story featured many characters, it was clear that Q was the star of the show.
Tess... little miss nothing... finally had everything she could possibly want... until the day when it was all ripped away. Her stupid mistake led to her second kidnapping and the horrors that awaited her. And I couldn't have been more delighted! The way the author captured the brutalization of Tess and how broken she became... juste fabuleux!I fucking shouldn't want to beat the ever-living daylights out of her, but I did. Oh, shit how I did.
And then I came to hate Tess. I mean, I detested this girl with a fierce and fiery passion. Even here, at the end of this book, I still hate her. She hasn't redeemed herself and I'm hoping the next book gives her a chance at redemption. However, my deep disgust with her character can't take away from the absolute pleasure I experienced reading everything she and Q went through. Even at the lowest point, I found something to smile about. I know that says a lot about me, but I don't even care. Pepper Winters is freaking amazing when it comes to creating the darkest and most tormented reads.You told me you were strong enough
You told me you were brave
Yet now you lie next to me and all I can do is save
I'm here for you. I'm there for you
I'll help you with every fight
But no matter what I do for you, I see no end in sight
It's simple really. If I can adore the hero, hate the heroine, and feel and enjoy the passion of this story... then this book deserves all the stars. And if you're someone who enjoys revelling in depravity, destruction, pain, blood and love, you need to embark on this dark journey yourself!
Side Notes:
- I'm bilingual (English/French) and some of the translations in this book didn't work for me. I'm not sure if they were taken from someone who spoke some version of French or straight from Google Translate (or an equivalent).
- There was this sentence in the book - The penthouse was five hundred square feet of pure decadence. - Do you know how small 500 sq ft is? There is no way a 'penthouse' would be that tiny. And something that tiny would never be referred to as 'decadent'. I'm going to assume it meant to say 5000 sq ft.
Find it on Amazon ➤ FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
Tess watched remotely as I piled my arms full of things and headed back to the bed. Placing them on the towel at the foot of the four poster, I looked at Tess. “Tie me up.”
I never thought I’d ever say those words. But I needed her to bind me. I wouldn’t be able to go through with this if she didn’t. I’d run like a fucking coward, or lash out and hurt her.
She picked up the leather cuffs, the buckles clinking. “Where?”
Trying to curb the terror and anger and so many fucking things, I forced myself to sit on the mattress and lie down.
My heart was a fucking crazy thing going a billion miles an hour; I couldn’t look at Tess. I couldn’t look anywhere but at the large canopy above my head. The four posters were sturdy—half a fucking tree sturdy—once she bound me, I wouldn’t be able to get free.
My stomach rolled and I swore I would be sick. Shit. Oh, shit. What the fuck am I doing?
Tess glided closer to the bed, looking like a malnourished ghost. She eyed the cuff, then my limbs. My fists pressed against my thighs, every muscle locked tight.
I hadn’t undressed. The element of having jeans and a T-shirt on was my only armament; I wanted to keep it that way.
I gritted my teeth, spreading my legs for her.
She swallowed and obediently looped the soft leather around my ankle.
Black spots appeared in my vision as she tightened the buckle around the bedpost. She fastened it and I wriggled.
“You need to do it tighter. I can get free.” I hated every word. I wanted to chop out my tongue for being such a traitor, but I wasn’t doing this for me. I was doing this for Tess. To somehow break the barrier she’d fortified. If it took dynamite in the form of making me shatter, then so be it.
Tess nodded, tightening the buckle until it bit into my skin. Heat travelled up my leg, causing me to shiver with helplessness.
Torturing me with fluttering touches and slowness, Tess secured my other ankle before sighing heavily. She looked at me with a thousand wishes in her eyes and no hope. Moving toward the head of the bed, she chose a length of silk rope.
Our eyes never left each other as she bent and captured my hand with hers. The moment her delicate fingers touched my trembling skin, I bucked. My cock roared to life and all I wanted to do was kiss her, fuck her, never let her fucking go again.
She bit her lip, her eyes darkening just a little.
“Embrasse moi!” Kiss me, I demanded, capturing her hand with mine.
We stared so long, so hard, I wondered if I’d die waiting for her to obey. Finally, she bent in half, lowering herself toward me. My legs might be bound, but my arms and torso weren’t. The moment she was in grabbing distance, I wrapped my arms around her, dragging her hard against me.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. She’s also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestseller.
After releasing two books with Grand Central, Hachette (Ruin & Rule and Sin & Suffer) Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work.
Find all of her books and contact info on her website: https://pepperwinters.com/
He was my home.
My master.
My new life.
Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
Monsters in the Dark #1
Release - August 30, 2013
Genre - Dark Romance
Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat level - 5 out of 5/several scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 380 pages
Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility.
For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.
But lusty paradise is shattered.
Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror.
Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.
Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?
A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery, and nonconsensual sex. A story about finding love in the strangest of places, a will of iron that grows from necessity, and forgiveness that may not be enough.
I'm not a big fan of re-reading books. I figure once is enough. I either hated it or loved it and diving in again isn't going to change anything. And then I realized that I never reviewed Tears of Tess and decided if ever there were books I would re-read, they would be the Monsters in the Dark series. Shoot, no self-respecting dark romance lover should be able to pass up the opportunity to read anything that Pepper Winters has published, and my mama didn't raise no fool. Delving back into the depths of Q's depravity had me shivering with anticipation, glorying in the spectacular darkness and pain and pleasure only he can provide.
“I want to hurt you.
I want to own you.
I want to devour you.
I want to make you mine.
I’m already yours.”
I loved the story that was developing between Tess and Q. I loved the mystery of who this man really was and what it meant for Tess, her survival, and her future. However, I no longer suffer under the rule of irrational and foolish heroines. Tess was definitely a lot to take in, most of it not good, but she didn't take much away from the beauty to be found in this book. She was annoying and she grated on my nerves, but everything she had to endure was entertaining as hell. Triggers, triggers all over the place, but still... it's dark romance, what do you really expect?
“I’m offering you my pain. My blood. My pleasure. I’m offering you the right to whip and fuck. To debase and harm. I’m offering to fight your needs with my own. I’m willing to join you in the darkness and find pleasure in excruciating pain. I’m willing to be your monster, Q.”
https://amzn.to/3o3kQON ➤ FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
This was it. My new beginning. My new ending.
“Bonsoir, esclave.”
My eyes soared up to the first landing of the giant blue, velvet staircase. Massive works of art hung like armament on gilded walls.
A man in a grey chequered suit, complete with black shirt, silver tie and short, dark hair, watched from the landing.
My entire body ignited as his jaw clenched. His gaze unclothed and terrified me. Everything about him screamed ruthlessness and power. He held himself proud and regal as if this was his castle and I was the latest subject.
Our eyes locked, and something tingled across my flesh. Fear? Terror? Something inside knew he was dangerous.
His lips twitched as I sucked in a breath. He removed his hands from his pockets and placed them on the banister, his fingers long and strong, even from this distance. The way he stared became too much. I felt undone, stripped to my soul.
I stepped back, bumping against the guard behind. He bent his head, whispering in my ear, “Say hello to your new master.”
The word master echoed like a bad tuning fork.
Master. Master.
No, he wasn’t my master. Not with his short, sleek hair and sharp widow’s peak. Not with his clenched, stubble-smooth jaw and trim physique. He was not my master. No one was.
Tears pricked as I thought about Brax. He seemed a world away compared to this reality. Brax was rough and boyish, a hard worker through and through. The man, staring with pale jade eyes and an unreadable, chiselled face, lived in total contrast. Power radiated like visible waves, unsettling me more than anything.
He wasn’t the fat, repulsive bastard who used wealth to buy sex slaves. He wasn’t gross or any other monstrous things. Who is this man?
My eyes widened, drinking him in—the owner of this house. The owner of… me. No, never.
I didn’t care who he was, because my life belonged to me. I stuck out my chin, glaring. I wouldn’t be intimidated by wealth or stature. I didn’t care he was tall and moved like he expected the world to lick his shoes. I would never lick anything of his.
The man never broke eye contact, ensnaring me in his gaze. Slowly, he pushed off the banister and moved toward the stairs.
I gulped.
He was smooth water—effortless in refinement but just like still water, dangerous if you couldn’t swim. Deadly rips and currents lurked deep below the surface. I eyed him, trying to figure out what sick pleasures he indulged in that normal, willing women were hard to come by.
My heart raced with every step he took, descending toward me.
The guard pushed me forward. “Bow to your new master.”
I tripped, but regained my footing instantly. My fists shook, I clenched them so hard. My injuries reminded me all of this was wrong. In some warped sense, it seemed innocent like the owner of the house merely welcoming a guest.
“I have no master,” I said, putting every ounce of rebellion into the words. “Let me go.”
The man stopped mid-step, head cocked. His fingers curled around the banister, showing manicured nails, no calluses in sight. Once again, pale eyes connected with mine, sucking my thoughts into a vacuum.
Up till now, his face had been unreadable, but as we stared, flashes of emotion buffeted me. Anger. Interest. Annoyance. Resignation. And finally, in a blaze of jade…lust.
My breath quickened and I tried to step back again, only to collide with the wall of the guard’s chest.
The guard placed a hot, heavy hand between my shoulder blades and pushed, forcing me into a struggling, painful bow. “Do as you’re told.”
So many thoughts collided. I wanted to spin and steal the gun in the holster under his arm. I wanted to shoot everyone. I wanted to slash at the gorgeous artwork and priceless artefacts around the room. Such things of beauty did not deserve to belong to a man whose goons forced a sex slave to bow.
“Bastard,” I muttered, hating I couldn’t do any of it. All I could do was obey—for now.
“Stop. If she doesn’t want to bow, then don’t force her.” The masculine voice reminded me of glinting steel, shaped with precision and strength. It was the sound of authority, and despite my best attempts to rebel, I bowed on my own. The sheer weight of his voice compelled obedience.
The guard’s hand left my back. He chuckled. “If she doesn’t want to bow, perhaps she wants to crawl.”
My back snapped upright, and I jumped a mile. My new owner stood directly in front of me. Hands in his slack pockets, head cocked slightly to the side, as if inspecting a piece of art.
“She may crawl if she wishes,” he murmured.
“I do not wish,” I snapped.
Once again, our eyes connected and I searched for the evil like the men in Mexico, but he guarded himself too well. Nothing gave away what he thought, even the emotions I’d seen before were gone.
We stood staring for moments, before the guard behind me cleared his throat. Shattering the fragile silence and condemning me to whatever would happen next.
“Laissez-nous.” The man waved a hand toward the exit. Instantly, the guard left along with a few others I hadn’t seen lurking. The rustle of their suits sounded like a death sentence as they siphoned out the door.
Oh, God.
My eyes flicked to the left, where a massive library beckoned. Sultry mahogany, rich maroons, and gold bookcases. A roaring fire beckoned to read a book and slouch in the wingback chairs huddled around the flames.
To the right, a ginormous lounge full of comfortable designer sofas and chairs. Animal hides of zebra and tiger littered the floor, and huge glass doors reflected me standing under the bright lights of the foyer.
The man stood an arm’s length away. Tears thickened my throat.
I dropped my gaze, unable to look anymore. Tiredness descended, and all I wanted to do was sleep—to escape this nightmare.
“You won’t be able to run,” he said, watching closely.
I sucked in a breath. “Who says I’m going to run?”
His lips, smooth and well defined against his five o’clock shadow, twitched. “I smell it on you—the scent of prey. You’re looking for a bolthole, somewhere no one can find you.” He leaned in, sending a cloud of expensive cologne around me. “You’re different, I’ll give you that. They didn’t break you, but don’t think you can fight me. You won’t win.”
“Bonsoir, esclave.”
My eyes soared up to the first landing of the giant blue, velvet staircase. Massive works of art hung like armament on gilded walls.
A man in a grey chequered suit, complete with black shirt, silver tie and short, dark hair, watched from the landing.
My entire body ignited as his jaw clenched. His gaze unclothed and terrified me. Everything about him screamed ruthlessness and power. He held himself proud and regal as if this was his castle and I was the latest subject.
Our eyes locked, and something tingled across my flesh. Fear? Terror? Something inside knew he was dangerous.
His lips twitched as I sucked in a breath. He removed his hands from his pockets and placed them on the banister, his fingers long and strong, even from this distance. The way he stared became too much. I felt undone, stripped to my soul.
I stepped back, bumping against the guard behind. He bent his head, whispering in my ear, “Say hello to your new master.”
The word master echoed like a bad tuning fork.
Master. Master.
No, he wasn’t my master. Not with his short, sleek hair and sharp widow’s peak. Not with his clenched, stubble-smooth jaw and trim physique. He was not my master. No one was.
Tears pricked as I thought about Brax. He seemed a world away compared to this reality. Brax was rough and boyish, a hard worker through and through. The man, staring with pale jade eyes and an unreadable, chiselled face, lived in total contrast. Power radiated like visible waves, unsettling me more than anything.
He wasn’t the fat, repulsive bastard who used wealth to buy sex slaves. He wasn’t gross or any other monstrous things. Who is this man?
My eyes widened, drinking him in—the owner of this house. The owner of… me. No, never.
I didn’t care who he was, because my life belonged to me. I stuck out my chin, glaring. I wouldn’t be intimidated by wealth or stature. I didn’t care he was tall and moved like he expected the world to lick his shoes. I would never lick anything of his.
The man never broke eye contact, ensnaring me in his gaze. Slowly, he pushed off the banister and moved toward the stairs.
I gulped.
He was smooth water—effortless in refinement but just like still water, dangerous if you couldn’t swim. Deadly rips and currents lurked deep below the surface. I eyed him, trying to figure out what sick pleasures he indulged in that normal, willing women were hard to come by.
My heart raced with every step he took, descending toward me.
The guard pushed me forward. “Bow to your new master.”
I tripped, but regained my footing instantly. My fists shook, I clenched them so hard. My injuries reminded me all of this was wrong. In some warped sense, it seemed innocent like the owner of the house merely welcoming a guest.
“I have no master,” I said, putting every ounce of rebellion into the words. “Let me go.”
The man stopped mid-step, head cocked. His fingers curled around the banister, showing manicured nails, no calluses in sight. Once again, pale eyes connected with mine, sucking my thoughts into a vacuum.
Up till now, his face had been unreadable, but as we stared, flashes of emotion buffeted me. Anger. Interest. Annoyance. Resignation. And finally, in a blaze of jade…lust.
My breath quickened and I tried to step back again, only to collide with the wall of the guard’s chest.
The guard placed a hot, heavy hand between my shoulder blades and pushed, forcing me into a struggling, painful bow. “Do as you’re told.”
So many thoughts collided. I wanted to spin and steal the gun in the holster under his arm. I wanted to shoot everyone. I wanted to slash at the gorgeous artwork and priceless artefacts around the room. Such things of beauty did not deserve to belong to a man whose goons forced a sex slave to bow.
“Bastard,” I muttered, hating I couldn’t do any of it. All I could do was obey—for now.
“Stop. If she doesn’t want to bow, then don’t force her.” The masculine voice reminded me of glinting steel, shaped with precision and strength. It was the sound of authority, and despite my best attempts to rebel, I bowed on my own. The sheer weight of his voice compelled obedience.
The guard’s hand left my back. He chuckled. “If she doesn’t want to bow, perhaps she wants to crawl.”
My back snapped upright, and I jumped a mile. My new owner stood directly in front of me. Hands in his slack pockets, head cocked slightly to the side, as if inspecting a piece of art.
“She may crawl if she wishes,” he murmured.
“I do not wish,” I snapped.
Once again, our eyes connected and I searched for the evil like the men in Mexico, but he guarded himself too well. Nothing gave away what he thought, even the emotions I’d seen before were gone.
We stood staring for moments, before the guard behind me cleared his throat. Shattering the fragile silence and condemning me to whatever would happen next.
“Laissez-nous.” The man waved a hand toward the exit. Instantly, the guard left along with a few others I hadn’t seen lurking. The rustle of their suits sounded like a death sentence as they siphoned out the door.
Oh, God.
My eyes flicked to the left, where a massive library beckoned. Sultry mahogany, rich maroons, and gold bookcases. A roaring fire beckoned to read a book and slouch in the wingback chairs huddled around the flames.
To the right, a ginormous lounge full of comfortable designer sofas and chairs. Animal hides of zebra and tiger littered the floor, and huge glass doors reflected me standing under the bright lights of the foyer.
The man stood an arm’s length away. Tears thickened my throat.
I dropped my gaze, unable to look anymore. Tiredness descended, and all I wanted to do was sleep—to escape this nightmare.
“You won’t be able to run,” he said, watching closely.
I sucked in a breath. “Who says I’m going to run?”
His lips, smooth and well defined against his five o’clock shadow, twitched. “I smell it on you—the scent of prey. You’re looking for a bolthole, somewhere no one can find you.” He leaned in, sending a cloud of expensive cologne around me. “You’re different, I’ll give you that. They didn’t break you, but don’t think you can fight me. You won’t win.”
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. She’s also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestseller.
After releasing two books with Grand Central, Hachette (Ruin & Rule and Sin & Suffer) Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work.
Find all of her books and contact info on her website: https://pepperwinters.com/
She was wrong that it was something at first sight with us. It wasn’t something. It was love. Pure, buckling, brutalising love.
-- Synopsis --
Eleanor Grace is a simple mortal who has the power to topple a god. She captured his heart, fed him a different future, and fought for a fantasy that wasn’t make-believe but destiny.
Sully Sinclair is a man masquerading as a monster. He let down his shields and allowed a goddess to show him a simpler path. However, neither of them could predict the war that was coming, nor the toll it would take.
A fated romance.
A fight that will finish in tears.
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50277190-fifth-a-fury
Right now, love was an idea, a promise, a word. It could be snatched away as quickly as we’d conjured it.
It might not have been instant-love when we’d met, but it had been instant-something. And for the first time, I wanted to fight for that instead of killing it.
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