Heartless by Jade West

I'm not sure what to think about this book. It might be the first one to render me speechless. Heartless takes place in the same world as the Dark Fairy Tales anthology, also known as Midnight Dynasty. I was really looking forward to this book but the hero, Lucian Morelli, was a bit more than I bargained for. He is cruel, ruthless, heartless, and a sadist. Some of the things he said and did bothered me a lot. He treats women very poorly and considers them objects, more or less. On the other hand, Elaine Constantine is broken, emotional, suicidal, and a masochist. The Constantine's and Morelli's have hated each other for years and are always trying to one up or kill each other. Lucian and Elaine's relationship could essentially be rendered down to a twisted Romeo and Juliet one.

"I hated the smell of her. I hated the taste of her. I hated her voice, and her stare, and her whole life. But still, I wanted her."

Lucian is obsessed with Elaine and will do anything to have her. Some of the scenes made me a little uncomfortable and I've read a lot of dark romances. Unfortunately, I could not stand Lucian because he wanted to hurt and break Elaine. I felt sorry for Elaine because she was in his warpath. She didn't deserve his cruelty nor her family's. It seems like they hate her. There is a lot going on with Elaine, which is why she continues to seek out drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. This is probably one of the darkest books I've read by Jade West or any author really.

"I could never be with Lucian. I should never want to be. I could never dig myself out of the life I created, amongst the people who'd created me."

In the end, I do believe that dark romance lovers will absolutely love this book. It just wasn't for me because there were a lot of triggers (violence, sexual abuse, criminal activities, sadism and masochism). However, I do think the story is rather compelling and has a lot of promise. Since this is the first book in a trilogy, maybe Lucian and Elaine's relationship will adapt and transform into something truly wonderful. The book ends in a cliffhanger of sorts so be ready for that!

*This ARC was generously provided by Valentine PR & Literary Management and Jade West for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Consent by Charmaine Pauls

I'm not even sure where to begin. This duet was so intense, heartbreaking, and emotional. I both hate and love Gabriel, just like Valentina. My heart broke for what she had to go through because Gabriel made some really bad and stupid decisions in Dubious. He secretly got Valentina pregnant, without her consent, which made her assume that it was her fault. It's horrible. In Consent, Valentina and Charlie are both struggling to survive after she made the decision to run away from Gabriel. Once again, Valentina also made some really bad and stupid decisions. I'm grateful that this period of time didn't last long but it did take Gabriel a couple of months to find her. A lot of things happened in this book that ultimately escalated in many deaths. I was really shocked by the end.

Gabriel's character has me conflicted because while he is a bad man, especially since he forced Valentina to be with him and made it seem like he did not love her, the truth is that he fell for her since the very beginning. Valentina has also fallen in love with her captor. There were a lot of miscommunications and Gabriel's lack of self-esteem essentially prevented him from accepting Valentina's love. While all of this is going on, Gabriel is trying to figure out Valentina's past and what he finds is not pretty. As for Valentina, I loved her character. She goes through so much pain and hardship since she became Gabriel's maid. Not only did she lose her thumb but also her heart and future in the process. I wanted her to have a happy ending.

I do have to say that last part of the book near 75% was where it got really bizarre and somewhat unrealistic. Gabriel goes through a major change and I'm not sure if it's for the better. I don't know why the author decided to go this direction. I was conflicted to say the least. In the end, I really enjoyed this duet and Charmaine Pauls' writing was absolutely stellar. I was already impressed with her since reading Diamonds in the Dust but this has solidified my status as her fan. I highly recommend this book for those of you who love dark romance, especially with a hero who is possessive and will never let his heroine go. There is a lot of drama and the sex scenes were scorching hot. And like the title of the books, there is a lot of dubious consent but at the same time, Gabriel and Valentina's time together was never forced. It's hard to explain but the attraction goes both ways.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Cover Reveal: Stroke of Midnight by K. Webster

K Webster has revealed the cover for Stroke of Midnight!

Releasing: October 6, 2020

From USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes a brand new forbidden romance that's going to leave you speechless.

Money can buy anything. And anyone.

As the head of the Constantine family, I’m used to people bowing to my will. Cruel, rigid, unyielding—I’m all those things.

When I discover the one woman who doesn’t wither under my gaze, but instead smiles right back at me, I’m intrigued. Ash Elliott needs cash, and I make her trade in crudeness and degradation for it.

I crave her tears, her moans, her submission. I pay for each one. And every time, she comes back for more.

When she challenges me with an offer of her own, I have to decide if I’m willing to give her far more than cold hard cash. But love can have deadly consequences when it comes from a Constantine. At the stroke of midnight, that choice may be lost for both of us.

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: Live Release

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3gRI7yL

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Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gQXjMO

Google play: https://bit.ly/34UmJ9S

 Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/314XSwC

Meet K Webster

K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in ""Tornado Alley"" with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she's not writing, she's reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!

Can't find a certain book? Maybe it's too hot for Amazon! Don't worry because titles like Bad Bad Bad, This is War, Baby, The Wild, and Hale can all be found for sale on K's website in both ebook and paperback format.

Website: www.authorkwebster.com

Connect with K Webster

Website: https://www.authorkwebster.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7741564.K_Webster

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/K-Webster/e/B00JOJ86CW

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkwebster/

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Diamonds in the Dust by Charmaine Pauls

This one surprised me. I ended up changing my rating because it's a really good book for a trope that has already been said and done. Diamonds in the Dust is a book that I have been wanting to read for awhile but I've been waiting for the trilogy to be complete. Yes, it's partially a mafia romance but not really. It's more along the lines of a romance where the heroine unwillingly falls in love with her kidnapper despite hating him. I love Zoe Hart so much. She is all that is pure, good, and sweet in the world but she also has a core of steel. I hate that she has been placed in this difficult situation. No one deserves happiness more than Zoe. As for Maxime, I am conflicted by his character. He is cruel and heartless at times but also incredibly sweet, possessive, and caring towards Zoe in others. He wants what is "best for her," or so he says. He is a contradiction. The fact that he calls Zoe his little flower makes me melt a little. *slaps self* Yeah, there must be something wrong with me too.

“My own Daisy, in a vase on my table. I didn’t steal it from someone’s garden. It was growing wild on the pavement, right there for the taking.”

I am aware that Maxime is not a good person but he is a contradiction and keeps readers on edge. There is something redeemable about him but like I said before, he can be cruel and manipulative at times. His family is also awful and likes to play mind games. His brother Alexis might be the worst of all. There are several side characters that I am keeping an eye on in this trilogy and the other potential awful character might be Maxime's ex-lover, Francine, who happens to be his cook. Oh man. The story is closely connected to Damian's story, Beauty in the Broken. While I haven't read that book yet, I am intrigued. Maxime has decided to kidnap Zoe because he wants to essentially blackmail Damian into keeping their business in the diamond mines. It's a little bit complicated but the mysterious Italian deal makes me nervous for Zoe.

“My pain shines like precious stones in the dusty bed of a river. My feelings are discarded like diamonds in the dust. Wasted.”

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be quickly reading the second installment as soon as possible. That cliffhanger ending was shocking. Diamonds in the Dust was sexy, romantic at times, heartbreaking, and intriguing. My emotions were all over the place when it came to Zoe and Maxime. I both hate and love them as a couple. Part of me wants Zoe to escape and never look back. I'm afraid that things will only get worse for her.

Rating: ★★★★★

Release Blitz: Caught Between Two Billionaires by Skye Warren

Caught Between Two Billionaires by Skye Warren is now live!

From New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren comes a SMOKING HOT billionaire duet to immerse yourself in...

Billionaire Christopher Bardot may lust after his step-sister, but he will never, ever act on it. He's too busy keeping her out of trouble. Until his business partner Sutton Mayfair meets her. He determines to charm that pretty dress off her, and Christopher sees red.

This isn't a love triangle.

Only two people are in love.

This isn't a menage.

Until the boundaries are pushed beyond bearing.

This isn't a happy ending...

Because someone will be left behind.

Read the angsty and super sexy duet now! This collection contains SURVIVAL OF THE RICHEST and THE EVOLUTION OF MAN.

Download today on Amazon, Books & Noble, Kobo, Apple, & Google Play!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/34sN2DQ

Apple: https://apple.co/2EIlNu9

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Kobo: https://bit.ly/34qy2q1

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2CTuQIf

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3f8wrac

 Meet Skye

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

Connect with Skye

Website: http://www.skyewarren.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5339130.Skye_Warren

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyewarren/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1569845016592572/

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