Category Archives: Dark

#Review – Scream For Us: A Dark Halloween Novella (Order Of The Unseen #0.5)

*Top 30 Amazon best seller*
*Best of Booktok*

Good girl Quinn didn’t expect her night to turn to mayhem once she stepped into a legendary Halloween party. After needing a quick rescue from a stranger, she finds herself locked in a captivating game of infatuation with three masked men. Her one demand? The game ends at dawn.

As desire collides with danger, how much can Quinn take before the sun comes up? Will her condition of only one night be enough? Or will her masked men leave their mark?

DISCLAIMER:
This novella contains little to no plot.
For the longer version with plot, please proceed to Bloodshed.

Reading this novella is not required in order to read the rest of the series.

Scream For Us contains mature and graphic content that is not suitable for all audiences. This is a Dark Romance/Thriler/Horror, Why Choose Novella. Please check trigger warnings at the beginning of the book before proceeding.

Oh boy this book was fun. I’ve been on a Halloween dark romance kick and I’m so glad I came across this one. What’s better than one masked man? Three!

Quinn is a good girl and ends up at a Halloween party. She meets three men all wearing masks of serial killers from famous horror movies. Ghostface, Jason and Michael. She meets Ghost first and he protects her from the very start.

She vows to only have one night with him, which ends up being the three of them. Why choose right?

I’m sure she feels like she’s gotten in a little over her head, especially when the guys find out that she was bullied and hurt by people a few years before. Bloodshed happens but that doesn’t stop Ghost and Quinn from…um…enjoying themselves.

If you’re looking for a novella about three hot masked men, a heroine who brings them to their knees and basically no plot but all the smut, this one is for you. And better yet, it’s centred around Halloween! Best holiday ever!

I will definitely be reading the rest of this series. I’m dying to know what these guys are about, where they come from and why they are the way they are.

One click here

#Review – No Place To Hide: A Dark Romance Novella (Havoc’s Playground Book 1) by Harper Ashley & Wren Hawthorne 

Blair
All I wanted was one night.
A simple night of fun with my friends at the carnival.
I didn’t know I’d spend it learning things I never knew about myself.
Every twist and turn of our game brings us deeper into our desires.
But what’s a little pain if it’s mixed with unimaginable pleasure?

Jackson
All I wanted was one night.
A simple night of peace doing my job.
I didn’t know I’d spend it pushing the boundaries with a girl I just met.
The stakes get higher the longer the game goes on.
For the first time in my life, will only one night be enough?

No Place To Hide contains mature and graphic content that is not suitable for all audiences. Please check the content warnings at the front of the book before proceeding.

Oh man, now this is the book I’ve been needing to pull me out of whatever this slump thing is that I have going on here.

While this was a novella, it felt like it was longer. The authors did a fantastic job of that. Sure, I want more but that’s only because I’m greedy. *cough cough* Jackson. *cough cough*

So we meet Blair who is at a carnival and is looking for some fun. She needs some changes from her regular good girl life. She no longer wants to be this picture perfect princess.

Well…in comes Jackson to save the day.

Jackson works at the carnival and is this quiet, grumpy, ex-con. When these two meet, the sparks fly instantly.

Things quickly heat up and they end up playing a game of Hide & Seek. Sounds super innocent right?

This is definitely one of the hottest novellas I’ve ever read and I really can’t wait for book 2 to this. I need to know what happens.

This novella, although it’s short, does come with some possible triggers, so please read with caution. Your mental health matters.

Also, I read this novella just before Halloween, so it fit the season perfectly.

One click here

#WOTR25 #NewRelease #Dark – Marked by Measha Stone

With each passing moment, the nightmares worsen.
Tortured images of a past I cannot remember haunt me.
I know I’m in danger… I just don’t know why.

Then he comes to my town.

I can feel him watching me, studying me, always from the shadows—like a hunter stalking its prey.
The closer he circles, the more aware of him I become.
His nearness is toxic, and yet…

There’s something about the darkness within him that calls to me, that speaks to the scars of my troubled past.
Only a truly violent man could understand my demons.
His evil will either be my salvation or lead me to my destruction.

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Review by Twinsie Angie

Marked by Measha Stone

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

Oh man.  I admit I took this ARC not really knowing much except for its dark romance.  LOL  I like Measha’s stories so I was ready.

This book was EVERYTHING I could have wanted in a dark romance.  I mean Zack was *Chef’s kiss* dark and delicious.  He sees Harley while on a job but had to get to know her.  Know her he does *snickers*.

Harley’s life is awful. She has a sister who was murdered, and the town pretty much hates her for the loss of her sister and not her.  Wild town but that is the small-town dynamic right?  Everyone knows your business and has a say in it.

Harley finally feels free but mostly SAFE in the arms of Zack.  The two tumble down the story of her kidnapping and sister’s murder.  It was WILD!!!  I MEAN WILD!!!!  I had no idea what was going to happen next, but each scene had me saying “WHUUUUUU!!!!!!”  because Measha has the way of keeping you guessing while also busting your brain wide open with twists.

I am so excited for this series.  I cannot wait for book 2 based on the little bit we already know.  Any dark romance lover and any Measha lover will need this book to complete their obsession with her writing.

Measha Stone is a USA Today bestselling romance author with a deep love for romantic stories, specifically those involving the darker side of romance, all the possessive dominant heroes, and their feisty heroines. If you love a well deserved happily ever after, you will enjoy her books.

#Horror #dark – Nemesis by Mary Martel

Opal is a very talented artist. She paints the most lovely images of horror that her fans find absolutely grotesque and fascinating.

Because they don’t know where these images come from and think it’s simply her disturbed imagination put to paint on canvas.

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Review by Twinsie Angie

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

Mary said she was tipping her toes into horror, and I was like “Cool Boo I got you.”  Then I finally was able to read it and am like “Boo you ok??”

So by that you should be ready for some stuff.  This book was almost like the movie American Psycho in parts. Pearl is a psycho.  LOL  Wait who is Pearl you ask?  Well, that is one of the many personalities that live in Opal…sweet, kind, boring Opal.

This book was pretty dark in spots and a little bit confusing initially until you understood the swapping of personalities in Opal’s mind.  I would have loved the backstory on WHY Opal is so messed up.  I mean we know a smidge but nothing that would make her this messed up.

The story was a quick but wild ride for me.

Mary Martel was born in West Michigan and spent the majority of her life there. She currently resides in North Dakota with her husband, and her two beautiful daughters. She’s an avid reader, and when not writing she can be found with her nose stuck in a book.

#Audio #DarkRomance #Horror – Where’s Molly by H.D. Carlton, narration by Michelle Sparks and Sebastian York

A spinoff of the Cat & Mouse Duet…

“Molly Devereaux has been missing for more than two weeks, and police are still searching for the girl who seemed to vanish out of thin air. The world still wants to know… Where’s Molly?”

In my dreams, I never escaped the Oregon woods.

Life after death isn’t easy to accept, especially when I still feel like a ghost.

Now, I live deep in the mountains of Montana—the paradigm of beauty. But they are also the home of horrors.

Horrors that I only unleash at night.

When my pigs are allowed to feast.

It is strongly recommended to read Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline before reading Where’s Molly.

Important Note: This is a dark romance that contains dark subject matter. Please refer to the author’s website for content warnings

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Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audio book.

I want to say Michelle and Sebastian did a great job of bringing the characters to life for me.  I enjoyed listening to the story through their interpretation.

Ok so this book I was interested in reading.  I mean we all read the Cat and Mouse Duet so of course we want to know WHAT HAPPENED TO MOLLY!!  I think I initially thought she died at the hands of the traffickers, so I was excited to read the story.

So the story, I think I expected more….like more violence?  Is that wrong?  Weird?  I dunno.  I know the author was in a bad spot mentally, so I understand why this wasn’t AS dark as Zade/Addie which I think people expected that level dark.  I mean it’s dark.  Molly is feeding pigs BODY PARTS but the gore/violence isn’t as bad???

I did like the story.  But that is it.  I liked it. Molly was interested and Cage was a nice antihero.  But I found myself putting the book down several times.  Its not that I didn’t like it but it was missing that “GAH I NEED TO KNOW!!!!!” factor??  I wanted more of the past for Molly but at the same time I guess we kinda know what happened to Molly at the hands of the bad peps.

Anyway, I did like to and thought the narration was great.

H. D. Carlton is an International and USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.

#WOTR24 #Review – Infernally Marked: A Paranormal/Fantasy Female Assassin Romance: An Infernal Blade Prequel (The Infernal Blade Book 2) by Jewels Arthur

From this day forward you are one of us. One of the Infernal Blade. When Mara hits her limit, her foster father meets her blade and so starts her induction into a life of death and darkness. The initiation into the Infernal Blade is filled with pain and fear but what comes out on the other side is one of the most powerful creatures to walk the Earth. Years before meeting her men, Mara, living as a homeless teen meets the Elders just as her life is thrown into upheaval. With her best friend Rora by her side, Mara tries to work out what her life has become and works to come to grips with the fact that nothing will ever be the same.Infernally Marked, previously part of the Assassin Society Anthology, is the prequel to Infernally Mine, a medium burn #whychoose book that sets the stage for this epic series of death, loyalty, and love. This prequel is from Mara’s point of view as a teen so there are no explicit scenes but there is foul language. Intended for mature audiences only.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

A few things to know first: I picked this book up as it was free and I wanted to try a new to me author (no harm no foul if a novella doesn’t do it for you, ya know?!), the cover is pretty incredible (just saying!), and the very beginning of the story absolutely drew me in. It has a very unique storyline. I did not realize it was a prequel when I picked this up and at first, I was getting a little frustrated because there seemed to be gaps in places where I felt I wanted/needed more and then would jump to another part in Mara’s life. However, if I had read the first book prior to this one, I don’t think it would have frustrated me. I am incredibly curious as to what Mara’s story is and will be jumping into book 1 soon. I would highly recommend reading book 1, Infernally Mine, first as I think this prequel would be much more enjoyable. Overall, a unique story that definitely has more to tell!

Jewels Arthur profile image

USA Today Bestselling author, Jewels Arthur, writes steamy paranormal/fantasy RH Romances, that often feature very sassy females. Much like herself.

Swoons are her jam. She spends all her time watching TV/movies, reading books, and listening to music that makes her swoony. When she isn’t doing that she is drooling over her fictional characters or making book-related graphics.

Jewels has thousands of story ideas always flowing through her brain and she can’t wait to share them all with her readers. One thing is for sure, they will all feature steam, smut, and swoons.

#review #thriller #standalone Run on Red by Noelle W. Ihli


A rural country road. No cell signal for miles. A terrifying game of cat-and-mouse.

By the time Laura and Olivia notice the headlights tailing them through the hills, it’s too late. What seems, at first, like a case of road rage quickly unfolds into a heart-pounding chase—and a battle for survival.

Who are the men in the truck? What do they want? And can Laura and Olivia outrun—and outsmart—them long enough to call for help, even if it means taking their chances in the hills on foot?

As their situation grows more perilous, the girls realize that the real terror has only just begun. But flight won’t save them from their pursuers. If they’re going to make it home alive, they’ll have to fight.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61381555-run-on-red

Amazon  https://amzn.to/3HDUQVA

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Olivia and Laura were on their way to a bonfire out in the middle of nowhere going on backroads, twist, turns and hills. Olivia was getting car sick in the old beat-up Volvo that Laura’s sister let them take for the night. Olivia noticed a truck following super close to them and was able to grab the plate number and text it to her bestie you know to be safe in her true crime mind you can’t be careful enough in a time like this, well this wasn’t because they were in the middle of nowhere she did it all the time so they didn’t think too much of it but she wanted them to have a lead just in case something bad were to happen to her. next thing the truck passes them and sits in wait blocking them from their path and now the girls were in their very own Dateline episode that they didn’t want to be in, with 2 mask men coming towards their car what happens next you will never see coming. What do these guys want to hurt them, or possibly kill them, what did they do. So many twists, turns, and gut retching pain that will have you on the edge of your seat till the last page.

Noelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).

She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she’s scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).

#WOTR24 #BDSM #Dark #Erotica #Audio – Corrupted Innocence, Innocent Brides #1 by Measha Stone, narration by Jay Alder and Kylie Stewart

He wouldn’t take my money. He wanted my innocence instead.

When Nikolai Romanov came looking for my brother, I emptied my savings hoping I could pay off his debt. But it wasn’t even close to enough, so Nikolai Romanov decided to take me instead.

I didn’t expect a Russian mafia boss like him to be gentle with me… and he wasn’t.

Not when he spanked me for daring to wear panties under the dress he chose for me, and certainly not when he stripped me out of that same dress and made me scream in his bed.

He told me I would be his for a month, but the way he looks at me says I’m his forever…

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Review by Twinsie Angie

I bought this audiobook.

OHH This book!! I have read one other book from Measha and it was hella dark so I felt this one was a light dark??  Is that a thing?  LOL

Charlie’s DB brother, Oliver, ran into some trouble.  That trouble was in the name of Nikolai.  I gotta admit. I loved Nikolai when he was refusing to take Charlie’s money and well when he made the “deal”, I was a little excited for what would happen.

Nikolai and Charlie are both amazing characters.  They both love their family and will do anything for them.  I also loved how Charlie pushes Nikolai’s limits and sometimes it was a good result and other times it wasn’t so nice…or maybe it was??  LOL

As the story progressed seeing them two develop feelings and then of course have miscommunications.  But I loved how possessive Nikolai was with her.  I can’t wait to read more from the series.

The narration was great for the 2 characters. I enjoyed the life they brought to the characters and story.

Measha Stone is a USA Today bestselling romance author with a deep love for romantic stories, specifically those involving the darker side of romance, all the possessive dominant heroes, and their feisty heroines. If you love a well deserved happily ever after, you will enjoy her books.

#Audio #dark #DarkComedy #Killers – Butcher & Blackbird, The Ruinous Love Trilogy book 1 by Brynne Weaver, narration by Jo Arden and Lucy River

Every serial killer needs a friend.
Every game must have a winner.

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

Butcher & Blackbird is the first book in the Ruinous Love Dark Romance trilogy of interconnected stand-alone dark romantic comedies. This dual POV novel ends on a HEA.

***Butcher & Blackbird is a DARK ROMANCE intended for an adult audience – please see Brynne’s website for a comprehensive list of CWs***

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Amazon

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased the audiobook.

The narration was amazing.  I haven’t listened to a story by either narrator but thought the killed it 8see what I did there* with the story.

My friend Kate messaged me and was like “GIRL you need this book.”  I opened Goodreads to get the blurb and was SOLD….serial killers who kill other serial killers and fall in love…DUH This is a no-brainer.8  I looked up the triggers and was like WTF list was that.  I laughed even.  But when I downloaded the book and they read the list of triggers I laughed so hard.  Like crazy hard.  I knew I was going to be in for an epic ride when the story began.

So Blackird/Sloane is caught when Butcher/Rowan finds her.  They have a bit of a chat and decide t have to “friendly” competition every year.    And this is how the delicious story begins.

Sloane is a neurotic mess and Rowan is a bit of one too.  They two of them grow to be friends and even kinda wanna be with the other…granted Rowan admits this right away in the beginning but Sloane was a little thick to get the point.

The chemistry was a slow simmer until the pot was boiling.  I was dying much like they were for “more” to happen…when I does KABOOM.  Hold on to your butts because this rocket is full throttle.  They two are soon exploring each other and what could be.

Of course we have some drama and  a mega plot twist but the story made my heart so happy.  I also am looking forward to book 2 with Lachlan and Lark.  These two are going to be a riot.  I feel like the banter will be just as amazing and Rowan and Sloane.

I didn’t think the story was super dark until about chapter 21 and I got a little squeamish BUT I have read way worse.  I will say I don’t know that I can eat Cookies and Cream ice cream again…IYKYK!!

Brynne is a fan of velociraptors, the Alien movies (well, most of them), red wine, and wild adventures. She can relate nearly anything you say to a line from the movie Hot Fuzz. She has been trying unsuccessfully for years to convince her husband that they should acquire a pet mink to add to their menagerie of animals (what could possibly go wrong with that plan?!). Brynne has been everything from an archaeologist to a waitress, a deep-sea core analyst to an advertising account executive. For the last several years, she has been working in the field of neuroscience clinical research. Brynne has been writing since childhood. When not busy at her day job or working on her next book, Brynne can be found with her husband and son on their family farm in NS, Canada, or enjoying her other passions which include riding horses, reading, motorcycling, and spending time with family and friends around a raclette and a bottle of wine.

#review #seriesstarter #rh #dark Friends With The Monsters (Friends with the Monster 1) by Albany Walker

Gather round close, for I have a secret to tell.

Late at night, while everyone is sleeping, dreaming of white knights and fairytales. I’m making friends with the monsters.

They call to me, like finds like, right? My biggest secret, I’m the scariest monster I know.

I think I’m the bad guy.

MFMM Reverse Harem novel with adult themes not recommended for those under 18.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51919431-friends-with-the-monsters

Amazon https://amzn.to/46WlHq8

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author for an honest review

When needing to eat intel’s opening up all the windows in the middle of the night, for all kinds of monsters to come into the house. Thats what keeps Damiana alive she’s always knew she was different and no one that she knew was like her. she isn’t afraid of the monsters that lurk in the shadows, but when a human figure finds her home in the middle of nowhere, she has more to deal with then she thought. Lies, deceit and distrust feed her better than anything so you need to watch yourself or your soul could be next. the twist, turns and mystery are great, Albany never freaking disappoints and this is another amazing book by her.

Albany lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children’s extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany’s passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters.