CONFESSIt’s what he said to me across his altar, what he demanded so that I would be pure.In the moment he blessed me with his virtue, I was no longer the woman I’d once been.I was Eve.His light. His salvation. His bridge to Heaven’s gate.I failed him because my faith was not strong enough.He punished me for not giving in.Resisting temptation is never easy.Not when his hands, his teeth, his heat … in.
Resisting temptation is never easy.
Not when his hands, his teeth, his heat and hunger were the greatest of my sins.
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This story was twisted. I went into this story with a completely different type of story in mind, but that doesn’t mean I was disappointed. In fact this story ended up being better than what I expected. The twists and turns are ones I’ve never read about before, which makes this story completely unique and refreshing. I was constantly surprised, and completely interested the entire time. Jericho and Jacob’s dynamic was intense and full of absolute mind f**kery. You really feel for Serra, and root for her to overcome all the forces keeping her where she was. I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the story, because I constantly wanted more. When the story came to the end, I wasn’t ready, and I still wanted more.
This was a new Author for me, and I am now excited to explore EVERYTHING else she has written. She is now stuck with me, because her writing is fantastic. I want all of her stories in my library now!
don’t want to give anything else away so I will have to move on before I do. Just know that this is a MUST READ in my opinion, and an author worth keeping an eye out for in the future.
BUY. THIS. BOOK! READ THIS BOOK!
This cover totally hooked me! Didn’t need to read the blurb at all. Just by looking at the beautiful cover, I knew I had to read this one.
Sedra was taken to the compound as a young child with her parents. Looking for a better life. The leader of the cult was Elijah a man who is a sick person! One who has his followers do anything and everything. As the years go by, Sedra becomes Eve the night she becomes Elijah’s wife.
I am yours. In body. In heart. And in Soul.
Jacob is the local priest at the Catholic church. He has a dark background that was being restrained by wearing the cloth of being a priest. He was doing well till the day the girl is found in the yard of his church.
He held me in awe. Like an idol, he personified everything that I thought was pure and good. He was my guide and protector, my life and salvation.
As this story unfolds, we learn of the history between Elijah and Jacob. Are the two hiding behind their titles of being leaders in their congregations?
It was as if God himself were knocking on the door, the might of His hand pulling me away from the temptation that stood naked and trembling before me.
This story is one that at times had me very confused as to who I was reading about. I found myself doing quite a bit of re-reading to understand where we were. Then we get to the end of the book and wow… it just ended on a major cliffy. It was like the story just stopped.
#BookBistroBlogApproved
One leader. One believer. Many followers to sacrifice.
He was her salvation and she was his redemption.
Escaping the sin inside has never been this much fun.
A woman’s greatest asset is her body. Sedra was a woman born to seduce and a body made for sin. She was a temptation in the form of purity and light. She was the woman who could lead this leader to his destiny. She was his Eve. Sedra lived her life in purity and grace waiting for a man to claim her and take her sins away.
Elijah led his flock with beautiful lies. He spun these truths into lies.
Jacob led his parishioners into the light preaching of a better world.
Overall:
Forgive me Lily for you have sinned thus causing me to sin as well. Lucky for me I’m not a religious person otherwise this sinfully delicious book would send me straight to Hell without passing go or collecting one hundred dollars. My ass is going to have shooting flames of fire for how fast my body is beamed into the gates of Hell. Ha! Ha!
Lily you are wicked. I couldn’t help but roar with laughter as he read his homily to the parishioner.
After reading numerous books by Lily I’ve come to expect the unexpected. I realize she always has the upper hand. Try as I might to figure out the direction of these characters and the storyline I fail each time. Here I am once again trying to conjure up what I believe are the motives and intentions of these characters only to be shocked by how wrong I was. Heed my warning don’t try to predict the way this story will lead the characters because as long as Lily is the one manning the ride only she knows which course to take. Let me just say she never takes the safe course. It’s a wild road full of sharp twisty turns with no protective barriers.
Only Lily could have me enjoying the pain of her characters. After all what’s a little pain when it’s followed up with exquisite pleasure?
Take it for Lily to use religion as the highest means of temptation especially when that temptation is at the hands of a priest.
Lily’s craft at expressing words towing the line of what one might consider abuse when factoring all the grey component areas is shocking exquisite. She is so convincing it’s scary. Or maybe I’m gullible because I eat up her words.
Only Lily can compare an orgasm to that of a sin metaphorically speaking. The act itself was so intense with its high density of sexual violence.
4.5 Stars!
Religion is fickle between the pages of this physiological, erotic thriller. If you’ve read a Lily White book, that’s warning enough, if not, be sure to read the warnings.
Before I go into the storyline, I have to comment on the fluid, suave way the words just melted into me. I loved the flow in which gave a clear understanding of the character’s voice. Even if it was jumbled to be that final act of mind-boggling puzzlement.
The story is mystery, mind control brilliance. Each piece giving you a taste of damage and dysfunction. The fall from grace with pure white passion. Seductive, dark eroticism to sate my love for twisted neediness. I can’t go into the mess of how dark pasts led to retribution and revenge. I can say with all certainty, you will not know the final plan until all the pieces have been played. Conditioning of one’s mind is a harrowing thought, the perfect balance of false guidance and acceptance. I was enthralled from start to finish.
Her body still presented like it wasn’t a temple shielding her soul, but a cage. Not just a cage. Her body was a weapon.
This was a total mindfuck! However, while I enjoyed the overall story and deviousness I did found the story a bit dragging. Yes, we got it that he was a devoted man and was not allowed to sin that we were told over and over again.
Through his kitchen window Father Jacob Hayle sees a young woman. She collapsed, her frail body crumpling, her head hitting painfully against the ground because she’d failed to brace herself.
He carried the woman, who had the face of an angel – the face of a memory I was fighting to forget, inside his church. Bringing this woman into his life is the start of a horrible chain of events to Jacob’s worst nightmare.
When Jacob learns that this woman was brainwashed to be the perfect submissive by his twin brother Jericho aka Elijah, who he hasn’t seen in almost eighteen years, he is shocked to learn that Sedra aka Eve is his brother’s gift to him.
“She’s not a possession to be traded back and forth. She’s a human being.”
“She was. Yes. Sedra was a boisterous child when she was brought to the compound. So beautiful, passionate, energetic … full of innocent youth. Enjoy Eve. Keep in mind that your time with her is limited.”
Recognising the perfect masochist that Eve is, it does not take long for Jacob to answer the call of his dark urges. Wearing temptation like a cloak, Eve was dangerous to a man like me.
I was a devout man, one falling into the depths of Hell happily staring up into the face of what had been my last temptation.
The way the story of the twin brother evolves is a colossal insidious intrigue and I am very much looking forward to the conclusion of their story and am anxious waiting for book 2, Fear The Wicked
“Pray louder, Sister. Because I can promise you, your God isn’t listening.”
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2151866654
4.5 stars. Read on Scribd. My favorite by Lily White so far; I haven’t read a story this depraved in awhile. I could nitpick this book, point out little issues with characterization or the plot, but I enjoyed this so much it would be missing the point. This was pure dark erotic fiction, not a piece of literature, and I loved every second of it. I see myself rereading this and I’ll be reading book 2. The ending was slightly cliffy, but I’m not compelled to immediately jump into the second book. Illusions of Evil can be enjoyed by itself imo.
This is one of those times I wish I could rate a book more than 5 stars!
Illusions of Evil – OH MY GOD!!
Been waiting a long time for this book and wow it was so worth the wait, this is not your typical priest story , no this is so much more twisted.
The story starts of in one direction and you think you have the plot cracked and you are just waiting for the horror, you will be so very wrong because the plot just gets thicker & thicker.
This book is gripping, taboo, contains kinky sexual scenes, horrific violence and is one hell of a storyline.
“With purification comes pain. And with pain, comes rebirth.”
Well it is my opinion that Lily White is going to hell and she is dragging all of us with her!!
Pay close attention to detail, you will be rewarded with a profound and insidious story that is woven so meticulously and intricately. When you step into the mind of Lily White you never know what you will see, but she always leaves you spinning and with your mouth wide open in awe. I am enchanted with each and every one of her books that she writes.
Eve was transformed, conditioned in certain beliefs and faiths that have been manipulated for one’s own needs and agenda. She is intended to be a catalyst, but for what is still a mystery. One malevolent madman knows the plan, and has set events in motion. What game is he playing, and why? Does he have a score to settle or is he just your typical pathological narcissist with unorthodox beliefs?
~Her body was the perfect temptation, her submission the poison that could drag a godly man into Hell itself. She was everything evil we’re warned about in the world just by merely existing. But yet, she wasn’t evil. She was the illusion of evil. Purity wrapped in the sinful cage of a woman who didn’t know any better. ~
Don’t get too comfortable as Lily never allows you to read all her cards until she chooses for you to see them. Lily White is a bewitching writer, she has the utmost ability to seduce you, and hold your mind for ransom. I loved every turn, every dip and mind trip!
And just when you get close to the end, and you think you have the answers you seek, and that is it for these characters and their story, she slaps you with a cliffhanger that will leave you suspended in a purgatory state. For that, your penance will be 10 Hail Mary’s Lily White!
Reading the first sentence gave me goosebumps….
The main character of this book are so unhinged from the real world. They are delusional most of the time and seek glory and power from the pure and week of mind. This book is one hell of a jaw dropping read.
With purification comes pain. And with pain, comes Rebirth. Are you ready?
I am an avid reader of Lily White’s books and she always comes up with the most alluring, deranged, multi layered characters. I really couldn’t put this book down the writing is seemless and is never lacking. Just the right amount of the hottest sex scenes (kinky as sin) for the storyline.
Now I just need book 2…..
5 Halle-Fucking-Lujah Stars
God created Lily
Lily created Elijah
And we’re going to Hell !
Meanwhile let’s embrace our masochism and kinky minds and get aboard the bus that Lily drives .
“We are all God’s creatures, the saints and the sinners, the saved and the damned. We were created in his image, we were given life through his vision, and if that is true, then the parts of me I was told should be hidden and ignored were parts God had wanted there all along. Perhaps His intent wasn’t for us to shun those parts, but instead we were to take them for what they were and glorify Him through the differences they created in us. Because if God is part of everything, then God can be found in the shadow as much as the light.”
At the centre is the Church, it’s Flock, the parishioners, and the power struggle and the incessant craving for acting God. Why? …..why not!!
There’s Elijah , who plays God . He “creates” Eve for his own Adam. And then like God demands faith from his followers
There’s Father Hayle , who is to lead his Flock away from temptation and into salvation . What irony that the Smokey tentacles of temptation force him to abandon faith and sin absolutely.
“It wasn’t until I’d had it shoved in my face in the last few days that I realized I hadn’t become a priest out of some desperation to know and love God. I’d become a priest to hide from life, to seclude myself in an existence that kept me safe from the mistakes of my past, and especially a life that kept people safe from me. If I wasn’t strong enough to control myself, who was I to believe I could save another person’s soul?”
And then there’s Eve herself. Loyal in her submission , even subconsciously. Always looking for her husband to drive sin from her body so she can lead him to light. She truely believes her body is a receptacle to her husband’s offerings , that will drive out the toxins and poisons that plague her pores and he in turn he will achieve divinity and arise as the ultimate God !
“She was everything evil we’re warned about in the world just by merely existing. But yet, she wasn’t evil. She was the illusion of evil. Purity wrapped in the sinful cage of a woman who didn’t know any better.”
See how twisted the thought process is ? . That’s the comfort zone for Lily. Psychological thriller at it’s best. I bet she writes such stuff with her eyes closed, her hands tapping away as the river of words flows out effortlessly. Very few authors show courage in embracing and pushing their dark limits , and with practice comes perfection , and we lap up every twisted word that she writes for us and devour her books like inky manna, what does that say about us ?
The story is disturbing , which is a given. Hints of cruelty scattered everywhere. There’s Family Fists, there’s women hung on crosses, there’s markings, lashings, biting , in other words a typical Lily book.
Why does she write like she does. Exploring depths rather than heights, delving into shadows rather than riding the rainbows, meandering into Sleepy Hollows than sunflower fields ?
Well she gives us the answer herself
“Why couldn’t people understand that sometimes evil occurs within the confines of a crowded world just because a sadist like me grew bored?”
I liked and was equally fearful of the subject matter. It’s not easy to challenge established norms and faiths and get away with it , but Lily does that excellently. Blind faith and religion used to cloak heinous intentions and nefarious deeds is part of the exposè. The Satan to be feared is not outside, it’s inside men , some respectable, some esteemed and some revered.
Clothes don’t make a man !
That’s the undertone and scary part , cause how do you separate Satan from the God , Collar from Robes? I loved the story and the twisted characters. One lofty , one befallen , and one pawn between them
So when’s the next book ?
Nothing is what it seems. Or maybe everything is exactly as it seems. This mysterious and suspenseful story of Eve, Jericho and Elijah is slow getting into, but then…
It begs the question are Illusions of evil really evil or is it all a hoax?? Haunting twisted erotic thriller about the taboos of religion versus cult!
Are they so different!
What’s the end result?
The characters were not as well developed as I would have liked, and the story was sometimes disjointed. Their actions were maddening and frustrating as they created havoc in their parish.
And that end??
Really???
Made reading this story worthwhile!!
Bring. It. On!!
“…she wasn’t evil. She was the illusion of evil.” – Jacob
This is a spellbinding read about identical two twin brothers locked in a deadly game for control over the residents of a small appalachian town…One who dedicated himself to his religious tradition of Catholicism by becoming a Priest, Jacob and the other a religious cult leader over an extreme ideology which is a perversion of the major tenets of Christianity, Elijah named Jericho at birth.
Jacob becomes aware that his twin brother has had him in his sights when Jericho leaves a broken woman, Sedra (Eve) for him on the doorstep of his parish. Sedra simply thinks Jacob is Jericho and she had been “brainwashed” and is begging to submit sexually as a masochistic slave to Jacob. Jericho knew his brother’s sexual proclivities before he took the vow of celibacy as a priest. Jericho (Elijah) makes of Eve the perfect foil to the godliness that Jacob wishes to maintain in his person. Jacob is left wondering what game his brother is playing.
It is a fascinating story with a gripping revelatory and shifting plot line. More than this, Lily White has so much to say and her narrative lends itself to a deconstruction of its elements, symbols, themes and discussions of right and wrong…ultimately, good versus evil. This is my first read from this talented author and I was delighted at the depth of her perceptions and ideas I gathered from reading this first part of this two part series. Moreover, while I looked forward to a continuation of the discussions began in this book in the next, this book was sufficiently weighty unto itself and having the two books made complete sense rather than some empty ploy to sell more books.
She presents a number of “Illusions of Evil”. Has it not been the case in early Judeo-Christian belief that Eve perpetuated or tempted man to his downfall? Many other ancient religions see the woman as the temptress in paradise. “Femaleness” was the evil that lured man to his downfall into sinfulness. Just as our Eve (Sedra) is presented to Jacob as his perfect type of woman from eye and hair color to her trained submission with her innate masochistic nature. The sadistic Dom he once was is sorely tempted by this evil before him…
In warring with himself over the presence of Sedra/Eve, Jacob reaches the conclusion that she was not evil but only the “illusion of evil.” In his awakening to this truth, he questions his nature and the very reasons he became a priest. As he begins to slowly slip in his vows of celibacy, Jacob’s thinking reveals more of his past from his early youth and we as readers watch with hope for his eventual peace of mind and a happy ending because he is really a decent, passionate and charismatic hero, priest and all. But…there is this shadow of darkness known as Jericho/Elijah who is present on the horizon and our Eve is ever deluded about who it is that she is loving and who is loving her. Jacob knows she thinks it is her Elijah, his brother Jericho. That this is troubling him; could it be a symptom of something more happening to him?
“I was a fallen man, damned and doomed, and waiting for the hour when I could shed the cloth of the devout to unfurl my dark, razor edged wings and take what should have been mine from the fucking start.” – Jacob
When Jacob utters these words, something pivotal in the plot happens. Does he become the “wicked” to which our author refers in the next book, “Fear the Wicked”? Can this be too another “Illusion of Evil”? Is a sado- masochistic relationship evil? Did Jacob visit evil upon Sedra/Eve? My friends, it has been enlightening and superb reading for me to be able to ask and answer these and many more questions. The ultimate question for me was what is truly evil and how much evil is perpetrated to guard the illusions of evil?
4.5 stars
I went into this book blind I didn’t read teasers or the blurb and Lily White never fails to disappoint. I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the story and it kept me turning pages to find out what was going to happen. It flows perfectly; it is intense, gritty and chilling at times. Lily takes you on a journey in this one, I felt emotional at some parts some twists and turns you do not expect.
Lily’s mind is a scary, brutal, crazy place to be and it shows through these characters. Some I loved some I could have easily stabbed. Some I just wanted to hug. You think you know where the story is going to go then Bam goes in the opposite direction from what I was thinking.
I did not find this one as dark as Lily’s other books, but still a good read. At times, I did find myself getting confused at parts; I am not going to go into details about the storyline. You need to read for yourself.
If you love Lily’s books, I recommend this one
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
Eve was told to confess. It was what he told her across his alter, what he demanded so that she could be pure. After all I was Eve. His light. His salvation. His bridge to Heaven’s gate. I have failed him because my faith was not strong enough. He would punish me for not giving in. Resisting temptation is never easy. Especially because his hands, his teeth, and hunger wee the greatest of my sins.
I am not even really sure where to start or what to say exactly. I do not want to give a thing away about this book really. I went in blind. I had not read the book description. I just knew it was a Lily White book and I needed to read it. I will tell you this book is more than Eve’s story. There is also Jacob and Elijah. However I am not saying a word about them. You need to discover them just exactly the way I did. Eve though did not have a very stable childhood and her parents moved her around a lot. She was finally happy living with them in a house near the lake. She was ten years old and on that lake is the last happy childhood memory she would have. Her parents have decided to move them to a place and have a new life. It was suppose to be a better life with friends and they would not be as isolated as they were in the house they were in now. Her parents wouldn’t have to have a job outside of where they were going to live and their would be plenty of children for Eve and her brother to play with You will be safe they told her. She should have ran right then and there. That is all I am saying about his book. Yes Eve is in cult but there is so much more to this book than the cult. However if you want to know more you have to pick up the book and read. I will tell you that I finished this book with a lot of no no no no going on and my mouth hanging open.
Lily White has done a fantastic job with this book. I couldn’t read it fast enough and to say I’m shocked and freaking out is probably an understatement. If your a fan of dark, twisted, blow you mind books then you do not want to miss Illusions of Evil.
This book is wrong on so many levels but I absolutely loved it! No matter how many times I get my knuckles hit with a ruler by the nuns they won’t change my mind about loving this story. AMAZING read, there just no other way to express my love for it!
Sedra is ten years old when her parents move her along with her protective older brother to a commune they feel is better suited for their wants and needs. Not sure what I can say about her parents that they would sit by and watch what happens to their daughter at the hands of Elijah, the communes leader.
Elijah is twisted and demented and I really still have no clue what the end result is that he craves, all I know is that he doesn’t care whom he has to hurt in order to get what he wants.
I felt bad for Jacob whom has his own demons to slay but as we find out shortly into the story Elijah has plans for Father Hayle that will totally mess with his mind.
This was an amazing start to the series, duet, trilogy? Not really sure how long it will be but I do know for certain there is a book two coming, Fear The Evil, Which I can guarantee I will be reading!
This needs to be mentioned and please understand that there are NUMEROUS triggers in this story. This is a DARK, EROTIC ROMANCE, which includes Non-Con and Dubious Sex, Religious figures that have sex even though they took a vow not to, and a cult leader that will do ANYTHING he wants to ANYONE he wants. If any of these things offend you DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. That being said, if this is your cup of tea I highly recommend this book.
**I Voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**