The Thalia Series is a dark, gripping, and emotionally harrowing story that takes you on a rollercoaster ride from the deepest of dark romances all the way to the light.Featuring all five books: Security Binds Her, Striking a Balance, Salvaged by Love, Christmas at Purgatory, and Tying the Knot!Also includes the short stories ‘The Branding’, ‘A Kalen and James Flashback’, and a never before … never before released story titled ‘James at The Auction’.
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This is an absolutely mind blowing, game changing, dark and twisted story. I loved Thalia, her guts, her determination and her strength. She never gives in, never gives up and is one heck of a heroine.
The first book is DARK. There are triggers on just about every page. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and no romance, that comes later. Subsequent books have a lighter feel, though by no means as sparkly as a contemporary romance, and it does wade through a couple of very murky pools before delivering our Hero and heroine their HEA.
It’s hot, erotic, full of emotion, at times very difficult to read but also well worth the journey. 5+ stars all the way.
Loved the Thalia series!
Security Binds Her: Thalia is abducted from her work location by Marcus, the building security guard who trains her to be a submissive. Thalia fights Marcus and is punished, but eventually she submits to Marcus whom she never feels safe with. Thalia gets under Marcus’ skin so he is reluctant to let her go at the auction. James makes the winning bid, yet offers her a choice to go with him. Thalia accepts James’ life raft much to the angst of Marcus. James just asks for 6 months to see if the lifestyle is what she wants. If not, he will help her rebuild her life. The book ends on a cliffhanger though the other 2 books are available.
Striking a Balance: After James leaves the auction with Thalia, he explains how he wanted to get her out of Marcus and Anthony’s clutches sooner. James is frustrated with the dynamic between them, so he takes Thalia to his friend Kalen who runs Purgatory. Thalia struggles to learn to be the submissive that James needs, but the overall program works on Thalia’s issues. You will enjoy Thalia’s times with the other women in training, and especially the steamy scenes with James and Kalen. It ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully the 3rd book in the series is available.
Salvaged by Love: The story continues with Thalia realizing she loves James. The dynamics of the other couples continue to play a part with Thalia learning to be a true submissive for James. After James and Thalia leave Purgatory upon completing her training, they visit his sister where Thalia is abducted by William again. James is besides himself and hires mercenaries to rescue Thalia. When all is said and done, can Thalia and James have their happily ever after? You have to read to find out.
Tying the Knot: I love an author who writes in dual point of view. Thalia and James are getting married, but there are some behind the scene stories that make you laugh and cry. One of Thalia’s wedding presents is to put a part of her past behind her and especially for the other women who had been abducted and freed. This was a short story but well worth the read to bring a happily ever after for Thalia and James.
Security Binds Her:
I have read this book multiple times and only recently realized I never wrote a review. This book single handedly turned me onto dark romance. Please respect the trigger warnings. Thalia is like gravity, drawing everyone to her. However, she manages to draw herself right into being a sex slave. Her captor uses and abuses her, and much to Thalia’s dismay, she enjoys most of it. Her captor gets in too deep with her (no pun intended) and is forced to sell her early. The author does a fantastic job of making you feel as intense as Thalia and all the torment she goes through.
Striking A Balance:
This is a continuation of what happens once James gets Thalia back to his home. He tries to help Thalia get some of her spunk back, but learns he needs some help. Enter Kalen and Maggie and their little place called Purgatory. I wish I could teleport myself into Purgatory because despite the name, this place is heaven for me. This book is a must read!!
Salvaged By Love:
This story wraps up just about everything from the first two books. James and Thalia thought they were headed for their HEA when Marcus makes an entrance. You have GOT to read this to see how it gets handled. No shortage of the dark themes here. Trigger warnings are real.
Tying The Knot:
The Thalia series is my absolute favorite in this genre. And I was not disappointed by this final book. The same dynamics exist between James and Thalia only he gets to add husband to his list of titles. I love this series!
Security Binds Her: The first installment in this series certainly grabbed my attention! I read this book in one day. Although storylines similar to this have already been done, the differences in this book kept me turning page after page right from the beginning.
Striking a Balance: This book wasn’t as dark as the first but while still appeal to any fan of dark erotica.
Salvaged by Love: What a great way to end this chapter in Thalia’s life.
Tying the Knot: This book neatly tied up the series in a pretty knot!
This is an epic dark romance series! One that will make you experience every emotion that you could possibly feel! This was the first dark romance that I read. I can guarantee you a HEA but you have to go through the dark to get there! I really like the couple extra bonus scenes that are provided at the end of this book!
SECURITY BINDS HER
This is my first book by Jennifer Bene outside of the Black Light Series. I have been wanting to read this book for a while but kept talking myself out of it because I was worried since this is my first dark romance. But I finally ripped off the band-aid and I am so glad I did!
Jennifer Bene does an amazing job bringing to light an issue that many people don’t think is as prominent as it is. The feelings that Thalia goes through are an accurate depiction of a dark and scary reality.
Jennifer made me feel all sorts of confused about Marcus. His actions and feelings are contradictory. I want to view him as an asshole but there is a part of me that wonders if he can be redeemed.
Jennifer gives us an enticing story that keeps us guessing as to what is gonna happen next! It is a good book to start with if you are venturing into the dark world for the first time!
STRIKING A BALANCE
This is the continuation of Thalia’s story and her developing relationship with James. Jennifer Bene takes me on another roller coaster of emotions! James wants to protect Thalia! But is he protecting her to the point of hindering her? This is what this story is all about! Thalia and James finding a balance.
My initial confusion with Marcus having redeeming qualities is pretty much voided in the this book when we get his POV once during the book! I am going back to my original assumption of grade A asshole. LOL
I really like that Jennifer has a scene that focuses on Thalia’s self preservation! I think since we hadn’t seen her pushed to a limit yet that it was important to establish just how strong Thalia actually is! I also really like the scene where Thalia makes a realization and tells off Kalen’s sister during her therapy session! I really hope we get to see Thalia’s dream become a reality in detail! I read this in one day, I couldn’t put it down!
SALVAGED BY LOVE
This is the third book in the Thalia series! This book is a great balance of love and dark. I think Jennifer Bene takes the best of SBH and SAB and combines them in this epic tale! Jennifer puts me through a lot of feelings and there was one point I was ready to be done because of what she wrote in the story making me angry. I am glad that I didn’t put it down and pushed trough because the story and the emotions from Thalia and James are very real. Read this book if you haven’t done so yet!
TYING THE KNOT
This is the final book in The Thalia series! I think that Jennifer Bene wraps up this story very nicely! I think she bring the perfect combination of spicy and sweet! This is the Happily Ever After that everyone wants for Thalia and James! This is definitely a series that I want to see make it to audio book! Amazing story!
A journey from desolation to complete satisfaction
Security Binds Her
This book takes you on a gripping ride between horror and fascination. In just one week the heroine is turned from a lonely, unassuming girl into an unwilling but nevertheless responsive participant in a cruel game of dominance without care.
At times I hated myself for loving this book.
But in her own inimitable way Ms. Bene sucks you into the story and does not let you go until you arrive at the end, dizzy and out of breath.
A gut wrenching, spine tingling tour de force !
James At The Auction
This short snippet describes the auction from James’ point of view and sets the ground rules of their relationship.
Striking a Balance
In this second part of the series Thalia is finally out of the clutches of her abusers and starting life with James. But the transition is not as seamless as they wished. It soon becomes apparent that the training methods of Marcus have far reaching consequences that endanger their relationship.
Finally James reaches out for help, and ensconced with accepting and helpful friends things are starting to look up.
Kink and love abound !!
Salvaged By Love
In this third book of the series Thalia and James finally get their chance at working on their relationship. Being accepted and integrated into a circle of like minded friends helps a lot. And it’s a chance to witness some hot and inventive play scenes.
But soon the past rears its obsessive head and Thalia is back in her worst nightmare. After a scary salvage operation she slowly fights her way back to “normal”, Thalia and James style that is, and they get their HEA.
This conclusion of the series is a skillful blend of light and dark.
Christmas at Purgatory
A Christmas dinner for four and for desert a steaming hot menage plus surprises for everybody.
Ms. Bene’s present is a sweet, decadent short with a bite.
Tying The Knot
The fourth book in the Thalia series is a true delight. From the first scene in the brides and bridesmaids room, preparing for the wedding, you are enveloped in the feeling of love and belonging. All of the Purgatory family, James’s family and Thalia’s “Bad ass” family are there to witness those two celebrate their commitment to each other. The poetic language that is Ms. Bene’s trademark elicits a deep feeling of contentment, whether she’s describing everyday life or kink scenes. She even managed to make my eyes wet with this sensual, light, and loving ending of J and T’s story.
But to satisfy the feeling of outrage about past wrongs, Thalia and all her “girls” even get the present of rightful retribution.
And at the very end of the book we get the present of a promise of more stories from the Purgatory world.
The Bonus scene is a sweet, and deeply moving piece of kinky poetry !!
Ms. Bene surprises with every new book. You might think after a while the scenes might get repetitive, but she manages to grow in expressive language and inventive ideas with every story.
I love this series! Thalia’s life changed so much but there is hope. That hope is James. They go through so much together and make discoveries along the way. Despite the darkness of the story it is also enlightening. The series had me on the edge of my seat at times and crying in others.
I cannot sing the praises of the ending of this book enough. Thalia had been through so much and James helped her to overcome her demons and him with his own. The wedding was a fitting conclusion and the HEA they both deserved.
I loved how she included James at the auction. He knew he had to have her and this short read just confirmed that.
All in all the series is freakin awesome to read.
The dark, twisted nature of book 1 is a great intro to The Thalia Series that leads on a journey of varying degrees of brutality and love. These different facets are what make each book in the series unique. The phase of Thalia’s captivity may morph into a lighter love story but the challenges and suspense do not cease throughout. Every aspect of Thalia’s journey is explored and revealed and it is a rough road to follow from her initial kidnapping into her captivity and the aftermath that follows. It’s a great series with a very engaging plot line.
I originally read these series as individual books and now it is in me book. If you enjoy the dark and BDSM you will enjoy reading this series. From the very beginning you are hooked. I will not give you the story because you need to read the dark excellent story. Jennifer has done an great job in writing this book and the dark scenes and the BDSM scenes are stimulating and extremely hot. Enjoy reading this great series.
Since this boxed set REALLY needs more people snapping it up, what follows are my reviews of the different books in this set all mushed together. Enjoy!
I will readily confess to not getting any work accomplished that afternoon. I meant to do it…stares at Kindle…but something came over me. If blame is to be handed out, and I’ve already accused her of this, Jennifer Bene is an enabler. She won’t be able to deny it because yes, I absolutely ate up this story. I adore dark stories. Ones that nip at our baser instincts of right and wrong—dark and light—and how there never really is a firm line between the two. And I was instantly drawn in to the story. Granted, I wasn’t completely lost. I did remember to feed and walk the dog. Eventually. Even took a cool shower. It got really hot in here. But then I buried my head in the story again and didn’t come out until I had finished. You should too. Especially if you like your erotica dark and powerful. Mmmm….
Oh boy, is it hot in here because…wow. I so loved the continuation of Thalia and James’ story. The gradual transition from what was an incredibly dark story in “Security Binds Her” to “Striking a Balance”, so much happens as Thalia fights to figure out who she is and where she belongs. *Spoiler alert: She belongs with James. I LOVED Purgatory (Okay, as an ex-catholic that sounds weird). I loved reading about the other doms and subs at the school. It was an amazing way to draw out the turmoil going on inside Thalia’s head as she fights with her inner demons. So, good.
“Salvaged by Love” is story 3 in the saga of Thalia and James and it was all sorts of good in all the right ways. This is it. If you’ve read stories 1 and 2, then you definitely NEED to read through to the end. Will they get their happily ever after? Will Marcus surface again and spoil everything? What? Once again, I admit to skipping out on work to finish this story. Twice over two evenings, I sat down to read a bit and the next time I looked at the time, it was almost two hours past my normal bedtime. This series was dark in all the right ways and light in all the meaningful ones.
This series was a roller coaster of emotions taking us from the darkest days and drawing us, with much relief, well into the light and it was worth every sniffle, profanity uttered, dark chocolate eaten, and batteries burned through.
And where but in one of Jennifer Bene’s stories would an aristocrat have a mercenary as a groomsman. Okay, there might be others but go with me.
If you haven’t started the series and you love your erotica on the dark side then you need to start with “Security Binds Her” and then work your way through the four stories culminating with all things happily ever after. From there, it’s just a matter of feeding your addiction over the course of a few days until you get to “Tying the Knot.” Plan to call in sick because you won’t be able to put the stories down.
Security Binds Her is a wonderful story featuring Thalia and her Master. From the very beginning Jennifer Bene created an anxious energy with her words. I was grasped from page 1 until the end. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I look forward to reading Thalia’s story as she continues on with James.
Striking a balance Thalia and James story is beautiful and tragic and frustrating. To have come through so much can Thalia finally find love and be a submissive or will her training and conditioning at the hands of Marcus keep her from achieving those goals?
I fell in love with James from book 1and he has endeared me so much more with his patience and kindness.
Jennifer Bene you write fabulous stories that draw the reader in from chapter 1 until the end. As a reader you gave me everything I could ask for and more. I felt your suggestions. I imagined your descriptive words in my mind as though the scenes were played out right in front of me.
Salvaged by love -James and Thalia’s story continued in this 3rd book and it was a roller coaster ride of love and hate, calm and chaos, with lots of pleasure in between. The finale was perfect, both finding the HEA that they deserve.
Jennifer Bene you are an extraordinary author. The way you use words and description to capture the reader and keep them wanting to read this story to the end is second to none.
Tying the Knot -The finale to James and Thalia’s story was wonderful! I love these 2 characters, and I especially love how they found each other and trudged through all the conflict that they encountered.
To finally have them married and given their happily ever after is the perfect ending to this love story.
BONUS James at the auction It was wonderful to see this story from James POV. As much as he saw the auction, and the Williams brother’s “training” of these women as horrible, he knew he had to have Thalia and give them a chance at a Dom/sub relationship
This was an amazing series. Logically, I should despise some one who would buy another human being, but everything about James compels the reader to love him and hope he and Thalia have a happy ending. Thalia is an incredibly strong woman and survives kidnappings and brutality without losing her ability to trust and love, and as despicable as Marcus and Anthony (especially Anthony who has no redeeming qualities and Marcus doesn’t ‘ have many) are, without their heinous actions Thalia would not have met James so I guess they do have a very limited purpose, but no tears were shed with their departure. This series has many dark elements but it also has moments of humour and tenderness. The time at Purgatory is insightful and ocassionally humorous and the short stories the author includes in the series are equally wonderful. However, be warned there are many potential triggers in these books, but if you are not affected, they are a compelling read I would recommend to anyone who likes dark romance
Outstanding dark erotic romance with heart wrenching drama beginning to end. Steamy enough to melt your kindle. Lots of triggers in the first and third books so beware. But you can’t miss this series- it’s a stand out among the genre.
This book will take you on many different rides that will have you needing more. As you finish one story you will be holding your breath for the next story. You will have amazing steamy intense dark. Sexy scene that will have you waiting and needing more. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and will have you hooked on this series that you will want to read this book again..
I began this series by reading Security Binds Her as a stand-alone. WOW! It is an intense, graphic, disturbing, riveting, and incredulously erotic roller coaster ride full of pleasure, pain and confusion. It was the first book I had read by and reviewed for Jennifer Bene, and it has hooked me bad. Therefore, when the ability to have all of the Thalia books in one place, plus two bonus stories, became available, it was so enticing that I one-clicked this series the minute it was released. And I have not been disappointed.
The continuing story of James and Thalia is an intense, difficult, loving, erotic journey that allows them to eventually overcome numerous pitfalls and obstacles to attain their “Happily Ever After.”
I truly LOVED this series, and I recommend it to everyone who has an interest in a beautifully written, insightful view of a Dominant/submissive lifestyle.
Box set.
This amazing box set features the complete Thalie series and a new short story “James at the Auction”. If you have never read this series before, then grab this chance to dive into the world of Thalie and James. It is a series that tugs on your heartstrings. It is a rollercoaster of emotions from high to low. And not to mention scorching.
And James’s story is perfect. We get an inside in why he was at the auction and his struggles with his conflicting feelings.
Security Binds her
First book in this series and like Jennifer said it is pretty dark.
I liked Thalia as a character. She was real and Jennifer Bene did an amazing job portraying her struggles. Thalie was trying to deal with the betrayal of her body and her feelings of submission in an impossible situation. I actually felt a bit sorry for the Guard too, because he wasn’t free to be himself either. Looking forward to reading the next part.
Striking a Balance
The second book in the Thalia series. It starts right after the first book ends with James having bought Thalia at the auction. This book deals with the aftermath of the traumatic events in book one. Thalia may be freed, but the emotional and psychological chains aren’t broken that easily. Thalia is trying to come to terms with her submission and finding out who she is. Can she even be “normal” again. Questions that are not easy to answer or deal with. This is also the introduction to Purgatory and it owners Kalen and Maggie. Two characters I fell in love with instantly. And there are also some really hot and sexy scenes in this book.
Salvaged by Love
The last book in The Thalia series and what an ending. While Striking a Balance was a gentle wave. This book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for everyone involved. Thalia earned her name as bad ass. And I am sucker for a happy ending.
Christmas at Purgatory
A wonderful novella in The Thalia series. It is not any Christmas story. It is Christmas at The Purgatory. It is wonderful to see all the characters again and catch up on them. It will make you laugh and all hot and bothered.
Tying the Knot
The last book in The Thalia Series and what a beautiful ending of the series. I loved this series and Thalia’s journey from darkness into the light. This book will make you laugh out loud, melt your heart and get you all hot and bothered. It was a beautiful wedding and amazing wedding night. I could just picture it all and I was so happy to see the whole Purgatory gang back together. Also loved the two bonus stories.