A DIAMOND MAGNATE DARK ROMANCE NOVELSix years ago, Harold Dalton framed me for theft and sent me to jail to steal my diamond discovery. He gave his daughter to Jack Clarke in exchange for the excavation rights. Today, I’m walking free, and I’m coming for him with a vengeance. Six years of cruelty make beasts out of men. I’m going to take back what he stole from me, and more. I’m not interested in … interested in his properties or shares. I don’t want his small change. I want his biggest asset. Beautiful, mentally unstable, Angelina Dalton-Clarke.
Worth billions, she’s the wealthiest widow in the country, and also the craziest. Her self-harming tendencies had Jack declare her incompetent before he put a gun to his head and blew out his brains. Lina isn’t allowed to touch a cent of her riches. Her father manages her finances. He has all the signing power. As her husband, that chore will fall to me. But if she thinks I only want her for her money, she’s sadly mistaken.
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Beauty in the Broken is a whirlwind! That is honestly the best way to describe this decent into darkness. I think I might even have landed in Oz that how turned about I was.
Charmaine Pauls does dark and dirty so well. Beauty in the Broken is a learning curve for both parties. Preconceived notions and judgmental thoughts rule their minds. The difference is one wants revenge and the other wants freedom. Each is willing to play a part in order to get what they want. They never expected their goals to change, feelings to develop, or secrets to get out.
I loved being on edge. I certainly didn’t mind the pleasure. I may have even craved some of the pain. I definitely fell for a monster. And you know what they say, once you go dark…
WOW! Beauty and the Broken by Charmaine Pauls blew me away! This was my first book by this author, but it will not be the last.
I loved everything about this book! The characters were great, the storyline was awesome, and it was dark and twisted.
Damian and Lina’s story will grab you and pull you in from the very beginning and keep you attached until the very end. If you love a dark romance, then you should dive right in!
5 riveting stars!
Review by Nancy
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
A fascinating and all-consuming read, Beauty In The Broken, by Charmaine Pauls, monopolized my every thought. It is dark, twisted, vengeful and thrilling. An emotional roller-coaster that had me straddling a line between hating and loving the hero.
The first encounter Angelina and Damian ever had was brief but impactful. You can almost say it was love at first sight. That is the moment Damian decided he wanted her, but fate had other plans for both of them.
Damian had recently been let out of jail and had vowed to take revenge on those who unjustly put him there. Not only did Harold steel his mine, but he had him put in jail. Now a free man, Damian is going after him and plans on taking the only thing that matters to him, his daughter, Angelina. He has heard rumors that she is damaged goods. According to others she is insane and has tried to take her life on multiple occasions. Damian doesn’t care, he has an agenda and he will do whatever it takes to get his vengeance.
The problem is not all things are as they seem. When Damian gets a glimpse of who Angelina really is, he has a hard time remembering his end game. He knew she’d belong to him from the moment he set his eyes on her, but all these years later has changed them both and not for the better.
Angelina makes my heart hurt. She is by far one of the strongest heroines I have ever read. She has been through hell and back and still manages to live her life. No matter what the people around her say, she knows the awful cards life has dealt her. Her life became shambles the moment she married her now-deceased first husband. He was her worst nightmare come to life. After she was finally free of him, she hid away. Most thought she was crazy and still mourning her husband. But really she just wanted to hide away from the world. That is until Damian walks back into her life and doesn’t give her a choice but to marry him. She married him but felt nothing but spite for him. At least until she realizes he is nothing like the ruthless, heartless man he pretends to be. Angelina finds herself deeply in love with her husband, but nothing in her life is that simple.
This book was gripping! A dark romance with a revenge trope. Despite its dark context, it does have a happily ever after. One that is so deserved. By the end of the book, I was absolutely in love with both Damian and Angelina.
C. Pauls is new to me author. I am so glad I picked up this book because I loved it. This book was written in a way that sucked me in from the very first chapter and had me at the edge of my seat from beginning to end! I will definitely be looking out for her other releases.
I received an ARC of Beauty is Broken by Charmaine Pauls and felt honored to be one of the first to read it. Just a few words to describe Beauty is Broken …. explosive, intense, disturbing, passionate and oh so freakish good you’ll be staying up late reading. This is one book that will blow you away from beginning to end. This is going on the 5+ star book shelf.
Loved it!!!
Charmaine Paul’s books are always a hit with me. I absolutely love her writing and her unique story teller ways. This was no different. From character development, plot, and dark romance, she delivered a compelling beautiful story that was a page turner.
Caring for a man who’ll never love me will be the worst betrayal my heart can muster.
Charmaine Pauls—author of THE LOAN SHARK DUET—is back with another beautifully twisted, dark romance with BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN.
After reading The Loan Shark Duet, Charmaine Pauls has become one of my favorite dark romance authors. I always wonder who is more twisted: the author for writing these books or me for reading them. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because I consider myself a proud fan of the Dark Romance genre and I love Charmaine’s brand of darkness!
BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN, it’s all consuming, it’s gritty, it’s sexy, it’s MIND-BLOWING, but also incredibly romantic in its own way—a dark romance that will melt your heart.
I fell hard and deep into this story; it sank into me and didn’t let me go. One of my top reads of 2019, a deliciously dark must-read that will have you falling in love with this unforgettable story.
I need more of this world, here’s to hoping Charmaine decides to give us MORE!
Beauty in the Broken by Charmaine Pauls was a darker romance that was emotional and full of twists. Damian Hart served six years in jail after being framed for a crime he did not commit. Those six years allowed him to plan his revenge. He holds one man and his daughter responsible. They will pay. He was a strong and determined man with one mission driving his every action.
Angelina Dalton-Clarke broke my heart. She has suffered so much at the hands of others. Now she will suffer at Damien’s hand. Though at times she seemed a blt lost, she was also strong in her own way. But Damian also desired her. Wanted to own her in every way. Their chemistry was insane. Though he wanted to punish he took care of her as well. Their journey captivated me from the start. There was danger, lust and a whole lot of steaminess in this story!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Holly Hell!!!!!!! When I tell you I loved this book… YES I DO… This book have everything I love and like. From the bad guy to the OTT ALPHA even down to the h I loved. I truly loved Damian and Angelina story. Just brilliant
Beauty in the Broken is a long, standalone romance and it was a nice change to read a couple’s entire story in one book. The story has darker elements but it is not really dark on my scale, more of a gray. Similarly, there are some pain/punishment elements of BDSM, but I wouldn’t classify it as a BDSM romance either. Really, it would be better to say that the author took a few characteristics of those types of stories (and a few others besides) and turned it into something unique and compelling. The heroine, Lina, had a terribly painful past, the details of which are slowly revealed, to the reader and even more so, the hero. She suffered horribly from unfairness/injustice – typically one of the things I hate reading about the most – but it wasn’t too much for me in this book, it just had me anticipating when she would finally get her much deserved happy ending. Damian, well, he is one of my favorite kinds of heroes. He’s hard and unforgiving with those who have wronged him but completely loyal to and fiercely protective of the woman he loves (even before he knows he does). There is great heat (if an overabundance of the word “globes” for my taste) and some lines that I absolutely adored woven throughout the entire book. There was something a little off that I can’t quite put my finger on that keeps this from earning five stars from me, but I really enjoyed the journey these characters took in both their personal growth and their love story.
I read a free copy of this book that had presumably not yet received a final proofread.
Another phenomenal story from Charmaine Pauls, Beauty in the Broken was dark, engrossing and addictive. This story will grab you from the start and have you at the edge of your seat throughout. With twists and turns around every corner you won’t know what to expect. There were so many lies and deceit yet so much truth to be unveiled.
This story was about revenge and obsession that eventually turns into love, it was full of pain and control and Charmaine took us on a heart-pounding and nail biting journey to reach to love.
This novel was well-written, layered and highly descriptive and it will evoke a range of emotions from you as the story progresses.
The main characters were complex, flawed yet very well-developed. You will easily fall in love with Lina and Damian two broken characters in their own right and their individual story will break your heart. Their chemistry was intense and there was a certain edginess to their steamy scenes. The addition of the extended characters greatly added to this dark storyline.
Charmaine Pauls did an amazing job with this page-turner. Full of betrayal, hate, greed balanced by passion, strength and love I loved it and would highly recommend it to all lovers of dark romances.
Beauty in the Broken, is my first book by this author. This is why I love to find new authors. I thought it was well written, I loved the plot.
The hero, Damien, is a anti-hero. Out to get some much needed revenge.
The heroine, Lina, so broken yet has the will to go on!
However, I thought the story was a bit too wordy some places. And the hero’s treatment of the heroine after he understands he loves her..maybe not so necessarily any longer?! But that’s just me.
-Stina, Book Haven Book Blog
May ’19 Favorite
It’s absolutely no secret that I LOVE dark romances! Just tell me that the book is a dark romance and I’m reading it! However, for this book I wasn’t just sold because of its genre; the blurb intrigued me as well!
Both the main characters are complicated and hard to really understand, especially at the start of the book. Angelina and Damian are two characters with many layers and secrets, that I tried constantly to understand what they were feeling and what their next move would be.
Damian has been in prison for the last 6 years because he was framed by Angelina’s father, and now he’s out and ready for revenge. He loved Angelina before everything happened and he still has some feelings for her. However, his hate and loathing towards her father makes him act cruel and cold towards her.
Angelina is closed off at the first chapters. The past six years she’s been through a lot and she’s not in the best place mentally. Her crazy and broken state doesn’t deter him, in the contrary he wants her even more! Although her current situation, she’s still strong in her own way and doesn’t kneel down to his demands; her rebellions are constant.
The first action Damian makes towards her father is to take her as his wife. Angelina may seem fine with it but she has plans of her own. The situation in her new house is less than ideal but better than the previous one. I hated Zane, Damian’s friend, from the start. He gave me a cruel and “snakey” vibe.
To not spoil anything, their story is not pleasant. They get through so many things, sometimes as a united front and sometimes against each other. The plot is really good, with many revelations that make the story even more interesting! I was very eager to see how their story would end, and let me tell you that the end left more than satisfied!!! My first book from the author and definitely not the last!!!
This book blew me away! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. I loved both the hero and the heroine and the writing was phenomenal.
This is a darker book but I would put it at a mid-level dark. The heroine has suffered horrible abuse but it’s mostly past tense so you don’t have to endure the actual acts in the book. In present time, she is mistreated by a side character but not to the extremes of her past. This is why I say it’s mid-level dark.
The hero is into BDSM and he does punish her by those methods. I never felt he was cruel to her but this is my perspective. He was always aware of her limits and took very good care of her.
Damian is obsessed with Lina ever since he laid eyes on her at her fathers dinner party. That night is a catalyst to his downfall orchestrated by her father and he believes by the heroine, as well. He’s a very dangerous man and that is due to what her father did to him.
When he gets out of jail, his first action is to take the heroine in a forced marriage. For a man who believes the heroine betrayed him, he treated her with such care and protected her to extremes.
Lina was such a strong heroine. I can’t even imagine the horrors she dealt with and she was never truly broken. She is one of my favorite heroines and would love to see more like her.
Damian is dark, edgy and extremely possessive of Lina. I am such a huge fan of this type of hero and he surpassed my expectations. Again, I want more heroes like Damian.
I could list so many things that made me love this book but I also don’t want to spoil anything for other readers. To me, this is a must read!
Freedom – Restitution – Revenge
After spending 6 years behind bars -falsely imprisoned- Damian has had plenty of time to plan his revenge
First, he will take back what was stolen from him
Then he will collect his pound of flesh from all who thought to take what was his
And lastly, he would make her pay – Lina, the sweet girl with the innocent eyes who offered false comfort, who failed to believe, who lied.
This had me on edge throughout the story. I had to set down my kindle a couple of times, step back, calm my heart rate only to find an intense need to return to the story. This was a rinse and repeat for me from the opening scene to the closing – I couldn’t relax – it was one gut twisting spine-tingling revelation after another – each time a truth was exposed another piece of the mystery fell into place. So many lies, so much angst, and loss all triggered by greed
I hated Damian for 97% of the story. He was so blinded by his vengeance he failed to see the truths that were glaring back at him. So many signs buried beneath his cruel adorations.
And Dalton- daddy dearest has some serious issues.
Then Lina – how did she survive?
Insane, sane, walking the line –
Where did she find that small sliver of hope?
I will say be prepared for a serious book hangover.
Expect moments of intense and sometimes overpowering emotions followed by an increased heart rate and even occasional tightening of the chest.
Oh and let us not forget possible urges to throw your device, or scream in frustration.
A twisted tale of greed, lust, and possession.
It’s quite a ruthless story of politics of money grubbing power. Where a woman is used as pawn…. bartered, sold, pawned in the hands of viciously ambitious men. They’re hell bent on abusing her, torturing her, suctioning her to suit their own personal vendetta agenda
Poor, trapped Angelina Dalton-Clarke is the lone tragic princess who’s forced to marry again and yet again cause she’s sitting on money making mine.
Story is filled to the brim with pathos, helplessness, and penury. YES….penury.
Richest people on earth starve for bread, coffers bursting with monies and yet can’t buy daily necessities, closets full of silks and velvet, yet wear a moth eaten shawl to feel safe
I like how charmaine is passionate about this story, that much is apparent.
Damien Hart is a man wronged, full speed ahead on vengeance highway.
“Six years is a long time, long enough to soak in the juices of your vengeance until your heart is cooked in all that bitter acid. Six years of cruelty and torture make beasts out of men. Six years in the company of the hardest criminals and most notorious mobsters also make the right connections and a fortune.”
He’s going to steamroll all his enemies and hasn’t a shred of sympathy or mercy in his heart. He wants his time, his fortune and a pound of their flesh!! His heart is coloured charcoal black like the diamonds in his riverbed. But he owns them. He’s creating a market for them
I love a man with a plan!!!
Yet he’s very sympathetic and loving towards Lina though and the progression of their love, trust and loyalty is what THIS story I all about
Very skillful in narrative and intricate in plot, it’s thrilling, enthralling and engaging.
4 stars for “Bat saving Loons”
OMG !!! This book blew me away with its darkness. I totally loved Lina and Damian’s story. Danger, death, secrets, lies, dark steamy moments, sexual control over ones desire, chemistry off the charts. I was totally captivated throughout the entire book and was held hostage , riveted to every single word of this stunning read. It truly feed my need for a dark romance as does all Charmaine Paul’s books. Once again she does not disappoint. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for an amazing dark romance read. Absolutely Stunning
Oh my gosh and holy heck! This book had me wrapped in its clutches from the first page until the last! And I never wanted it to end.
Six years ago a poor young Damian attended a dinner party, met a beautiful young girl he would never forget, and ended up in prison for six years. Now he’s out to not only regain what was stolen from him, but for revenge. As part of his plan, he forces that young woman into marriage, a marriage where he will remain in complete control of every legal decision on her behalf and complete control of her body.
”You married me for money and sex. If you have both, why not let me go? What more could you possibly want?”
“For you to need me like food and water.”
Lina remembers that young boy from six years ago. He would be impossible to forget. But her life suddenly went from merely being unwanted to being very complicated. That tends to happen when you’re announced as incompetent, crazy, and suicidal. Now that young boy has returned but in his place is a cold, hard man and his demands might actually help her to find the one thing that means more to her than anything ever has or ever will.
Gah! I absolutely loved Damian and Lina. Damian is a dark, dangerous hero with some serious possessive tendencies. Jealous, protective, “mine” mentality? Check, check and CHECK!
”How does one put obsession in words? How do I look her in the eyes and confess that I’ll hunt her to the end of her days? I’ll never set her free…”
He also derives desire from inflicting pain and while his methods in that area with Lina were absolutely sizzling there were times that I was uncomfortable. But then again, so was Lina. Neither one of these characters trust freely, if at all, and this type of sexual relationship requires a huge amount of trust.
My heart hurt for Lina, for all she had survived. But my gawd, the girl was strong, resilient and determined. Even as life beat her down, even as her husband spread his darkness across her skin, and even as her freedom always remained out of her reach, she never gave up. She wasn’t your usual kick@$$ heroine. Her strength was not in her muscles or fighting abilities, it was in her determination to throw off her mantel of “crazy” as well as to find that one bit of information she so desperately needed.
The chemistry between Damian and Lina was true and honest upon their first meeting. The next time, things take a more dangerous turn. From that point onward their relationship was constantly shifting and evolving, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. While Damian did some things that I found hard to accept, there is no doubt that “the grovel” was real even if presented in a different style than what we’re used to reading. I LOVED his method because as much as he adored and loved and couldn’t live without Lina, he ultimately wanted her happiness. Sigh and Swoon – after the angst fest of course.
I’m totally recommending this to anyone who likes a little dark with their romance, a heroine who has some serious past baggage, and a hero who will do just about anything to keep her.
For all who know me, you know Charmain Paul can do no wrong in my eyes.. Beauty In The Broken was no exception, I truly enjoyed this one.
So this book is about Damen Hart who wants revenge for being imprisoned for 6 years for crime he didn’t commit.
Now that he’s o it he goes after the one thing he hasn’t been able to forget..
The secrets, lies and deception in this book are just what the doctor ordered. You will keep turning those pages to see what happens next.
This book is dark but not too dark. If you are after a fantastic read one click this beauty now.
Okay….. I’m processing and typing so let’s say a quick prayer to the universe. This is my first book by this author and holy jelly beans she is amazing. This book took my heart, flung it, ran it over, tossed it into the blender and spit it out only to mold it back together. She is phenomenal at creating a very detailed picture of what she is saying and you can’t help but LOVE and HATE all the character. Okay fine not all the character can be hated. Josh is the only one I didn’t want to slap. ( you’ll see) this is a must read book and I can’t wait to read others by her.