My name is Stella, and I am empty. I am broken. I am nothing. The only thing I enjoy about my life is my job at the Tribune. My focus in both my editorial and my personal writing involves serial killers. Even my best friend doesn’t understand my obsession with them. No one does. Until I meet them. Until Lincoln and Edward come crashing into my life, setting a fire inside me and awakening parts of … inside me and awakening parts of me I never knew existed. Lust, desire, total submission. Together, they make me feel alive. Almost whole.
Instantly I realize they’re both hiding something from me. Edward and Lincoln are not who they pretend to be—there’s a darkness inside of them, and it’s just like mine. Beasts waiting to emerge.
But their darkness is not the only thing stalking my thoughts. There’s a killer on the prowl, making his victims pray to their gods after he kills them. I call him the Angel Maker—and I, I just might be his next angel.
This is a why choose dark romance intended for 18+ readers.
TW: This is a dark, psychologically twisted tale involving violence, stalking, and other topics some readers might find triggering. 18+ Be warned.
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Exceptional book looking into what makes serial killers work
Okay, so I’m ashamed to admit that I had never heard of Candace Wondrak before I picked up this book. But I am extremely glad that I have now found her.
I love Reverse Harem books but only when they’re done right-like this one was!
It’s a genre that can go cheesy really quickly, lol, but Cruel Black Hearts was so feckin’ good!
STELLA
Och, this girl! She has just been going through the motions her whole life. Feeling kinda like, “Is this it? This is life? What’s the big deal?”. And I can relate to that on a personal level so much.
Nothing moves her, nothing phases her. She finds it extremely hard to connect to anyone. She’s a loner and never feels like she fits in. She’s been numb her whole life.
The only thing that piques her interest is serial killers. She’s a little on the obsessed side (and really, who isn’t?) and has a blog on the topic as well as a part-time job at the local paper writing about them.
Then one day she meets Edward (and in turn, Lincoln) and all of the feelings that she had only ever heard about start coming to life.
It’s one of those meetings that you feel on a soul-deep level. Something you can’t walk away from, be it healthy or not.
But he’s a little off too…is she crazy for not caring that he might be dangerous? Maybe…but it’s the first time she’s actually felt stuff so she’s like, who cares?
EDWARD & LINCOLN
Lol, these two had me from the second I realised how fucked up they both were. They’re like brothers and they share everything. And I do mean everything.
Ed is obsessed with Stella and stalks her until he meets up with her and brings her home but Lincoln? Well, he seems to hate her, lol.
To the point where he too seems obsessed with her but at the opposite end of the scale.
Lincoln is sooo arrogant but it seems he can afford to be because, damn is he hot! Extreme alpha vibes here peeps!
And Edward has that boyish charm to hook you with but then a strong manly body to keep you busy for hours. Damn…now I’m wet again.
Yeah, these two have a lot in common which includes their need to kill people. A desperate yearning to take a life.
And usually, that’s what they do when they’re done with a girl.
But will they disagree when it comes time to get rid of Stella?
SEX SCENES
Och, in the name of the wee man! This was so dark and twisted.., and hot…and taboo…I could go on but I won’t, lol.
My hand moved along her, and she started to move her hips along with me, despite the blade on her thigh. I supposed I could put the switchblade away—but where was the fun in that? “You want more?” I asked, my voice the kind of low it only got when I knew I was about to screw someone’s brains out. She nodded against my chest, which was good; stopping would be far too hard now. The hand holding the switchblade returned to her face, pressing the flat edge of it against her cheek, turning her head to the side as I finger-fucked her glorious hole. “Good,” I murmured, “because you’re getting more. You’re getting it all.” My words, combined with my finger working her, pushed her over the edge. Stella shook in my hold, letting out a cry of pleasure. I held her up, kept her in place with the switchblade, my finger sliding out of her as I went to put my all focus on the little mound of swollen flesh at her apex. My dick throbbed, and I wanted to be selfish, to make her please me, but for some bizarre reason, I was feeling generous tonight. Maybe because I came here with the intent of killing her.
FINAL THOUGHTS on CRUEL BLACK HEARTS by Candace Wondrak
There was not a single part of this book that I did not like! It had everything I loved in it: Dark and twisted characters, taboo sex, Reverse Harem, serial killers and an amazing story that kept me hooked all the way through!
And that ending!!! Holy crap! That is one of the BEST cliffhangers I have ever read. It just came out of nowhere and was like, “Bam!, suck it!”
5 Stars
A great dark read
Murder, death, mind-twisting scenarios, and obsession. This book gets in the mind of the psychopath. So much so that I feel some major twists are coming.
This is an amazing page turner! I was captivated from the very beginning and all the unseen twist and turns kept me captive. This book is dark and contains possible triggers for some, but if you LOVE dark and twisted books this is definitely for you!!! I recieved an advanced copy and an leaving an unbiased, honest review.
What a dark twisted ride! Stella has a unique voice that is intriguing. I loved the switches of POV which made the story seem whole. Just when you think you couldn’t fall any farther down the rabbit hole you get to the last few chapters. So many unanswered questions, book 2 is much anticipated by this reader.
I was sucked into the story on the very first page! It was so twisted! I’m honestly not sure what to say about this book. It was not what I expected at all, but I totally loved it.
I cannot wait to find out what will happen next in this freaky and twisted world Candace has created. One of my favorites by Candace by far!