Welcome to our corner of the underworldwhere everything you love
can and will be usedto destroy you.***She didn’t just fall into the lap of the most ruthless criminal organization.She crashed our party.Bruised, battered, and broken – this innocent soul begged us to shed blood on her behalf.For justice.Retribution.Vengeance.Sweet, pure Adriana is the angel who was prepared to die for her revenge.… broken – this innocent soul begged us to shed blood on her behalf.
For justice.
Retribution.
Vengeance.
Sweet, pure Adriana is the angel who was prepared to die for her revenge.
And I’m the demon who was raised to live for mine.
When I look at her, I see everything I didn’t have to lose.
I see my last chance at redemption.
She doesn’t belong in my world, and I’ll free her if it’s the last thing I do.
Even if it means destroying everything she loves.
————————————————————————————
The VENGEANCE Trilogy is a dark romance series (with strong suspense/thriller themes).
- Other themes: crime, mercenary, (loosely) mafia, forbidden love, coming of age, revenge
- Every book is NOT a standalone (cliffhanger alert).
- Trigger warnings inside book.
This book contains adult content intended for mature readers, including but not limited to graphic violence, potential triggers, and explicit sexual content.
You’ve been warned.
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Wow this is my first book I’ve read by this author and I’m so glad I volunteered to read it. The writing is phenomenal. This is a book you won’t forget. It’s dark and diabolical! There is the main character Damien that I can’t decide how to feel about him , he’s intriguing. Adriana is much stronger than she knows. I was amazed at the depth of this book. Where has this author been? This is book one of a trilogy and can’t wait for the next book! An excellent book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Deliciously Dark Damien
Vic Tyler is a new to me author still and the more I read her stories, the more I seem to be enthralled in the worlds she spins! Admittedly, the beginning of the book had me scratching my head a little as I was trying to get my mind around how everything in this particular UNDERWORLD worked, but rest assured it didn’t take too long.
Adriana poses as a maid to beg West, the Cardinal of the West faction, to kill the man who killed her family. Adriana is aware she is putting her life at risk, but she does it willingly for vengeance against those who took everything from her. Damien is being inducted into the Twelve and he notices the little maid, not in a perverse way but in a protective manner. He’s shocked when West makes his decision regarding her request.
This story definitely took on a life of its own. Suspicion, cunning and violence are the main pillars to watch for in this story and Adriana’s light that she brings to the story. A definite must read and I’m very keen to read the rest of this trilogy and find out what happens next
Thank you to Vic for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest review
This is the first book of a series and is not a complete story on its own. Damien is part of a mafia group that trains many of them from children. His family was killed when he was young and he was put into training. Adriana is a child whose whole family was attacked and murdered in front of her and then she was abused as a sex slave. This has several years of Adriana growing up (with a huge crush on Damien) and Damien learning to care about her, but protect her. This is a really interesting story, the way the factions interact and whatnot. The book had to give a lot of background to really build the world so we can understand it.
Damien’s Promise is the first book in the Vengeance Trilogy by Vic Tyler. This well written, fast-paced, edge of your seat dark romance thriller will have you turning the pages to see how the story unfolds. Damien’s Promise is full of suspense, action, twists and turns, revenge, redemption, danger, violence, steamy sex, and so much more.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
4.5
Haunted by his past Damien (18 years old) is now a member of the Venti, a secret Mafialike organization. He’s an assassin and he wants revenge for the abuse and death of his family. His biggest wish is to eliminate the killers of his family. He’s focused until he meets 13 years old Adrianna. Pure and kind but broken Adrianna.
Adrianna puts Damien’s life upside down. The girl also seeks revenge for the death of her parents and her sister and she hopes to find it at Westlake Manor. But what she finds there is so much more.
Sometimes it’s really hard to write a review, especially if you want to avoid spoilers. This is the first book by Vic Tyler I’ve read and it will definitely not be the last one. Why?
Because
1. I need to know how this story evolves and
2. holy shit, what was that????
First of all, I really liked the fact, that the author explains everything Venti and The Twelve so well on the first few pages. That gives a great insight into the whole story, the backgrounds and why the characters act the way they do.
The storyline is unique, cruel, a little bit repulsive, disturbing and dirty. It’s also crazy, insane and dark and I love it. It could have been a little bit darker for my taste but I hope for book 2 to fulfill my deepest, darkest dreams . But with all the things happening it’s also a story of friendship, solidarity, first love and rejection.
I love the writing style!!! I don’t know Vic Tylers other books but I need to read them all because she got me hooked. It’s captivating and you never know where’s she’s going on the next page – very unpredictable.
And even if they are all crazy and evil, I liked all the characters – main and side. They are so original, unique and unconventional. I love a bunch of psychopaths . I think it’s not easy to create such different characters which fit together so well.
I’ve never read a story like this and highly recommend it. Waiting for book 2 will cost me a lot of patience.
ARC received by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were simply perfect.
This book took me no time at all to become completely engaged in the story. Now this one is dark and spans about 5 years. With action, twists and turns, and revelations that may shock the reader you will be amazed by this author’s style of writing. Adrianna is a strong heroine and Damien well he is so complex I have a hard time explaining him in a few words. This is a series that you really must get because if the other books are anything like this one well all I can say is WOW!! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
My first time to read this author and i must say i was taken by surprise!! Dark and gritty! Exciting and intense! Has me curious and intrigued of what’s to come next! Looking forward to the next installment!!
This is the first book of a series and is not a complete story on its own.
Damien is part of a mafia group .They train many of them from you age. His family was killed by mafia,so they took him under their wings.
Adriana ,the same happened to her. Her whole family was attacked and murdered in front of her . They turn her to the sex slave.
Yes,it’s sick.
Adriana and Damien growing up together and learn to care and protect her. She had a big crush on him.
This is a really interesting story ,it will give a lot of background so we can just understand next books as they come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars
This book is a well written complicated story. I enjoyed reading it. The only thing lacking for me is the hot sex scenes and the actual romance. The chemistry and romance is on the edge but lacking. This fairly long book should have lots of heated scenes and the romance should be more prominent rather than just in the background out of reach. This is of course my personal preference.
Dark, Deadly and Dangerous!
Vic Tyler is the author of several beautifully written romances that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying this year. The Vengeance Series, beginning with this new release, Damien’s Promise, is her 1st foray into another, quite different genre, dark. I LOVE DARK!!! Can I just say- WOW- she’s hit a grand slam, out of the ball park with Damien’s Promise.
Damien, is a strong, smart and hardened 18 year old hitman at the beginning of this intricately crafted underworld themed story where danger lurks in almost every corner. Their all encompassing organization, Venti, is a complicated criminal hierarchy, which has operated for countless years by capturing and training the unwanted and broken of society into deviants and killers. Venti has their bloody hands in everything, controlling and pulling the strings whether seen or not. Their unofficial motto- ‘weakness is fatal’, their power, indisputable.
Damien was captured as a young teen after his family was murdered with only him left standing. Over the 5 years since, he has risen in the Western Faction’s ranks to a top position with just one goal in mind- make the person ultimately responsible pay with his own life. So, when a 13 year old waif of a girl brazenly enters into their world asking the powerful Cardinal of the Western Faction for retribution for her family’s murder and atrocities against herself, the caring part of him, hidden behind his anti-hero armor, finds another meaning for himself…Adriana’s vigilant protector. With her age and 5 years between them, sisterly affection is all he could ever feel for her, but he will have to keep these emotions locked down tight, it’s the only way to rise to the top in Venti. A distraction could get you killed or have someone you care for be used as a weapon against you because of your own weakness. If Damien wants to keep her out of this sick twisted life in their criminal world…his work is certainly cut out for him. Adriana is a little spitfire already and as the story progresses, she becomes who’s she’s meant to be. I loved her intelligence and strength while learning to cope in this bizarre world she now inhabits. She was resilient and mature beyond her years.
Here’s one Damien quote I especially loved but I found myself highlighting so many passages in this phenomenal book!
‘Sweet. Pure. Clean. Adriana. The angel already came broken, and if she stays, we’ll end up drowning her wings in blood, bearing down on her when she should be able to fly free. She’s shackled and chained —a prisoner of the devil, no matter how much he dresses her up and feeds her delicacies. She only thinks she wants to stay here, but she doesn’t know the truth about us. The extent of our depravity and our callousness to what other people would call ‘evil.’ If only she knew, she’d cry for her own soul.’
How could I not love Damien??? Can a ruthless killer be a good man under all his hidden layers? YES, I believe he can but he will be challenged to keep all of his promises- to his dead family, himself and the impossible one to Adriana.
His counterparts in crime are a vibrantly described array of very unique characters- sexy sociopaths, mentally disturbed maniacs, a mentor who makes him work for hard in every battle, a way too curious doctor and the old man with the chessboard who leads them all…but who will be left standing when all the pawns have been played in Westlake Manor?
This wildly exciting book, which takes place and builds over a 5 year span, is where where loyalties are tested, changes can happen in a heartbeat, controlled chaos reigns and death and destruction are never far away. Woven with mysterious intrigue and heartstopping scenes, it will have you second guessing every plot twist, every characters motives…EVERYTHING!!!
It ends with a BIG cliffhanger and many questions left unanswered but that’s why you’ll want to mark your calendars for the next book..I know it’ll be soooo worth it.
I’ll leave you with this last quote:
Right now, she can see right from wrong, white from black, good from evil. But if she loses sight of that, or worse, chooses our path…I’ll have to make sure she’s kept away from the worst of us. To prevent any of this from tainting her. Because the only thing worse than an angel trying to save a demon is the angel becoming a demon herself.’
*There are many ‘triggers’ which I feel the author has bent over backwards to explain and warn sensitive readers about, so, if descriptions of violence and other dark themes are too much for you, this is probably not the book for you. BUT, if you are a dark loving reader like me, I hope you enjoy this well written and creatively thought out book/series.
I was honored and thrilled to have been a beta reader for this book and couldn’t believe how Vic SO totally nailed this on her freshman journey into darkness. Even the earliest copy was outstanding. Vic, your talent for this genre has floored me and I will be waiting so patiently to see how Vengeance continues in Adriana’s Temptation!
An advanced copy was generously provided and thoroughly enjoyed. This is my honest review of it.
I’m wiped out. For the last part of the book I almost held my breath the whole time.
I read a lot, all kind of genres, but this story had something new.
Damien as a character might not be all new, but the surrounding and the reactions…
Adriana had a very special personality, looking at things in a positive way – if possible. Kitty and all the other characters were also very special and I will keep them with me. At least until I can get Adriana’s book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Damien’s Promise is the first book of a trilogy. We learn about the Venti and how the Cardinals and The Twelve control the underworld. Damien has been a part of this underworld since his family was brutally murdered. Damien has been planning to murder Cardinal Westlake for years. He’s becoming stronger and lethal to reach his goal. A chink is thrown his way by Adriana a girl he feels protective over. She reminds him of his sister who died. Damien looks out for her thinking that the Twelve and other Deviants would hurt her. But Adriana has worked her magic on everyone and they have all become fond of her. Adriana develops a crush on Damien and he decides to leave and further his goals. There are several plot twists, betrayals, and misunderstandings that causes everything to collapse for the Western faction. Adriana is now set on revenge against Damien and I think she will be a force to be reckoned with. Ready for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was intense, twisted, violent, dark and so page turning good. Vic did an amazing job telling this story. I look forward to more books by this author.
This is the third book that I have read from this author and she has yet to disappoint me. I really enjoyed this book. I will say that I am not a fan of cliffhangers but it is nice to know that there are 2 more coming. I will say that this story is a little long but that does help you get a background of the characters. It also causes it to be a slow build with the romance just out of reach in the background but I know that it will become more to the front. I can’t wait to read more about Damien and Adriana.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.10 stars awesome story damien costa now damien zephyrus wants revenge for his family joins the western faction of the venti deviants assassin’s . Under West the cardinal Westlake. there is kitty, the butcher, richter, the chameleon, jura, turan, Andre the gaint, ubo, And two others of the 12 assassins . When adriana wintrehall a 13 yr old girl enters there hall asking for revenge against the men that killed her family and hurt her these assassin’s took her in. There is so many story’s in a story but easy to follow and you get to know each person and why . Awesome
A new author to take away our hearts
“Weakness is Fatal”
In this book, we are introduced to the story of two people who had their lives destroyed by organized crime, in such different times, but for both the only course to take was that of vengeance.
Damien Zephyrus, born Damien Costa, saw his family being murdered by the criminal organization from which his father had fled. He even ended up being taken there, and despite being an excellent “soldier”, his goal is to kill the one who killed his loved ones. His own boss.
Adriana Wintrehall is the brave girl who also saw barbarism and still survived it for another two years, three months and eighteen days. She herself a victim in the hand of a monster mobster.
Now, she also wants her vengeance, and finds in Damien the right person to fulfill her fate.
However, while lives are being stripped like shredded paper in the wind, these two souls find an almost hope of recognition.
But wait!
Before you think this is yet another romantic book with mafia characters, take a second look.
Barbarous deaths and crimes happen naturally. And revenge is a dish that eats cold… and is bitter.
And trust is something that gets lost just as easily.
I really enjoyed the plot, although some subjects are triggers for more sensitive people.
I want to read the next book.
4,5 stars
So Vic Tyler is a new to me author. I didn’t know what to expect when I started Damien’s Promise. Let’s just say that I am so glad I took the leap and read this book! There is so much I enjoyed about this book, from the character development to the dark and twisty storyline. I loved Damien and Adriana….the hot mess assassin and the feisty, sassy angel. They are the perfect combination! I can’t wait for the next book to see where their story takes us!!
*If a dark storyline with triggers is not your cup of tea, you probably want to stay away from this book.
Like Mainlining Red Bull
My mind is blown. Battered, bruised, beaten to a pulp, and just trashed by this epic story. Someone should have prepared me. It should have come with a warning label. Something like: “Will cause sleepless nights, heart palpitations, unexplained full body sweats, breathlessness, and panty-melting.”
I want to know where this author came from. I don’t think she’s been out all that long, but she writes like a seasoned pro. Her prose is beautiful. Dynamic. Mesmerizing. Realistic. “She was the bright laughter of this cold, silent household. The thief of smiles stealing from the locked depths of our dead souls.”
Her characters… shoot. I don’t even know where to start with them. They’re so complex every time I think I’m getting a handle on one of them, the author throws a new twist into the mix and I find out I knew nothing about them at all. One thing I can tell you, our hero, Damien, is exactly what he says he is. Except when it comes to Adriana. He’s the King of Denial when it comes to her since he just can’t admit to himself how he really feels for the completely taboo young woman. Otherwise, he’s got a really good handle on how completely dark and demented he is. Because nearly everyone in this book is seriously on the dark side. “My life is not mine. It belongs to those who are dead and long gone…”
Psychopaths and sociopaths are the norm in this tale, reader. The darker and more twisted, the better they fit into this particular society that sweet little Adriana finds herself in. “We do not abide by the ‘survival of the fittest.’ We believe in the ‘survival of the merciless.'” She’s definitely not in Kansas anymore, Toto. This is not where she belongs, and everyone here knows it. Damien is determined to get her out before it’s too late. But deviant forces are few already at work. Everyone has an agenda here, and it’s never good. If they find a weakness, they’ll exploit it–at any cost. Including the lives of young innocents who have no knowledge of the games that are being played around them. It’s just safe to say: trust no one.
A few things to keep in mind as you read this breath-taking, mind-blowing tale:
* this is a crazy new world, not a standard romance or a mafia/crime romance. Nope. The mafia is terrified of these guys. While it’s set in the US in modern times, it often doesn’t feel like it. Because it’s such a unique new world, it’s probably going to take you a few chapters to get comfortable with it. It certainly did for me. I sort of felt like I was reading a Sci-Fi book for the first few chapters until I got a feel for the environment and the characters. So be patient and don’t give up. Trust me, it’s worth it!
* I’m not kidding about the violence of these people. They thrive on it. “Whereas we wash our hands in blood, Adriana feels the weight of it. We’re accustomed to the thick redness coating our skin, and she weeps it away with her tears. Sweet. Pure. Clean. Adriana.” If you can’t handle a violent plot, this probably isn’t going to be your book of choice.
* sexual tension between Damien and Adriana runs high throughout this first book of the series. But when she enters the story, she’s only a young teen, and Damien may be a blood thirsty killer, but even he has limits. She’s completely hands off for everyone (like anyone obeys rules in this world). But the slow burn through most of this book is killer–no pun intended. Plus, there are other *ahem* interests to keep things lively (so to speak).
* the story isn’t finished. We’re not left in a tension-filled moment (thank heavens, I hate those kind of cliffies!), but understand that the story of Damien and Adriana isn’t over when book one ends.
So, having said all this, why would anyone want to read this book? It’s soul-ravaging. Bright-light in the wilderness brilliant. Heart-achingly gripping. Compelling. Unforgettable. I finished the book, but it wasn’t finished with me. It continues to haunt me as I anxiously await the next installment. These characters, this story, this crazy world that Vic Tyler has created will not leave me alone. How awesome is that, because I don’t want them to.
“She is the sanctuary that cleanses what little is left of my soul. She is the refuge that shelters my broken spirit. She is divinity. Purity. Clarity. And everything that is right in this world. Everything that’s good and kind. Everything I don’t deserve. Everything I’ll ruin if she stays.”
This dark twisted story has so much going on. Adrianna seeks help for all she has lost and went through. Damien and Adrianna are a force to reckon with. Damien is totally opposite he is dark and twisted where she is innocent and as this story unfolds, you are drawn into this unstoppable drama that grabs you by your senses and don’t let go!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
All he wants for Adrianna is to have the life that none of them had the choice to. Damien only hopes that he can stop any of it affecting her and she won’t become a demon like they are.
Returning after two years Damien tries to stay away but when he’s told to spar with her he’s surprised they were right Adriana could be one of them, she’s fast and strong and it turns into more than just about the sparring match, and he tries to deny that he wants her.
Damien does everything he can to fight the feelings he is having for Adriana, but he should have known, that they all know how to manipulate, and Kitty does it in the worst way possible.
They are all without Humanity but somehow Adriana brings it out in all of them, but will it be there down fall, will they be able to save her, or will they turn her into what they tried to prevent.