“A brilliantly told, perversely macabre tale.” –Zoe Blake, USA Today bestselling author Pious and pure, obedient and worthy, convent reared Lady Agnese has finally come of age. Powerful beyond measure and willing to any commit sin in service to God, Cardinal Beluni holds the young beauty’s soul in his well-manicured fingers. He takes her confession, and then he takes everything else. Publishers … confession, and then he takes everything else.
Publishers Note: this sacrilegious tale is not for the faint of heart. IMMACULATE is a tale of pure horror by USA Today bestselling author Addison Cain.
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This was so dark and depraved, and lived up to all the warnings given! I feel so dirty and disturbed! Addison Cain may be the new Queen of darkness for me!
This is a great twisted dark short story with great characters. This story has great twists and suspense. This story will throw you through a loop. This is a great read.
I received a ARC copy of this book and I am volunteering to do an honest review.
what the fuck did I just read!?!?!? I can’t even with this book!!!!! it was completely sacrilegious to a whole nother degree but at the same time so good I literally could not stop reading. this is definitely not a romance this is evil, depraved, and just wrong. I literally feel like I could be struck down by lightning, but I read the whole thing in one sitting, and I’m still here!!!! Addison Cain has shown us several sides to her writing the sweet side, the dark side, the cute side but this is a whole nother category for Addison Cain!!! with all that being said this book was absolutely amazing. the writing was immaculate the story was great and you literally can feel what “Mary” was going through. another perfect book for Halloween and for the Damned. now please excuse me as I feel I need to go confess my damn self
O.M.G. There are no words to accurately describe the horror this story embodies while lulling you into a state of complacency. Beautifully grotesque.
Written in the exceptional style of what has come to be expected from an Addison Cain story, this story does not disappoint and will leave you gasping. Not from an erotic high, but from the sensation of falling when she rips the floor out from beneath you. Not for the faint of heart. Seriously. Not even a sneak peak cuz this story will chew you up and devour you. And won’t even let you finish.
Absolutely incredible. Beautifully haunting. Exceptionally written.
This is a quick not for the faint of heart dark read. While I’ve previously enjoyed dark reads this twisted story pushed my boundaries. This short story was previously published originally published in the Twisted Sacrament anthology.
Warning: this is not a love story…it’s not even a dark romance, it does not have a HEA…it’s a dark, short story. Lady Agnese is a daughter, who is betrayed by her family/mother & those who should have cared for her. Agnese is young & has been conditioned by her mother to be submissive & obedient, which sets her up to enter into her own kind of nightmare with unholy men that will horrify you. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but I still love this author!
**NOTE: this was previously published as part of the analogies in “Twisted Sacrament” entitled “She Came Before God.” **
This is scandalous, dark and depraved story.
It is hard story to write a review about. Not because the story isn’t good, but I don’t want to spoil the story.
While reading I kept thinking this could have happened in real live during that time. Maybe not in that degree, but I am sure pretty similar events have taken place. My heart just broke for A. Her innocence taken away by the people who should have protected her. The devil hides in all kinds of uniforms.
When I read Immaculate, my thoughts went to how this could have been a true reality for women who lived in this era? And how dark Addison went with this short story. This story takes a dark twist of a devoted woman of God, and how quickly her trust is broken by those how abuse their powers.
This is not for those readers who are easily offended. This dark number will push your buttons and make you squirm inside, because it could so easily be true.
Agnese has been taught all her life to be pure and be obedient, but when her mother presents her to the Holiness, what happens next is not what she expected or ever though to endure. Will her mind be strong enough to survive the lies and deceit shown, or will she break.
Short and powerful, this will leave you reeling and unsure for days. Fabulous read.
I originally read this when it was published in an anthology (Die, My Love: A Dark Horror Anthology). It’s definitely not your typical dark romance story, nor is it one between a man or woman. This story is just twisted and all kinds of wrong. But for those of us who love the writing of Addison Cain, this is no surprise to us. Our leading lady will not find her happily ever after at the end of this book. Someone who has only hope and wishes for happiness in her life will learn that life is not fair at all. Doesn’t matter if she says her daily prayers and follow the words of her God, his light will not be her salvation. To all, if you aren’t familiar with this author, read at your own risk as it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.
Pretty out there story. I’m not person who believes in sacrifice one self for a region. So the lady’s pith is lost on me. She still forced to do something to lose her faith in her God.
Interesting story.
Immaculate perfectly encompasses horror in the written form. It is dark and very twisted! This story is a reflection of the authors’ unique talent for writing unexpected stories that keep you up at night. If you are looking for happily ever after this is not the book for you. If you want a story that will surprise, shock and disturb you then you found the right one! It will stay with you and have you questioning things long after you are finished reading. Well done!
This despairing short was in in the Twisted Sacrament anthology, which is no longer available.
This is the story of a Catholic, a good daughter. It also the thing of nightmares and religious taboos. Agnese is the unwilling sacrifice upon whom terror and degradation is inflicted in the name of God. The writing and descriptions are almost poetic, in stark contrast to the horrifically dark content. Don’t expect an HEA, but do expect that this story is going to sit with you for a while.
I received a copy of this book. My honest review is voluntarily provided.
Addison Cain has done it again with another beautifully crafted haunting horror story. I came before GOD was the story of the ancient Vatican and its sexual corruption within. This has to ne her most twisted story to date. It not only made me question myself for loving such horrific darkness. It also made me question WTF did I just read, several times. This book is not for the faint of heart. People please read the trigger warnings. Its horrifically dark and and has no HEA. Its definitely a must read it you like your books dark as I do.
Immaculate by Addison Cain is a fictional historical story, why do I say that…well pope Innocence the VIII is a real pope. That is the extend of the accuracy of the portrayal. This is why I will address 2 points in my review. First, a reader, as a reader I liked the story, it is twisted, dark, and unexpected. I liked how or female character’s faith is continuously tested. It is also interesting how she portrays the cardinals and holy men as lascivious and immoral. Once again, THIS STORY ISNT A ROMANCE, its more of a horror story if we see it from the female characters point of view. Second, as a professional historian, as a trained historian this story really bugged me. Pope Innocent wasnt diseased or a Borgia, he did have to children. During his tenure the Maleus Maleficarum was written and he wanted to crusade against the Turks. Also, Catholics dont see the pope as a son of God but as someone that takes on the mantle of saint Paul.
Still, I as a reader I did like the story and will recommend anyone with dark and twisted tastes to read it. Just dont put to much credence in the history.
This dubious delight is the short story originally featured in the Twisted Sacrament anthology.
“Immaculate” formally titled “she came before God” is the warped wonder straight from the unnatural imaginings of one of my most favourite authors.
As the story unfolded I watched with an almost Awe-filled sense of such morbid curiosity.
Lulled at first into a misplaced sense of complicity it quickly became apparent that things here were not what they seemed and so very far from anyone’s norm.
and as the story progressed: we were very swiftly pulled down into the depths of a debased depravity: one that I could have scarcely imagined with an almost cavalier debauchery.
This is abominable and disquieting and everything foul, unspeakable and ugly but I found myself unable to look away: glued with an almost horrified amazement to the unfolding Atrocity.
Bravo to the author I am suitably distressed and disgusted with this twisted tale.
I don’t know whether to applaud or turn right around and flee far far away.
This definitely does what it says on the tin: She Came before God is a holy horror of hypocrisy and there is nothing devout or devoted between these pages.
This is pure non-con: forewarned is forearmed and I know I have said this before but please know your own limits.
I do like to have my boundaries stretched and can definitely say in this instant they were taut with tension.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of This Immaculate.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
http://www.beckiebookworm.com
This story is DARK DARK! Parts of this story are too real to me. I hope the devil never reads this because it has too many ideas to inspire him. This story will chill you to your bones. I’m still scared and mad. Addison has a very fertile mind and I hope it never empties.
Addison Cain’s “Immaculate” is a most unholy tribute to all things dark and twisty. In true Cain fashion, she storms in where others dare not tread, and if they do, they do so lightly. In these pages, you get a horrifying tale set in the dark underbelly of the Holy See. In this place, no one is to be trusted, regardless the shade of their vestments.
This story is seriously dark, let me put that out there right now. It’s twisted and horrifying in a way that anyone can understand, but if you’ve ever been involved in the church, you just might feel like you have a front row seat.
In “Immaculate”, I will readily admit to the feeling AND taste of bile, as Addison Cain takes horror to a whole new level that will leave you cringing as you mindlessly continue to tap those pages knowing full well that you won’t sleep a wink tonight unless you finish the story. Then when you get to the end, you realize that you still won’t sleep.
As I immersed myself in this tale with eyes wide open I contemplated the wickedness that fanatics justify in pursuit of their cause. I felt Agnese’s horror as her shroud of innocence was cruelly torn away. The thought that some form of this plot may have actually happened brings a chill down my spine.This storyline explores the very depths of depravity. It may push you to your absolute limits so keep this in mind as you start reading.