I’m king of the criminal underworld.I always get what I want.And she’s my obsession.Cora is new to the city of sin.Her innocent blue eyes beg for me to claim her.But I’m not the billionaire she thinks I am.There’s a darkness within me.And Cora is a shining light.She’s beautiful. A virgin.I’m ruthless. A beast.She found me for a reason.She’ll be my queen.I’ll give her everything that her heart … queen.
I’ll give her everything that her heart desires.
Except for one thing.
Her freedom.
She’s mine to keep, and I’m never letting her go.
Note: This is a dark mafia romance with dark and intense sensual scenes. It is the first in a trilogy.
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This was a hard book to review. Nothing wrong with the writing, if anything that’s why it’s a four star rating for me. Compelling and very captivating style that was easy to follow and easy to to get hooked into. The creation of Cora with her naive innocence warped with her abused background and history added to this dark romance. Marcus is a bad man.
The intrigue and romance was only possible because of the odd way that Cora touched something in Marcus that he refused to acknowledge.
The dreaded cliffy was not expected. Not a fan of cliffys.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Stasia Black has become one of my favorite go-to authors for dark romance, and teaming up with Lee Savino, their words kept me intrigued and engaged with this book from start to finish. Cora and Marcus couldn’t be any more opposite than if they were from different planets. Both have broken pasts that eventually led them to each other (in a whole strange, roundabout way), and I can’t wait to see what will happen for these two with the next part of the trilogy.
WOWZA! Insanely dark romance. Marcus has been so kind and gentle to Cora till she married him. Then his dark side becomes Palpable. His dark side has been festering and now unleashed in his prey (Cora)!
Edge of your seat intensity and never knowing what coming next. Ends in a cliffhanger that had me edge of my seat dying for next book. What happens NEXT?
This book is so addictive!! Marcus “Lord of the Underworld” and Cora a sweet 19 year old farm girl new to his city, seemingly have nothing that could tie them together but when all comes to light, Cora’s dreams of a romantic HEA come crashing down. Marcus is determined to get revenge on Cora’s family and initially he is more than willing to use her to get it. How was he to know that Cora’s sweet nature and their perfect chemistry would change his feelings for her so much? However, this is book 1 in their series and there is no HEA to be had here, as a heartbreaking cliff hanger is where this book ends. I cannot wait for book 2.
I read a free copy of this book and am eagerly and voluntarily leaving my review.
Wonderful mafia story filled with Greek myth theme. Loved getting to know Cora and Marcus. So much drama and suspense. Characters shared chemistry. Many emotions with the main characters and their relationship. Looking forward to reading the next book.
You could feel the darkness within Marcus as he struggled with his growing attraction to Cora and his desire to continue with his plan of revenge. This story surprises you with the sweet innocence of Cora and her realization of her inner strength. Their wild journey is just beginning for they have so much to learn about each other besides their mutual attraction.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book.
I can’t decide wether or not I like Marcus. He is mostly a typical anti hero, but we haven’t seen
any real connection or warmth from him, which makes his bad moments that much worse. Hopefully we’ll get to see a squisher Marcus in the next book who can empathize and lets his walls down. Cora is an innocent small town virgin who thinks she’s been saved by Marcus, while in reality, their traumatic meeting was designed by him to make her fall for him. He is going to keep her.
4.5 stars. Ends on a cliffhanger. Cora is desperate to escape her controlling abusive mother, she runs to the city and is taken captive by Marcus after she is drugged and escaped. Marcus has been waiting to avenge his sister, Cora is the pawn. Cora is a strong woman used to abuse and deprivation. She truly loves Marcus and Marcus loves her, he can’t admit it. His words have a pivotal effect on Cora may we find out in the next book what that effect will have on her and Marcus relationship.
Marcus uses Cora’s innocence
This is my 11th book by Stasia, and I will keep on reading them as she doesn’t disappoint. Cora had a strange upbringing with her mom on a farm, but escapes to the city to get a job as a nanny. Until the night the father of the boy she watches steps out of line causing her to quit her job. Joining her friends for a night on the town, things quickly go downhill for her until she lands in Marcus’ hands. Marcus is her knight in shining armor, wooing her to become his bride. The plot twists will have you reeling and the ending will leave you hanging. I can’t wait for Awakening to come out!
When I first heard about this story I was definitely intrigued considering I love all things dark and Mafia is my go-to sub-genre. I became a huge fan of Stasia Black with her Marriage Lottery series and have read numerous stories from Lee Savino (when she collaborated with Renee Rose) so I was very excited at this new collaboration with them together. There were parts of this story that were very good and other parts that I struggled with, especially in the first half of the book. This made me a little frustrated but a little over half way in I started to get really invested in the story. By the end, I was hooked and needing answers.
This book ends on a cliffhanger. There are a lot of questions to be answered and I look forward to discovering them. This book, while it might appear to be dark, is not as dark as one would seem. There is a lot at play here. While Marcus appears to be an anti-hero, he still has feelings. I liked getting into his brain and discovering why he has gone to such lengths concerning Cora. I realize that Cora has been pretty sheltered most of her life which is cause for her naivete but I really hop[e she gets a little more inner strength in the next book. There were glimpses of it towards the end of the book and I hope that continues.
So far a great collaboration.
It took me a little bit to fully get into this book even though I had read description an immediately wanted to read it. I finally understood the Greek mythology and then really got into the story. Poor, naive Cora! I just wanted to shake her at times, and yet I found my jaw practically come unhinged during the wedding night scene! Like Cora, I found something undefinable yet altogether intriguing. I can’t wait to see what comes next and how their relationship develops!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
3.5 stars
This is a tough one for me. I am a fan of these authors, but this book just didn’t work for me. The writing is solid, but perhaps I am just not in the right frame of mind to “enjoy” something this dark. The subject matter was rough. This is book one of a trilogy and I expect it will all come together by book three, but I don’t know if I will hang on for this ride. We’ll see how it feels when book two comes out.
This is what you get when you combine two really hot writers. I love the story of Cora and Marcus this sucks you into the story and leaves you gasping for more at the end. Note : Lee and Stasia I finished it at lunch I need the REST of the story, like NOW! Marcus and Cora’s life has not been easy and looks like it is not going to improve anytime soon. Cora is a such a strong person and has gone through so much abuse in her life. Marcus over her life and made it a fairy tale. What started out great turns out to be so much more than anyone could imagine. I feel sorry for Marcus now, that he is so misunderstood , it has taken so much for him to see what is before him. But I hope it isn’t too late. NOW please the next book, I can’t wait!
Ooo this was a delicious read! Cora and Marcus were so great together. I loved Cora’s innocence and overall personality. She was so sweet. And even tho she knew she could be foolish it didn’t stop her from trying. Marcus is so good at deceptions and deceiving he even deceives himself. He definitely is very dominant and controlling. But he can also be so nice and protective.
This is a dark romance, with plenty of tormented feelings. My favorite kind of dark romance because they battle each other and themselves. It always makes for a great book! I can’t wait to see what comes next in their story!
This is an intriguing story that was beautifully crafted. It has elements that put your mind set with Shakespeare and Greek mythology. Marcus and Cora’s story draws you in. Cora is a strong individual and has gone through a lot. Meeting Marcus is a turning point in her life but is it a good one? I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This book will grab your attention and keep you on the edge of your seat as you meet and discover the story of Marcus and Cora! It is dark, intense and will pull at your emotions! A definite must read. You will not want to stop reading once you start. I am voluntarily leaving my review after reading an advance reader copy of the book from the author and I bought it for my library! I can’t wait for the rest of their story.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Lee Savino and Stasia Black are magnifysent and amazing writers.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book.
When I read the blurb I knew I had to read this book and I am so glad I did. Marcus is one of those characters that you love to hate but there’s something about him that just pulled me in. Sweet innocent Cora tries to see the good in Marcus and finds out the hard way how he really is. Innocence is book one in this series and I can’t wait for the next book and find out what happens next for Marcus and Cora.
I love both these authors and have read most all of their books. But, this one was dark, twisted, and a surprise for me. Marcus and Cora are compelling characters. Although Cora is better written, Marcus is certainly intriguing. The story revolves around revenge, power, and family ( good & bad ). Marcus is the H you love to hate. But the story moves quickly with some surprises. Ends in a cliffhanger, grrrrr. But I can’t wait for the next book, Awakening.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Wicked good start to the trilogy
—>>> Cora Vestian’s life is changed drastically from that of a simple and sheltered lifestyle on a farm under her mother’s firm and cruel control due to running from an unexpected situation with the family who employed her as a nanny. Thus, she takes refuge in a club, meeting the big bad wolf in his den and ends up trading the simple prison of her childhood for that of a life of luxury cell with a mafia kingpin named Marcus Ubeli, who has maneuvered himself into controlling her in every aspect he can, including her body and her willing submission, as his wife. In a duel for control over the city, Marcus is out to avenge his family, and he intends for Cora to be the innocent sacrifice for her family’s past evil deeds.