She will do anything to save her family’s crumbling business empire—including selling herself to the billionaire responsible for the destruction…_____THE MORE TREACHEROUS THE LIE… awakening: you reap what you sow.
…THE HARDER THE FALL.
Mysterious newcomer Blake Lorenz despises everything that Snowy Hollings stands for–and he’s determined to destroy her piece by piece.
When all is said and done, this ruthless corporate king will stop at nothing to torment the redheaded beauty.
She had it coming, after all.
And, when he’s through, she’ll be lucky if there’s anything left to ever make whole again.
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King’s Men, Savage Fall Duet Book 1 by Lana Sky
Snowy Gale Hollings was once known as Humpty Dumpty to all the girls at her school. Sort of an ugly duckling of sorts. The only one that saw her for who she is was her friend and confident, Brandt Lloyd.
Blake Lorenz is the new man in town, and he wants everything that belongs to the Hollings, but he wants even more. He wants blood.
Snowy had it all. The money, connections, and the name. Her name could guarantee anything she wanted but what happens when that is all she has left? Ten years ago, she did the unthinkable to the boy she loved. She sent him to prison to protect him but ultimately killed him and her soul in the process. Snowy is now thinner and beautiful but with her family fortune gone she must pick up the pieces and use the only thing she has left, her name. Blake has come to town to take everything from the Hollings. He wants their money, home, businesses, and ultimately their ruin. He will stop at nothing to get everything and that means even Snowy. He will break her and scatter the pieces. Then he will have it all, or will he be the one broken in the end?
I will never see the fairy tale Humpty Dumpty the same again. Well, that or toast, eggs, and coffee but I digress. This book had me guessing and second guessing myself up until the very end. I absolutely love Lana Sky’s writing and this one was no exception. The pain that Snowy had gone through all these years keeping her secrets would have broken anyone else. The anger that Blake threw at Snowy repeatedly, but then you would see through the cracks to the man underneath and it would make so much sense as to why. Snowy and Blake are both broken but can all the Kings men put them back together again?
King’s Men is an intense, twisted dark romance filled with suspense and grittiness. Snowy Hollings lived in a world where her family’s fortune spoke for itself. Her life was never one of sunshine and roses seeing as ten years ago, she made a decision that betrayed the love of her life but things are about to get worse when Blake Lorenz makes an appearance.
With Blake running the show, the Hollings and all its fortune has decimated into nothingness. Trying to get her family’s shares back, Snowy made a deal with the devil. And a devil he was indeed. Blake was no knight in shining armour. He was ruthless in his ways, wanting to break Snow into a hollow shell. He was cruel and harsh yet at rare times, he revealed a vulnerable side to him.
Make no mistake, Blake was not one to be tampered with. He held the kind of power over Snowy that could destroy her in the blink of an eye. Snowy’s struggles broke my heart and as the lies began to unravel, the haunting truth might just be more than it seems.
3.5 Stars
So This was a new author for me and let me tell you she sure can write: this was an excellently written story and I definitely can’t fault King’s Men on this author’s exceptional story-telling ability.
This really was quite a dilemma for me in terms of my eventual rating here as on the one hand I was glued to this until the final closing words that certainly managed to grip me with there brilliant intensity.
But then this also equally repelled me with the psychological warfare used against Snow by Blake that at times actually felt more along the lines of mental torture so great was the cruelty and spite employed here.
This at timed went beyond the realms of what I am comfortable with totally smashing my boundaries and nearly reaching my hard limit.
This is the first instalment in a dark romance duet and this follows the story of Snow and Blake its a wronged revenge trope and told completely from Snows POV.
I should also mention as well don’t be expecting any sweeter romantic moments here as this just doesn’t have them: I use the term romance very lightly indeed just putting that out there so you realise this and are aware.
So as I was saying I feel that only experiencing snow’s input here didn’t balance out Blakes venom and because of this, I failed to find anything redeemable in him meaning I struggled to connect emotionally with Blake’s personal suffering that had turned him into this vengeful monster.
In fact, I would go as far as to say at times I really wanted to throat punch him so great was my abhorrence of his actions and intentions.
I struggled with the annihilation and torment of an already damaged individual especially considering snow’s age at the time of her supposed crime the unintentional actions of a child, not an adult that had then resulted in such far-reaching consequences.
Snow has had to then live with herself ever since not an easy task for her as she has lost the one closest to her heart.
I am now so emotionally invested in the outcome here even if at this moment in time I absolutely detest Blake with a passion and personally want him to grovel on bended knees to snow for forgiveness.
I also think from the snippet included at the end here of book two, we get some input from Blakes side of things and I am hoping this may showcase a crack in his impenetrable armour: anything really to see him act in any positive manner and maybe get a sense of his inner angst.
So this was very dark but as I said this darkness wasn’t physical but more psychological in nature and I have read so much darker than this before this just seemed to hit all my buttons in terms of triggers.
So despite my above observations, I did enjoy this and it most certainly left a distinct impression in regards to its impact.
It’s an extremely intense journey that will hook its claws in for the duration and despite not being easy reading in places was surprisingly addictive: almost like car crash TV.
This is one that some might struggle with just because of the emotional abuse heavily featured here: I know I did.
But this was most certainly memorable so well done to the author on that one: this tale stands out from the crowd.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of King’s Men (The Savage Fall Duet #1).
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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WOW…so this book was…INTENSE. Lana sky is yet another new “to me” author I decided to take a chance on, and I seem to have hit the jackpot lately with amazing books by authors I have never read before. As soon as I saw the synopsis for this book, my dark loving heart beat a little faster and I knew I needed to get my grubby hands on a copy. I liked it a lot.
It was super dark in the sense that the hero was just god awful. And actually, that is the main reason I couldn’t go all in with a 5-Star rating. His treatment of Snow crossed the line for me. I’ve read plenty of dark books where the hero treats the heroine worse physically, but the mental torture this hero used on an already disturbed heroine made me wonder how and IF this guy can ever really be redeemed. I think maybe if we had gotten some chapters from his POV I may have had an easier time connecting with him. In this book all we get is vicious cruelty from him, and zero kindness. Perhaps in the next book will delve more into his head?? The other issue I have was that I felt Snow was a doormat. This didn’t affect my rating at all because short of cutting his member off and feeding it to him, she would inevitable always come across weak considering how cruel the hero was. The things she put up with made me cringe.
Those two issues aside this was still a cracking good read. Well written. Well paced. The plot was engaging. Dark. Twisted. Intense. Heartbreaking. Rage inducing. Mysterious. The sex was hot (borderline dub-con). There was no OW or OM drama. It was angst on steroids (lol). There weren’t a ton of secondary characters, but both Snowy’s brothers were intriguing. Last, it all wraps up on a captivating cliffhanger that will leave you wishing you had book two in your hands ASAP.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy for an honest and voluntary review
This is another fantastic book by Lana Sky!! I love Lana’s books because they are raw and gritty, without a lot of fluff. She gets straight to the point, and tells a hell of a story!! Snowy Hollings basically had one true childhood friend. Unfortunately ten years ago, something tragic happened. Snowy has felt lost and guilty. She has to plaster a fake smile on her face, and continue on, because of her family name. Including in the marriage that has been set for her. Could somebody from Snow’s past come back for revenge?? This is the dark and twisted story of a family, who has so many secrets and lies. This book was an absolute page turner!! You become so intrigued with this story, and your heart just breaks for Snow. I highly recommend this book!! I can’t wait to read book 2!!!
Not your typical romance! I’ve read this author a few times and love her work. This was a page-turner and will leave you wanting more!
I loved this book and the follow up to it. The characters are tragic and the plotline is twisted, my kinda read. I couldn’t put it down.
The author warned me right at the beginning that this book was very dark and I didn’t listen. I only made it through about half of the book before I had to bail. ” Very dark” doesn’t even begin to describe this book. It’s evil, and sadly this probably happens to some degree in real life. I read for entertainment and this book is definitely not entertaining. I would give it negative 5 stars if that were an option, but will settle for 1 star as that’s the lowest.
4 and 1/2 stars
The story is an intense dark tale with some incredible characters. Snowy is an interesting woman. She is willing to overlook her fiancée’s disloyalty because of family. For her and her brothers, the family name means everything. Even if it means selling their souls. I feel as though Snowy is incredibly hard on herself. She believes that she betrayed the love of her life and her family reaping what they sowed. Enter Blake Lorenz. The one man who could help Snowy and her family. But he won’t do it without a price. I feel like that price is too high. It’s bad enough that Snowy had a difficult childhood but now Blake is doing his best to break her. And when you realise why, it throws you for a spin.
While Blake does maintain this cold and indifferent persona, there are hints to some humanity existing within him. There are surprises and revelations that keep you gripped to the edge of your seat. Some I suspected and others I did not. I felt sadness and heartache and felt Snowy’s very despair as my own. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and devoured it almost immediately. I can’t wait to get stuck into book 2 to see what becomes of Snowy and Blake.
This book was darkly delicious and as a reader, I had no choice but to buckle up and ride the roller coaster of this book.
I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down!
Snowy is the product of her environment that she was raised in. With a father that was absolutely ruthless and did ANYTHING to get ahead, including using his children, this family learned from a young age that they either jump on the bandwagon or else. She had one real friend growing up, Brand Lloyd and she basically sentenced him to death, which hurt her as well.
Everything is looking up for Snowy, she is about to wed a wealthy man who seems like he might be fairly decent. Then BOOM goes the dynamite and her world is shattered and left in the hands of Blake Lorenz.
Blake is a SHREWD businessman who freakishly looks like her old friend, but that is impossible because he died, right?
He wants to break Snowy, completely. The way he goes about it has me gasping at certain points and jaw-dropped most of the time. Why in the world does it seem as if this guy has a personal grudge against her?
I am in AWE of this book, it is not easy to read and there are definitely trigger elements in this, but if you like dark books– I HIGHLY recommend it!
Wow. This book was intense! I stayed up until 2am having to know what was going to happen!! There was no way I was going to be able to sleep without knowing. So much happens! I have to read book 2 now to see what happens! I have so many questions!
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s raw, gritty, and dark. There is no real “hero” and you are kinda left wondering what would be a HEA ending for the book? Is HEA even a possibility? Ugh I love when dark books are truly unapologetically dark. Blake doesn’t suddenly become a hero and Snow doesn’t suddenly make the world okay by just accepting her fate. I truly think she is desperately searching for that little boy she used to know, and she will do anything to find him.
Utterly dark and twisted ride, full of intrigue, pain, and one family’s history that is so full of lies and deceit it spills over into every members’ lives. It will leave you gasping for answers and gripping the book in as Snowy relives her past ridicule and present shame. . . and all of it she does for the loyalty of her family name as she sells herself to her enemy. This book is charged with drama and suspense and laced with sexual tension that hints at violence. You can feel it like a knife’s edge in the scenes between Snow and Blake, the animosity he has but can’t find the chemistry he has with her. Ms. Sky has done it again. This book is powerful how well it is written; how complex these characters are and how much I feel for them (I ached for Snow in some parts). It’s a must read
Snowy was in love with Brandt for a long time and then because of her he was dead, taking with her everything that was good. Now her family fortune lies in the hands of Blake who very much resembles her perfect boy only this man hates her family and in particular her. Entering into a deal with the devil to reclaim at least part of her fortune, Snow finds herself reminded more and more of Brandt. Could it be? And if Blake is Brandt will he ever be able to understand why she sent him to jail for a crime he never would have committed? Dark and twisted and so compelling I could not put it down! I simply cannot wait for book 2!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Vengeance, resentment and web of lies – dark, intense, emotional and soul-wrenching
I read this book in one sitting. I was so immersed by the story that I didn’t notice how fast the time flew by. I know it will sound as any other review but the book was so intense that I couldn’t put it down. Even now I’m still reeling from what I just read. The events kept me gasping for air… The story is dark, intense and very twisted. There was so much suspense that I just wanted to know what happens on the next pages because let me tell you this, going through the story you won’t even suspect what the next chapter would bring. Now I’m feeling like my emotions are all over the place. This story really moved me and I can’t wait to read the next part. I need to know what’s going to happen to Snowy and Blake.
The themes and scenes presented in this book are not for a faint heart but if you are into dark themes, intense psychological dramas this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s all and more that the reader could wish from a good dark romance. It’s brutal, tragic, raw and shows all monstrous and ugly parts of human with dark battered soul.
She did the unthinkable and betrayed her lover now ten years later she will.finally learn her lesson. He is going to teach her a lesson she will never forget. She may never be whole.again. What will.happen? Will she learn her lessons? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is such a good book!
Its emotionally raw and over the top passion and forgotten love.
Snowy and Blake/Brandt were so close 10 years ago but then something traumatic and horrible happened. Snowy finds herself committed to a man who she does not love but must go through because she is a Hollings. With a drastic and unbelievable turn of events her life is thrown upside down and she is left scrambling for footing in her new world. Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken, and lives are devastated. But she is a Hollings and that’s worth something.
I highly recommend this book!
*My first Lana Sky book read
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of this book is -complicated. The love story that is told in this duet is complicated but so deeply ingrained in these characters that you can not put this book down. This first book is told strictly in Snowy’s words which doesn’t take away from the story.
Snowy is the crown jewel of her family and is made to do things for her family so that they can keep their wealth and companies in high standings. But when she out that everything she has done was for nothing, and that everyone around her lies for their own good Snowy figures she has to take matters into her own hands. Little does Snowy know her past is about to bit her in the ass.
This twisted and dark romance brings lies, deceit, past loves, and some dark bedroom play. Be warned when reading this, you might fall in love with the bad guys.
Dark and twisty but not in the traditional way. This is much more of a mind-F. And to be honest, I am completely enthralled. I can wait to sink my teeth in the next book and see where things go. (Review by Terri “Jane”)
A Phenomenal 5 Star+ Book!!!
I was captured and held prisoner from page 1. This book is unlike any I have read before. It’s imaginative beyond. I was spellbound and could not put it down. This is the story of Snowy Hollings who is at the top of the elite, it seems. But not really, she is about to fall and fall really hard. Brandt Lloyd was her “everything” until he wasn’t. This is absolutely a Five Star book. I loved it from beginning to end. It’s brutal and horrific at times. There are so many elements; deceit, anger, sex, grief, heartbreak, suspense. Everything you could want in an unbelievable story. Read it today, you will not be disappointed.
Warning!! You’ll lose sleep with this fantastically twisted read. Lana Sky has created an amazing story from a nursery rhyme line. I just couldn’t put it down, from the unexpected twists and the many unanswered questions! Blake and Snowy’s story is one you don’t want to miss!