The Blood Angel: A Contemporary Gothic Romance

by Tia Fanning

After committing suicide, I find myself in an earthly purgatory, trapped at a gothic mansion by the sea. My captor is a mysterious man I only know as The Gentleman. I do not know if I am truly alive or dead. All I know is that I must obey or suffer the consequences under his hand. Is he an angel sent to save me? Is he a demon meant to punish me? Or is he just a man who wishes to master me—completely—mind, body, and soul.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2023

About the author

Tia Fanning has discovered that she always writes a little of herself in every story, and in that vulnerability, is committed to writing the best stories she can, challenging herself and her readers to experience the full range of emotions in every adventure presented. Be it love, lust, humor, grief, or even pushing cultural boundaries that might be deemed shocking (or very uncomfortable) by many mainstream readers, Tia believes that it is her responsibility as an author to tell the story as honestly as possible without letting her fears, societal pressure, or the possibility of censorship shackle her creativity. Life is a spontaneous, thrilling journey filled with highs and lows and unexpected twists and turns, and Tia wants her stories to reflect that awesome reality.

Reviews

[Carah Rugg · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I want to talk about how beautiful the cover of this book is! The author sent it to me in her PR box and when I first opened it I was just completely in awe at how beautiful the cover was! It was beautifully written and I was hooked from the beginning.
The story is about Angel who is a very talented artist who is suffering deeply from depression. After feeling completely alone and that she has nothing left she decides to end her life, leaving her artistic mark on the world as she says goodbye. After she thought she was going to die, she soon realizes that she is brought back by who we know as Master. We quickly learn that he has many more plans for her then she expects, all while letting her explore her deepest, darkest fantasies.
This book doesn't idolize the act of suicide, it more tells us about all that she went through and what got her to this point.
I loved this book, everything about it, it was real, raw, dark, mysterious, emotional, and overall just such a great book. The only thing that I wish was different is the ending, for me personally I had wanted more to the ending.
Overall though is was a great and I will most definitely be recommending this book. I will say it's not for everyone and to please check TW before reading.

[Dawn Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thankyou Tia for sending me a copy of this book! I flew through this book and bless any authors heart that writes shorter chapters ( it’s easier for my brain) , the overall message of this book is a beautiful one. Definitely add this to your list but please check TW🖤

[Tayler Borre · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great read. I was glued to it the whole time. I loved that it was a shorter book, kept it to the point and didn't drag it out. Will Definitely be reading more by Tia❤️

[NoImYes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured the book in 1 day. This is one of my top 10 book of the year for sure! Definitely recommend however please be mindful of triggers. Don’t read it knowing the triggers and then Give a bad rating because it was too much.

[Haribo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the blurb before you start as this is a story very much focused on the ‘theme’ described. Such a haunting yet realistic tale of how someone in her situation can feel and process the warring emotions within themselves. Her relationships with the men may look complicated but easy to understand. There is high spicy tension within most scenes, but stronger is the sense of love and understanding and patience. The humour is very dark and relatable. Not everyone will understand why she does some things and may find her thoughts baffling but to someone who has been in that black hole it is familiar

[Tina Kinser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely blew my mind. This book is amazing. I couldn't put it down. You don't know if she's alive,dead in heaven, or in her own fantasy of pure bliss or torture. Spice is definitely spicy, and the reality is so relatable. Definitely recommend

[Kathy Gioxaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story!!

What an amazing and we’ll written story! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! This story is about depression, weakness, feeling hopeless and reaching a breaking point. Took me through a whirlwind of emotions!
Please check trigger warnings before reading.

[Cheryl Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

Words can not express the way I fill for this book I need more and I loved everything about this book should be given 50 stars and then some I love the details and the passion in this book I need more and more and thank you to tia fanning for writing this amazing story

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

***BOOK REVIEW***
Book: The Blood Angel
Author: Tia Fanning
Rate: 4.5 🌟
Spice: 2.5 🌶️
Genre: Dark Contemporary Gothic Romance


~ I received this book by the author herself for an exchange for an honest review and to promote her book!!! Let me just say that the cover itself was just wow!!! Once I started to read the story I just couldn't put it down. Kept me wanting to know what will happen next. But please be aware and read the TW. We have Angel FMC who is an artist, but she is struggling deep down on wanting to continue with her life. Why? Lets just say the pandemic really did a number to her. So there is this MMC in which the only name we get is “Master”. He saves Angel after she tries to take her own life, but she sure pays the price after that 😈. This book does describe how people can struggle with depression, weakness, feeling hopeless and much more. Even though the book is dark with spice, don't let it stop you from reading it! Because what happens in this book will keep you on your toes!!! Go and check it out it’s available on amazon.

[K M · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS. First of all, let’s talk about the cover. The cover is beautiful and goes all the way around the book. Next, is this mysterious gentleman who just happens to catch her alone in an elevator when she’s alone for Valentine’s Day. He brings her up to his place and dines with her. Like what?? And she follows his dominant commands. I had a feeling we’d be seeing more of him later. Trigger warning- there is a suicide and are bdsm actions. Anyways, this book goes on a bdsm purgatory adventure with several guys, including the gentleman who she dined with, to punish her for the suicide she committed. Overall, this book was an amazing read and I give it 5 stars! I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys bdsm, romance, and fantasy!

[Heather Mylek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first gothic romance! It was amazing!!! Angel suffers from depression after losing all her family. She is an amazing and popular artist. She plans and takes her life on Valentine’s Day. However, a dark dom rescues her! He takes her to an old gothic church. Where she has a set schedule. His butler takes care of her. This has spice and lots of TW. It was so beautifully written! I literally read it in one sitting! Can’t wait to read more by Tia!!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. It was an incredible story laced with tragedy. It was wrote so beautifully and I loved the Gothic feel in the book. I loved that The Gentleman never had his name spoken. It provided me as a reader the opportunity to put my own spin on the Gentleman. This story isn't just about its trigger warnings. Its so much more. It's a story about a breaking point, depression, hopelessness. A chance for the FMC to truly discover and find her own happiness after so long. This story is filled with love and lust. It was such a tender and passionate story that I will definitely reread in the future.

[S.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where bland, rinse-and-repeat books are oftentimes cranked out at an alarmingly fast rate to appease the voracious appetites of readers, who gobble up one story just to dive into another…incessantly seeking any and everything to whet an appetite that seems to be always starved, becoming harder and harder to please anymore, lives an author who unashamedly burdens her literary table with a feast. And at the centerpiece, in the very middle, shines The Blood Angel. I have, without a doubt, found that hidden masterpiece of BDSM that doesn’t just seem to want to provide mindless entertainment, but awakens you to a world where you actually sit back and ask yourself, “damn, have I even lived?” Tia Fanning spares her reader no mercy in this gripping allegory, and she serves it to you on the finest of platters. Reader, I have found you a book to devour. It is extraordinarily rare to find a book that encompasses so much that strokes the senses. Intellect, emotion, plot… this author weaves such a tale that it wasn’t until after this book finished me did I even question why the hell did I crave The Gentleman? Why couldn’t I be The Butlers Doll? Caution, though I found while *I* intended to devour this book, I’m afraid it ate ME up whole, instead. Leaving me completely broken and asking myself how did I end up being the sacrificial lamb at the guillotine, instead of Astoria? And I don’t want to be the only one who got served, so, eat up, bitches.

[Crystal Dragonchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A depressed artist who decided to take her own life not knowing who really is watching . Maybe she died maybe she didn't maybe just her old life is rotting . Maybe she just found what she was ment to find and have .

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has trigger warnings. I was provided a copy for an honest review.

The Blood Angel is definitely not a closed door romance. It has both elements of gothic romance and dark romance. This book features explict elements and is meant for mature audiences.

In this story our Angel, has found herself dissasociated from her surroundings, and dreams of her death in a poetic, artistic way. If you have ever had these thoughts, Tia has a brilliant way of portraying them. She commits to the idea, right before she meets a particular Gentleman. Lost between death, her life and the unknown - she allows herself to submit to the unknown, the Gentleman as he 'saves' her.

We meet 2 other characters in the story, one whom is my favorite character, the Bultler.

"I can already tell that you two are bad influences on each other" 🤣

This book pushes our Angel's boundaries, her heart. This was a short read with the story at 273 pages, and Tia could have written more and I would need to read it.

[Jodi Hawkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Umm

This book was just not for me. It was kinda confusing and just all over the place. The no name thing really bugged the crap out of me.

[Tristan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. The butler was the best character and the author describes him as looking like an anime character. Next to nothing was described in the book as to setting, which was often contradictory. Is it a gothic castle? Is it a "modern home"? Is it a church? All of these are brought up as to the primary setting, yet none of it is explained! There's nothing really gothic or romantic about this book-- look, write all the erotica you want, but please, for the love of god, at least have a grasp of basic kink and BDSM terminology. The sex scenes are unsexy, laughable at best, and all of the characters are unlikable. The "Master" is your average sexyman with zero characterization. The narrator's characterization either sucks or just isn't there at all. Example: she's an artist who is 'depressed' and hates her art and herself, yet all of her art is erotic self portraits that sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. You could go on a long-winded explanation about how this contradictory self-objectification is a symptom of her low self worth, but the author doesn't put in the legwork, so it's just Bad.

Everyone sucks, there's no plot, and the porn isn't good. The writing, especially the author's handling of the first-person perspective, is some of the worst I've ever read. It could be a good example of what NOT to do as a writer, but even then, I wouldn't suggest reading the whole thing.

The typos in this book (scones instead of sconces, for example) are the best part about it, along with the... stupidly colorful way the narrator describes her butthole. Read this out loud with a friend or at a party and let the hilarity and rage ensue. That's the only way I can recommend this book in good faith.

[Naj_ana_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gothic Romance

When I started this book I was not sure what I was getting myself into. I haven't read any gothic romance before. This story takes us on the journey of a talented artist that is suffering from major depression and anxiety. After loosing a loved one due to the pandemic she decides she doesn't want to suffer any more and ends her life and in a very artistic way if I say so myself. This book is not beautifying nor idolizes the act it self. It's more about showing us all the suffering she was going through. How when you are walking the earth just like a lost soul with no one waiting for you, no one there to love you, to greet you, to embrace you it comes a point where you want to stop all the emotional pain. It was very heartbreaking.

I defenitely enjoyed this read. It was dark, raw, and emotional. I devoured it so quick.

Make sure you check the TWs because it is very, very emotional and has dark themes. Also, I feel like the ending needed a little bit more so I hope Tia continues their story or that we can get an epilogue at some point.

[Kari Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tia did an amazing job of how well written it is. This hits home with feelings of not being enough, sadness, depression and having no one left in the world to love you. That hopelessness is what triggers her to want to take her own life. Does she take her own life? Is she in heaven or hell? No it’s a kind of purgatory only she is in. The man that owns this mansion only goes by the name Master or The Gentleman. She does t know if she is truly dead or alive only that she must obey The Gentleman or suffer the consequences. He is a dom and she is his submissive. This is a story of not wanting to live because of the pain she felt losing her family. Now it is another type of pain.

With her in the home she makes friends with the butler and they form a bond. She has to overcome obstacles. This truly is a story I feel of self discovery and the true feelings of being wanted.
Check trigger warnings there are some. There are dark themes.

I hope this is not the last we read of Angel and The Gentleman.

[Alondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Gothic romance & I loved it. The author herself send me a copy in return of an honest review, so here it is. This book is about an artist name Angel who lost her loved ones due to the pandemic. She was suffering depression and basically didn't want to be on earth no more. So of course she met this gentleman right before ending her life in such a beautiful artistic way. SO SHE THOUGHT she was going to die ofc the gentleman had other plans in mind. I loved how this gentlemen (master) was mysterious in his own way never gave out his real name. The book gave it out Gothic vibes although the book. & in a way I feel like master was teaching her how to be happy. (In his own kinky way). I loved how everything was so detailed I literally could picture everything in my mind as I was reading it! I was low-key expecting something else for the ending but maybe that just means tia has something else under her sleeve 🤔 other then that it was a very good book !

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shocked me. I have never related emotionally to a FMC so much in my life. That alone put me in a different head space when reading this book. The emotional complexity of this book was something I appreciated. The story line may seem simple to people who are unable to grasp the depth of the struggles in this book. For those of us who have a deeper understanding of emotions, understand that this storyline is complex. I love how the emotional depth was so easily accompanied by spice. It made this book so enjoyable, and officially made it into my Top 10 favorite books.

This Passionate Dark Romance will have you enthusiastically turning the pages.
It is full of deep inner turmoil from the FMC, wrecking havoc on your heart.
This MMC and his employees are delectable, and naughty.
The story line is deeply emotional, and erotic.
The book remains at a steady pace never ceasing to pull you in.

[Marie Bonk · Rating 4 out of 5]

how many times could a heart break before it gave out.

The author sent me this book and I wasnt sure what I was getting myself into and the blood angel was so much more than I could have guessed. After loosing everyone she loves to the pandemic Angel an artist decided to leave this world at her own hands in the most artistic beautiful way she could. When she wakes she isn’t in heaven or hell but has been brought back to life by master. An older beautiful man who owns the building she lives in. The story isn’t just about grief and suicidal ideation. But it’s about submission and vulnerability and living life after her “death”. She struggles with the emotions and happiness she begins to experience. It kind of ended abruptly. But aside from that I loved it

[Martha Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Angel takes her own life and must pay the price, it’s not heaven or hell. Her journey is about weakness and erotic fantasies.

The author wrote beautifully, her dark, imaginative soul reaching for the light. I always felt everyone, at some point, feels lost in an abyss.

Angel is a lost soul with enormous punishment. She will suffer with a Master surrounded by demons and handsome men, being in limbo dwell those souls whose punishment are deprived of happiness in the limbo of a supernatural.

This story is seductive and narcotic, sexy, amatory, and romantic. I highly recommend the book. It’s a five-star.

[Charlotte Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different story to what I would normally read - I was fortunate enough to win a copy. But I was pleasantly surprised by this story and blitzed it in one session. It's a dark story about 'Angel' who takes her own life, but is brought back and finds herself a 'slave' to her neighbour. After being given a crazy schedule (so as daily orgasms), Angel finds herself adapting to a new way of life and a new world. It was written beautifully and covers the taboo subject of suicide in a respectful way. Definitely a book I would recommend, but only for those who can be okay with the trigger warnings.

[Alexa Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

I went back and forth with this book. It wasn't really my preference so at first I was going to give it a three star, but at the same time, the writing was so eloquently done that I had to give it the four stars that it deserves.
I definitely appreciate the fact of the knowledge, and different aspects of the BDSM lifestyle that was put into this book.

Do not skip the trigger warnings on this one
-It is very heavy in self-unliving!!

[Jess Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please be sure to check TW as this is very heavy with them. This is a gothic dark romance.

I liked the plot of the story and enjoyed the short chapters making it easy to read.

Some of the plot felt disjointed and I was looking for more in the ending.

I also found I was more connected to the relationship she had with the butler rather than the MMC.

I did enjoy the book and would recommend if you like dark romance and have checked the TWs.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had briefly skimmed the description of this book when I entered a giveaway so I had forgotten what it was about. I won that giveaway and read it without looking into it and was surprised. It was good there were some parts that left me a little confused but it was still pretty good if you’re ok with a manipulative mmc. Still wondering what happened to the butler and bodyguard at the end. And what the main dudes name is. The butler was my favorite character throughout the book

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by this Author Tia! It definetly won’t be the last!!! Please check the trigger warnings before you read it. I don’t have no triggers so it was perfect for me. Let me just say how beautiful the cover is. I love it so much!!! The best way to describe this book was Amazing, beautiful, emotional, dark, raw, gothic romance.

[RedReading_Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed is an understatement! I connected with 'Angel' in ways that I couldn't begin to fathom and didn't dare question. I was absolutely hooked from the very beginning. This book is everything I could want in a contemporary gothic romance..it's emotional, intense, spicy and so deliciously good!!!! LOVED IT!!!

[Brandy Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is interesting in the way that it shows b d s m and teaches people the difference of what is actually out there and what's not. I entirely enjoyed this book. It was excellent in the characters were exactly who they should be living the lifestyle. I would recommend this for my friends that are over the age of 18. It's an excellent book.