Choices

The Flesh Cartel #3

by Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau

The Flesh Cartel returns for a compelling second season with "Choices." Brothers Mat and Dougie Carmichael thought nothing could be worse than being snatched from their home and brutally dehumanized in preparation for sale as sex slaves. But they learn their suffering has only just begun when they’re shipped to their new master’s home.

Professional trainer Nikolai Petrovic is a master of his trade. His ultra-rich clientele pay him to create perfectly tailored playthings, and Mat and Dougie are the latest in a long line of men who have walked into his remote mountain home as terrified victims and left it permanently altered: subdued and obedient, ready and even eager for a life of service.

To achieve this, Nikolai must take a drastically different tack with each brother. Dougie, manipulated with affection and denial. Mat, controlled by pain and fear. The one thread in common for both men is choice. Nikolai prides himself on never forcing, but will Mat and Dougie submit willingly to his vision, or will they first need to learn the price of disobedience?

This title is part of the The Flesh Cartel, Season 2: Fragmentation serial.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Dark, Abuse, Erotica, Contemporary, Horror

76 pages, ebook

First published January 7, 2013

About the author

M/M erotic romance author, freelance writer and editor, sadist with a pesky conscience, shamelessly silly, proudly pervish. I'm a twitter addict (@rachelhaimowitz), and I blog every M/W/F at Fantasy Unbound. To learn all about my current and upcoming projects, please stop by my website. I love to hear from folks, so feel free to drop me a line anytime at metarachel (at) gmail (dot) com.

Reviews

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

1 or 5..Hmmmm! 1 or 5.. Ok mind made up.

5+++++++++ fucked up, why the hell do I read such books stars

WARNING quoting the book I call review.

Tell me how not to suffer

Maybe I’m a ghost, he thought, despite evidence to the contrary: the feel of his own heaving chest under his palm. They killed me and I’m a ghost and this is limbo, and they sent me here for hurting my own brother.

This series is just so wrong on many levels, yet I find myself here reading book 3 and will continue upto 19.

Everytime I read a book in this series.. let’s just say all moral pffft!
What morals? Out the window they go. Bye Morals...



Nikolai is a bastard. Like a Psycho bastard,.. I hate him but then again I am intrigued by him.

“My name is Nikolai,” the man said. “But you must earn the right to call me that. For now, sir will do.”



This book Matt was made to suffer more than the last two.. I was like please just give the guy a break.

I will kill your brother. I didn’t buy the pair of you for him. I have no use for him. I don’t particularly have time for him. And lest you get it into your head that death is preferable, understand that I will kill him slowly. Over months. I’ll pull out every tooth, every fingernail, every toenail. Gouge out his eyeballs. Cut off his ears, his nose, his tongue, his balls, his cock. Cauterize his wounds and leave him to die of sepsis. Do you understand?”

Dougie.. poor guy he has suffered to a point he just decided to go with the flow.. I am so rooting for him to succeed.

“Undo my fly,” he said, and when Douglas moved too quickly, too eager to play at eagerness, Nikolai steadied his hand with his own and added, “Slowly. Sensually.This isn’t mechanics, it’s worship, do you understand?”

“The instant I pull free,” he panted, “you will stroke me to completion. You will look me in the eyes the entire time. You will hold your mouth open, tongue out, like—” He had to stop for a moment, breathe deep, rein himself in. “Like a happy dog, if you’ll excuse the crassness. Don’t you dare let so much as a whisper of disgust show on your pretty face. Con-se-quences.

So if you can read about Rape, Forced Incest, Torture, Psychos and any other despicable thing there is, then by all means read this little gem of a series.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to exceed my expectations ~ Rachel Haimowitz and Heidi Belleau - you are Brilliant! The whole concept of this series, characters and world building is truly Amazing... you have us by the proverbial balls and you ain't letting go any time soon!



Before reading

I have just picked up this book to start reading Season 2 of this amazing series and just reading the blurb from the previous two books was like being punched in the chest all over again... I can already feel the tears pricking in my eyes!

I am so excited to read this, but apprehensive at the same time... you see I find myself thinking of Mat and Dougie occasionally, they slip into my mind when least expected causing a rush of adrenaline and anxiety... I want to know how they are, how they will fare with the formidable Nikolai Petrovic... but at the same time I do not want to flick to chapter one! Mat and Dougie have found a place in my heart and as much as I am in awe of Ms Belleau and Ms Haimowitz writing... I am scared!

I know they are going to take me on a journey in Season 2 where I don't want to go... yet I must. I am enthralled by the love the two brothers have for each other and totally gutted at the possibility that the one thing that holds them together may be destroyed and finally break them! My heart is racing in expectation, knowing our writing duo will take us further into the depths of darkness and torture with hope... being the most compelling of all reasons to continue reading...

Review

I read this, not relaxed in the armchair by the fire... No! I was on the edge of my seat, hand over my eyes peeking through my fingers! Wanting to read - Not wanting to read! Tears replaced by anger replaced by tears. My heart breaking for these two Brothers, separated and being broken down, depriving them of the one thing that keeps them alive and gives them hope ~ Each Other!

In this book we get a look into the mind of the Evil. Son. Of. A. Bitch... Nikolai Petrovic. Initially I wasn't feeling cruelty from him, more like detachment and determination for the task at hand. However that small blip didn't last long... common sense prevailed and my mind was soon changed... He is a Sadistic Fuck! Calm and composed, a master manipulator and an expert at mind games. He relishes the challenge and it's all about power... and he is the man controlling it. Mat and Dougie are mere puppets, with him the puppeteer. With the Brothers separated, he is stretching and trying to break the tethered thread that holds them together! Will Mat and Dougie have any resolve left when Nikolai is so expertly pulling the strings?

The POV is constantly moving between Mat and Dougie, building the intensity, with each being treated to a different yet equally abominable torture. For Mat it is more of the same... used and abused by every horrific act of debasement thinkable... How clever of Nikolai, he uses pain and torture and sexual abuse to the extreme, with no let up, no relief and no break... it was constant! He wants him angry, he wants him to suffer and he wants to be the saviour to control the animal inside Mat wanting to Kill. But he has more to control Mat, he has Dougie... surplus to requirements but the key to ensure he meets his objective... to train Mat to the specific requirements of his client and Dougie will be his leverage to guarantee his success. Failure is not an option, he needs to break down Mat... but not render him completely broken.

Meanwhile, the man I want to KILL! is using psychological torture on Dougie, breaking him down by sensory deprivation, in a room with nothing!... picking at his mind and sanity. Dougie is not strong like Mat, mentally he is weak... he needs Mat and Nikolai will use this weakness to drive a wedge between them with Nokolai again being the saviour. He wants Dougie needy... he sees the submissive in Dougie and his inner sadist is salivating at the thought of Dougie prostrate at his feet, the perfect slave!

We do get a tiny, minuscule glimpse of compassion from Nikolai and it makes me wonder where the authors will take that... Dougie maybe!?! and if so... how the hell are Rachel and Heidi going to endear us to such a heinous character? I have given up trying to anticipate where we will be taken next on this journey with Dougie and Mat, whatever scenario I try to envision in my head is destroyed by what actually happens! It is completely unpredictable never knowing where, what or how... the only thing we can guarantee is that whatever happens it is a living hell for both the Brothers and for us!

I have a Love ~ Hate relationship with both the series and the Authors ~ Love to Hate them and Hate to Love them! the impact of this series on your heart is immense... Mat and Dougie are so embedded in my mind, they have crawled under my skin and I feel every abominable act of abuse meted out as fun or punishment! Yet I am addicted, I can't help myself... I keep asking myself WHY!... do I put myself through this pain? I have come to the conclusion, I must be a masochist because I want more!


This is the third book in the series, before reading this check out...

The Flesh Cartel #1
The Flesh Cartel #2

This ARC was provided by Riptide publishing through NetGalley... Thank you so very much!

For more reviews, please visit...Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews

[Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars …now, in light of this rating, what I’m about to say might make no sense at all:

I f’ing HATE these books.

By book 3, I no longer feel shock, am beyond anger…now, it’s just rage. I seriously want to hurt someone. I want to destroy every single person who laid a hand on Dougie and Mat. (And I vacillate between wanting to shake Dougie & Mat out of frustration and of course, wanting to protect them, save them...)

But, you see…the sick thing is, I actually believe that’s the reaction Rachel and Heidi planned all along for their readers. To slap them around so hard that they want to retaliate. And for that mastery, and for inciting the kind of emotions in me that I typically do NOT tap into, I commend them.

Kudos for the addition of Nikolai, slave trainer, sick mutherf’er, and a BRILLIANT character in episode 3.

I honestly wish I had never started this series. It’s sick, twisted, brutal, unrelenting. But, I did…and once I turned that first page, I was shackled and became my own form of prisoner. I won’t be released from Dougie & Mat until the last season’s last episode. And for that, I’m both terrified of what’s ahead and dreading it...but of course…I can’t wait.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nikolai you bastard.

There are no spoilers from Choices, but there will inevitably be some from Auction and Captured. (Contains cussing and explicit scenes.)

3.5 “You came as baggage with your brother.” stars.

(Was this episode supposed to be amazing?)

As if on cue, he thought he heard Mat scream. Distant again, so distant it all had to be in his head. Just guilt, that’s all. Guilt and insanity. Mat wasn't here.

Me: Well that episode was disappoint-
Book: Don't say it.
Me: Why?
Book: You'll anger the Book Gods, and they will make you crap your pants in the next episode.

Dougie's scared that his brother will hate him after what he did to keep them together. He has more pressing issues though, there are bugs on his skin, tickling, itching. But they aren't really there, he's just losing his mind.

Mat's confused, on one hand Dougie wanted to keep them together but had failed, on the other Dougie didn't have to cause him so much pain. He doesn't know what to feel, he'll know though, the next time he sees him. Either relief or anger will flood his mind.

Well this episode was a fucking disappointment. The series seems so be going downhill for me 5 stars then 4 and now 3.5, what is going on here?!

He’d always said he’d do anything for Mat. Die. Sell his soul. Now he really had.

Again with the spoilers in the blurb and the beginning of the e-book! I skipped them- again! Although the Title doesn't have any spoilers in it, I don't think. ;)

I want to bite Nikolai's dick off. Just sayin'.
Still, Madame’s men had performed an essential service. They’d taught the boy pain so that, with luck, Nikolai wouldn't have to. In Douglas’s eyes, he could be the kind master. The good guy. The rescuer he truly was.

I have no sympathy for Dougie for this episode, although I would of probably acted the same way that he did.
Together . Madame had kept her promise, they’d been sold together. Every horrible thing Dougie had endured and done on that stage had been worth it for that.

Mat you're so brave *rescues him*
“Tell me, Mathias, what do you fear?”
Losing him again. Failing him again.
“Bees,” he said.

Once, at a stoplight, he spotted a bird sitting on a wire, and stared and stared until it flew away, a strange unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that had nothing to do with the cramping from the plug. He realized, perhaps eight or ten miles later, that it was envy.

Why a 3.5 and not a 3? The actual content was maybe a 3, but because of the clear divisions of the perspectives (separated into chapters) of the brothers, it was a lot easier to tell who was who, hence the .5 raise.
Also, the rating wasn't higher because it just sucked for me- I don't know why, it was still interesting, but just not good? Huh?

To see my previous reviews and my next review for The Flesh Cartel please click the links below.

Capture (The Flesh Cartel #1) - HERE
Auction (The Flesh Cartel #2) - HERE
-----------------------------------------------
Consequences (The Flesh Cartel #4) - HERE

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY GOOD BOOK, IN MY OPINION NOT AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TWO BUT STILL BRILLIANT

CHOICES OR CONSEQUENCES- those are the options for Mat and Dougie. Brothers fighting to survive the horror of what has and what will be done to them at the hands of their master/trainer Nikolai

Nikolai is a manipulator of the mind and wants to break one brother while seeking to have the other brother come willingly to him. He exploits Mat and Dougie's obvious love for each other by coercing them to do his will, without hesitation.

'This was no life worth living, and he reached the point where he'd have ended it if they'd let him, even knowing that would mean leaving Dougie behind'

Nikolai's treatment of the two brothers is different, separating them to divide their loyalty towards each other.

'He always said he would do anything for Matt. Die. Sell his soul'

With Dougie, Nikolai is determined to chip away at his soul until he makes him loose faith in Mat and rely more on his master.

Dougie while lying in his isolated cell believes all hope was fast disappearing

'Dougie's hallucinations were getting worse. It didn't help that he knew now how very real monsters were, that terrors did lurk in the dark, thought so far they'd all come in human form'

The master manipulator wants Dougie to feel alone and builds his fear while he is trapped in isolation, with only his thoughts to comfort/disorientate him

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would to all lovers of dark reads.
Will I be buying the next in the series? HELL YES!! Already pre-ordered o arrive on the due date, I cannot wait now

[Eugenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still dark. Still disturbing. I still loved it.

In this one, the brothers have been purchased at auction after an excruciating display for the buyers. It takes three days for the new buyer/trainer to come pick up his purchases, and in the meantime, more horrors await the boys.

Safety seems to appear as they leave the auction house, but it’s truly the beginning of the end for the two. Here they will begin their real training. What we witness is painful, and the only thing that seems to keep them going is the thought of escape and keeping the other alive.

Rape, torture.

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lower rating this time because this is turning into a BDSM story which I don't normally enjoy reading. The writing and development however, is still top notch.

[Lisa Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book to me, as it slaps me over the head: "Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?"

Me to the book: "Leave me alooooone!"

I have a total love-hate relationship for this series. The torture and sexual assaults are so gut-wrenching and visceral that it is actually horrible to read. But I can't stop. Maybe I'm like Mat - looking for a fighting chance. Or maybe I'm like Dougie - hoping for a glimmer of kindness. But holy hell, this was another intense ride.

Hey, Rachel and Heidi, I think I see a tiny little bit of hope you left over there. Stomp on it for me, okay? Yep, that's it. You got it.

In this episode, we get a better look at Nikolai. And I almost want to like him, to believe he's not as bad as everyone else who's had Mat and Dougie in their power, but that's not true, is it? A more civilised monster is still a monster. His logic and his intelligence don't make him a better man. Because while he's being almost kind to Dougie (considering the circumstances...which Nikolai could change, of course, if he really wanted), at the same time he's torturing the hell out of Mat. Which is the logical and intelligent thing: the brothers require different training, after all. See? A monster.

And that's the very clever thing about this series. You think they're only fucking with Mat and Dougie's heads? No way. They're fucking with all our heads as well.

I hate it. I love it. I hate it... more, please!

[Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ ~ ~
First Season
The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture
The Flesh Cartel #2: Auction

Second Season begins with this book #3.


Per Riptide Publishing:

Reader discretion advised. This title contains the following sensitive themes:

explicit violence
non-consent


Fair warning, this is NOT MM Romance. This is a psycho-sexual thriller which includes rape and torture. Please proceed with that knowledge.

One of my updates described this as a "speeding bullet" and holy hell it is. Each episode has just, flat out, been one hell of a ride. This speeding bullet will hit you hard with pain, torture, mind fucks and god, this underlying gut-twisting need for these guys to hang on. It's like you know you you'd already be totally gone, but Dougie and Mat just can't lose it...not yet. Then, at the same time, losing it would be the best kindness they could get.

You WILL feel these books, these characters, this crazy intensity that doesn't slow down for one minute.

THE CHARACTERS
___

They killed me and I'm a ghost and this is limbo, and they sent me here for hurting my own brother.

Dougie - A PhD grad student isolated with only his devastating guilt for company, he is being prepared to meet a psychological master.
___

...and it didn't escape him how fucked-up his worldview had become when the thought of being claimed by his new owner was something to look the fuck forward to.

Mat - The Fighter. His endurance is his worst enemy; then he meets Nickolai, who plans to teach Mat to endure...everything.
___

Nikolai preferred transformation and ascension to brute terms like "breaking,"

Nickolai A fucking, twisted fuck. Who's character is this? Rachel, Heidi? Damn, I know I hate this guy, without question...but....
___

THE STORY

Out of the fire, into the frying pan. Yeah, that about sums this one up.

THE WRITING

Again, if a story with this level of intensity wasn't written perfectly, it would be a glaring problem. In my opinion, this is written perfectly. In fact, beyond perfect. The hidden, twisted mental turns just kept screwing me to my chair. I want/need to look away but I can't begin to put this series down. Bring me more.

The title, Choices, seemed innocent enough, heh. The next is Consequences Holy hell!



A very sincere thank you to Netgalley and Riptide Publishing for providing me with a early release version of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

~ ~ ~

Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:


http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy how to rate this?
Did I enjoy it? No.
Was it well written? Very much so.

So 5 stars for Mat and Dougie!
I swear if they don't make out of this shit in one piece, I'm gonna be REALLY mad..

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what I'm having trouble with? Yes, I know I'm probably over thinking it. This whole cartel is predicated on buyers wanting a specific product, in this case humans. Were I a buyer I would want my product in pristine condition.

PRIS-FUCKING-TINE

These two boys are getting hit harder than an all you can eat buffet by a football teams' worth of dudes with the munchies at 2 a.m. Without condoms! And don't even get me started on that plug they shackled Mat with because ruined was the only word that kept coming to mind. I hate to be a stickler here, but I'm, fairly certain Dougie would be dead in real life after that long without water.

No matter. I'm sticking with this thing if for no other reason then to find out who Mat's actual owner is. I'm also curious about this Nikolai cat. He seems awfully smitten with Dougie already, though Dougie does seem like a natural pet.

"It is not enough to serve me. You must love to serve me."

Geez, I hope there will be some chastity! Every good pet needs protection.

Less torture. More chastity!

I know. Fat chance.

[Dia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 BROKEN stars

I have no choice than to give it 5 stars.

This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession.

Mat and Dougie are going to learn on their own skin that they have NO CHOICE than to GIVE IN. They have to choose to let go and submit.

It broke my heart, but it's only the beginning of such a painful road.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a break! Just read books 1 - 3 back to back and understand why this is in serial form. If this was all one book I would absolutely go mad.

I thought it would be impossible, but this installment hit me harder than the first two. We finally get a view of what Nikolai's plans for Dougie and Mat are. While Mat is destined for nothing but physical pain and unhappiness, it is the manipulation of Dougie that is really tying me up in knots here. Both brothers are only hanging on by the thought of saving the other. The thought that Nikolai will be successful and ultimately drive a wedge between the brothers has me cringing.

I hate everything about what is going on in these books but Rachel and Heidi have me on edge wondering what will happen next.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is definitely not for the faint-hearted if you are this far in it's too late to turn back now!

I can't see how it's ever going to end in a good way for Mat and Dougie but for some reason I feel better with them in the hands of Nikolai than back at the processing centre. Fool that I am!

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahora Nikolai se enfrenta a entrenar a dos esclavos totalmente diferentes, Mat y Doguie. Mat requiere una mano firme, pero Doguie lo que quiere es no sufrir. Asi que Nikolai debe enseñarles a ambos lo que va a ser su vida ahora en adelante, deben saber que tienen opciones, y que dependiendo de lo que escojan tendran consecuencias placenteras o no.

En este "capitulo" comenzamos a ver los metodos de "entrenamiento", y como dice Doguie en algun momento, es un "lavado cerebral" como en los cultos. Casi todas las escenas son de tortura psicologica mas que fisica, y las pocas escenas "eroticas" no son violaciones.
Sigue picando mi curiosidad esta serie, quiero saber hasta donde van a llegar. Nikolai querra conservar a Doguie o lo vendera? lograra realmente romper a Mat? Como va a hacer con su "cliente"?
Sera que los hermanos van a poder salir de esta? Que tanto van a tener que sufrir.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book is out! (Well, okay, I have a copy and devoured it.) This continuation of Dougie and Mat's training into slavery is not slowing down. There are still sadistic scenes of rape as well as non stop anal gang banging. The question is, which brother is the one constantly sexually violated?

This story is focused on Choices, with the aptly named title. The reader learns how Nikolai plans to break down Dougie and Mat. Their conditioning is vastly different. It seems there is no hope for either brother. Will this serial story end with a happily ever after? This reader is starting to feel doubtful.

Nikolai is coming across as a Machiavellian character. Yet he's not exactly hateful. He's a cog in part of a much larger machine. It should be interesting to see who wins this game. Will it be Nikolai, the experienced slave breaker? Or will it be Dougie, the psychology student? Ms. Haimowitz and Ms. Belleau dangle another tantalizing chapter for their voracious readers. This m/m non con story is recommended only to those who have no issues with BDSM fantasy in a dark and depraved manner.

[Awilk -never sleeps- · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so confused by these books. They are so horrible and disturbing, but I can't stop from devouring them. Thankfully they are a serial read, as I don't think I could cope with reading this story in one long book.

The brothers Matt and Dougie have now gotten through the auction and been taken home with their new owner. Will things improve for them now or could they possibly get worse. Unfortunately things went how I thought they would, and my heart is still trembling and my stomach is still in knots.

I am waiting for the next instalment with baited breath.

Thank you so much Monique for starting me on this journey with these amazing characters.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Special thanks to Martin for recommending the series to me.]

The torture goes on for me as I continue reading on the series. The siblings are now in the hands of their new buyer, Nikolai, who seemingly doesn't treat them as cruelly as the Madame and her men for now, at least for Dougie. The name of this book is named 'Choices', but it's only presented as an illusion, and no different than the 'choices' given to Mat and Dougie in the first two books.

Previously, the siblings only knew fear and pain. Now, their new buyer injects a little bit of hope for Mat and Dougie, in order to win them over, though it's still quite early and we don't know if he will succeed. Nikolai certainly seems confident enough.

Like the previous books, great writing, though I think the harrowing theme of the story is starting to wear on me. The story progresses a little slower than I liked, due to the short length of the book. I wish they would at least double the length. I wonder if I can make it till the end without getting sick of this. On to the next book!

4 Stars!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Spoilers from the first two episodes of The Flesh Cartel***

In this episode of The Flesh Cartel #3: Choices, Dougie and Mat have now been sold at the slave auction as a package. The humiliation they experienced in order to be sold together was horrifying but, to them, completely worth it so they can stay together. Their love and devotion towards one another is all they have left after being abused, tortured, and violated. But now they are in the hands of a slave trainer, Nikolai Petrovic. He can be your worst enemy or your friend. It's up to Mat and Dougie to decide how they proceed with the next round of torture while in the hands of Nikolai.

The story opens up with Dougie being isolated in the dark, with no water, no food, and no human contact for days. His mind is bending, slowly breaking, and he's lost faith that he can no longer stay strong for Mat. While Dougie is suffering alone and in the dark, Mat is still continuously being humiliated and violated. Neither has any idea where the other is. They have both been put on an RV and taken to a home where they will be trained to be the perfect slaves for their master.

Nikolai Petrovic—sadistic, cruel, the master of manipulation. We've only seen glimpses of him in past episodes, but in this episode we get scenes from his POV. And to read from his perspective was highly disturbing to say the least. Being a professional slave trainer for years has made him a master of the slave trade. He breaks down the slaves to their lowest point and then builds them back up again. He doesn't use force. He gives them choices. But if they disobey the rules, there are painful consequences. If they obey, they are rewarded. This is his game.

And no one plays this game better than Nikolai. He's always one chess move ahead of Mat and Dougie. He knows what they are thinking or plotting, which makes it impossible for Nikolai to be manipulated and fooled. Which means he knows exactly what tactics to use to control the brothers, who differ in personalities. Mat is controlled by fear and pain. Fear that he will lose his brother. And enough pain that will make him wish he was dead. Dougie, being more submissive than Mat, is controlled by his insecurities. But mostly, he is controlled by his affection for Mat.

Through all of the torture, pain, and humiliation, the brothers are still fighting for their lives, for their freedom. They still have hope that one day they will escape and get their lives back. I'm hoping with them. I honestly can't believe everything they've been through. It's gut-wrenching. And to think, this happens to people on a daily basis. It's absolutely disgusting and completely inhumane.

I have a severe love-hate relationship with this story. Before reading this episode, I literally had to build myself up with enough courage to get through it. There is absolutely nothing romantic or happy about this story. It may be beautifully written but it's horrifically sad. I feel like Miz Haimowitz and Miz Belleau are completely screwing with my head. The horrific things that I have read up to this point, has driven me absolutely mad with rage. Yet I can't stop reading. I've become fully invested in Mat and Dougie's story. I MUST find out what happens and can only hope they exact their vengeance against every asshole that has violated, humiliated, and tortured these two men that I have grown to care about.

Rating: B+

-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review

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[Marita Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.2 stars.

This is a continuation of the serial "The Flesh Cartel," the story of two brothers who have been kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. This installment is longer than the first two, and covers from the point where they have now been sold and are being taken to their trainer, Nikolai, a man who needs to get them prepared for his client/clients, and the brothers' new master and/or masters.

The story is broken up into two sections, the part prior to arriving at Nikolai's place, and afterwards, when he starts his individual breaking down and training of the brothers.

And it IS individual training, because the brothers right from when they leave the auction house are treated differently, Dougie left alone and to go slowly crazy in the dark, imagining he's been abandoned and left to die, while Mat is brutualised and continually raped.

Once they are driven to and arrive at Nikolai's place, the brothers, who haven't see each other since the stage, are taken to different parts of the house, not knowing whether the other is really there. Mat is taken downstairs into a dungeon or cellar type place and continued to be tortured, but in a different way, Nikolai wanting to break him to a point, to control him, but not to completely take the fire out of his eyes, while Dougie is doted on, Nikolai making out he is his saviour, helping him, giving him water, treating him in a loving fashion (to a point). He wants to mold him into something quite different from his brother. But, although he never wanted to bring Dougie along, you can see he's falling for his prisoner's wide-eyed innocence, just a little, maybe the start of trouble and a downfall for Nikolai? We all hope.

Anyway, in conclusion, I didn't like the crap heaped on Mat, it makes me uncomfortable to talk about, but Dougie sections weren't as difficult. Again, the writing is good, fast paced, the thoughts of the brothers very well articulated, and there wasn't any boring sections, which meant I read it so fast, I finished it within a few hours of starting it. Onto installment 4 next!



Please note: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, regardless of the outcome, whether good or bad.

[Letitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: B+ ... Heat: N/A

Warning:

This story contains explicit violence, forced incest, and non-consent.

Review:

In this installment, The Flesh Cartel #3: Choices, we find Mat and Dougie leaving the Madame, after the horrific events the boys endured at the auction. They are now under the care and tutelage of Nikolai. And by care and tutelage, I mean the systematic breaking down of their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies.

All at the hands of the man we’ve only seen glimpses of until now. In this installment, Nikolai is a major character and point of view. We get to see  and experience his training style and techniques. Discover what he's hoping for from Mat and Dougie—obedience and hate from Mat and acquiescence and worship from Dougie. And his methods for getting those very things from them are very persuasive and... thorough.

Mat and Dougie are forced to live two different kinds of hell on earth. Dougie is no longer allowed to be a passive participate. Nikolai won’t take him by force. No, it’s made all the worse because it is now a choice Dougie has to make. He has to be engaged in and initiate his own violations. And Mat has his own choices he has to make... and frequently learns the consequences of making the wrong choice.

But our boys are still in there. They’re still fighting. Surviving. I honestly don’t know how they are, but they are. There are so many times that I had to stop because I involuntarily closed my eyes to shut out the ugliness. The horrors. And, when it was over, I practically ran to go love on my dog and get some much needed kisses.

Because Miz Haimowitz and Miz Belleau are master manipulators, maestros of emotions, and aren’t afraid to go there. They’re not afraid to royally fuck with their characters. And, because of that, I have no idea where the story is going or what’s going to happen next... but I do know that I’m fully invested in both Mat and Dougie.

And I’m still hoping for them to get their much deserved revenge.

-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.

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[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of books is not for everyone, and I mean it!
WOW! It takes two talented writers to bring such a strong emotions from me! Their talent is absolute undeniable!
The only thing I can question is if I can continue to read it, and my answer is YES! I have no doubt that I will follow Douglas, Mathias and Nikolai through many more hard and extreme times!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: Highly Addictive M/M Torture Porn!! Not for the faint-hearted..

Book 3 'Choices' of this serialisation had me stunned by the explicit rape and torture inflicted on poor Mathias. Felt so sorry for the guy, I do so hope he gets his revenge some time in the future. Mat's brother Dougie doesn't fare much better being sensory-deprived and gagged with no food or water. I just loathe Nikolai their new Trainer who is manipulating them both to mould them into perfect obedient slaves - may he rot in hell!

This serialisation is cruel and unkind, how am I supposed to wait until 4th Feb to find out what happens next?

"I want you to know with absolute certainty that I will never take your pain away. No one will ever take pity on you again. The only way to save yourself now is to obey. Fully. Instantly. Forever."

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it. I am hooked on the Flesh Cartel. The writing is so smooth and the scenes so wonderfully yet horrifically detailed that I find myself totally drawn into the story, often cringing at the pain and suffering Mat and Dougie are forced to endure. It is interesting to see two totally different ways the Evil Bastard Nikolai will use to break each of them down and train them to be what he needs.

This segment wasn't quite as harsh as the previous two. The boys are moved from the Facility to Nikolai's for training. Dougie's torture has now become psychological through means of sensory depravation. Such is not the case for Mat, however, as he is still subjected to extreme amounts of pain.

As with the previous two installments, I cannot wait for the next one.

[Silkeeeeeereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As horribly good as these are, I do have to say I'm frustrated with the small amount that is written in each of these. I still think the writing in this series is a high standard for dark erotica. That being said, a full book, or at the most two, would have been much better. It will be the last time I read these short story type offerings in a series.

As far as the content, this is still so far past dark that it's difficult to read with emotions going all over the place. I can't imagine how this is going to end without it ending badly. It evokes that emotion that wants to put a suffering animal out of its misery.

If you are a dark erotica fan, this series is highly recommended. Be aware that thiese books contains vicious rape and torture.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know after each episode I think it cannot be topped. Then I read the next one.

Twisted, fucked up, nasty, and absolutely unequivocally the scariest series of books I've ever read this is simply mesmerizing. I continue to be amazed with Mat - I don't know why I am so absorbed in him but he is the one I want to cuddle, hug, and kiss away all the pain he's put through. The Energizer Bunny ain't got nothing on him.

I don't know what else to say. I don't got no more words.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite so far...


I am not sure what liking this series says about me, but it is addicting...


...and I am going to ignore that little voice that says "You are so fucked up for liking this!"

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 to 4.5 stars

Of the three books I've read, this one has been my favorite. There is something about Nikolai that is so intriguing even if he is an evil bastard. My heart breaks for Mat, dude can't catch a break :(

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ughhhh!!!!! I sure hope by the end of this series I get a little HEA!!!