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Chapel #1
The Black Chapel
What would you do if a sexy billionaire asked you to marry him just for his money?
Scarlett hates her new job as a stripper, but she can’t afford to quit or she’ll lose her house and won’t be able to afford to pay for her dad’s chemo.
One night, the handsome billionaire Michael Manning visits the club and shows interest in Samantha (Scarlett’s stage name). Scarlett is immediately attracted to Michael, but she refuses to date anyone she meets at the club.
On Sunday, Scarlett’s friend drags her to church, and to her surprise, Scarlett meets Michael again. He doesn’t realize she’s Samantha from last night and asks her out.
But Scarlett would never have guessed what he’s about to propose on their first date. Michael needs to marry before his mother dies of cancer, or he’ll lose his entire inheritance. He presents Scarlett with a deal where she’ll receive half of the inheritance if she marries him within two weeks and divorces him after his mother dies.
Scarlett agrees to the deal. But soon she develops feelings for Michael and they begin a steamy affair.
Serious problems arise when Michael continues to show interest in Samantha, thinking he’s keeping it a secret from Scarlett. And when Scarlett’s pretend mother-in-law has her followed to work, Scarlett’s secret could very well cost her the billion dollar deal and her relationship with Michael.
Scarlett hates her new job as a stripper, but she can’t afford to quit or she’ll lose her house and won’t be able to afford to pay for her dad’s chemo.
One night, the handsome billionaire Michael Manning visits the club and shows interest in Samantha (Scarlett’s stage name). Scarlett is immediately attracted to Michael, but she refuses to date anyone she meets at the club.
On Sunday, Scarlett’s friend drags her to church, and to her surprise, Scarlett meets Michael again. He doesn’t realize she’s Samantha from last night and asks her out.
But Scarlett would never have guessed what he’s about to propose on their first date. Michael needs to marry before his mother dies of cancer, or he’ll lose his entire inheritance. He presents Scarlett with a deal where she’ll receive half of the inheritance if she marries him within two weeks and divorces him after his mother dies.
Scarlett agrees to the deal. But soon she develops feelings for Michael and they begin a steamy affair.
Serious problems arise when Michael continues to show interest in Samantha, thinking he’s keeping it a secret from Scarlett. And when Scarlett’s pretend mother-in-law has her followed to work, Scarlett’s secret could very well cost her the billion dollar deal and her relationship with Michael.
228 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2013
277 people are currently reading
2260 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Cruise
35 books103 followersEver since she can remember, Marilyn has been a believer in the happily ever after. When she started writing professionally in 2013, her books were received with great enthusiasm and quickly became bestsellers on Amazon. Today she continues to delight her readers with steamy modern fairytales, stories that will captivate you to the very last page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 7, 2014
I am a self-confessed Amazon Kindle Freebie Whore, and this book is one of the reasons that will never change. This book is an absolute gem of a find. I will definitely be looking out for more works from this author and am prepared to pay good money for them.
This book has got it all, humour, drama, romance, steamy scenes etc etc... I can't praise this book highly enough.
I really hope there is a follow-up book about Anne, as would love to hear more of her story.
This book has got it all, humour, drama, romance, steamy scenes etc etc... I can't praise this book highly enough.
I really hope there is a follow-up book about Anne, as would love to hear more of her story.
Want to read
January 8, 2017
February 21, 2014
They say you either live to work, or work to live. One implies you love your job, the other that you use it as a means to an end. Or to make ends meet. And when you are on a stripper's income to pay off mortgage, chemotherapy and student loans, you put your self-loathing on the back burner and fight for your survival.
Until a billionaire comes with a proposition always heard in reverse: he actually WANTS you to marry him only for the money, which he will split with you in half. How would you possibly refuse such a business deal? Not to mention, he's gorgeous to boot! However... while you both seem attracted to each other, he is also mercilessly hunting your alter stripper persona. And his mother won't give up the inheritance so easily before she runs a full background check on you. Can you say "complicated"?
I am once again surprised that I enjoyed a relatively vanilla yet full-on romance book. The writing was fluent and very nicely structured, and the first person narrative, albeit one-sided, didn't hinder too much the emotional portrayal of all characters involved. And what a lively bunch of characters they were! As always, points to the Best Friend who speaks with the voice of reason, and kudos to the Monster-in-Law who isn't too proud to admit her mistake, and plays everyone to the very end like the master puppeteer she is.
Until a billionaire comes with a proposition always heard in reverse: he actually WANTS you to marry him only for the money, which he will split with you in half. How would you possibly refuse such a business deal? Not to mention, he's gorgeous to boot! However... while you both seem attracted to each other, he is also mercilessly hunting your alter stripper persona. And his mother won't give up the inheritance so easily before she runs a full background check on you. Can you say "complicated"?
I am once again surprised that I enjoyed a relatively vanilla yet full-on romance book. The writing was fluent and very nicely structured, and the first person narrative, albeit one-sided, didn't hinder too much the emotional portrayal of all characters involved. And what a lively bunch of characters they were! As always, points to the Best Friend who speaks with the voice of reason, and kudos to the Monster-in-Law who isn't too proud to admit her mistake, and plays everyone to the very end like the master puppeteer she is.
January 7, 2014
Sexy, fun and quirky. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an entertaining, steamy read. It's fast-paced, the build up between the characters is palpable and the love scenes smoldering hot! It's kind of a cross between Pretty Woman and 50 shades. The lead character (Scarlett) keeps making decisions that get her in trouble. But when she falls for the sexy billionaire, things are about to change. Would love to see it made into a movie. I think it would make an awesome Romantic Comedy!
January 11, 2014
I wasn't sure how i was going to feel about this book but let me just say one chapter into in and i had to finish it to the end. Scarlett and Michael characters who you are rooting for. Both have an understanding of what each other are going through and are a perfect match for one another. The book is a well-written story.by the author and the sex scenes will have you grabbing for some cold water. i recommend this for anyone looking for a steamy romance with fun loving characters.
April 14, 2015
My LORD! Where to start?! This book was full of everything! Drama, heartache, romance, passion, love, witty characters and ended perfectly.. (Cliffhanger, but all 3 are out now so no worries) I LOVED this book!! I couldn't put it down until I finished it...sadly just breaking because I passed out next to my kindle. Loser? Maybe, but moving on...
I am definitely a huge fan now of Marilyn and can't WAIT to finish these books in the Chapel Series :) Easily one of my new favs!
I am definitely a huge fan now of Marilyn and can't WAIT to finish these books in the Chapel Series :) Easily one of my new favs!
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October 31, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/31/2017)!
November 22, 2017
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So the romance was wanting but I did enjoy the way Scarlett was able to juggle being two people at once without getting the lies mixed up. That was entertaining as all get out. And her dedication to helping her dad even though it was a degrading experience gave her a bit of dimension. But I must confess, it was crystal clear it was a ploy to make you care more about her character because if she didn’t have that going for her, she would have fizzled out for me. That was really the only thing I liked about her.
I kinda think Michael should have know it was Scarlett once he kissed ‘them’. I mean, he doesn’t even mention it, which I just found weird. And frankly it made me think he was missing a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Now, the sex scenes were on point and I’m glad I read this book, but the characters were just too flat for me to really care about them or what happens to them. The plot is shallow to begin with so I guess I should have expected it.
So, I will not be reading anymore of this series because the ending had too many loose ends that I felt should have been tied up in this book in stead of leaving them hanging to entice you to read the next one. This may sound weird but it didn’t feel like an authentic ending. It felt unoriginal. Maybe I read to many of these types of books because it felt trope-y and while I love a good trope, this one just was okay.
So the romance was wanting but I did enjoy the way Scarlett was able to juggle being two people at once without getting the lies mixed up. That was entertaining as all get out. And her dedication to helping her dad even though it was a degrading experience gave her a bit of dimension. But I must confess, it was crystal clear it was a ploy to make you care more about her character because if she didn’t have that going for her, she would have fizzled out for me. That was really the only thing I liked about her.
I kinda think Michael should have know it was Scarlett once he kissed ‘them’. I mean, he doesn’t even mention it, which I just found weird. And frankly it made me think he was missing a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Now, the sex scenes were on point and I’m glad I read this book, but the characters were just too flat for me to really care about them or what happens to them. The plot is shallow to begin with so I guess I should have expected it.
So, I will not be reading anymore of this series because the ending had too many loose ends that I felt should have been tied up in this book in stead of leaving them hanging to entice you to read the next one. This may sound weird but it didn’t feel like an authentic ending. It felt unoriginal. Maybe I read to many of these types of books because it felt trope-y and while I love a good trope, this one just was okay.
March 21, 2015
Scarlett is a young woman with overwhelming financial obligations due to her dad's cancer and mom's death, that leads her to take a job as a stripper. Michael Manning is a young man from a very wealthy family whose mother is also dying of cancer. He meets Scarlett in two different places, as two different people. First he falls for Samantha, the dancer at the club. But he also meets Scarlett in church when she goes to support her BFF Annie while she sings in the choir. Michael is in need of an insta-wife before his mom dies, or she'll give everything to charity. While he's trying to convince Scarlett to be his wife until his mom is gone, he's trying to start an affair with Samantha (he doesn't know they are the same people.) It's an interesting premise - cheating on his soon-to-be wife with....his soon-to-be-wife-who-he-doesn't-know-is-also-a-stripper. An interesting little love triangle! As Scarlett starts to have feelings for Michael despite knowing they will only be together for a short time, she realizes he's a cheater and isn't sure she wants to go through with the deal - except her dad needs chemo so she needs to do this for him. I really did like the idea of the story, but there were a few things that just threw me out of this fantasy. Finally, I am exhausted with the number of cliffhanger trilogies that should just be one book out there, and this is yet one more. So, kudos to an interesting story line, but points taken away for the things mentioned above to reach my rating of 3 stars.
March 20, 2015
3.5 out of 5
Billionaire Michael meets Scarlett in a church and they start to date. It doesn't go well at first but then he proposes that they marry so that he can inherit his mother's 3 billion dollars. She will then get half after his mother dies. They start a "relationship" but it's all business...then it's all pleasure but they're both kind of screwed up.
Scarlett works as a stripper called Samantha at The Black Chapel and Michael is obsessed with her. (She wears a mask on stage to hide her identity. While he's busy screwing Scarlett he's "seeing" Samantha on the side. He's also emailing her so he's cheating on Scarlett with herself. Weird.
Neither knows what they really want and neither can be honest with the other. It ends with things completely up in the air which was frustrating. I did like it enough to keep reading so that's a plus.
Billionaire Michael meets Scarlett in a church and they start to date. It doesn't go well at first but then he proposes that they marry so that he can inherit his mother's 3 billion dollars. She will then get half after his mother dies. They start a "relationship" but it's all business...then it's all pleasure but they're both kind of screwed up.
Scarlett works as a stripper called Samantha at The Black Chapel and Michael is obsessed with her. (She wears a mask on stage to hide her identity. While he's busy screwing Scarlett he's "seeing" Samantha on the side. He's also emailing her so he's cheating on Scarlett with herself. Weird.
Neither knows what they really want and neither can be honest with the other. It ends with things completely up in the air which was frustrating. I did like it enough to keep reading so that's a plus.
January 16, 2014
The Black Chapel is very well written! Unlike all too many romance novels, there is great plot development and a real ending. It’s a story not without steamy details. I would recommend it to fiction readers as well as romance novel enthusiasts. Scarlett is buried in unpaid bills and resorts to stripping. She catches the eye of a billionaire both in the club and the next morning in church. Michael the billionaire asks her for a date and shortly after for her hand in marriage, only to keep his family fortune, graciously offering her half. Scarlett is against the thought of marrying for money, but is buried in debt and fantastically attracted to the man with all the right moves. A girl just can’t help herself!
July 13, 2015
4.5 out 5 stars
I really liked this book. The only reason I ding it a little is because it gets a little over the top with all the secrets and the miscommunication and the back and forth with Scarlett and Samantha. What I can really say about this book is it pulled me in immediately. One minute I feel so bad for Scarlett, but the next I am yelling at her to tell the truth. One minute Michael is an insensitive prick and the next I think they are adorable together. It is up and down and all around throughout the whole book, but I can guarantee you this-you won't be able to put it down. I am about to buy book two. Can't wait to see what is next.
I really liked this book. The only reason I ding it a little is because it gets a little over the top with all the secrets and the miscommunication and the back and forth with Scarlett and Samantha. What I can really say about this book is it pulled me in immediately. One minute I feel so bad for Scarlett, but the next I am yelling at her to tell the truth. One minute Michael is an insensitive prick and the next I think they are adorable together. It is up and down and all around throughout the whole book, but I can guarantee you this-you won't be able to put it down. I am about to buy book two. Can't wait to see what is next.
January 11, 2014
This is a really good story with good characters! It went kind of quick, but I think the story still worked well.
It definitely needs to have an editor go through it and fix the mistakes, but all in all I'm glad I read it!
Recommended!
It definitely needs to have an editor go through it and fix the mistakes, but all in all I'm glad I read it!
Recommended!
Want to read
February 1, 2014I would love to read it!
June 16, 2014
It started off decent but the more I got to know the characters, the more I didn't like them. I think the only character that I connected with was Scarlett's best friend, Anne.
January 2, 2018
Beware of cliffhanger
I really like s storyline. While this is a cliffhanger ending. It really does leave you wanting to read the next book. Scarlett is stripping because she has to do keep her family's house, college loans and her father's medical treatment, but when a millionaire comes into the club everything changes.
I really like s storyline. While this is a cliffhanger ending. It really does leave you wanting to read the next book. Scarlett is stripping because she has to do keep her family's house, college loans and her father's medical treatment, but when a millionaire comes into the club everything changes.
January 2, 2020
Great read.
I need to get the next two books so I can read more and hope that there is a HEA. These two have captured my heart and I just hope that he can be honest with her and for get about Samantha and find his true love and what will happen after mom passes. Who will he react to the new clouds.
I need to get the next two books so I can read more and hope that there is a HEA. These two have captured my heart and I just hope that he can be honest with her and for get about Samantha and find his true love and what will happen after mom passes. Who will he react to the new clouds.
February 9, 2017
Absolutely breathtaking!
This was a wonderful book. I didn't know what to expect when I started reading The Black Chapel, but what I got was over the top. I would definitely recommend this book. Well worth the read. I can't wait to start on part 2.
This was a wonderful book. I didn't know what to expect when I started reading The Black Chapel, but what I got was over the top. I would definitely recommend this book. Well worth the read. I can't wait to start on part 2.
March 16, 2019
At first I wasn’t sure of what to expect as I was back and forth with what I think. I liked the characters though and the determination in Scarlett. Her romance with Michael sparks my interest and this definitely makes me want to read more of the series.
October 4, 2019
Your Emotions will go on a rollercoaster
What an emotional rollercoaster. Playing games will get you hurt. And she did it anyways. Falling in love wasn't suppose to happen but it did. All her secrets make her guilt worse. And all for a contract for money to help her ill father.
What an emotional rollercoaster. Playing games will get you hurt. And she did it anyways. Falling in love wasn't suppose to happen but it did. All her secrets make her guilt worse. And all for a contract for money to help her ill father.
February 16, 2021
Great read. The beginning was a bit slow moving however once I got through the initial need to know about the characters it was worth it. I am officially hooked and moving on to the second in the series. I need to know what happens with these characters.
August 7, 2017
Amazing
I absolutely loved reading this story! I can't wait to read the next book! Its a twisted little fairytale. Sexy, thrilling and very emotional!
I absolutely loved reading this story! I can't wait to read the next book! Its a twisted little fairytale. Sexy, thrilling and very emotional!
January 31, 2018
Would have gotten more stars but an incomplete book
January 24, 2019
Awesome
Kept me on my toes. I never put the book down .I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Kept me on my toes. I never put the book down .I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
February 10, 2019
Disturbing.
June 10, 2021
Good book
You people should just read this book yourself and write your own review on this book and I really enjoyed reading this book very much.Shelley Ma
You people should just read this book yourself and write your own review on this book and I really enjoyed reading this book very much.Shelley Ma
February 21, 2015
Thinking Sex and the City? Thinking steamy romance and complicated secrets? If yes, then you are thinking of The Black Chapel. It is the erotic romance of our modern society, that captivates your attention and keeps it on hold till the very last page. What is so truly prodigious about the book itself, is that it manages to depict the true soul of a woman. It pictures her as a living being that is fragile, caring, scared, protective and longing for true love. But it also reveals the other side of the coin and her animalistic nature that wants to be wild, free and away from boundaries that society pushes us to oblige to. You can almost think of the main character, Scarlett as if she was Cinderella, but in her own cruel and passionate fairytale, trying to escape the poverty torn between her secrets and her love.
The book will keep your eyes wide open and your heart beating, as if you it were you who finally gets to be loved in the right and all the wrong ways. The Black Chapel narrates the story of a sexy, yet intelligent and educated woman who never managed to see her own true colors. It is as if she was waiting for Michael to manifest and bring out her true self. What I love most about this book are the constant twists and unexpected turns, which make you avidly read on and on. The erotic scenes are the cherry on top of the cake, that just waits for you to be eaten. Believe me, after reading this book, your fantasy will be longing for more than you ever imagined ...
The book will keep your eyes wide open and your heart beating, as if you it were you who finally gets to be loved in the right and all the wrong ways. The Black Chapel narrates the story of a sexy, yet intelligent and educated woman who never managed to see her own true colors. It is as if she was waiting for Michael to manifest and bring out her true self. What I love most about this book are the constant twists and unexpected turns, which make you avidly read on and on. The erotic scenes are the cherry on top of the cake, that just waits for you to be eaten. Believe me, after reading this book, your fantasy will be longing for more than you ever imagined ...
February 1, 2016
Im not totally sure how i feel about this.
A marriage bargain to obtain an obscene amount of money at the price of your pride, emotions, and heart? Scarlett believes her father is worth that price.
Michael who's motive so far is making sure he gets that money, seems insensitive and a slave to his sexual needs.
At first Samantha, aka Scarlett, feels an intense pull to Michael at the Black Chapel (strip club) so when he seems charming and instense she agrees to go on a date with he when he asks Scarlett out at church.
She notices that he seems cold and distant towards her Scarlett side but cant help but gain feelings towards him when she incorporates a little of samantha into her routine.
She continues on with this ruse for her father and selfishly herself thinking she can make him love her.
Good writing and just enough detail to keep me interested but i felt like Michael was just a HUGE jerk. I also felt like Scarlett was just grasping at straws looking for affection where it seemed it wasn't genuine. I could be wrong, i could have interpreted this way differently than intended but why marry someone for money but not be okay with the fact he may be cheating on you with another version of yourself. It was set up for failure to begin with. I know there are plenty of things left unsaid but i can't feel pity or anything remotely sympathetic for Scarlett.
Not even sure i want to continue reading this series...
A marriage bargain to obtain an obscene amount of money at the price of your pride, emotions, and heart? Scarlett believes her father is worth that price.
Michael who's motive so far is making sure he gets that money, seems insensitive and a slave to his sexual needs.
At first Samantha, aka Scarlett, feels an intense pull to Michael at the Black Chapel (strip club) so when he seems charming and instense she agrees to go on a date with he when he asks Scarlett out at church.
She notices that he seems cold and distant towards her Scarlett side but cant help but gain feelings towards him when she incorporates a little of samantha into her routine.
She continues on with this ruse for her father and selfishly herself thinking she can make him love her.
Good writing and just enough detail to keep me interested but i felt like Michael was just a HUGE jerk. I also felt like Scarlett was just grasping at straws looking for affection where it seemed it wasn't genuine. I could be wrong, i could have interpreted this way differently than intended but why marry someone for money but not be okay with the fact he may be cheating on you with another version of yourself. It was set up for failure to begin with. I know there are plenty of things left unsaid but i can't feel pity or anything remotely sympathetic for Scarlett.
Not even sure i want to continue reading this series...
July 29, 2016
"The Black Chapel" takes Scarlett, a Harvard grad forced to work as a stripper to pay for her father's medical bills, and drops her in an tempting situation: A loveless marriage with a 1.5 billion dollar price tag. The only problem is that Michael, the billionaire who proposed to her, is gorgeous and perfect, and he has fallen in love with both Scarlett and her stripper alter-ego.
Scarlett maintains her two lives—seductress by night, church-going wife material by day—as she tries to manipulate the situation so she doesn't need to strip anymore. The situation intensifies as she falls in love with Michael. Can she get him to love her back? Will he fall in love with the stripper Samantha? Worse—will he cheat on Scarlett with Samantha? Can Scarlett pull this off and pay for her mounting debts, or will she be more devastated than ever?
This book is a fun read and was very fast-paced. It definitely reminded me of the movie "Pretty Woman," except Scarlett is a more well-rounded individual. We end up rooting even for Michael, who comes off as a good man with some emotional/trust issues.
Overall, this book delivers what it promises: steamy situations, strip clubs, and a bit of "damsel in distress!"
Scarlett maintains her two lives—seductress by night, church-going wife material by day—as she tries to manipulate the situation so she doesn't need to strip anymore. The situation intensifies as she falls in love with Michael. Can she get him to love her back? Will he fall in love with the stripper Samantha? Worse—will he cheat on Scarlett with Samantha? Can Scarlett pull this off and pay for her mounting debts, or will she be more devastated than ever?
This book is a fun read and was very fast-paced. It definitely reminded me of the movie "Pretty Woman," except Scarlett is a more well-rounded individual. We end up rooting even for Michael, who comes off as a good man with some emotional/trust issues.
Overall, this book delivers what it promises: steamy situations, strip clubs, and a bit of "damsel in distress!"
August 6, 2016
No cliffhanger yay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews