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Savaged

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The twist of a knife shredded Niko Kincaid’s world all around him, leaving him with two choices—accept his fate and die, or fight to live.

He chose to fight, but the aftermath became a daily reminder, carved into his once flawless flesh.

Despite years of self-imposed solitude, Niko hungers for companionship and suffers from an aching loneliness that the darkness cannot satisfy. He temporarily soothes his pain with women, hired women. Their only purpose is to service him. Easy.

He didn’t expect a complication like Cambree Evans, but desperation corrupts even the most innocent.

When emotions blend with lust, will Cambree's softness and ability to look past Niko's flaws be the one thing that releases him from his own personal hell?

Will the monster in the dark prove that his savaged heart is worth saving?

Unknown Binding

First published September 10, 2014

13 people are currently reading
783 people want to read

About the author

Nacole Stayton

13 books475 followers
Nacole Stayton is thirty-something years young and resides in the Bourbon Capital of the World with her husband and son. Her debut novel, The Upside of Letting Go is an Amazon top 100 bestseller. She spends her days working in healthcare as a practice administrator and her evenings pinning away on her next novel. She can usually be found playing with monster trucks and dodging Nerf gun darts or enjoying an iced coffee poolside.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Christy.
4,551 reviews35.9k followers
September 7, 2014
4-4.5 In the Dark stars!

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I am a sucker for fairy tale stories, for damaged heroes and strong female characters. Savaged had all three. This reminded me of Beauty and the Beast (with some twists of course). The story had some of those themes, but was original in it’s own right.

Niko Kincaid had a great life. All the money he could ask for, good looks, friends, etc. Then one night changed everything. Now he’s still rich, but he’s alone, in the dark. The only companionship he finds is that of hired women that never actually see him, but still fulfill his needs. Niko is a damaged man (my favorite kind). He doesn’t feel worthy. Not only does he not let anyone see him, he doesn’t want anyone to touch him, kiss him or get close to him.

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That is until he meets Cambree Evans. Cambree doesn’t have an easy life. Her only family, her grandma Joyce, is in a nursing facility that Cambree can’t afford. She’s struggling just to get by. One day out of the blue, she gets a proposition by a man at a coffee shop. He’s willing to give her a lot of money for some ‘companionship’ for his friend. Cambree isn’t that type of girl, but she is desperate.

When Cambree meets Niko- she is nervous. But the more she gets to know him, see’s his pain and his issues, she feels for him. She starts to really like him and wants to help him. She see’s him for more than just the man in the dark.
I know what it feels like to be so fucked up inside that you don’t feel like the outside is worthy for anyone to see.

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Niko grows closer to Cambree over time than he has to anyone in a long time. But he won’t get too close. There is still too much danger surrounding him. There is still a threat out there. He cares for her, and he knows she cares for him. Things are so different with her than any of the other woman and he doesn’t know what to make of it. He is conflicted of his feelings to say the least.
“I don’t know why I care,” he confesses from behind the door. “I honest to God don’t know why. It’s like I’m a moth and you’re a light bulb. I know if I get too close I’ll get burned. Scorched to death even. But being close to you is worth the risk.”

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As the book progressed, you could just sense it was leading up to something big. And that something big was something that shocked me. I love it when I don’t see something coming… and I didn’t see that coming at all. Lies. Betrayal. It really threw me.

The main thing that I loved about this story was that it centered on the way we see beauty. Not all beauty is one the outside and you can fall for someone without ever really eyeing their outward appearance. It was a beautiful message. Even scarred and broken, Cambree was able to fall for this man.
“Do you feel them?” I whisper.
“What I feel is you. Those scars don’t matter. They’re proof that you survived something awful. But they don’t define you.”

I’ve only read one other book by this author and it was her debut novel. While it was a good story, I can say that this was much better. She has exhibited tremendous amount of growth in both her writing and character development. The writing was engaging and had a great flow to it. I loved both of the characters. Niko was broken, but still so sexy and even sweet at times. And Cambree was an incredible heroine.

Savaged is emotional, sexy, and mysterious. I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the themes. Overall, this was a great read for me and one that I would recommend!

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I want to add in my favorite quote (Gah it brought me to tears) but I feel it might be a little spoilerish so…


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Profile Image for ~Nichole~  Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews.
1,716 reviews626 followers
October 19, 2014
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews

Nichole's Sizzling Reviews

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Email: sizzlingpages@gmail.com






Everybody that knows me knows that I am a huge big fat sucker for Fairy Tale Romances. I adore these types of reads so much. Give me a damaged hero and a heroine who fights the good fight for her man and I am in romance heaven. Well going into this story I was expecting more of a darker type romance. I did get the dark but for every darkness there was light shined in with such profound gentleness that at times I had tears running down my face. I was in awe and in wonder. Niko Kincaid was a man that has hidden himself away for years and his saving grace has come to him in the slip of a girl who is feisty and fierce. 








She is hope, and I desperately need her.





She's a fighter at the core because she's had to fight her whole life. Bree is by far one of my favorite heroines. I found that her sassy personality was just what Niko needed because he was so used to woman falling at his knees in or throwing themselves at him even though they knew nothing about him not physically or emotionally.
Bree's reaction to Niko was immediate but grew steadily and she couldn't fight it.




As if his words are water, they drench me. 






The love story here was one that at first to me grew in a sudden manner but then I started to think about it and realized that these two just recognized something in each other from their first introduction. In our world we rely heavily on physical attraction. If you take away the visual part of the attraction you have to rely on the emotions and the feelings and Niko and Bree felt for each other from the start. There was suspense and passion with twists and turns that had me guessing and gasping for breath. I was enthralled and captivated from the start to the finish. The erotic love scenes were stellar and the romantic and emotional moments left a crack in my heart.




I am emotionally hungover and am tempted to start all over again just so I can fall in love again with Niko and Bree a second time


Profile Image for A. Gorman.
Author 39 books108 followers
August 31, 2014
I normally don't write editorial reviews, but I wanted to share my thoughts on "Savaged" by Nacole Stayton. Add this book your TBR, 1-click it when it comes out, stop what you're doing and read it. Ms. Stayton has outdone herself with her fourth novel. "Savaged" is emotional, raw, and angsty. The characters pull you into the story and make you feel their pain, their turmoil. And when you think it's over and smooth sailing, you're knocked for a loop, and you sit there with your mouth wide open, wondering what just happened...
Profile Image for Raj.
1,514 reviews8 followers
September 19, 2014
1 star

I like this kind of story, so I was excited to read it.
Nico hides himself in his darkened room where nobody could see him...it was interesting... but If you think about it, he's probably vain, I mean, he's hiding or not showing his face because of his scar, and of course because someone's out there waiting to murder him..but him not showing his face to his 'lovers' is just...arghhhh...

but then I kind of lost interest around 40 or 50% of the story...
I'm not a fan of the writing style, it's okay but it's not great.

Profile Image for Red Cheeks Reads.
2,280 reviews373 followers
September 15, 2014
"I can offer you $50,000, right now, if you'd agree to a business relationship," He cuts his sentence short, gauging my reaction. My eyes widen, and I'm certain he can taste my curiosity.
"What sort of business relationship?"


Haaa, do I have your attention? Yup this book was really good. I really enjoyed it, it has some darkness to it, action, mystery, and some HAWT romance in it too!!
Cambree is a strong young woman that has had a hard life and is struggling to make ends meet and she has a grandmother she is trying to take care of and make a much better life for her. But Cambree is having such a hard time trying to keep her head above water.

Niko too has had a hard life and is hiding in the dark due to the troubled past. He has chosen to stay hidden away from the world and he has a best friend who brings him women, hired women to help him temporarily sooth his pain.

The twist of a knife shredded Niko Kincaid’s world all around him, leaving him with two choices—accept his fate and die, or fight to live.

He chose to fight, but the aftermath became a daily reminder, carved into his once flawless flesh.

He didn’t expect a complication like Cambree Evans, but desperation corrupts even the most innocent.

When these two finally meet Cambree is very timid towards Niko and it takes some time for her to figure out that she wants to fall for him but is scared all the same. The money is pulling her in but she realizes that she may actually be falling for this broken man.

When emotions blend with lust, will Cambree's softness and ability to look past Niko's flaws be the one thing that releases him from his own personal hell?
Sooo, what are you waiting for? You have to pick up this book and find out what happens. Its soo good!! Fall in love with Niko and Cambree like I did!!

Tricia
Profile Image for Kerri’s Reading Corner.
496 reviews53 followers
September 15, 2014
Absolutely amazing, must read by Nacole Stayton. I have read and loved all of Nacole's books but Savaged takes the cake. With a modern day Beauty and The Beast type story, Mrs Stayton has completely out done herself and blown me away. Savaged is quite different from Nacole's first 3 novels but equally impressive. Nacole stepped out of her comfort zone with Savaged and delivered a beautifully powerful love story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.

Niko and Cambree's characters are so well developed and you can help but fall in love with them. As broken as Niko is, he i still sexy and sweet and Cambree, she just may be one of my favorite heroines ever. Their story was captivating from page one and it flowed perfectly. A unique plot full of mystery, suspense, twists and turns, Savaged kept me engaged from start to finish.

The underlying message in Savaged is a powerful one: beauty is only skin deep. Watching Cambree fall for Niko, flaws and all, was beautiful. A 5 star read and I highly recommend! Well done, Mrs Stayton!
Profile Image for Carrie White.
301 reviews29 followers
September 14, 2014
One night, one heinous crime, turned a normal, happy man into a savage of a monster, a beast. Thrown into a darkness of the unknown.
Welcome to the darkness.
Desperation, aggravation, loneliness and destined to live life in a prison, Nikko's dying on the inside with hatred for what was stripped from him. Now yearning for a certain relationship, he sends Jarrod for the job.
Jarrod is the closest thing Nikko has. As his personal assistant he handles everything beyond the four walls called Nikko's prison.
Cambree is a lonely, struggling and loving woman. Others needs before her own. Loves with all her heart. After loosing her parents she's raised by her grandmother. Only found each other a short time ago, the odds are turning against her.
On a day she received bad news turned out into an opportunity.
To sell her soul to the darkness.......
What a fantastic book! I loved the plot and the missing pieces fit this puzzle perfectly.
Profile Image for Danita B..
57 reviews9 followers
August 29, 2014
I love all of Nacole Stayton's books, and not only is this her best one, but this is hands-down one of my top reads for 2014. The story grabs you from the first line, and keeps you enthralled until the very end.

Full review to come closer to release date
Profile Image for Jody.
2,089 reviews61 followers
September 11, 2014
Niko grew up in a family where appearances were everything. Successful in the public eye the reality was his mother was an alcoholic and his father was murdered in a horrendous way that Niko witnessed. After that he decided to live life to the fullest and immersed himself in alcohol and sex. Everything seemed to be going his way until the night he was attacked and left with life-altering scars both inside and out. Where he used to be considered a catch he now hides in the dark, pretending to be dead while hiding from his enemies. The darkness, and his self-hatred, is slowly corrupting his soul and he's losing himself in his loneliness. Rage overtakes him at times and the only thing to soothe him is sex under his terms. He doesn't want a connection with the women who come to him for fear they'll be drawn into his dangerous life and find the man hiding in the shadows repulsive. His rules get thrown out the window though the day Cambree enters his dark realm and shines a light on the heart and soul he lost long ago. Against his will he's drawn to her for her honesty, loyalty, and strong will. He lets her in like no woman before which brings her right into the middle of danger as his enemies get closer. When we first see Niko he's more Beast than man and full of self-loathing. He's closed himself off from the world except for his friend Jared who's his bodyguard and procurer of women. Women have become nameless and unfulfilling until the day he hires Cambree and you could see a weight lifted off him and a lightening of his soul in her presence. Their connection starts off as friends and quickly morphs into more and I found myself fully immersed in the twists and turns that befell them and that culminated in some surprising moments towards the end of the story.

Cambree's parents died when she was young and she was left with only her grandmother caring for her. Now that her grandmother is ill she feels an obligation to see her taken care of in style which has left her broke with no option beyond that that Niko's offering her. She feels that being with Niko is shameful but once she's in his presence she sees a man full of demons who she's drawn to. Cambree is straight forward, loyal, kindhearted, and strong-willed. She's willing to stick up for herself and it's this strength and smarts that has Niko forming a friendship with her. The more they're together the closer they become and the more the man emerges in a relationship put in jeopardy from enemies far away and close to home. Once Cambree makes a commitment though it's her and Niko against the twists and turns putting the lightness now part of his life in jeopardy.

This is an engaging story with a sense of foreboding permeating the pages from start to finish. Niko's been through a terrible ordeal that's left him doubting himself as a man and the only time he feels powerful is when it comes to sex. He's a broken man early on who broke my heart who slowly emerged from the darkness courtesy of Cambree's strength and support which was heartwarming to see. He thought himself a monster and I was intrigued by the author's modern twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast theme. Niko is all man despite his deformity who oozed sex appeal and I could understand all the women being drawn to him. It's a dark and dangerous world surrounding Niko and it was easy to get caught up in the connection between these two compelling characters who are perfect for each other. Ms. Stayton has crafted a modern yet classic tale that doesn't pull any punches when vividly detailing one man's misery. I was impressed by my first book of Ms. Stayton's and look forward to where she'll take us next.
Profile Image for Tami Talbert.
455 reviews17 followers
September 10, 2014
Savaged is very different than the last novel I read written by Nacole Stayton. After having read the synopsis, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but suspected this was definitely going to be a darker read than what I am used to and it certainly was. Savaged is reminiscent of a Beauty and the Beast tale which includes a surprise bit of a twist, though to be honest it was not completely unexpected by me. However, that didn’t for a moment affect how much I liked this story.

Two years ago, Niko was savagely attacked, scarred and left for dead. But refusing to give up on life, he makes the conscious decision to fight to survive. As one of his attackers was never found, Niko now hides himself away in his family’s estate choosing to remain secluded and hidden in the dark to avoid not only another attack but also to keep himself hidden so neither he nor others would have to gaze upon the brutal scars he now lives with. Believing that now he is a monster (in his eyes), the only female companionship he allows himself is that for which he pays. But when Niko grows tired of the encounters with his “regulars,” he sends his assistant out to find him someone new. But Niko never anticipated that the beauty that walks through his door and into his world of darkness would suddenly turn on the light inside of his heart and inside of his soul. But because of his deep-seated fear that she could never truly love him especially if she actually gleans what was left behind, Niko continues to push her away believing he is undeserving of love.

Cambree’s life though picture perfect as a young child is now fraught with worry over her ailing grandmother and a lack of financial security to ensure she is being well taken care of. So when she is unexpectedly approached by a man offering her monetary compensation in exchange for female companionship for his boss, although initially completely repulsed by the idea, when faced with the sudden decline of her grandmother’s health and the care she is receiving, Cambree reluctantly agrees. But upon first meeting the man who seemingly has come to her rescue from financial dispair, Cambree is surprised by the electrical pull she seems to feel towards him, especially when their encounter is shrouded in complete darkness. Cambree begins to sense the deep wounds and trouble emanating from his soul and is inexplicably drawn to him hoping she can illuminate his heart and save him from the life he spends in the shadows and blackness. But when he continues to push her away, Cambree is left to decide if she will ever be able to free him from his past and give him a vision into a possible future together?

One of the things I truly loved about this book was the fact that Niko and Cambree’s inner souls truly found one another despite their encounters always occurring in complete darkness with only glimpses and shadows subtly revealing themselves to each other. Sitting and closing my eyes and replaying some of the dialog in my head helped me to experience the intensity and connection they were feeling. Their bond was magical, electrifying and very moving. I love the idea that their souls ultimately found one another without the hindrance of sight interfering with what the heart sees. Though the synopsis didn’t truly give me much insight into the depths of this story, I very much enjoyed Savaged. Very, very well done Ms. Stayton.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
569 reviews27 followers
September 12, 2014
I just love a book that is not your normal kind of love stories… I love ones that are a little darker, a little twisted, and ones that have me thinking, how do authors come up with this shit! Savaged definitely takes us down that road! I was drawn into the story of Niko and Bree from the beginning and it didn’t let go until the end. It’s a captivating story that left my heart just broken. I wanted them to work… they are so different but I was pulling for them to find their happily ever after. This was the first book I’ve read from Nacole Stayton and I am now a huge fan! I would definitely recommend this one. It’s a complete story told in dual POV.

Niko inherited his father’s business after his father was murdered and now those people have come back to finish the job with Niko. But for some reason, he survives. Beaten and stabbed he is left disfigured and decides to let the world think he is dead, considering he feels that way inside.

“This is who I am now: a needy, hungry monster that lives in the world’s shade, unworthy of committing my life to another. “- Niko

His best friend Jarod has always been there for him. Being always in the dark is a lonely place so Jarod finds beautiful women to come and service Niko and in return, he pays them thousands of dollars. He has is regulars but his appetite is not being fed, he wants something different, so he sets Jarod to find it for him.

Cambree aka Bree is a struggling college dropout that is beyond poor. Using every last dime to care for her ill grandmother, she is literally on her wits end. Behind in payments to the care facility she doesn’t know what she will do, until a handsome young man propositions her. He explains his boss’s situation that he is seeking female companionship and he would pay her $50,000. She flat out tells him no and is appalled by the suggestion. But as she examines her bleak situation, she reconsiders and decides against her better judgment to go through with it. This money would be more than enough to give her grandmother the care she needs.

The connection that both of them feel toward each other is something neither expected. They are both drawn to each other. He devours her body like no man has before. Her loyalty to him and is something that no woman has gave to him. Their world is in the dark, she’s no allowed to see his horrible scars. But even without the light, she is drawn to him, she sees him like no one else can.

“There’s no denying my attraction to him. Although its may be to a man I’ve never really seen before, I’m drawn to him. Money or not, an escape is exactly what I think we both need.”- Cambree

“I’ve never asked you to come out of the darkness, or even invite the light in. All I ever asked is that you allowed me to come in.”- Cambree

The twist and turns that come out when Niko discovers the truth about his attack left me shocked! I so love books that give me surprises that I never saw coming! Can Cambree convince Niko that he deserves a life outside of the dark? Can she convince him that he deserves to live his life? What will happen when Niko comes from the dark and into the light? Will it be too much? Can Cambree accept him and still love him when everything is out in the open??? Or will Niko push her away thinking she deserves more than what he can give? This is one that I devoured and could not put down! I would highly recommend this one if you like the darker side of things!
Profile Image for Theresa Alberts.
838 reviews6 followers
September 5, 2014
"I was repulsed by my image. The only way to stay sane was avoidance and avoiding people like the plague. The dark became my closest ally and I cherished it for keeping me concealed."

Savaged by Nacole Stayton takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster right along with Niko, while he tries to navigate a life lived in the seclusion of the dark, and move it toward the light of living that is offered; especially after he meets Cambree. What was supposed to be a night or maybe a few nights of sex in exchange for a large sum of money turned out to be so much more; for both of them. This book was so different from anything that I have read and I loved it! I give it 4 light sparkling stars and encourage everyone to take a chance on it, you will not be disappointed!

Cambree is struggling to make ends meet, taking care of herself and her grandmother after dropping out of college. She is desperate, with no one to lean on and little money in the bank to pay for the nursing home that doesn't seem to treat her grandmother as a person. While trying to indulge selfishly in one meesley cup of coffee, her entire world is turned upside down when a handsome stranger, pays and buys her a second cup while offering her a proposition that she never thought she could possible entertain. It is only with the threat of her grandmother being thrown out of the nursing home due to non-payment that Bree take a chance, and agrees to the sum of 50K for a sexual encounter with Niko; under strict guidelines of course.

Niko has lived the last years of his life in utter seclusion. After taking a beating outside of a bar one night, he is badly scarred and left for dead. Repulsed by his looks and not understanding the reasons behind someone wanting to end his life, he chooses to allow the world to believe that he is dead and takes on a fake persona. In doing so he never leaves the house, barely leaves the dark, where his mind and soul reside. When it all becomes too much, his most trusted bodyguard and best friend Jarod finds a willing female to come service him for the night. There is only darkness in their encounters, no passion-filled kisses and definitely no touching allowed.

"My dear, Cambree. You knew what you signed up for. You chose to come. No one forced you....You're scared you've come to fuck a monster?"

Niko is drawn to Bree from the very first time he meets her and he breaks so many of the rules that he has put into place for what he claims is his own sanity. Bree is drawn to Niko as well, even though she knows nothing about him, not even what he looks like. Although it seems rather fast, they both carry an immense emotional baggage with them, they begin to fall for each other; doing things that they each never thought possible. Until the unthinkable occurs. Someone breaches the security at Niko's estate and he again fears for his life and now for Bree's as well. He goes to all lengths to keep her safe from his enemies; or so he thinks, as he unintentionally pushes her closer and closer to his biggest enemy by far. The reader turns each page, wondering how it will turn out for them. I know I was personally silently cheering for them to be together as a couple.

"You invited me into the dark and oddly it wasn't as frightening as I thought that first night. I felt alive in your arms.. I felt cherished and adored. One day soon, I hope you realize that you love me because I've known it all along."
Profile Image for Zita.
874 reviews
September 2, 2016
She is his light out of the darkness…

Niko Kincaid was viciously attacked and left for dead years ago and now has physical and emotional scars. He considers himself a monster and lives in the darkness for protection, isolated from all but a few who know that he’s alive and most of those know him under another name. Not all those that attacked him were caught; he still seeks them and the answers to why he was targeted. Everything is brought to him including women. He is a lonesome man but it isn’t until Cambree Evans comes to him that he longs for more.

Cambree (Bree) Evans is alone in the world with just her grandmother who is not doing well in a nursing home. Funds are desperately low and when a man offers her money to service his employer for a few months she at first turns him down, she has respect for herself. But as things get worse there is no option, she’ll do anything to care for the woman who rescued her after her parents died. She is a survivor and can do this.

Bree is a sassy heroine with a caring heart and she sees through Niko’s coldness and indifference to the man in pain inside. She knows what it’s like to have darkness in her life, to lose everything you expected and can empathize. She is drawn to him even as he hides his appearance from her and what she first started out to do for money she does to help heal him. I love how she challenges him to open up.

Niko is an intriguing hero that you can’t help but feel for. There is so much emotional depth to this man. We hear his pains in his thoughts, he is torn with what he believes he now is and deserves and wanting the light again, the normal, to really be with a woman like Bree. She is not like the others he has been with, her ways surprise him, who she is touches his soul. He compromises for her, to make her comfortable, something he does for no one.

This was a take on the theme of beauty and the beast that was done with class and uniquely. We see two souls getting to know each other in the darkness without the preconceived notions of appearance that you make when you meet someone; voices seductive in the dark brought them a deep connection.

This book had mystery and suspense along with the romance and sexiness. Your attention is captured from the prologue, which draws you in and you have to keep reading. The characters are compelling and likable and you feel their emotions. I did not guess the ending just a piece of it. Throughout the story you felt that something was coming to a head, as if they were in the eye of a storm. The ending though was a little rushed and left this reader with questions as to what happened between Niko and Anton when they were faced with each other. We are given both points of view and at the end one more that I didn’t expect. I did note that there was some editing needed. All in all this was an enjoyable emotional read on the darker side made mesmerizing by the fairy tale aspect. This was the first time that I have read this author.
Profile Image for Smut Fanatics.
423 reviews64 followers
August 28, 2014
Click here to read my entire review!

***ARC GIVEN FOR HONEST REVIEW***

Summary:
The twist of a knife shredded Niko Kincaid’s world all around him, leaving him with two choices—accept his fate and die, or fight to live.
He chose to fight, but the aftermath became a daily reminder, carved into his once flawless flesh.
Despite years of self-imposed solitude, Niko hungers for companionship and suffers from an aching loneliness that the darkness cannot satisfy. He temporarily soothes his pain with women, hired women, whose only purpose is to service him. Easy.
He didn’t expect a complication like Cambree Evans, but desperation corrupts even the most innocent.
When emotions blend with lust, will Cambree's softness and ability to look past Niko's flaws be the one thing that releases him from his own personal hell?

Will the monster in the dark prove that his savaged heart is worth saving?


What I loved:
The message of Savaged is an extraordinarily powerful one for me. Niko is beauty in its greatest form: scarred, broken, and darkened. Many times we read stories about a guy who meets a girl and they fall in love, only to live happily ever after. This is not that story. This story is raw, emotional, and heartwrenching. Niko struggles to emerge from the depths of a dark life, because he sees himself as a monster. He struggles and has inconsistent thought processes due to his perpetual self-loathing.
Cambree, (Love your naming capabilities for your characters BTW!) comes into this darkness unsure of her life and has her own life lessons and strife to bring to the table. Together, they may just prove to them selves they are each other’s light. (I do NOT want to give anything away sorry!!)
This work of art can’t be compared to Nacole’s prior works. This story shows her growth and her ability to dig deep and explore something a bit more edgy, even if the cut is deep at first, before being bandaged up.


What I didn’t Love:
Plain and simple, NOTHING. There was not a thing I didn’t like.

Overall:
Nacole has shown such a deeper dig into her psyche to bring us Cambree and Niko. Only someone who has seen some type of darkness, can express it quite like this. This story kept me invested right to the last page. I knew Niko’s struggles and connected tremendously to him. No one knows, unless they have been that low what it takes to make the simplest of steps forward. I loved your work before Nacole, but you have a fan and friend for life. Thank you for your talent and for this gift of Savaged.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,697 reviews49 followers
September 15, 2014
This is different take on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. Except this is no fairy tale of a prince and princess.

Niko was a rich, charming, outgoing businessman who had everything - until a couple of years ago, when he's attacked, beaten and left for dead. To protect himself, he allows the world and his attackers to believe he's dead. He now lives with his hurt and scars in the darkness at his family's mansion. He never leaves and only a few people know he's alive.

Jarod is Niko's best friend and the one person he has always been able to count on. Jarod is the face people see in business deals now, but he is also the person who picks up ladies for Niko. He has strict rules about the women he sees. No light, no touching and no falling in love. He believes his scars from the attack have left him looking like a monster and he's afraid that no woman will stay if she sees him. Wanting a change from his regular woman, Niko instructs Jarod to find someone new.

Cambree's life has been hard. She lost her parents early in life and has been raised by her grandmother. Sadly, her grandmother is sick and Cambree has had to drop out of college and take a job barely making enough money to live, much less be able to pay the nursing home bill for her grandmother. When she is approached at a coffee shop by Jarod about entering into an agreement to spend time with Niko for $25,000.00, she is appalled. Cambree's not a whore and she cannot be bought. But when her grandmother's condition worsens and when her money runs out, she feels she has no other choice but to call Jarod and tell him she'll do it.

The minute Cambree walks into the darkened room to meet Niko, she is drawn to him. She doesn't have to see him physically to see him emotionally and know he's been hurt. Niko feels things towards Cambree he never thought he'd feel again towards a woman. He tries to push her away to protect his heart. But it's no use. Niko's terrified that if she ever sees his scars, she'll run leaving him more broken and devastated. But Cambree is stronger than he gave her credit for.

Just when life seems good, Niko's past comes back to haunt him. His attackers have discovered he's not dead. But how do they know he's alive when only a few know? Can he protect himself as well as Cambree now that she is in his life? Will Cambree stay once she hears his story and sees his scars?

I loved Niko's character and felt for him and what he went through. Cambree was the perfect person for him and I loved how she never backed down and made him look at his life and open his eyes.

Overall, this was a good standalone book with a happy ending.
Profile Image for Kari.
69 reviews21 followers
August 27, 2014
***ARC GIVEN FOR HONEST REVIEW***

Summary:

The twist of a knife shredded Niko Kincaid’s world all around him, leaving him with two choices—accept his fate and die, or fight to live.
He chose to fight, but the aftermath became a daily reminder, carved into his once flawless flesh.
Despite years of self-imposed solitude, Niko hungers for companionship and suffers from an aching loneliness that the darkness cannot satisfy. He temporarily soothes his pain with women, hired women, whose only purpose is to service him. Easy.
He didn’t expect a complication like Cambree Evans, but desperation corrupts even the most innocent.
When emotions blend with lust, will Cambree's softness and ability to look past Niko's flaws be the one thing that releases him from his own personal hell?

Will the monster in the dark prove that his savaged heart is worth saving?


What I loved:
The message of Savaged is an extraordinarily powerful one for me. Niko is beauty in its greatest form: scarred, broken, and darkened. Many times we read stories about a guy who meets a girl and they fall in love, only to live happily ever after. This is not that story. This story is raw, emotional, and heartwrenching. Niko struggles to emerge from the depths of a dark life, because he sees himself as a monster. He struggles and has inconsistent thought processes due to his perpetual self-loathing.
Cambree, (Love your naming capabilities for your characters BTW!) comes into this darkness unsure of her life and has her own life lessons and strife to bring to the table. Together, they may just prove to them selves they are each other’s light. (I do NOT want to give anything away sorry!!)
This work of art can’t be compared to Nacole’s prior works. This story shows her growth and her ability to dig deep and explore something a bit more edgy, even if the cut is deep at first, before being bandaged up.


What I didn’t Love:
Plain and simple, NOTHING. There was not a thing I didn’t like.


Overall:
Nacole has shown such a deeper dig into her psyche to bring us Cambree and Niko. Only someone who has seen some type of darkness, can express it quite like this. This story kept me invested right to the last page. I knew Niko’s struggles and connected tremendously to him. No one knows, unless they have been that low what it takes to make the simplest of steps forward. I loved your work before Nacole, but you have a fan and friend for life. Thank you for your talent and for this gift of Savaged.
128 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2015
Nico Kincaid, heir and CEO of Kincaid Enterprises, was attacked, cut up, burned, and left for dead two years ago. Horribly disfigured, he fakes his own death and retreats into dark rooms in his estate where no one sees him and the staff all think he is a Mr. Marks. While running his business behind the scenes with the help of Jared, Nico quietly has his security guard and trusted family friend, Neil, investigate who attacked him and left him for dead.To make life bearable, he hires women to have sex with him only after they have read and signed a contract with strict stipulations, such as no kissing, no touching, etc. Jared is his right hand man, employee, and almost like a brother. Jared helps him conceal his identity and procure women.

One of these women is Cambree. She is a college dropout, struggling to pay the monthly fees of a shoddy assisted living facility for her beloved grandmother.

But Cambree is different from the other women. She asks questions and treats Nico like a person. Nico is impressed and begins to relax more and more of his own rules with Cambree.

I loved the plot of this book and found it very hot, hot, hot. But there were some significant misses that prevented me form giving this book a higher rating. For one thing, the characters do not behave as I would expect given who they supposed to be. Cambree is supposed to be innocent and sweet, but has a bit too much of a potty mouth. Plus at one point, I find her sudden shift towards avariciousness disconcerting and not believable. Then when Nico comes out of his self-imposed seclusion, his sudden extrovertedness is also unbelievable because there is no transition phase. Early in the book, he suffers from extreme anxiety attacks when exposed to light from opening curtains in his room, but after he falls for Cambree, these mysteriously disappear. It would be more believable if you saw him struggle with them and slowly overcome them. I also had a hard time figuring out sometimes if time had passed or if something was happening at the same time as another scene, only to find it was a different time later in the scene. The conversations between two strangers trying to learn about one another verge on the ridiculous and some parts of the book are very rushed. I did still enjoy the book but was a little disappointed with the author's delivery of the story. I think this author has a lot of potential for growth as a writer and will be watching for more books from her in the future.
Profile Image for Pratr- Authors.
442 reviews10 followers
September 4, 2014
This was a great twist on one of my favorite Fairy Tales, Beauty and the Beast! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It makes your feel that dreams can really come true no matter what life throws at you!
We have our "beast" Aka Niko. Niko was badly beaten, and left for dead. Niko didn't die that night, not in the way you would think anyways. (if he did there would be no story to read!) With his attackers sill out there he let the world think of him as dead, as he worked to find who did this to him and why. One night he asked his best friends Jarod to find him a new lady friend to keep him company. Jarod founds the perfect beauty.
Cambree is an orphan who was raised by her grams, but now the tables are turned and Cambree is taking care of her grams, who is in a nursing home. Cambree was on her last few bucks when she when to the coffee shop that night be she needed to feel normal so when her bill came and her card was rejected she was not sure what she was going to do. that's when Jarod stepped up, with an offer she just could not refuse!
You must read this book not only did it have this wonderful fair tales It also had a little mystery to solve in there, I was blown away by the turn events! The charters in this story were so well written they truly have earned a place in my heart. Niko did what we all want to do when we are hurt, run and hide and let the world move on with us. But it comes with such a price, loneliness. Cambree is so likeable, love her strength and her huge heart to want to love everything that's broken!

I would rate this 4 out of 5 fangs and would recommend this book to readers 18+ some nice juicy love scenes, this book has it all!

Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock*
Profile Image for Lorena  Garcia -- Brittany's Book Blog.
1,822 reviews58 followers
September 18, 2014
**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Oh my gosh, this book really was like the movie Beauty and the Beast. First, Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies, I love it! This book reminding me so much of that movie.

Loved this story because Cambree Evans was a pretty strong and independent female even though she lived dirt poor and was looking after her grandma, who lived in a nursing home. She would do anything for her grandma because she was the only person she had left in this world.

Niko Kinkaid was a damaged soul who lived as if he was in solitary confinement. He was disfigured, someone tried killing him two years ago and disfigured his face. So he didn't want people to see him as a monster and would request women to fulfill his needs but he would do that in the dark. He would never leave his room and no one except his best friend Jarod knew what he looked like. He had all the money in the world, but he was in hiding because he didn't want his attackers to know that he was still alive, so he changed his name and went in hiding.

Niko meets Cambree and he feels a pull towards her and Cambree immediately figures out that Niko is damaged inside and out. He never allows a woman to touch him and he never kisses them. But when he meets Cambree he seems to break his own rules.

They find love and comfort in each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed this love story. It was different and I loved it! I loved how Cambree just took the initiative and let Niko have it. She poured her feelings out to him without fear and she didn't care what he looked like when she saw his features. She was in love with him because of how he was not for what he looked like.


I give this book 4 stars
Profile Image for Melissa Miller-Mattern.
601 reviews11 followers
September 14, 2014
A Wanton Book Lover Blog
ARC provided for an honest review

This is a modern day "HOT" version of the Beauty and Beast story. We find that Niki Kincaid had it all money, power, wealth, women but one night suddenly changes all that. After claiming death to prevent those who tried to kill him before successful, Niko becomes a sulcus in his big, beautiful home where he runs his business and beds women who are paid for their trouble with a strict set of rules to prevent any emotions. After a particularly hard day, Niko sends his best-friend and most-trusted employee Jarod out to find him a new woman to bed.
Cambree Evans is down on her luck. She has had to post-pone college to work so that she can pay for nursing home care for her grandmother but is coming up short. Cambree takes Jarod up on the offer to sleep with Niko and follow his rules but soon finds herself falling in love with a man that she has never seen in the light. Niko is equally enamored with Cambree and finds himself throwing out his own rules.

This was a beautiful love story with a lot of twists and turns as well as just the right amount of suspense. The characters were beautifully written and interested. I found myself becoming invested with them the more I read. Ms. Stayton's dialogue is spot-on as I found myself emotionally vested in Niko's and Cambree's story. I even found myself tearing-up on a few occasions. I thought Savaged was an excellent book and I give it a 5 Star must-read rating.
Profile Image for SammiesBookBlog.
543 reviews8 followers
September 21, 2014
Sooo this book is amazing...

I am speechless. It is unlike anything I have read and it was refreshing and beautiful. It's a true modern beauty and the beast tale. Niko was badly beaten and almost murdered two years ago. His appearance and scars keep him secluded in his big mansion. He fills the void with meaningless sex. Until he meets Cambree, she too is damaged and they have a connection. They meet in the dark and she falls for him in the dark. Without seeing his face or his body. I love the concept. Beauty is all that seems to matter in the world today and in books. I loved reading about how he is flawed and she still fell in love with him. I love how even when everything came out and he was back in the world he never got his scars fixed. Getting to know the man that is Niko was haunting , heart breaking and beautiful in every way. And watching Cambree become alive again and find true love. Someone who loves her deeply and will risk everything to be with her. It was just a true fairytale and I loved every single second. The only thing I didn't like was when it ended. I want more. I feel like there is still so much story and things that could happen. I look forward to more one day. I hope!


"It's the unexpected that does funny things to our hearts."

"Take me in the dark or leave me for the light, the choice is yours."

"I'll love you until the last star stops shining in the sky."

"I mean them. Rain or shine, light or dark, you own my heart."
Profile Image for Anna.
580 reviews20 followers
September 13, 2014
Cambree is a college student who had to drop out in order to try and pay for her grandmother's nursing home bills. She is at her most desperate when offered a large amount of money to enter into a sexual relationship with a reclusive businessman. Niko suffered an attack two years ago that should have killed him. Instead, he survived but with some serious scars. He let the world believe he died and has been running his family's company from the seclusion of his home/ He lives in the dark and pays for women to be brought to him in order to fulfill his sexual desires. When he meets Cambree, he starts having feelings he hasn't had in a long time.

This is a story that for me, didn't have a lot of surprises. The beauty and the beast theme is definitely prominent throughout, although Niko turns out to actually be pretty hot despite believing that his scars are completely disgusting and hideous. It is obvious that both Nico and Bree are very lonely people, and that both would benefiting from having someone to really trust and love in their lives. Through it all, I was hoping that they would be able to see their way through their issues and find a way to let each other in. Their physical chemistry was strong, and watching them open up to each other emotionally was rewarding.


*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Jennifer.
Author 43 books204 followers
September 15, 2014
This book was hot! Nacole Stayton did not disappoint.

Niko has had a horrible past to deal with and he's not ready to heal or open up to anyone. He lives in the dark and he wants it to remain that way. He never counted on Cambree walking into his life.

Cambree, or Bree as she likes to be called, has no clue what she has signed up for but she's desperate for money. So as a last ditch effort to pull her life out of the hole she takes up Niko's offer as a hired woman. It's not like she hasn't had her fair share of romps. How bad could it be?

Niko didn't scare her, but the dark did. She soon realizes that the man that hides in shadows is hiding more than his appearance and she plans on doing her best to break through the darkness and show him that the light is still waiting for him and it doesn't hurt. Will she be able to pull him into the light or will Niko suck her into the dark?

This was a riveting novel. I could not put it down. Not only are the situations in this novel hot and the chemistry between Niko and Bree is sizzling! There is also a lot of mystery involved. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat!
Profile Image for Donna.
685 reviews5 followers
September 17, 2014
Niko Kincaid was brutally attacked and left for dead two years ago. Since then he sees himself as a monster and hides away in the dark not allowing anyone in. He hires women to meet his needs, but they are not allowed to touch him and he NEVER turns the lights on.

Cambree Evans lost most of her family when she was young and now the last person she has left is slipping away. Desperate to help her grandmother, she takes an offer that seems too good to refuse.

I was very excited about the plot of this book. It reminded me of Beauty and the Beast and I do love a good dark story. Niko is one hot, sexy man and boy oh boy, does he know how to please a woman. Cambree is a loving person with her own dark side, but she is a strong female character and that is always a plus for me. I felt that there were some discrepancies with facts and how some of what happened to the characters' early years related to what is going on now. I would have like to know more about Cambree’s childhood. She talks about a darkness she went through, but that is not really explored. All in all, I enjoyed this book and give it 4 stars with 3.5 hands down the pants.
Profile Image for Christina.
156 reviews6 followers
September 12, 2014
So having read all of Nacole Stayton's books I knew she had a certain writing style and I loved it. BUT then she handed over Savaged and my mind was blown!! This is a tempting, soul grabbing, rock on the floor because you don't know what is next, amazing book. Nacole has exploded out of the box and let me tell you when I say that I could not put it down.. I really mean I couldn't put the thing down. I had chills running through me with just the prologue. Niko is this hot, sexy, brooding, gruff, wounded man, who believes he is a monster. Years he has lived this way going through women like they are disposable play things. Then comes Cambree (Bree). This girl who has had a tragic life of her own, and is trying to hold her life together and care for her very sick grandmother. In doing so Bree is broke and has no where else to turn. A proposition is made and well folks that is where I will leave you to find out what happens next. I will warn you it surely isn't what you think and let me tell you the journey is worth reading about. :)

I was gifted an arc for an honest review
Profile Image for Natalie.
355 reviews11 followers
April 7, 2015
Hot and very different.
Nico Kincaid had it all, he had good looks, money and a thriving business. One night he was stripped of his looks and became a monster. Someone that nobody would want to look at. Left for dead, he survived living in darkness. Lonely and dark.

When he wanted companionship he hired woman. He used them and turned them away.

Then one day in the darkness, his darkness, a woman, Cambree, he feels a bit of brightness in his heart. But why would anyone want to be with him. He is hideous looking, a monster. But he can't stop thinking about her. She has lit a fire in him and now he can't get enough. What could she possibly want with him. A life living in darkness, no light.

This story is very different than any book I have read. It seemed far fetched when I started reading it but it quickly because addictive. It was executed quite well, the storyline, the twists and turns it took & the growth of a relationship that was destined to fail from the beginning.

You won't be able to put it down.


Profile Image for Becca.
2,003 reviews27 followers
September 18, 2014
As always Nacole has taken me on an emotional ride that I totally am invested in from the first paragraph. This story is not a typical love story, but a story about unconditional love that can survive the hardest of circumstances. It's dark and emotional, edgy and rough. Its a beauty and the beast type of story. This was a different road and I loved every minute of it.

Niko has been in hiding for two years. The world thinks he died. And in every way but physical, he has been. Filling his time with woman after woman, fulfilling his primal needs and nothing more. Using his best friend Jarod to help him pick up women and bring them to him to use.

Cambree was in desperate need to help her grandmother live a better life, while wasting away at the nursing home. So when Jarod approached her, giving her the solution that she was looking for, it was hard to say no. What she didn't expect was to fall in love for the man that lives in the dark.

But the problem is that Niko could be too far into the dark, to allow Cambree to save him.

4.5 Stars!
Profile Image for Erin McFarland.
380 reviews29 followers
September 12, 2014
**I was given an arc in exchange for an honest review**

This book had me hooked from the first page.
Niko is damaged, physically and emotionally. Brutally beaten, scarred and left for dead he is a shell of the man he used to be. His relationships with women are purely physical. No emotion, just sex. Then he meets Cambree.
Cambree, or Bree, is as sweet as they come. Innocent, young and down on her luck, she meets a stranger in a coffee shop with an offer too good to refuse, money in exchange for her body. Desperate, she accepts. She didn't realize more than just her body is on the line.
This story is a beautiful twist of Beauty and the Beast. It's full of angst(which I love) has a dark element to it(again, which I love) and sucks you in right away. This is the first book of Nacole's that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. This story weaves a wonderful tale about looking beyond the surface to find what you are looking for. This book comes highly recommended with 4.5 stars
Profile Image for Purpinkrose.
297 reviews19 followers
September 9, 2014
This is a different type of book that Nicole has written. It's a bit dark. But not as dark as some of the books I've read. This is a type of book that will make you understand the darkness, and will pull at your heartstrings a little.

Nikko has his whole life turned upside down after a brutal attack. One that forces him to take himself and his life in a different direction. but everything he has changed is about to be changed again after Meeting Cambree Evans.

I liked Nikko and could understand why he felt the way he did. And Girls he's an alpha type. I liked Cambree. Her character is someone I think we can all relate to. I liked the relationship between her and Nikko. Nicole kept me guessing til the end. And it goes to show beauty is really skin deep.

The book is fantastic. If you are a Nicole fan then is a book you don't want to miss. And if your not a fan you need to read this too. I recommend you add this to your "tbr" list.

I give this 4/5 stars.
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