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Hell's Court #1
Trapped with the Demon: A Paranormal Romance
I should fear him because he’s a demon. Instead, I fear him because he makes me want to risk my heart again...
After losing my grandmother Gigi and being cheated on, I didn’t think my life could get any worse. I’m proved wrong when I accidentally trap a demon named Eligos in Gigi’s basement. To return to Hell, he needs to destroy my last connection to her—the house she raised me in. Until we figure out another way to set him free, we’re stuck together.
Sending Eli back to Hell should be a straight forward task, but the more I learn about him, the more complicated it gets. He isn’t the monster I imagined. His heated looks haunt my dreams, and he makes me crave his every wicked promise. I can’t help but be drawn to him.
But Eli’s enemies are closing in and he is willing to do anything to ensure my safety. Even if that means possessing me in every way he knows how. But how can I surrender to him when I know I’ll lose him? He might not scare me, but the connection between us does. I won’t risk my heart. Because as soon as we set him free, he’ll be gone. And I’ll be alone again.
Trapped with the Demon is the first book in a series of interconnected standalones. It features a dirty-talking demon, the resilient human he’ll do anything to protect, and their HEA.
After losing my grandmother Gigi and being cheated on, I didn’t think my life could get any worse. I’m proved wrong when I accidentally trap a demon named Eligos in Gigi’s basement. To return to Hell, he needs to destroy my last connection to her—the house she raised me in. Until we figure out another way to set him free, we’re stuck together.
Sending Eli back to Hell should be a straight forward task, but the more I learn about him, the more complicated it gets. He isn’t the monster I imagined. His heated looks haunt my dreams, and he makes me crave his every wicked promise. I can’t help but be drawn to him.
But Eli’s enemies are closing in and he is willing to do anything to ensure my safety. Even if that means possessing me in every way he knows how. But how can I surrender to him when I know I’ll lose him? He might not scare me, but the connection between us does. I won’t risk my heart. Because as soon as we set him free, he’ll be gone. And I’ll be alone again.
Trapped with the Demon is the first book in a series of interconnected standalones. It features a dirty-talking demon, the resilient human he’ll do anything to protect, and their HEA.
264 pages, ebook
Published June 25, 2024
37 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Alice Staley
2 books4 followersAlice Staley is a California based author who writes spicy paranormal romance with growly, possessive heroes and resilient heroines. She prefers books with banter, sizzling tension, and an edge of darkness, which is exactly how she writes her own. When she's not playing with the characters in her head, she can be found tending to her garden, following the commands of her four furry overlords, befriending the moon, or sipping a glass of wine.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 10, 2025
TRAPPED WITH THE DEMON was a lot of fun to read! Lyra is having an awful couple of months having lost her beloved grandmother, her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, and now she's accidentally summoned a demon to her grandmother's basement. Because her grandmother was apparently a witch and Lyra had no idea. The set up for this was great and it dove right into the action with Lyra trying to figure out how to send Eligos, or Eli, back to Hell without destroying her grandmother's house in the process.
Lyra was a really likable heroine who fell more on the soft and sweet side but she was also determined, proud, and compassionate. I liked her journey throughout the book as she dealt with her grief over her grandmother as well as finally standing up to her ex-boyfriend who kept harassing her. And of course I enjoyed her walk on the wild side with our sexy demon!
Eli was charming, flirty, and had an absolutely filthy mouth when it came to seducing Lyra. He was immediately intrigued by her and while he quickly realized that Lyra was his mate he didn't want to admit it, even to himself. You see, Hell is in the middle of a war and Eli's ability to see the future has made him a hot commodity for both demons fighting to take over Lucifer's throne. He doesn't want a human mate who could make him vulnerable but he can't resist Lyra. These two were very steamy together and there was lots of spice as Lyra explored her desires and Eli happily indulged every single one.
Overall, I really liked this one but there were a few things that kept me from rating it higher. There were a lot of spelling errors and typos and while I'm not too picky about this, there was enough that it started to jump off the page every time it happened. There were also a few things that were very underdeveloped; for instance Eli's visions which are never really explored or used to their advantage. He makes a big deal about them in regards to how beneficial they are to Astaroth and Malphos (the demons fighting in Hell) but then nothing really happens with them in the actual story. Also, the inclusion of Honora and her coven was so small that it almost felt unnecessary -- I mean what was the point of bring them into the story if they couldn't help with Eli and were never mentioned again after Honora's visit? All that being said, I'm very much looking forward to more by this author because this was very strong for a debut.
Content Warning: recent death of a grandparent; stalker ex
Lyra was a really likable heroine who fell more on the soft and sweet side but she was also determined, proud, and compassionate. I liked her journey throughout the book as she dealt with her grief over her grandmother as well as finally standing up to her ex-boyfriend who kept harassing her. And of course I enjoyed her walk on the wild side with our sexy demon!
Eli was charming, flirty, and had an absolutely filthy mouth when it came to seducing Lyra. He was immediately intrigued by her and while he quickly realized that Lyra was his mate he didn't want to admit it, even to himself. You see, Hell is in the middle of a war and Eli's ability to see the future has made him a hot commodity for both demons fighting to take over Lucifer's throne. He doesn't want a human mate who could make him vulnerable but he can't resist Lyra. These two were very steamy together and there was lots of spice as Lyra explored her desires and Eli happily indulged every single one.
Overall, I really liked this one but there were a few things that kept me from rating it higher. There were a lot of spelling errors and typos and while I'm not too picky about this, there was enough that it started to jump off the page every time it happened. There were also a few things that were very underdeveloped; for instance Eli's visions which are never really explored or used to their advantage. He makes a big deal about them in regards to how beneficial they are to Astaroth and Malphos (the demons fighting in Hell) but then nothing really happens with them in the actual story. Also, the inclusion of Honora and her coven was so small that it almost felt unnecessary -- I mean what was the point of bring them into the story if they couldn't help with Eli and were never mentioned again after Honora's visit? All that being said, I'm very much looking forward to more by this author because this was very strong for a debut.
Content Warning: recent death of a grandparent; stalker ex
June 2, 2025
**** SPOILERS****
Before I get into the full review, I just need to get this off my chest... WHO TF on God's green earth walks into a magically appeared room that has fucking SIGILS covering the walls and ceiling and thinks, "Oh yes, a random spooky book has appeared with words I don't understand; let me READ IT ALOUD." Silly bitch
Anywhoooo – First things first, Lyra (FMC) was infuriating at times but i do think this added a humor element to the book (well, it did for me anyway when i was taking the piss out of her 🤣) The MMC Eli just sounds like an absolute tosspot, which is probably why I liked his character so much 😂. The way every conversation he had to be an argumentative twat just does something for me.
The spicy chapters i did find were a bit much ESPECIALLY the one closest to the end when we're about to go to freaking WAR and Lyra is just being a horny twat and Eli is just a dirty mouthed twat (Perfect for each other, really) I can't lie, and this is no disrespect to Alice Staley, but the way you have ruined the C U Next Tuesday word for me now just because it was used SOOO much. Like, come on!! It was my favourite word!! 🙃
I do have to say I hope we see more of Seir in any future books. I started to like him. I feel like he could be my favourite character if he had a chance just because of his banter and his talent to piss off Eli by just breathing.
I did really enjoy this book and can't wait to see what the author has up her sleeve going forward
Before I get into the full review, I just need to get this off my chest... WHO TF on God's green earth walks into a magically appeared room that has fucking SIGILS covering the walls and ceiling and thinks, "Oh yes, a random spooky book has appeared with words I don't understand; let me READ IT ALOUD." Silly bitch
Anywhoooo – First things first, Lyra (FMC) was infuriating at times but i do think this added a humor element to the book (well, it did for me anyway when i was taking the piss out of her 🤣) The MMC Eli just sounds like an absolute tosspot, which is probably why I liked his character so much 😂. The way every conversation he had to be an argumentative twat just does something for me.
The spicy chapters i did find were a bit much ESPECIALLY the one closest to the end when we're about to go to freaking WAR and Lyra is just being a horny twat and Eli is just a dirty mouthed twat (Perfect for each other, really) I can't lie, and this is no disrespect to Alice Staley, but the way you have ruined the C U Next Tuesday word for me now just because it was used SOOO much. Like, come on!! It was my favourite word!! 🙃
I do have to say I hope we see more of Seir in any future books. I started to like him. I feel like he could be my favourite character if he had a chance just because of his banter and his talent to piss off Eli by just breathing.
I did really enjoy this book and can't wait to see what the author has up her sleeve going forward
May 9, 2025
I had a lot of fun with this book. It kept me guessing with where the plot was going and with the spicy scenes which I really appreciated. I feel like a lot of spice scenes read along the same lines which can take me out of a story. But that's definitely not a problem for me here. The main characters were very charming and fun to be with as the story unfolded. But I will say my attention was grabbed by Seir when he entered the chat! I'm so excited that the next book will have him as a main character.
October 24, 2024
If you’re looking for spice and sexy demons, Eligos is for you! I enjoyed the duality of his character. He was in many ways a vulgar, murderous, stereotypical demon, but he also had a soft side that Lyra brought out of him. Lyra had some nice growth throughout the story and learned how to let go in a variety of ways. I look forward to the continuation of Eligos and Lyra’s story, and learning more about Eligos’ ultimate role in Hell and the other demons who reside there.
November 4, 2024
Throughly enjoyed
It's definitely not a slow burn which I do like but loved it never the less. Now I'm going to read the other books.
It's definitely not a slow burn which I do like but loved it never the less. Now I'm going to read the other books.
March 25, 2025
It's not exactly my type of book bc I prefer a plot and world building heavy smut but enjoyable nonetheless. Well written, fun characters and sexy smut
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews