Ashes of Sin

by Juliette N. Banks

I was his toy to do with as he pleased. And he did, while my mother watched.

My saving grace was the day he sent me to boarding school. Years later, my mother died leaving me with family money my controlling father couldn’t touch.

It bought me my freedom.

I did the rest, becoming powerful in my own right, hungry for revenge.

Now he’s remarrying a woman half his age and I’m going to take her from him.

Just as he took my innocence.

It was a sound f*cking plan until I get her locked away and she refuses to obey me. The moment Kyra lifts her chin defiantly, and I stare down into her icy blue eyes, lust plows through me.

Sadly for her, no one can break down my walls.

But I will break her.

Then toss her back.

The Dark Alliance is a dark enemies to lovers, dark romance series by international bestselling author Juliette N. Banks. If you love broken heroes seeking revenge, dark tropes, kidnapping and spicy page-turning romances with a happy ever after, then you’ll love this group of powerful and wealthy men.

Genres: Dark, Enemies To Lovers, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Ebooks, Anthologies

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Juliette N. Banks is a romance author who has taken the genre by storm with her steamy contemporary (mafia and billionaire) and paranormal romances.

If you're looking for sexy books with alpha heroes you'll fall in love with, then grab one of Juliette's free books and adopt a new book boyfriend today!

Juliette has a vast background in consumer marketing and was previously published with Random House. She lives in New Zealand with Tilly, her Maine Coon kitty, and travels frequently.

Reviews

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all consuming book, the first of a new dark romance series. Maddox came from a damaged childhood with a demented pedophile father and Kyra grew up with restricted education to keep her compliant, are the main characters. Kidnapping Kyra was an act of vengeance against his father, but a sizzling attraction had searing passion firing up the pages. A combination of abuse, friendships cement in shared history of abuse, passion, crossover characters, etc that will keep you riveted as Juliette has pulled out a winner again.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox and Kyra heat up the pages. He’s hot, dark and dangerous and she’s a naive young lady who has led a very sheltered life. Neither seem to realize the collision course they are on but boy when things heat up they really heat up. This book is not for the feint of heart. Abuse is real and hard to face but Juliette does it in a way that shows you all its ugliness without letting it crush you. Ridding the world of evil and a HEA that will put a smile on your face is what you’ll get. This book is an incredible kickoff to this series and I cannot wait to unravel the rest of the stories.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox and Kyra have so much chemistry that it makes you want what they have. Their story is one that I will read many times over. What a great start to what will be an amazing series. 

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the first book in the “The Dark Alliance Series.” This story is about Maddox and Kyra, both broke in different ways. If you love broken heroes seeking revenge, dark tropes, kidnapping and spicy page-turning romances with a happy ever after, you will love this book!
Maddox was sexually abused by his fathers and his colleagues from an early age and he wants to make him pay. Kyra is being forced into an arranged marriage to Maddox’s estranged father Pierce. Kyra is in for a shock after their nuptials. Maddox’s father is a cruel man. He will hurt her and enjoy every second of it. Maddox’s solution to get back at his father is to kidnap his fiancée and ruin his plans.

“She has a little sass in her, and it just makes her more attractive. Which isn’t good. She will use it as a distraction if I let her. I won’t.”

As time goes on, Maddox begins to have feelings towards Kyra and wants to protect her, he decides he is not giving her up, his “little prisoner.” He will protect her at all costs from his father. He cannot let her go!

The book has so many twists and turns - from page to page, chapter to chapter, you will not be able to put it down! The story is intriguing from the start and I could not put it down. A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyra grew up restricted from everything, school college friends, she knew one day she would have to have an arranged marriage that’s how it worked. Kyra didn’t know it would be with someone older than her much older but it’s what was expected and her father told her that they would be in danger if she didn’t.
Maddox wanted one thing, revenge on his father for what he endured in his childhood. He was waiting his time until he saw his father was going to marry, his bride was young too young, but Maddox saw what he could do and took his future bride. What Maddox didn’t think was how he would feel about her, that what he wanted for revenge at first, Kyra was now turning into something that he didn’t want to give back.
However, one mistake that Maddox thought wouldn’t happen, Kyra ends up back with her family, getting ready for the wedding that she doesn’t want. Kyra told Maddox that she didn’t trust him after what he did, but she realises that Maddox did more to protect her, he wouldn’t hurt her unlike the man she had to marry but was it too late.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ashes of Sin gives us Maddox and Kyra in a captor/captive scenario after Maddox learns of Kyra’s engagement to his evil father. The story wasn’t bad per se, but it really needed a trigger warning as it deals with severely dark material. I couldn’t really relate to either character and they both annoyed me at times but they weren’t completely awful either. Maddox was your run of the mill tortured H who keeps trying to claim he’s such an awful person but really isn’t, and Kyra was your typical naive h who just wanted to please her family no matter what it cost her. Together they were okay but it was kind of hard to buy their relationship at times. Everything happened really fast and the sentence structure was a little weird in parts so it made it difficult to connect with the story. There were also some grammar mistakes throughout and pop culture references which is one of my reading biggest pet peeves.

[Michelle Alleyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the new series got off to a good start 👌🏽 I started this book on Friday night and finished on Saturday night after doing all my chores. What can I say 🤷🏽‍♀️ I loved it! Couldn’t put it down. This is a dark romance, but it was written beautifully. I felt so emotional reading it, anger, sadness, satisfaction and joy. Maddox went through things that no child should ever have to endure, but he came out stronger, especially with the help of his friends. Those guys! Love their cheeky banter and sarcasm with a straight face 😂 Kyra is naive and too trusting, but Maddox breaks her out of her shell and she evolves into a strong, confident woman. So happy they got their HEA. Can’t wait for Parker’s story next 🥰

[Jeletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good basis for a story, but was ultimately not satisfying. There were a number of grammatical errors that popped out and took me right out of the story. The two leads were, let's face it, trust fund babies, so it was hard to care about them. Maddox suffered horrific abuse at the hands of his father and the entire premise was built around revenge. It was disappointing in the end. I am becoming less enthusiastic about the billionaire romance trope and the fact that the character of Maddox addressed it in such an offhand way just emphasized my point. I think it was enjoyable, but could have benefitted from better editing for grammar and length. I've read other stories by this author that I really enjoyed. This one just didn't measure up for me. Keep it up, though!

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read! I absolutely loved both characters—they were wonderful despite everything they endured. Kyra’s parents were truly awful, and as for Maddox's father, I can't even imagine a parent treating their child that way. His cruelty was infuriating, making Maddox's journey even more compelling.

The steam level is high, with plenty of possessive "You are mine" moments that made the tension even more addictive. The members of the club are intriguing, and I can't wait to read their stories next. Juliette N. Banks has officially become one of my favorite authors! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Maureen Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stopped at the altar

Kyra Fox was engaged to Pierce Sterling but his son, Maddox kidnappes Kyra to spite his father. Maddox was abused growing up and he wants revenge. He never planned to fall in love with her but they were lovers. Kyra was spotted at a sex club with Maddox and when the police came Pierce had his son arrested for kidnapping. The wedding was on. Maddox wanted his father dead. He would never let Kyra marry his father. Maddox shows up just before the vows are said and runs off with Kyra. What happens to Pierce is to be seen. Good book.

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First: Maddox And Kyra!
(Also published as Truth & Sin) The first book in a new series about five billionaire men in their thirties, who were abused in their early childhood, sent off to boarding school where they formed their brotherhood. That part is abhorrent, their way of survival impressive and their present day life hot. Motivated by revenge, Maddox kidnapped his father’s fiancée, not knowing what she will become to him. The choice she has to make, takes a lot of courage, in view of the way she was raised. Fortunately, it gives us our HEA. Loved it!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette has hit a whole new level with this 1st book in her new series, The Dark Alliance . 
I devoured it and have not stopped thinking about the characters  since I finished  the book.  Maddox and Kyra's story is so intense, dark and  soooo spicy!
I was wrapped up in the drama to the point of feeling emotions .
This is Not just a love story.  Wow!!!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knight in tattooed armor

If you like your hero’s tortured and dark, ripped with sexy tattoos, and possessive touch her and die vibes then Maddox is your man!!! Holy panty melting hero with a need for revenge. Entered our spitfire FMC and the sparks fly!!! Such an amazing, couldn’t put it down , give me the rest of the series NOW book!!!!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and Twisted

Wow! What a range of emotions and twists and turns. Kyra is such a spitfire for such a young and sheltered daughter of a billionaire dad. Maddox is such a bad boy , but love the effect Kyra has on him .This one definitely hit me in feels. If you love spice and a dark romance , you will love this series!

[JessicaA Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

on kindle. once again i cant say enough how much i love Juliette’s books. this one is a little more on the darker side, but considering my reading genres lately, i loved it. i cant wait for book 2 to come out. trigger warning SA background on Maddox, but it makes him that more broken and sexy and ugh an OTT alpha which i know we all love. i want one, i want one lol

[KateZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this as much as the other books - especially the Vampire ones.
Things happened way too fast and there seemed to be so much sex, even the back story had to do with sexual depravity.
The ending just didn't feel right how things were tidied up so neatly with no ramifications.
But I still love the author and will keep reading her books.

[Jenn Mecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my GOD! When Juliette let her readers know she was stepping into some dark romance, she wasn’t kidding! Loved Kyra and Maddox’s story so much, I wanted to help plan the demise of Pierce 🤬 . Can’t wait for the next book in this series! 🥰

[Mel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this but I did think it was a bit too short, I was at about 80% and it wrapped up the story quite quickly and the rest of the book was excerpts from other books. I will read others in this series though as I enjoyed it and liked the characters.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with some dark subjects, but handles them sensitively. Maddox and Kyra have both been abused in their own way and are able to help each other. I love the interaction between the other men and can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Mrs Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching

This book is both touching and dark. I loved every moment as the story blossomed. This author is incredibly talented. I can’t wait to read more in the series.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a series , look forward to reading more .

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book needs trigger warnings as it mentions and basically describes sexually assaulting children, honestly a little too often. DNF at 26%

[Beachbaby]

Also in boxed set - "Falling for My Rival Collection"