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Velvet & Venom
SImone "Honey" Williams isn't looking for love, just the next bag. Guarded, gorgeous and grinding her way through nights at Magic's Garden, she's mastered the art of taking what she needs without letting anyone close.
Until Kingston "King" Carter walks in.
Ruthless, rich and always in control, King is used to running the streets and everyone in them. But the moment he sees Simone, all bets are off. He wants her. Wants to protect her, own her, keep her. And he doesn't care what lines he has to cross to make that happen.
But the streets are shifting.
A new crew is gunning for King's territory and when Simone's pulled into the middle of a brewing war, the game turns deadly. Is she just another pawn in a man's world or the queen who changes everything?
High heat. Heavy tension. Hood loyalty. This is Velvet & Venom. Where love might feel like protection, but it hits like possession.
Until Kingston "King" Carter walks in.
Ruthless, rich and always in control, King is used to running the streets and everyone in them. But the moment he sees Simone, all bets are off. He wants her. Wants to protect her, own her, keep her. And he doesn't care what lines he has to cross to make that happen.
But the streets are shifting.
A new crew is gunning for King's territory and when Simone's pulled into the middle of a brewing war, the game turns deadly. Is she just another pawn in a man's world or the queen who changes everything?
High heat. Heavy tension. Hood loyalty. This is Velvet & Venom. Where love might feel like protection, but it hits like possession.
524 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2025
182 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 13, 2025
2.75/5
I just couldn't with King. As soon as I think I liked him even a little bit...He would do something annoying. I ended up skipping a chapter or two but was still able to keep up with what was going on. I only finished because I wanted to see if the other books are any better. I will try the 2nd book eventually but if I don't like them, the whole series is a DNF.
Now, I will say this so no one comes on my post in their feelings: Reading is subjective. If you loved the book, I love that for you. Not every book is for everyone. I am not bashing the author or the book, I'm just saying King was not my cup of tea. It is a personal thing.
If you haven't read the book yet but want to, do NOT let my opinion of it sway you. Read it. Your opinion may be different.
I just couldn't with King. As soon as I think I liked him even a little bit...He would do something annoying. I ended up skipping a chapter or two but was still able to keep up with what was going on. I only finished because I wanted to see if the other books are any better. I will try the 2nd book eventually but if I don't like them, the whole series is a DNF.
Now, I will say this so no one comes on my post in their feelings: Reading is subjective. If you loved the book, I love that for you. Not every book is for everyone. I am not bashing the author or the book, I'm just saying King was not my cup of tea. It is a personal thing.
If you haven't read the book yet but want to, do NOT let my opinion of it sway you. Read it. Your opinion may be different.
March 16, 2026
#ntma
I downloaded this series during the BRAE event and I jumped head first into book one today with no regrets! Strippers? A possessive man? + brotherhood, chaos, blood shed, and healing?! Sign me up! King and Simone took me through it but I enjoyed the ride. If he ain’t stepping like King was behind Simone, keep him!! 😉
I downloaded this series during the BRAE event and I jumped head first into book one today with no regrets! Strippers? A possessive man? + brotherhood, chaos, blood shed, and healing?! Sign me up! King and Simone took me through it but I enjoyed the ride. If he ain’t stepping like King was behind Simone, keep him!! 😉
January 17, 2026
Character dev: 👤👤👤👤👤
Originality: 📝📝📝📝📝
Narration: read on KU
Plot: 📖📖📖📖
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Action: 👊🏽
Troupe: urban fiction,
Triggers: attempted SA, violence
Loved every minute of this read! A woman with vulnerabilities being loved patiently and with devotion. King is the head of the syndicate. A king in the streets, and a soft Dom in the sheets. he’s obsessed and committed to Nina. Constantly affirming, protecting and providing for her.
Originality: 📝📝📝📝📝
Narration: read on KU
Plot: 📖📖📖📖
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Action: 👊🏽
Troupe: urban fiction,
Triggers: attempted SA, violence
Loved every minute of this read! A woman with vulnerabilities being loved patiently and with devotion. King is the head of the syndicate. A king in the streets, and a soft Dom in the sheets. he’s obsessed and committed to Nina. Constantly affirming, protecting and providing for her.
January 13, 2026
The writing started off really good (story, plot, editing)… then it fell flat. I feel like the fmc lost her personality a bit once her and king got together. They called it “soft”, but it gave submissive bird brain. The dynamic between her and king started to weird me out, especially with the overuse of “daddy”. They didn’t always feel like real people interacting, it felt unnatural and robotic. The only time we saw her real personality was when she would be conversing with her friends.
Outside of that, the editing got bad around the 0 - 40 % mark (maybe sooner, I can’t remember). A lot of missing and misplaced punctuations, as well as run on sentences, etc.
I’d recommend it for the plot, but that’s about it.
Outside of that, the editing got bad around the 0 - 40 % mark (maybe sooner, I can’t remember). A lot of missing and misplaced punctuations, as well as run on sentences, etc.
I’d recommend it for the plot, but that’s about it.
December 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this. The BDE from Kingston leapt off the page! When we talk about a MMC applying pressure, you cannot leave Kingston Carter out of the conversation. This man did not play with the way he came behind his Pretty Girl. Simone was a guarded FMC, carrying some deep relationship trauma, and attempting to avoid love. But Kingston eventually wore her down & forced her into a soft life. I loved their relationship and how even though he was ruthless in the streets & boardroom, he was always soft for her. There was so much action in this book, some emotional moments, and a whole lot of unhinged ninjas as well. This was a NTMA whose book I got from the BRAE event. The glimpses that we got of the other characters definitely has me wanting to read the other books in the series. Definitely could have used another set of eyes in terms of editing but it didn’t distract too much from the story.
March 6, 2026
4.5⭐️ Loved the whole vibe of this book.
The book follows Simone “Honey” Williams, the hottest stripper around, focused on surviving and making her own way in the streets of South-Hurst. Love isn’t a priority for her until she crosses paths with Kingston “King” Carter, a kingpin who runs the city.
The sparks fly immediately once they meet. Simone and King find themselves navigating a relationship in the middle of street politics 🔫 and unhealed family trauma ❤️🩹.
King Carter is baeeeee 🥰 That’s it that’s all lol
Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in series because I see some things brewing between Nina (Simone bf) & Dre 👀
“Every Black woman deserves a King. A protector. A provider. A man who affirms you and counsels you. A man who cares about your success as much as his own. A man who would scorch the earth for his lady. Don’t settle for less than your ‘KING.’”
The book follows Simone “Honey” Williams, the hottest stripper around, focused on surviving and making her own way in the streets of South-Hurst. Love isn’t a priority for her until she crosses paths with Kingston “King” Carter, a kingpin who runs the city.
The sparks fly immediately once they meet. Simone and King find themselves navigating a relationship in the middle of street politics 🔫 and unhealed family trauma ❤️🩹.
King Carter is baeeeee 🥰 That’s it that’s all lol
Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in series because I see some things brewing between Nina (Simone bf) & Dre 👀
“Every Black woman deserves a King. A protector. A provider. A man who affirms you and counsels you. A man who cares about your success as much as his own. A man who would scorch the earth for his lady. Don’t settle for less than your ‘KING.’”
January 19, 2026
NTMA & Worth the Read 👏🏾📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
This was my first time reading Dominique Black and I enjoyed it.
King did not come to play about his Simone, period 😮💨🔥
I loved that Simone didn’t make it easy for him ,she made him work 😂👏🏾
NTMA unlocked 🔓✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
This was my first time reading Dominique Black and I enjoyed it.
King did not come to play about his Simone, period 😮💨🔥
I loved that Simone didn’t make it easy for him ,she made him work 😂👏🏾
NTMA unlocked 🔓✨
February 16, 2026
Kingston & Simone
3.5 ⭐️ “Don’t settle for less than your King!”
This was a really decent story to start this series! I’m interested to see how the other members of the GMB move!
3.5 ⭐️ “Don’t settle for less than your King!”
This was a really decent story to start this series! I’m interested to see how the other members of the GMB move!
February 23, 2026
This book was sooo good!! I think I will be in a reading slump after this one🥲If I could give this one more than five ⭐️s I would 😮💨
March 23, 2026
Simone”Honey” and Kingston”King”
Simone being guarded made perfect sense. After everything she went through with her mom and watching her dad choose happiness with the very woman who wrecked her world? That kind of hurt doesn’t just disappear it shapes you. You feel that in every wall she puts up. And Kingston? He was not letting her run. At all. You could tell life forced him to grow up early, and that maturity showed. He carried himself like a man who understood pain but still chose to show up, and I loved that about him. Now Nina… yeah, she’s that friend. The kind you keep at arm’s length because she cannot hold water. Very much a surface level friend because the way she runs her mouth will have you in a situation quick. I mean she came through in the end, but that ain’t enough to change my mind about her.
Overall, I’m definitely locked in and hoping we get more of King and Simone throughout the series.
Simone being guarded made perfect sense. After everything she went through with her mom and watching her dad choose happiness with the very woman who wrecked her world? That kind of hurt doesn’t just disappear it shapes you. You feel that in every wall she puts up. And Kingston? He was not letting her run. At all. You could tell life forced him to grow up early, and that maturity showed. He carried himself like a man who understood pain but still chose to show up, and I loved that about him. Now Nina… yeah, she’s that friend. The kind you keep at arm’s length because she cannot hold water. Very much a surface level friend because the way she runs her mouth will have you in a situation quick. I mean she came through in the end, but that ain’t enough to change my mind about her.
Overall, I’m definitely locked in and hoping we get more of King and Simone throughout the series.
December 28, 2025
Very good
I'm so glad that I found this author, you know how you need to find a new author cause you're kinda burnt out on the others? This book was a palate cleanser. King and Simone were everything! He loved her and you could feel that through the pages. His crew were interesting and I'm looking forward to read all about them and their lady friends. Honey was so hurt, and you could feel that through the pages as well. From a preteen to an adult her parents traumatized her in a way that neither could ever fathom. King tried his best to be there for her, to protect her. But she kept being traumatized partly, as a result of her association with him. This book was emotional, the author did a good job conveying that here. Storyline, plot, character development and intimacy/sex was all on point. I can't recommend this book enough.
I'm so glad that I found this author, you know how you need to find a new author cause you're kinda burnt out on the others? This book was a palate cleanser. King and Simone were everything! He loved her and you could feel that through the pages. His crew were interesting and I'm looking forward to read all about them and their lady friends. Honey was so hurt, and you could feel that through the pages as well. From a preteen to an adult her parents traumatized her in a way that neither could ever fathom. King tried his best to be there for her, to protect her. But she kept being traumatized partly, as a result of her association with him. This book was emotional, the author did a good job conveying that here. Storyline, plot, character development and intimacy/sex was all on point. I can't recommend this book enough.
November 2, 2025
Worth the read!
The story was very well written and pulls you in slowly. The characters are so vivid you can see the scenes unfolding in your head. I wanted more details on Simone and her father working through it. Maybe even an apology from the mistress. The kind of damage he did was indescribable. I would rate it 4.5/5 because I wanted more for her reunion with her dad. Outside of that it was well written besides a few typos.
The story was very well written and pulls you in slowly. The characters are so vivid you can see the scenes unfolding in your head. I wanted more details on Simone and her father working through it. Maybe even an apology from the mistress. The kind of damage he did was indescribable. I would rate it 4.5/5 because I wanted more for her reunion with her dad. Outside of that it was well written besides a few typos.
February 4, 2026
I happened to stumble on this great read and I’m glad I took a chance in this author! This is a NTMA and I was pleasantly surprised how much this book kept my attention. It was action packed. The couple fell in love on the page. There was healing. It was action packed and the plot made twists and turns I did not see coming! This story flowed together well and made me interested to hear about the other characters in the South-Hurst Syndicate. Diving into book 2!
December 18, 2025
A true king
Now this is the book right here it’s crazy how life will bring a man to you and just put you in the softest most feminine era in your life when he is the right one even though this is a fictional character I envy her life because I yearn for a man that will satisfy me enough to where I can put my wall down and just heal and be a girl.
Now this is the book right here it’s crazy how life will bring a man to you and just put you in the softest most feminine era in your life when he is the right one even though this is a fictional character I envy her life because I yearn for a man that will satisfy me enough to where I can put my wall down and just heal and be a girl.
February 16, 2026
4.5⭐️ i love the instant attraction in the MMC and FMC! King was heavy in everything he did business and Simone!! I love the element of realness where sometimes that pressure is not enough and you still have to heal some parts of yourself. In the midst of the love story, there were some gruesome moments that come with the game and this author did not hold back on description.
March 22, 2026
Somewhere along the plot it just felt flat.. Carmen personality shifted really quick. Her dissociation with her upbringings and trauma really didn’t get addressed. Her split personality with honey and Carmen.. Also, Kings obsession.. idk things just started to fall through the loops. nonetheless i loved that the action didn’t subside due to Kings and Carmen love story.
November 14, 2025
Loved it. My first read from this author and it won’t be my last. King was nuts but he was so serious about Simone. He loved her deep. I laughed a lot too reading this. “Who TF is car note!” was hilarious.
February 9, 2026
4.25⭐️
I really enjoyed this one!! A stripper + street king 🖤.
Both of them were opposed to falling in love, but the ease they found with each other came naturally. He loved her enough for the both of them…just waiting for her to catch up. Please check the trigger warnings because things do happen later on, so prepare yourself.
I know his possessive nature might be a turn-off for some, but I loved it. Like yes, enroll in my class just because you want to talk to me 🤣.
Spice, romance, touch-her-and-you’ll-☠️ vibes, friendship, and more. Highly recommend. I’ll definitely be continuing the series soon.
Book 1 of 5 | 508 pages
I really enjoyed this one!! A stripper + street king 🖤.
Both of them were opposed to falling in love, but the ease they found with each other came naturally. He loved her enough for the both of them…just waiting for her to catch up. Please check the trigger warnings because things do happen later on, so prepare yourself.
I know his possessive nature might be a turn-off for some, but I loved it. Like yes, enroll in my class just because you want to talk to me 🤣.
Spice, romance, touch-her-and-you’ll-☠️ vibes, friendship, and more. Highly recommend. I’ll definitely be continuing the series soon.
Book 1 of 5 | 508 pages
April 27, 2025
very good!
I think king and Simone make a beautiful couple I loved the way they loved each other so much, enjoyable story.
I think king and Simone make a beautiful couple I loved the way they loved each other so much, enjoyable story.
May 22, 2025
Amazing!
Wow! I love the dynamic between King and Simone — truly made me sad after reading because 1.) why can’t I find a king?! and 2.) i definitely wanted more (in a good way)
Wow! I love the dynamic between King and Simone — truly made me sad after reading because 1.) why can’t I find a king?! and 2.) i definitely wanted more (in a good way)
November 8, 2025
Amazing!
This is my first read from this author and I am hooked. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
This is my first read from this author and I am hooked. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
December 20, 2025
Good Read
This was my first time reading this author and I must say I was impressed. This book was so good. I look forward to reading the next book.
This was my first time reading this author and I must say I was impressed. This book was so good. I look forward to reading the next book.
December 21, 2025
A King finding his Queen
He who finds a wife finds a good thing! If this story isn’t the essence of this , I am unsure what love is. Great read!
He who finds a wife finds a good thing! If this story isn’t the essence of this , I am unsure what love is. Great read!
December 28, 2025
3.5 stars
December 28, 2025
Solid Read
D. Black is a new to me author and this first book was a good read. Can't wait to finish the series.
D. Black is a new to me author and this first book was a good read. Can't wait to finish the series.
January 28, 2026
So Good!
Good read. King knew what he wanted. He didnt stop until he got it. Then he protected it at all cost. Thats a good man Savannah!
Good read. King knew what he wanted. He didnt stop until he got it. Then he protected it at all cost. Thats a good man Savannah!
March 2, 2026
4.25⭐️
Did not finish
March 30, 2026I got about half way through and its just ok to me. I wanted to like it more. Maybe I'll circle back.
April 2, 2026
So so so good. King was definitely giving Menace vibes. Saw what he wanted, took and got it. He played no games. It kills me though when the guy is all hard on not letting anything happen to the FMC then she gets kidnapped. Okayyy. Still loved loved loved it, my pretty girl!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews