Velvet & Venom (Newly Edited): Love don't come easy in these streets

by Dominique Black

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.

524 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2025

Reviews

[Bridget's Quiet Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[SheaButtahBookhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Keiaira Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 🔓✨

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 4 out of 5]

#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!! 😉

[vanessa t brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[NeneReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lisha The Book Report · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[tatianna booker · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Castina · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Elane M · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good!

I think king and Simone make a beautiful couple I loved the way they loved each other so much, enjoyable story.

[Taris Alabria · Rating 5 out of 5]

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)

[B. Sunflower · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Diane Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[BAMBI · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Automatic · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Charlee Hussle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!