Dance with the Devil

by Candi Scott

I learned a long time ago that real monsters aren’t the big ugly things that hide under your bed. I wish they were.
To survive, I created a new life for myself, where nothing could hurt me. When I dance, I’m in control. My life. My body. My choice.
No one can touch me, unless I want them to.
I never did, until Merc. Tall, dark, and dangerous, when his hands are on me nothing else matters. But being with him brings the monsters I've been hiding from out to play.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2026

Reviews

[Crystal Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Although I didn’t feel this book had the suspense the other books did I have a feeling the next one is going to be intense!! I can’t wait for King of Monsters to be released!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Title: Dance with the Devil
Provided by: BookSirens + Candi Scott
Genre: Dark MC Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Main Characters: Merc + Whitney
Book Type: Interconnected Series

I can’t express how obsessed I am with this series. Each book just dives deeper into the MC and includes incredible characters and stories.

Reading Merc & Whitney’s story was incredible. I loved the tension, the flirting and the bond they both created. Seeing them both struggle with their past brought on so much emotion and tied the story together so beautifully. I’m sad it ended but I know the next book will be just as amazing!

Candi, you kill it every single time. I can’t wait for the next release! Keep them coming!

Thank you to BookSirens and Author Candi Scott for the ebook. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Lisa Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merc, an enforcer battling addiction, struggles to find any real joy as he’s haunted by his past military experiences. Whitney, a stripper carrying the weight of her own childhood trauma, crosses his path—and something unspoken passes between them.

Despite their deep trust issues, they keep showing up for each other, drawn together by a shared understanding of pain and survival. Their connection is raw, imperfect, and quietly powerful.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jojo Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merc is really at his lowest, he’s ready to die and set to self destruct. His Dad is concerned, his best friend is watching him , his sister wants to know what’s happening with him. The Soletskys call in a marker and this is perfect, like suicide by another’s hand.
Hired hitmen must have the ghosts of their victims in their heads and Merc’s are haunting him with no peace until he has a very special ‘lap dance’ with one of the Soletsky’s dancers Whitney.
For her part, it’s the job and a treat , the money is for her sister ( Puck’s ex wife) and it’s Merc , he’s gorgeous. They get under each other’s skin, he makes her feel special and she soothes his soul.
Hmmm. Saviours or destroyers of the soul?

[Zulma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Merc and Whitney story. Merc is an enforcer and Whitney is a stripper. They've known each other for a while because Jessica Whitney sister has a son by one of Merc MC Brothers. But Jessica is now a junkie and that's it's a story in its own. Merc and Whitney find safety together although they go through some things he remains her protection from her angry past. I love the MC stories so I was intrigued to read more about these characters

[Magic book club · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The fifth book of the series tells about two troubled souls who struggle with all life's ups and downs, with traumas and weaknesses. Their journey is intense and raw and filled with honest feelings.

[Sherry Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book.

The story had a good flow.

The characters had good chemistry between them.

I would recommend this book.

[Anne Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance for a girl hiding from monsters who meets Merc a Desert King MC enforcer. A great story which is well written and keeps you gripped throughout.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candi Scott has done it again with my favorite installment yet in the Desert Kings MC saga. This series as a whole is phenomenal but what catches me time and time again(especially with dance with the devil) is the actual story that flows through each novel. I love seeing characters that have full lives. Stories. Relationships that continue to exist in each book instead of ending with “their” book. Candi continually weaves a beautiful and exciting plot driven romance novel. I’d take this over almost any current day romantasy. Specific to this one? Merc is my favorite and I’ve been waiting since book one to see what happens to him. The way Candi creates real characters is something to be loved and honored. There are no 2D people in her books. The story, the people, the overwhelming nods to found and chosen family are all things that makes these books a cut above most current day romance.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merc and Whitney's steamy story is a welcome addition to the series. Until I read this book, I didn't realize how broken Merc is, but I love that Whitney is the one he finds a sense of peace and comfort with. This girl is strong! She pulled herself out of the hell she was trapped in and built a life, relying only on herself. It isn't easy letting Merc in but they are perfect together and she deserves to find happiness and love too. Their story feels unfinished so I really hope the next book will still focus on them.

I guess, technically, you don't need to read the prior books of the series, but I can't imagine going into this book without having read the first four because there is so much background and a continuing, important storyline that is still playing out. I love this gritty MC romance series and am looking forward to Jester's (and hopefully, Dylan's) story somewhere down the line.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Candice Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, Merc finally met his match. He’s known Whitney for years but never allowed himself to indulge in her company. He finally has a job that puts him on her radar and the rest is a backdrop to their love story. I’m eagerly waiting for the next installment of this series. Candi Scott has struck gold with the entire series. I’m hooked and hoping all the books follow the same pattern. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Hurt people usually hurt others. These books show that people can comeback from anything life throws at them. The character mapping makes you feel like you’re in a universe that is compatible to reality. Merc could exist somewhere in real life. Whitney could be someone you see out at the club. Well thought out and put together. More biker love stories please!

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fab and gritty addition to the series and I didn't realize how broken Merc was until I cracked this baby open. He's dealing with addiction and PTSD from his military experiences. He's the enforcer and while he's seen Whitney, a stripper with her own traumatic past, he's never really spent any time with her. They end up feeling rather connected due to their understanding of pain and survival and find that they're both willing to show up for each other. The more time passes, the stronger their connection grows… and blooms into so much more. Whitney is a great character and I love that Merc feels like she saved his soul and she loves how he makes her feel special. They truly find peace with each other and I was so there for their journey. Expect to get caught up in this intense read filled with drama, emotions, connection, healing and spice. Well done!

[Stormy Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
Dance With the Devil—From BookSirens
Star Rating: 3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pub Date: April 5th, 2026
Book 5 of Desert Kings MC
Genre: MC Romance/Suspense/Erotica
Format: Digital
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I really liked this one but it the ending wasn’t what I expected I guess. I was glad to see the characters from the other books as well but this one left me wanting more. The spice was there and the character development but I was wanting more between Merc and Whitney. The side plot getting rid of Jerry Wayne and figuring out Whitney’s sister. Although there was some plot points that invested the story in that I felt like more time could have been with Merc and Whitney and the rest of the MC. It lacked the found family vibes to me as with the other women involved in their MC men they were so involved in the found family aspect and it was just so heartwarming as they all were happy and so on. I just wanted more but I did love this! I hope there is more to come

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dance With The Devil is book 5 in the Desert Kings MC series. This is Merc and Whitney's story. This couple is completely heartbreaking. They're both so broken and damaged and the only healing they find is with each other. With the club in disarray and things going on with them personally, it takes a lot for them to find peace and even then, it may not be enough. Their journey is intense, intriguing, emotional and consuming. Not a dull moment to be found anywhere.

[Patricia Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merc & Whitney both are broken and damaged from their past. With all the trauma and heartbreak in their past and lives now it makes their journey intense, raw, intriguing, emotional and consuming that makes their feelings toward each other honest and true.