Dance with the Devil

Desert Kings MC #5

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.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2026

Reviews

[Doris]

Merc and Whitney

This is a book of two broken souls finding their way to each other. Merc is an Enforcer for the Desert Kings MC who is battling his past that he had in the military. Whitney is a stripper who has her own battles dealing with childhood trauma. Trust is hard come by both of them but their connection is unmistakable.

I loved this story of survival and the intense feelings this author brought out in this book.

[Crystal Rankin]

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.

[Olivia]

I absolutely love this series and this book did not disappoint! We’ve gotten glimpses of Merc and Whitney from previous books, so I have been eagerly awaiting their story (and Jester’s!!), and boy did it put me through the emotional wringer! It was raw, intense, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Both Whit and Merc carry significant emotional scars from past traumas and they deal with them in different ways: Merc with addictive and self-destructive behaviors, while Whit is determined to take back her power and independence.

In summary, their story is about two beautifully broken characters constantly battling their gritty past and inner demons to build something worthwhile with each other….a relationship of trust, vulnerability, and support. As always, Scott keeps me glued to these pages and anxiously awaiting the next part. Hopefully it won’t be a long wait for the rest of their story! (And then Jester’s please!!!)

I was also very happy to see the previous couples and get an update on how they’re doing!

[Sandra]

I've really enjoyed this series of books so far, and this one is no different. I love that both Merc and Whit have had troubled pasts, which they are both still dealing with.

Whitney's is to have control over her own body, to do with it as she pleases. What would please her the most would be if Merc was covering it! Merc's is a darker side of him, one where he can go into oblivion, one where his addiction comes to the fore. But there's one thing that keeps him present: his obsession with Whitney. He has watched her from afar, never putting his hands on her, but that's about to change, and when it does, he can't keep his hands off her for very long. She is under his skin; she calms his darker side. He could get lost in her forever. But the course of true love never runs smoothly. Their pasts dictate their futures, battling their insecurities. Can they get past that to have a chance long-term?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ashlee]

✨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]

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]

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?

[Carol Demmon]

Interesting story. Merc is the enforcer for the MC and feels that he has nothing to offer anyone. Whitney has made a life for herself after being used by her stepfathers men as a reward. They both have learned not to trust, but their attraction for each other will have them learning to when Merc rescues her from Timmy. Her fathers right hand man. This book is full of drama, danger, tangled emotions and a happy ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zulma]

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]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

[Katie]

This is a good motorcycle club series. I like the variety of characters and all the drama going on.
My only problem is that I just devoured the 5 books that are out and will now need to wait for each of the rest to come out.

[Sherry Hays]

I enjoyed reading this book.

The story had a good flow.

The characters had good chemistry between them.

I would recommend this book.

[Ann L]

This is a brilliant, emotional rollercoaster which kept me up until the small hours turning pages.

I highly recommend it if you love a dark, soul-deep romance with heaps of angst.

[Darkangel Wagner]

Another good read in this series. I have how all of the books mesh together and how the characters are adapting. I have enjoyed this MC series and the way it makes me smile.

[cheryl bailey]

Wow

These books have been amazing ive just signed up for the pre release now see what happens with whit and Merc! Love that these two are getting real

[Genoveva]

Whitney was that FMC you cannot help but admire. Loved her attitude and the way she carried herself throughout this story. Merc was a good balance to her and loved that he didn't want to diminish her light.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anne Jenkins]

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.

[Grinning Cat]

Not gonna lie, I’m low-key jealous of Whitney because I totally fell in love with Merc. But Whitney is so awesome that I don’t really mind.

Merc is hot, dangerous, and very much a damaged man, which makes him total catnip for me, which is probably why I’m no longer married… because you can’t fix a man. Whitney realizes this, and she doesn’t try to repair him; she just loves him for who he is (and the Os don’t hurt, either). Whitney has been through some horrific situations herself when she was young and powerless, but she has chosen to take back her power over her own body, in part by becoming an Ecdysiast. It’s these two characters that drive the book and make it remarkable.

The overarching plot continues, with more details coming out, and adding the Ukrainian mob to the mix. (Val is a cool cat and I would love to read his story, hint hint).

The story involves an HFN for the couple, but is technically a cliffhanger, which I don’t dislike as much as I normally dislike cliffys. I’m just looking forward to the next book, which I understand is expected this summer.

Excellent characters, excellent read.

[Chelsea Hackert]

The true nightmares don't lurk beneath the mattress—I only wish that were the reality. Instead, they wear bespoke suits and flashing grins, haunting the daylight while carving permanent marks into your soul.
Surviving the past meant shoving the agony deep down, constructing a sanctuary where the world couldn't reach her. Every time she took the stage, the dance became her weapon. Under the glow of the lights, She was the the one with the power. Her rules. Her skin. Her own soul. She forged steel barriers around her heart to keep the safety intact.
Contact is a privilege she rarely grants to anyone. Her survival depends on a single, unbreakable law: never let another person close enough to shatter the shield.
The rules were absolute, until Merc arrived. Dark, imposing, and lethally beautiful, he owns every shadow in the room. One touch is all it takes for my fortifications to turn to dust, leaving nothing but an all-consuming need. Yet, this surrender carries a lethal cost. Merc is the catalyst that called to her old demons from their graves, forcing them into the light. Now, she has to decide: is this love worth gambling the hard-won liberty she paid for in blood?

[Jin]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Reba Densley]

I felt like Merc and Whitney had so much trauma in one way or another that it just took a lot to let someone else in. It's a read that you wanna keep going through so you can find out what happens. I know, I needed to know if they stood a chance and finally stopped fighting what was holding them both back from being honest and true to each other.

[Patricia Lord]

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.