Stained

The Monroe Trilogy #1

by Cynthia Dane, Hildred Billings

"Her instant love was unbelievable. The legacy we created? That was fate."

Alicia doesn’t know she will succumb to the gravity that is Danica Moreau, the only heir to her family’s mighty legacy.

But Danica does.

From the moment they meet at Danica’s exclusive nightclub, she insists that Alicia is her fated match, foretold almost fifteen years ago when Danica didn’t believe in love. Her need for Alicia costs her more than one job. Her drive to continue the family legacy has them making more than one mistake. And Danica’s instant need that transforms into instant love for a woman named Alicia Colbert?

That makes her the only one who can destroy the family.

Alicia doesn’t know she will completely change one of the most powerful families in America. She doesn’t know she will become one of the most hated yet revered women in the corporate world.

Everything she doesn’t know, Danica will teach her. She will stain her, train her, then help her reign over their empire.

All Alicia has to do is show up to work one night. Fate will take over from there.

THE MISTRESS is a sapphic retelling of "The Monroe Trilogy". It's a three part serial featuring insta-love, toxic family dynamics, and a whole lotta sapphic spice.

STAINED is Part 1. Start here!

Genres: Romance, Erotica, BDSM, Fiction, Lesbian, Queer, Google

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2016

Reviews

[Snow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah...

It sounded promising...but the storyline and its performance was kinda lame :/

Everything happened 'too fast too soon' thus losing the sense of credibility and valid substence...

Sadly...the only thing worth mentioning is the 'suspenseful' factor in the end...

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on iBooks today (8/13/2018)!💝

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis I was expecting more fanfare between Danica and Alicia honestly; mainly from Danica. I was underwhelmed by her initial reaction to Alicia. It says in the synopsis Danica “insists that Alicia is her fated match” when she never told her that once. She was hustling after her, sure, but I didn’t get the whole “you’re my soulmate” vibe at all. Danica DOES say “love at first sight” to Alicia but that’s really all there is. The idea brought me in but the execution fell flat for me. I gave this 3 stars because the heat is def there in this and I’m a sucker for that. They have amazing bed chemistry together which makes their intimate moments very satisfying.

I so desperately wanted this to be a dual POV especially since the prologue is from Danica’s POV. I would have loved to have seen more into her thoughts and her feelings about Alicia and her true initial reaction when she saw Alicia for the first time. I see this is a three part series so maybe the next installment will be from Danica’s perspective? 🤞🏼

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like stories that are sexy, a little dark, heartfelt, captivating, intense and packed with action, a sizzling attraction, and plenty of twists and turns, then you definitely need to read Stained by Cynthia Dane. I was given a courtesy copy for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well…what has Alicia gotten herself into? This was a wild ride! It will be interesting to see how Alicia is (?) able to navigate Danica’s, let’s say affections? Their chemistry is sizzling but the emotional connection is lacking. This is told in Alicia’s pov so it’s also expected due to the time frame and situations. I’m hoping Alicia can set Danica’s world on fire! In the best way of course!.

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

[Grendaycita Segovia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4

[Nadine Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damon Monroe is a more complex individual than meets the eye, yes he is arrogant, yes he is devilishly handsome, yes he is a billionaire that has more money than he will ever need in his lifetime, but he is so much more than all of that. Damon Monroe is biding his time until his fated love enters his life as predicted by a psychic years earlier.

Alice Culver has no idea her life is about to change when she starts working as a hostess at the Dark Hour all she knows is that she needs to job to help her family with the medical care of her brother. Alice is warned that the club has a strict no "fraternization with the customers" policies several times during her first night at work but when she meets one of the owners of the Dark Hour that policy is the furthest thing from her mind.....oh boy!

I love the way Cynthia Dane pulls you into the story and doesn't let you go until you get to the cliffhanger...yeah consider yourself warned there is a cliffy so make sure you have Trained ready to go. This book is both hot & steamy as well as suspenseful & hopeful at the same time. I cannot wait to see what happens next for Alice & Damon.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.**

Also purchased from Amazon

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alice was supposed to be is fated match?!?!? She starts working at his "sex club" and on the first night he meets her he has unprotected sex with her. Then after she gets fired because he told the staff that she was fraternizing with him, he calls her to his office to have sex with her again. When Alice confronts Monroe about getting her fired, he says that it was a test. I liked the premise, but this felt off and not very romantic. I could not continue.

There was no connection. I am not a fan of the couple meeting and having sex the same night anyway, but this was weird. I did not buy that Alice and Monroe were soulmates.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I the only one who thought it extremely bizarre that a billionaire has unprotected sex with someone he just met and knows nothing about? And not just once. Yeah......... no one that stupid could ever be a billionaire.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stained is another supremely spicy sapphic retelling from Cynthia Dane and Hildred Billings that left me longing for more. As usual the writing is superb. I’m thrilled this is only part one and we have two more books to look forward to.

Danica is a billionaire businesswoman without a lot of free time but when she does have time to relax she prefers the company of a submissive woman. She owns a high end sex club and makes it a point to seduce new employees (hostesses or waitresses) that are not supposed to fraternize with the guests. If they succumb to her advances they find themselves without a job. It’s a bit harsh really. But there is something different about the new hostess Alicia.

Danica does get Alicia fired on her first day of work but for some reason she isn’t satisfied with a one time fling. Alicia finds herself being sought out by the sexy billionaire for more delightful encounters. There was so much spice in this book and it only added to the storyline. I really felt the desire Danica and Alicia had for each other and could see the potential for the relationship to blossom into something more. Danica wants to introduce Alicia into the world of BDSM and we get a very delicious touch of it in Stained.

Of course there is some family drama with Danica’s father. He is opposed to his daughter having a relationship with Alicia. Oddly he doesn’t talk to Danica about his disapproval but instead threatens Alicia directly. The book had enough of a cliffhanger that I can’t wait for book two.

[Tammy Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sizzling

Danica is young and a fortune teller does a reading telling her a woman with blond hair and still a virgin in her thirties will be her wife and have a family. Alicia is a woman with blond hair in her near thirties and still has not had sex she just has had time for it, with trying to pay student loans and rent. She gets a job at Midnight a sex club. Number one rule don't fraternize with the guess. When the boss Danica arrives she takes Alicia then gets her fired on the first day. But Danica can't stop thinking about Alicia and seeks her out. After the second time Danica's father tells Alicia to go leave and not come back. Alicia just fees this is a fling but each time she is giving a piece of her heart. Now that Danica and Alicia are going to be girlfriends her father gives a stern warning. Alicia is confused of what to due. The second book will here soon to see what happens next

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read this as a ARC and really enjoyed this first book of the three-part series. I've wanted Danica and Alicia's story ever since they were briefly in one of the other books by this author in this universe! The only thing I'm not keen on so far is Danica's seeming emotional distance but I'm sure that will change in the next books. The spice is pretty good, although Danica's aftercare is lacking and that's a bit of a turnoff for me, but again, I suspect that's going to improve in the next two books.

[Zeinab Dh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read and review this book. This one is unique. I loved it. It is one of that sexy dark steamy intense action suspense twists and turn and so much more that kept me reading and wanting more of it. It is well written, She knows how to make her readers love her work. I can't wait to read the rest of this amazing series, I recommend it.

[Kaidee McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part one of The Mistress delivers deception, betrayal, threats, intrigue, and so much spice! The beginnings of the relationship between Alicia and Danica are so unique and give so much to the reader, while leaving them with so much more to come.

This book deals very well with power dynamics, pressure tactics, light BDSM, and entitlement. It's very well written, and with several spicy scenes to keep you hot throughout.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphic Delight

A Dane/Billings book is always well written and the characters have flaws while still being brilliant and mysterious, but the spice in this one is also epic. An amazing story, grab it and enjoy. Now I must move on to book 2!

[Diana L. Matranga · Rating 5 out of 5]

red hat queen

This book was so fascinating. I loved the characters Alice and Damon. I can't wait to read the rest of their story.

[Zureena · Rating 5 out of 5]

slow burn

The story started out 🔥 and spicy, but dropped its spicy intensity. Expected more from the FMC's when they get togheter with explosive emotions. Will see in book 2.

[_booknerd.4ever_]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review....

I'm not sure I can put my thoughts into words regarding this story. I have a love/hate relationship with this story. I'm hoping I'll see a little more "human" side of Monroe before the trilogy ends. He's more like a robot to me. Alice is really naïve and comes across as a door mat for Monroe. I'm pulling for this couple to overcome all of the obstacles in their way. I love the book because it's written by Cynthia Dane and she never disappoints her readers! I'm anxiously awaiting book 2. I've loved her other books and I'm sure my opinion of this one will change by the end of the trilogy.

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is absolutely nothing typical about the work of Cynthia Dane and this new series takes her writing talent to an even greater level, as we encounter Damon Monroe and the woman who will change him, as he will her, Alice Culver. Damon knows his father is ruthless and doesn't heed to the pressures of society, so when his intuition tells him to return home for school break, he follows his gut. Only upon his entry to the family home, he's not too sure about his decision. There seems to be a whole circus in the family room, and when he is approached by a tarot reading psychic, he finds it hard to resist her "charms". Only when she turns the first card of a special deck of tarot cards, is he captivated by the beautiful woman painted on it. He knows she will be "the one" for him, if he ever finds her. She tells him of the woman who will be his, the charms she will possess and how he will know.
Alice comes from an average, middle class family, where money is scarce thanks to her younger brothers' illness and need for constant medical care. She has managed to finish college, but her degree in English hasn't helped her get a decent job yet. She worked her way through college as a hostess and is still working as one. At twenty eight, she's still a virgin. She's been warned by all those working at the Dark Hour of the rules and policies, but there is something about Mr. Monroe that draws her like a magnet. Will she be able to heed the warnings and resist the pull?
This is a bit on the dark side, but if you have read any of Ms. Dane's work before, you will love this one. She even gives us the odd glimpses of previous characters, keeping us in touch with those favorites we love so much. Even if this is your first of her books you read, you will find it almost impossible to put it down until the end, and even then, you will want more, as she leaves us hanging on pins and needles, wanting to know what will happen to the lovely Alice and sexy Damon. With lots of action, a few threats, some unusual situations and so much heat you could start a fire, you definitely won't want to miss this one. Well written and easy to follow, Cynthia Dane outdoes herself once again, even though I didn't think that could be possible. Awesome and can't wait for part two.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[April Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this is so insta-lust/insta love and I fell completely in love with the story immediately. Alice Culver and Damon Monroe are on a collision course towards destiny with each other. You will recognize Damon as a previous character from Teasing an Heiress. He was not a main character in that story but he definitely was eye catching there so it is so good to see him as a MC here. Damon gets a psychic reading at a circus . Oh the reason he was at the circus is a good one and will play into the story down the road but getting back , so he is at the circus, the tarot reading psychic tells Damon tells him something that he remembers later on in life and when he meets Alice, it brings back that what the psychic said.
Alice is this naïve but very sweet and innocent woman who works with Damon at a club called The Dark Hour. She finds herself under his spell and not wise to his ways and drowning in his seductive charms. She has been cautioned on what NOT to do yet with Damon, she finds what she was told not to do, she does it. Well, she ends up working and then losing her job all in a very short span of time. That doesn’t stop Damon from pursing Alice. Now he is addicted to her and wants more but what he doesn’t know, except to be with her and in her as much as possible. Only thing is, there are more people that want Alice gone and away from Damon and Damon is unaware of this. This book ended on a fantastic cliffhanger and book 2 will have to pick up where Ms Dane left us, wondering of the fate of Damon and Alice. The MC work well together, the passion is hot and the sexual tension is high. There is a good amount of action and some twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat and like I said, a cliffhanger that keeps you hungering for more.

My rating: 4.8 stars *****
**I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review***

[Dora Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

Wow, great start to the Monroe Trilogy!! This book is an absolute gem! Damon Monroe is so freaking SEXY! And adorable in the HOTTEST way!!! Did I say HOTTT, yes. . . yes! Pure pleasure. Dirty. Decadent. Divine—this sums up the story. I loved the characters of Damon Monroe and Alice Culver. Together, their banter is refreshing, and their sex is off-the charts hot. Damon was told by a fortune-teller that he will meet the woman of his dreams—the woman he will love and marry, but with outside interferences. Damon’s father has other plans for him marrying a woman of similar background—an arranged marriage. Alice gets a job working at Damon’s night club, and she was strictly told no fraternizing with the customers. When Damon meets Alice, he tests her will and seduces her and then has her fired. Alice is not accustomed to bosses flirting with her and seducing her. But what Damon does not know is that she was a 28 year old virgin. Alice is kind of naïve when it comes to sex with men, but she refuses to let Damon know that she was a virgin. Damon is controlling and he goes after what he wants, and he wants Alice. The chemistry between Damon and Alice grows more potent the more time they spend together, but Alice’s secret is lurking close to the surface. When Alice leaves Damon’s apartment, she is confronted by Damon’s father and he threatens her. Will Damon’s father interfere with their relationship to alter both of their fates forever? Will Damon find out about Alice’s secret? You will revel with delight in this raucous story with an erotic flare for the sensuous adult in you! This book was well written by Cynthia Dane with a blistering hot look into Damon Monroe! The book will pique your interest and draw you in from the beginning to the very end.

[Mary Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice has worked her fair share of strange jobs, but nothing compares to her first night at The Dark Hour. No fraternising with the guests, that is the golden rule, but Alice finds herself seduced by Damon, who then promptly fires her; she has failed his test. But Alice becomes an obsession and Damon pursues her relentlessly. What are Damon’s motives for dating her, when he can have his choice? But Damon doesn’t just want a wife; he wants a woman who can fulfil his every fantasy, and he hers. He also wants a woman he can trust, not only with his personal life but with raising his heirs, and he doesn’t date unless it is with serious intent. Damon has brought up love at first sight, marriage and his sexual preferences so many times on their first date, Alice begins to wonder what kind of man he really is. Damon is a man who takes what he desires, but he also wants to introduce Alice to the world he has in mind for them; but can she still be his girlfriend even after knowing his darkest side. Damon confesses to Alice that it is he who arranged the recent publicity about them; he tells her he wants the whole world to see that she is his girlfriend. Not everyone it seems is that pleased. Russell, Damon’s father, makes it very clear to Alice that she is not now, or ever will be, his girlfriend; she has been warned twice now, and if she is warned a third time there will be consequences. But that is not Alice’s only shock of the day – she is also confronted by Damon’s mother who has come to warn her too, but for a totally different reason. This is the first part of a trilogy. It is the beginning of a story that is very intriguing and has lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested, and one which I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandi Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new series by Cythinia Dane promises to be another great series. Book one introduces us to Damon Monroe. OH MY This is one of those series I am going to be going how can I wait until the next book comes out?

Damon Monroe might sound familiar if you have read some of her books...in fact Monroe and his kink club was mention in Teasing an Heiress in passing. I love getting little glimpses of our favorite (or maybe not so favorite) characters from other books in Cynthia Dane's books and she does that in this book as well. The way she does it is so good it has you reading and then you stop and go WAIT..I know that name. We get to know Damon or Monroe as most call him and his business very well in this book. We also get to meet Alice Culver. Alice is a server who goes to work at his club and meets him on the first night. Let's just say things just do not go so well for her.... or maybe they do? We will have to see going forward in book 2 how things work out.

Very good read as all of Cynthia Dane books are!!!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you pick up a Cynthia Dane novel you never totally know what you're going to get. It's a guarantee that there will be some steamy sex scenes but the plot is always unexpected and there are always some twists that you never see coming!
This is latest serial focuses on Alice and billionaire Damon Monroe. Damon can have any woman he wants but for some reason he has picked Alice. Alice can't figure out the reason or even if she is actually dating Damon but she is willing to see where the ride goes. Or is she willing after being warned off by Damon's parents? Considering their first encounter ended with Alice losing both her virginity and her job in one fell swoop, Cynthia Dane has proven that you have to expect the unexpected at all times. This is the first part in a new trilogy and I can't even imagine what she has in store for the next two parts.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet the man responsible for the club we've come to know and love in this universe!!

Damon Monroe was introduced in Billionaires in Paris and I couldn't wait to read his story. Tall, dark, handsome, wealthy... Swoon worthy. He's a hardcore romantic. Basically, he's perfect!!! Alice is a bit snarky, innocent, and a little naive. They meet at her first day as hostess of the Dark Hour but she fails the bosses test so her first day is also her last. Damon's dominating personality just can't stay away from her submissive personality though.

I loved this introduction to the trilogy. There's heat and suspense and all of the great storytelling that you expect from this talented author. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to see where the story goes!

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.*

[CharmaineW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this complimentary arc copy from the author for an honest review.
OMG - What have I just read....phew. Love part 1 so goodness knows what the rest will be like ☺️☺️☺️
Damon Monroe is something else. Sexy, secretive, charm oozing from every pore and when he speaks, phew, you cannot think of anything except his voice. So really, Alice Culver has no chance when she meets him. She is working in a club called The Dark Hour and is an innocent in lots of ways. They are both enthralled with each other, an attraction they cannot understand but don't want to. Deeper and deeper they go, the attraction,the chemistry but dark forces are at work...Russell Monroe, Damon's father. Not a man to mess with.
Lots of secrets, passion, danger and who is the crazy woman warning Alice.
Can't wait to read part 2 .

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review of Stained: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Monroe Trilogy Book 1) by Cynthia Dane

A new couple to learn about - 5 stars

As a teenager, Damon was 'read' by a seer, who foretold of the woman who would be his mate. She actually showed up in the tarot cards and even though Damon had no belief in love, when he met Alice almosst fifteen years later, he knew her. Alice was on her first night of work at The Dark Hour (which we know from her other series). Turns out that Damon is part owner of the club and causes her to lose her job because she can't deny him.

What is the deal with his father? Why is he soooo demanding that she stay away from his son? Is her life in danger? This is a very exciting new series and I definitely am looking forward to the next book in the series! Great work, once again Ms. Dane!

**Complimentary Copy provided by Author for an honest review.**

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Alice is thrilled with her new job at The Dark Hour, she will finally be able to pay off her debt her ex left her with, but that was before Damon Monroe, co-owner of the club walks in, and gets her alone. She knows the rules, but gives in to temptation and loses her job. Even though he is responsible for her unemployment, Damon isn't finished w with Alice, and convinces her to meet him privately. Damon insists he wants a relationship with Alice, but there are others that will do their best to keep the lovers apart. Wow, Damon and Alice are are beautifully written characters that will have overcome obstacles that are meant to keep them apart. Fantastic book!

[Jo-Ann Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy for an honest review. Alice needs a job to pay her rent and she starts working at The Dark Hour, sex club to the very rich and famous! As this is her first night she must shadow Suzanne, the other hostess in all her duties. There she meets Monroe, one of the owners of the club and a rich man around town. From her meeting that night, she does the one unacceptable thing that she was was warned would get her fired! Monroe, pursues her relentlessly and they are slowly falling for each other. However, there are forces in play that want nothing more than make her disappear. Will their affair last and what's going to happen next? This is another great story from Cynthia Dane!

[Jenn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the start of Damon and Alice's story! There is an intensity about Damon that completely draws you in. He is a man that knows exactly what he wants and has been looking for a long time. Alice is innocent, a bit naive about some things but is a smart woman. The first night that Damon and Alice meet is full of sparks that will have you on the edge of your seat. Their story is full of heat and I enjoyed getting to know them. I am looking forward to digging deeper into their world and the obstacles that seem to be lurking. This is a definite must on your to be read list!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.