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The Cursed Marriage Auctions #1
The Beast Lord's Prize
They branded me a witch and put me on a block in the Red Amphitheater—a treaty bride for sale to keep monsters obedient.
I wasn’t chosen.
I was auctioned.
Then Lord Vorak of Blackwood arrived—horned, scarred, and barely leashed. He didn’t bid.
He fought.
He won me in blood… and claimed me with a vow that made the crowd go quiet.
They say his curse turns him into a beast that destroys everything he touches. They say no bride survives Blackwood.
But the first thing he gives me isn’t pain.
It’s protection.
And when his rage rises, my hands are the only thing that can pull him back—because something in my blood wakes for him. Something the crown wanted buried.
The contract says he has thirty nights… then he must return me.
The crown forgot one detail:
Monsters don’t give back what’s theirs.
I wasn’t chosen.
I was auctioned.
Then Lord Vorak of Blackwood arrived—horned, scarred, and barely leashed. He didn’t bid.
He fought.
He won me in blood… and claimed me with a vow that made the crowd go quiet.
They say his curse turns him into a beast that destroys everything he touches. They say no bride survives Blackwood.
But the first thing he gives me isn’t pain.
It’s protection.
And when his rage rises, my hands are the only thing that can pull him back—because something in my blood wakes for him. Something the crown wanted buried.
The contract says he has thirty nights… then he must return me.
The crown forgot one detail:
Monsters don’t give back what’s theirs.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 20, 2026
3.5 smut-scale stars!
July 26, 2026
3.0. Rated R. Monster Romance
Bk 1. Short. Sweet. Sexy.
Beasts and curses.
Interesting monster romance. Cliffhanger.
Bk 1. Short. Sweet. Sexy.
Beasts and curses.
Interesting monster romance. Cliffhanger.
September 28, 2026
This reads 100% like AI slop. The story makes no sense, stuff happens randomly that isn't explained. Her collar just disappears in the space of one scene with no mention of it getting taken off. The MMC POV also makes it very clear he isn't gonna give the FMC back but then acts like she's talking crazy when she says she's not going back?? And then they suddenly decide they're gonna be together and have sex after literally one conversation. The timeline also doesn't make sense, it makes it sound like it's been a fair while when she's been there 3 days. This is a direct quote "Days don’t pass so much as they blur—smearing together in the cold belly of Blackwood until I’m not sure which morning is which". 3 DAYS SINCE SHE ARRIVED. ""And the thirty days—" He stops. "There's only twenty-seven left. When the time comes—"". Just absolute rubbish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
if you’re my coworker and you’re reading this…i stand on business
March 14, 2026
No
This is the second s Alexander book I have read,and it will be the last. The tale is just not well written. All these references to a curse,but not a single detail about it,other than he glows and gets angry. Why? How was he cursed? WHAT exactly IS the curse? She is branded a witch-- but she DOES have magic,but again, completely unexplained as to what her magic is. The world building is atrocious,to say the least. And the premise is contradictory - it SAYS a bride auction,but it's basically a bride RENTAL,and super short term too. Why are they leasing women out for thirty days and recollecting them? Also,the pacing is TERRIBLE. Literally says "the days blur,and everyone is getting used to her"....and we find out it has been THREE WHOLE DAYS THAT HAVE UNFOLDED,WITH TWO VISITS FROM THE KING'S MEN ALREADY,ONE THAT ENDED IN A MASSACRE. IN SEVENTY TWO HOURS. I tried. I REALLY wanted to like this author,because,again,the plotline seemed intriguing,but they failed to deliver. No spice,no chemistry,no connections to the characters,no decent storytelling. Just one giant fail. My thoughts only. Feel free to read and form your own. But don't say you weren't warned.
This is the second s Alexander book I have read,and it will be the last. The tale is just not well written. All these references to a curse,but not a single detail about it,other than he glows and gets angry. Why? How was he cursed? WHAT exactly IS the curse? She is branded a witch-- but she DOES have magic,but again, completely unexplained as to what her magic is. The world building is atrocious,to say the least. And the premise is contradictory - it SAYS a bride auction,but it's basically a bride RENTAL,and super short term too. Why are they leasing women out for thirty days and recollecting them? Also,the pacing is TERRIBLE. Literally says "the days blur,and everyone is getting used to her"....and we find out it has been THREE WHOLE DAYS THAT HAVE UNFOLDED,WITH TWO VISITS FROM THE KING'S MEN ALREADY,ONE THAT ENDED IN A MASSACRE. IN SEVENTY TWO HOURS. I tried. I REALLY wanted to like this author,because,again,the plotline seemed intriguing,but they failed to deliver. No spice,no chemistry,no connections to the characters,no decent storytelling. Just one giant fail. My thoughts only. Feel free to read and form your own. But don't say you weren't warned.
July 26, 2026
As someone else said, the world building is lacking. I don't think I could even get halfway through the book. What is the curse? How does MFC even know there's a curse apart from the glowing skin and eyes? Where did the collar go? I did not buy the romance or passion at all. Two days in and they're declaring to be together after hardly any interaction or conversation?
I thought i could read it all as the book is so short but it was not worth it to me. Feel free to give it a go though. I just have limited time for my reading and need to actually enjoy the story from the get go to make it worth it
I thought i could read it all as the book is so short but it was not worth it to me. Feel free to give it a go though. I just have limited time for my reading and need to actually enjoy the story from the get go to make it worth it
May 24, 2026
Bad, just Bad
No back story. No character development. Story line is missing information, contradicts itself, and is incomplete in details that are important. I thought these books may be similar to Cate Corvin books, especially with the covers being as hot as they were. But honestly, they seem more like someone used AI to try and write a story. I am so disappointed. Do not waste your time.
No back story. No character development. Story line is missing information, contradicts itself, and is incomplete in details that are important. I thought these books may be similar to Cate Corvin books, especially with the covers being as hot as they were. But honestly, they seem more like someone used AI to try and write a story. I am so disappointed. Do not waste your time.
March 4, 2026
Beasts and curses and defiance? I'm IN!
I don't think the crown expected to have an open rebellion on their hands when they put Annora up on the auction block. But that's what they got. Well, after she was claimed by Vorak, taken to his fort, and figured out that the "beasts" weren't nearly as terrible as she'd been taught.
But let's back up a little. Annora is a healer at heart. While she's not technically a witch, she does have some sort of magic simmering in her blood. She doesn't know this and it probably wouldn't have manifested if the crown hadn't done what they did and put her in Vorak's path. Maybe it also manifested because Vorak needed her when his curse flared. I don't know. The point is that the people in power put her in a situation they couldn't control and so this rebellion is kind of on them.
That said, Vorak really did need her. He might not have known why when he claimed her at the auction, but she called to him from the start. His desperation and her desire to help started a ripple that looks to be spreading to the others who are in situations like Vorak out there.
A little danger, a little steam, and a wicked world with plenty more action to be found. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
I don't think the crown expected to have an open rebellion on their hands when they put Annora up on the auction block. But that's what they got. Well, after she was claimed by Vorak, taken to his fort, and figured out that the "beasts" weren't nearly as terrible as she'd been taught.
But let's back up a little. Annora is a healer at heart. While she's not technically a witch, she does have some sort of magic simmering in her blood. She doesn't know this and it probably wouldn't have manifested if the crown hadn't done what they did and put her in Vorak's path. Maybe it also manifested because Vorak needed her when his curse flared. I don't know. The point is that the people in power put her in a situation they couldn't control and so this rebellion is kind of on them.
That said, Vorak really did need her. He might not have known why when he claimed her at the auction, but she called to him from the start. His desperation and her desire to help started a ripple that looks to be spreading to the others who are in situations like Vorak out there.
A little danger, a little steam, and a wicked world with plenty more action to be found. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
April 3, 2026
The beast with violent magic only she can tame.
Annoyance was thrown into the royal bride auction and offered to the kingdom's monsters. Claimed by Vorak, she soon learns that he is not a monster, but has been cursed to become murderously violent when faced with certain emotions. His rage is not selective, and he has been known to kill his own men during one of his spells.
Annora didn't realize she possessed any magic powers until she was faced with one of Vorak's rages and was able to calm him with her touch. When the king learns of her power, he wants her returned before the end of the 30-day contract. Both she and Vorak say "No," sparking a war.
Two of the other monsters also refuse to return their brides. What will happen when the king sends his army? I won't tell you because that would spoil the ongoing story. Exciting. Steamy. Well-written. Short but still more than adequate to tell the tale.
Annoyance was thrown into the royal bride auction and offered to the kingdom's monsters. Claimed by Vorak, she soon learns that he is not a monster, but has been cursed to become murderously violent when faced with certain emotions. His rage is not selective, and he has been known to kill his own men during one of his spells.
Annora didn't realize she possessed any magic powers until she was faced with one of Vorak's rages and was able to calm him with her touch. When the king learns of her power, he wants her returned before the end of the 30-day contract. Both she and Vorak say "No," sparking a war.
Two of the other monsters also refuse to return their brides. What will happen when the king sends his army? I won't tell you because that would spoil the ongoing story. Exciting. Steamy. Well-written. Short but still more than adequate to tell the tale.
January 22, 2026
Annora is branded by as a witch and is set to be auctioned off by her village. Vorak, The Beast Lord of Blackwood intervenes and takes her from the auction block. He has thirty days to return her to The Crown, or face consequences. After discovering that she is his mate, Vorak makes the decision to break the agreement and start a war of need be to keep her.
The book flowed nicely for something so short, and had a solid plot line. I would say this was 2/5 on spice, and definitely felt like it could have been a bit longer to give an epilogue. This does end on a cliffhanger with a HFN.
✨No cheating ✨HFN ✨No third act breakup
The book flowed nicely for something so short, and had a solid plot line. I would say this was 2/5 on spice, and definitely felt like it could have been a bit longer to give an epilogue. This does end on a cliffhanger with a HFN.
✨No cheating ✨HFN ✨No third act breakup
April 8, 2026
Rebellion
Vorak is a Beast Lord living with a curse that’s slowly killing him, who takes a branded witch at a bride auction. But the Crown only lends the bride and he is expected to return her in 30 days. Annora is the branded witch, tired of being a slave and treated as merchandise instead of a person. She has a special magic that speaks to Vorak and his curse. Together, she and Vorak develop a bond that the Crown didn’t
see coming and will more than likely start a war. I enjoyed the premise of the story and the world building. It wasn’t as steamy as I expected but I still want to read about the other Beast Lords.
Vorak is a Beast Lord living with a curse that’s slowly killing him, who takes a branded witch at a bride auction. But the Crown only lends the bride and he is expected to return her in 30 days. Annora is the branded witch, tired of being a slave and treated as merchandise instead of a person. She has a special magic that speaks to Vorak and his curse. Together, she and Vorak develop a bond that the Crown didn’t
see coming and will more than likely start a war. I enjoyed the premise of the story and the world building. It wasn’t as steamy as I expected but I still want to read about the other Beast Lords.
May 12, 2026
GOOD STORY!
I like switching to novellas after a long read on another book. I like Vorak and Annora they are suited to one another. Now Vorak is cursed, per this book series title, but I don’t know why he and the others are cursed. I went back through the book trying to find my answer but nothing. I like how the female protagonist’s strength increases when she has a mate that encourages her. This book is a good start and I’m eager to read the complete series. I want to see how they beat the Crown to be free to love one another.
I like switching to novellas after a long read on another book. I like Vorak and Annora they are suited to one another. Now Vorak is cursed, per this book series title, but I don’t know why he and the others are cursed. I went back through the book trying to find my answer but nothing. I like how the female protagonist’s strength increases when she has a mate that encourages her. This book is a good start and I’m eager to read the complete series. I want to see how they beat the Crown to be free to love one another.
May 18, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. If it weren't for a few gaps in the story that made me scratch my head, I would have given it 5-stars. She has a slave-collar for the first half the story, then it is just gone. They even talk about "where the collar was" but we never see it come off. Given that it was magic, it should have taken a little something. Also, it's really unclear why she went from being a healer to a slave, but she also mentions being a slave for 6 years. What happened during the other 6?
Overall, I enjoyed the story, and will continue the series.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, and will continue the series.
Read
March 6, 2026I waited
I finished the series before writing this. The six stories are variations on the beauty and the beast story. I enjoyed them and rated four of the six 5 stars.
They are described as spicy, but only one sort of meets the description. If you’re looking for spicy there are many other quick reads to choose from.
If you’re looking for beautifully written stories that will leave you with a soft smile, I absolutely recommend these.
I will read more by this author.
I finished the series before writing this. The six stories are variations on the beauty and the beast story. I enjoyed them and rated four of the six 5 stars.
They are described as spicy, but only one sort of meets the description. If you’re looking for spicy there are many other quick reads to choose from.
If you’re looking for beautifully written stories that will leave you with a soft smile, I absolutely recommend these.
I will read more by this author.
February 6, 2026
The Beast Lord
A great short, dark monster romance that had all the feels. I enjoyed the story and it was the perfect length for a quick lunch break read!
Check this one out if you enjoy strong FMC, possessive MMC, beauty and the beast vibes, fast burn romance, magic, touch her and xx vibes, healer/warrior, and more!
A great short, dark monster romance that had all the feels. I enjoyed the story and it was the perfect length for a quick lunch break read!
Check this one out if you enjoy strong FMC, possessive MMC, beauty and the beast vibes, fast burn romance, magic, touch her and xx vibes, healer/warrior, and more!
February 10, 2026
A trial period bride
She is a healer but sold for being a witch. He is a monster with a curse slowly killing him. He will allow no other to touch her nor does he plan to return her. The crown doesn't like traitors can they survive whats coming?
Good start to a series. Like others by this author wish it was a bit longer and some of the gaps filled in. But still a solid book.
She is a healer but sold for being a witch. He is a monster with a curse slowly killing him. He will allow no other to touch her nor does he plan to return her. The crown doesn't like traitors can they survive whats coming?
Good start to a series. Like others by this author wish it was a bit longer and some of the gaps filled in. But still a solid book.
April 28, 2026
Nice read
The author's writing was very descriptive and kept you engaged in the story. The characters were relatable and I did enjoy this break from heavy reading. Personally I would have liked a little more spice LOL what I did not like is the way that it ended. It left the story unfinished, not as a cliffhanger the next book is a totally different story.
The author's writing was very descriptive and kept you engaged in the story. The characters were relatable and I did enjoy this break from heavy reading. Personally I would have liked a little more spice LOL what I did not like is the way that it ended. It left the story unfinished, not as a cliffhanger the next book is a totally different story.
June 1, 2026
Dot point plot
Could this be good? Yes if there were 100 more pages to it. Nothing is explained. There is no world building and things are dismissed without explanation. He gets set off by angry people outside, do you find out what the problem is? No straight into sex scene with no build up. This book feels like the dot points of a good story with none of the elaboration.
Could this be good? Yes if there were 100 more pages to it. Nothing is explained. There is no world building and things are dismissed without explanation. He gets set off by angry people outside, do you find out what the problem is? No straight into sex scene with no build up. This book feels like the dot points of a good story with none of the elaboration.
June 18, 2026
Great quick read
The main characters were excellently written in that the story moved along and provided enough info for you to care about them. Of course I wanted more background, how was the male lead cursed etc. I will read on to the end of this series. It's a series right? It better be. 😂😂
The main characters were excellently written in that the story moved along and provided enough info for you to care about them. Of course I wanted more background, how was the male lead cursed etc. I will read on to the end of this series. It's a series right? It better be. 😂😂
July 26, 2026
Totally EXCELLENT
I truly enjoyed reading this story. To be auctioned off because you are different is typical of people who are scared of what is different. But, it's awesome to be taken away and loved, let alone fought for. Thanks S., I've really loved all of your stories that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more.
I truly enjoyed reading this story. To be auctioned off because you are different is typical of people who are scared of what is different. But, it's awesome to be taken away and loved, let alone fought for. Thanks S., I've really loved all of your stories that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more.
April 29, 2026
The Beast
Great story but too short. Need to read how they won the war! And they will win, no other outcome is acceptable. I love the MMC, he has such a soft heart for his mate. Never once was he cruel to her, and she is a very strong FMC. Enjoyed this book. Definitely recommend!
Great story but too short. Need to read how they won the war! And they will win, no other outcome is acceptable. I love the MMC, he has such a soft heart for his mate. Never once was he cruel to her, and she is a very strong FMC. Enjoyed this book. Definitely recommend!
May 21, 2026
Good but fast
This is a short book. That's not the issue. The issue I had is that they supposedly fall in love and want war within a week of knowing each other. I think I had too high of hopes and let myself down.
This is a short book. That's not the issue. The issue I had is that they supposedly fall in love and want war within a week of knowing each other. I think I had too high of hopes and let myself down.
June 26, 2026
book was all over the place
There was no clear order. Things happen without clear explanation. What is explained is changed later in the book. Very hard to follow. Continuing the series sounds awful.
There was no clear order. Things happen without clear explanation. What is explained is changed later in the book. Very hard to follow. Continuing the series sounds awful.
July 24, 2026
Super fun
This was a really cute and short story. I loved that the supposed underdogs were the most powerful beings. I loved when people came together and became stronger. This is an empowering story and I absolutely loved it.
This was a really cute and short story. I loved that the supposed underdogs were the most powerful beings. I loved when people came together and became stronger. This is an empowering story and I absolutely loved it.
August 30, 2026
a quick read
It was a solid quick read. Nothing too gripping, the storyline was good, just felt a little flat. Could have expanded a bit more but overall a good read. Only 2 stars cause it’s not one I would reread.
It was a solid quick read. Nothing too gripping, the storyline was good, just felt a little flat. Could have expanded a bit more but overall a good read. Only 2 stars cause it’s not one I would reread.
April 1, 2026
I expected more steamy scenes.
June 9, 2026
he sees her up for auction and falls hard. takes knowing he aint giving her back. turns out this human has some magic
June 28, 2026
Eh. Too short and too flat.
July 22, 2026
yea no
0.5 of if I could. I was so confused most of the time reading this and then got to a point where I skipped some pages lol
0.5 of if I could. I was so confused most of the time reading this and then got to a point where I skipped some pages lol
July 25, 2026
These are short stories. Cute. Nothing earth shattering. Enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews