To clear their names and save their souls the accused are stripped and bound before all as they await their governor’s examination.
At the governor’s direction, Abigail Prescott, herself accused as a witch a mere hour past, will help test the women’s responses, for a witch marked by the devil cannot feel, no matter how gently caressed, no matter how deeply probed. Under the governor’s scrutiny Abigail is to thoroughly examine their naked flesh for the black mark of the beast.
But the prideful Elizabeth Hobbs withdraws consent. And her fate is sealed. Taken deep into the forest by the watchman, she will remain naked and open to the elements to await her punishment.
Stirred by her proud tears, the watchman touches her. Soothes her. But when a man succumbs to a witch’s charms, he too stands among THE ACCUSED.
A New Yorker born and bred, Arla Dahl thrives on the rich diversity of her city - the languages, the foods, the cultures. By day she's an erotic author, avid reader, foodie with a taste for the exotic, photographer and animal rescuer. By night, she can often be found in some cozy jazz club since she is also a lover of music who simply melts at the sound of a smoky saxophone.
For her fiction, Arla turns to the daily headlines and is often surprised by how today's issues mirror those from the distant past. In her current work, the Immoral Virtue trilogy, which is set during the witch hysteria of the 17th Century, Arla twists that already-twisted bit of history into a daring erotic work of fear, submission, passion and pleasure.
Arla Dahl blends the witch trials with erotica to create an utterly unique and totally hot story.
Picking up where book one, The Mark, leaves off, Governor Jameson Foster enlists Abigail to help him test the Accused. All of the women must be tested by morning and time is running short. But what happens when one woman, Elizabeth, won't submit?
You're going to need a fan, 'cause this is one hot read! I loved the addition of Giles, the Watchman. His scenes with Elizabeth were blistering and my favorite in the book. The scenes, with the Governor directing Abigail's testing of the other women, are scorching, too. Especially as we get more insight into how she feels about his testing others.
I adore this series! With a dark atmosphere and palpable sexual tension between Abigail and the Governor, it had me reading until the very last page. I can't wait to get my hands on number three!
This book was provided by the Author through the BDSM group TPE BAR Read2Review.
In The Accused, Arla Dahl has dreamt up a fascinating alternate history. Set in the 1600’s, a collection of accused witches wait, partially disrobed in the cold of night, for Jameson, the Governor, and his recently exonerated helper, Abigail, to examine them for the mark of the Devil. The mark’s absence will ensure their innocence. Meanwhile a crowd of frightened and suspicious townspeople await either his judgement or permission to examine the accused women themselves. Supposedly, those marked by the Devil become numb to arousal, so in order to prove their innocence, Jameson and Abigail must thoroughly and intimately examine each woman and verify their reactions to various forms of physical excitation.
The Accused is the second book of a trilogy. The author kindly gifted me with the first volume as well in order to get up to speed with the events in the book. I don’t believe that it is necessary to have read the first to enjoy The Accused, but it is recommended.
Ms Dahl has succeeded in crafting some of the most sensual erotica that I have ever read. The reader is presented goings-on from various perspectives - the dutiful leader honestly seeking to prove innocence, the enraptured help who is dealing with bouts of jealousy, and the wrongfully accused who must shamefully bare all their flesh and the secrets of their repressed lusts in order to avoid being put to death by a bloodthirsty crowd. The process which, at the discretion of the Governor, includes a variety of tools (e.g. leather straps, phalli, floggers, etc.) is described in dizzying detail painting images that perhaps leave the reader as sweaty and breathless as those seeking to prove their innocence.
I would compare the story to a particularly rich chocolate cake. Each bite is so wonderfully delicious - to the point where it almost (but never quite) becomes too much to handle. You may find, in fact, that you start with only small bites. But then the author turns on a little bit of peril - just the right amount - and it mixes to a degree where your hunger to learn what happens next becomes insatiable. Suddenly, you find you are unable to put the book down. Indeed, each of the accused are well envisioned and I found that their reactions and interactions really pulled me in to the story.
Unfortunately, this is only the second book of the trilogy, and the third is not yet published. Curses! While this series builds its story upon a cornerstone of erotic sensuality, I would happily push my way to the front of the line to purchase an erotic thriller by Ms. Dahl. I have no doubt she has the skill to masterfully craft any story she desires.
Highly recommended!
*** This novel was provided by the Author through the BDSM group on GoodReads. ***
Again loved this read!!!.. This is a continuation from The Marked, and to be honest the first few chapters are the exact same except the character is different from Abigail. I thought god I hope we are not going to go through each of the accused one by one, but then the story take a twist when Elizabeth refuses to Submit to Jameson ( the Governer), and is sent out to the crowd to be judged. Abigail's takes on a new role and we see some FF within this storyline. I love the mix of modern and old speak to reflect the fact the story is set in 16 something. The story foes reflect a lot of the beliefs and culture if the time, but is a BDSM/ erotic take on the torturous process of identifying the witches. I enjoyed this read as I found it easy to loose myself, and I found the sex/ torture such a turn on. These scenes are so hot!! The sexual chemistry between then all including Giles and Elizabeth, even though it has come to nothing as yet, but you can feel the passion. I also love the injustice of it all, and yet the struggle of the few to convince the masses.
I was given this book as part of the r2r TBR bar on the BDSM group..but I've honestly loved it, even for a short read. Which normally annoy me !
Spoiler Ahead This was book 2 in the "Immoral Virtue" series. This book picks up where book 1 left off. This time around Abigail assists Jameson is his thorough examinations. One woman Elizabeth won't submit to it. I liked the characters in this series and I really liked Elizabeth and the scenes between her and Giles were hot. The scenes, with the Governor directing Abigail's testing of the other women are hot. This book was well written like the first book with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I loved this. Book one was completely unique and I'm so pleased this is a direct continuation of the storyline. I read them both in one night and I have to say there were some extremely hot scenes in there. In fact, the entire book is one big smut fest and I mean that in the best possible way!
Even though I love a good smutty read, it's nice to have some story and I love the idea behind this series. It had a very interrogation by the police kind of feel but in a historical setting which was awesome. This is definitely something I'll be fantasising to for white a while! I love anything to do with that time period that involves witches. The book had a very creepy, dark atmosphere, add in a wicked governor and half a dozen naked 'witches' and for me it's exactly the kind of spooky kink I want to read for the Halloween season.
As much as I liked the first book, the interaction with all the different accused in this instalment was very well received. That being said, it did seem a little repetitive towards the end and I would have liked to see more scenes with Mercy, particularly after she was taken to the other room. I also particularly enjoyed the scenes with the watchman and Elizabeth, he was sweet and protective and I wasn't expecting that given the circumstances.
Overall this was a fun short read and I'm glad I tried it.
*This book was provided to me by the author through the BDSM group on goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
The Accused, Book Two in Arla Dahl’s Immoral Virtue series is riveting. I started it before I flew to Seattle and couldn’t wait for the flight so I could get a chance to finish it. I was nervous about starting this book, not sure what to expect since I liked book one so much. I wasn’t sure if it would be more of the same but it was so different and I was mesmerized.
Book two continues the inspections of the accused. This time around Abigail assists Jameson is his thorough examinations. I have to say, this part was EXTREMELY arousing. I’m not usually a fan of f/f but this was so erotic, I was squirming in my chair. There is also a lot of heat between Abigail and Jameson.
I love Arla’s writing style, she must have done so much research. You really feel like you are there, in that world with the characters.
I loved this book, here are some of my favorite things… I will do my best not to give spoilers. I loved the beginning and the introduction of Elizabeth. What a strong character. I want her to end up with the watchman…holy crap, I love him! I am so relieved that Abigail and Jameson still have that special connection between them. The ending, made me go “WTF, how long do I have to wait to find out how it ends?!” It was a great cliffhanger, the perfect ending, totally unexpected and I can’t wait to read book three.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
I read book one in this trilogy and was blown away by it. I loved the governor and admired Abigail, so I was very happy to see them return in book 2. I won't give away too many details but this book takes place during the same evening as book 1, with some of the same characters, but it's very different. The emotion ranges from resignation to defiance, with the governor's determination winning. Mostly. This was a great and moving read. Hot and sexy, but also dark and deliciously disturbing. I am eager to read book 3 but want to enjoy the hangover of book 2 for a little while longer.
Once again, Arla Dahl's poetic prose had me writhing along with the young women presumed to be witches of Salem. THE ACCUSED takes place one dark, decadent night, where guilt or innocence is proven under the Governor's most unnerving scrutiny. BDSM isn't normally my flavor, but once I got a taste of this tale in Book 1, I can't wait for Book 3 so I can learn more about governor's helper, The Watchman.
If THE MARK was the appetizer of this trilogy, THE ACCUSED is the main course for sure. There is so much sensual terror and sexual tension in the air and in the governor's chamber on this very long night. I'm glad we get a closer look at the sexy Watchman; I'm looking forward to more of him in Book 3.
Provided by the Author through the BDSM group on Goodreads.
This was an interesting take on the time period, however it fell short for me. The dialogue was stilted and didn't have the same flow as the first of this series.