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Darkness Embraced
Sold into slavery as a child, Ivy Black has known little but pain in her life. Offered as a sacrifice to the terrifying race known as the Ajax, she’s found by the fiercest one of them all. Betrayed and cast out by his tribe, Dredd is a lonely warrior longing for redemption. Now he’s found the answer to his prayers: his fated mate. If only she understood that.
Though Ivy is drawn to the feral warrior, she resists him, the need for freedom stronger than her desire. When she escapes, a maddened Dredd begins a brutal journey to find her. He becomes one of an elite group of gladiators called Beasts. Dredd travels the realm, fighting in the arenas and searching for Ivy. She’s found a new life but can’t forget the strong warrior and his sensual touch.
Then one day Dredd arrives in her village for a tournament…
Though Ivy is drawn to the feral warrior, she resists him, the need for freedom stronger than her desire. When she escapes, a maddened Dredd begins a brutal journey to find her. He becomes one of an elite group of gladiators called Beasts. Dredd travels the realm, fighting in the arenas and searching for Ivy. She’s found a new life but can’t forget the strong warrior and his sensual touch.
Then one day Dredd arrives in her village for a tournament…
152 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 1, 2016
++Spoilers++ Revised 8-17-16
OK I feel a bit bad about being so harsh in my below review. I am not changing it, but I feel a need to explain why this book got me into an emotional rant.
I was anticipating this to be an awesome read. Hell it had all the things I love.. Tortured/scarred/alpha virgin hero, a virgin heroine, a dark setting in a fantasy world, and it is tagged as erotica.
The problem is that after a few chapters it became clear that the author just couldn't fulfill my expectations. In short, I was disappointed.
The book clearly has some serious potential, and the idea of the story is creative and promising, and if it was completely overhauled could be an exceptional read.
The world building needs improvement, the character development needs to improved, the dialog needs to be consistant, basically this really should have gone through a competent editor or at minimum a few beta readers who aren't afraid to give their honest opinions to the author.
Anyway.. Yes I ranted.. yes it wasn't kind.. but understand, the author evoked an emotion from me out of frustration because this COULD have been soo good... I wanted it to be good.. it CAN be good..
But I refuse to change my rant. It is how I felt, it is my opinion nothing more.
DNF 32% Rant to follow
1.5 stars and this is being kind. Going to return for refund.
The first few chapters seemed promising, but the story slid downhill fast after he takes her to the cave.
Here's the thing.. if you're going to attempt erotica.. don't spend half the book having the heroine fight her traitorous body. Just get to the sex already. Also just because a man is alpha, don't write his dialog to make him sound like a babboon. "You hurt" "I go" ....He even.... so help me God.... beats on his chest.
A word of advice, If your hero starts sounding like Tarzan on acid.. then ditch the fact they cannot communicate and make them speak the same language.
But the real thing that ruined it for me was the heroine. I loathed her. Whiny, crying, spoiled, selfish twit. There is nothing likable about her, and I have no clue why the "hero" loves her.
Originality... Sucks
Nom?
Ajax?
Lastly.. please oh please.. when will romance authors STOP using the word "sex" to describe private parts?
IT'S.....PENIS, DICK, SHAFT don't be afraid to write it!
Don't waste your dollar.
OK I feel a bit bad about being so harsh in my below review. I am not changing it, but I feel a need to explain why this book got me into an emotional rant.
I was anticipating this to be an awesome read. Hell it had all the things I love.. Tortured/scarred/alpha virgin hero, a virgin heroine, a dark setting in a fantasy world, and it is tagged as erotica.
The problem is that after a few chapters it became clear that the author just couldn't fulfill my expectations. In short, I was disappointed.
The book clearly has some serious potential, and the idea of the story is creative and promising, and if it was completely overhauled could be an exceptional read.
The world building needs improvement, the character development needs to improved, the dialog needs to be consistant, basically this really should have gone through a competent editor or at minimum a few beta readers who aren't afraid to give their honest opinions to the author.
Anyway.. Yes I ranted.. yes it wasn't kind.. but understand, the author evoked an emotion from me out of frustration because this COULD have been soo good... I wanted it to be good.. it CAN be good..
But I refuse to change my rant. It is how I felt, it is my opinion nothing more.
DNF 32% Rant to follow
1.5 stars and this is being kind. Going to return for refund.
The first few chapters seemed promising, but the story slid downhill fast after he takes her to the cave.
Here's the thing.. if you're going to attempt erotica.. don't spend half the book having the heroine fight her traitorous body. Just get to the sex already. Also just because a man is alpha, don't write his dialog to make him sound like a babboon. "You hurt" "I go" ....He even.... so help me God.... beats on his chest.
A word of advice, If your hero starts sounding like Tarzan on acid.. then ditch the fact they cannot communicate and make them speak the same language.
But the real thing that ruined it for me was the heroine. I loathed her. Whiny, crying, spoiled, selfish twit. There is nothing likable about her, and I have no clue why the "hero" loves her.
Originality... Sucks
Nom?
Ajax?
Lastly.. please oh please.. when will romance authors STOP using the word "sex" to describe private parts?
IT'S.....PENIS, DICK, SHAFT don't be afraid to write it!
Don't waste your dollar.
March 2, 2015
I really liked this book. It has a beauty and the beast theme which I love. Hero is definitely possessive and believes that the heroine in his. Even though he believes this, he never forces her. I will definitely read more from this author.
March 8, 2015
Ivy Black is a kitchen slave for the ShadowBorn nobles. Dredd is a scarred and shunned warrior of the feared Ajax tribe. The Ajax area tribe of huge people with fangs who are very fierce. When the ShadowBorn decide to sacrifice a maiden it's Ivy's name drawn from the basket. So she finds herself tied to a tree in the Dark Woods waiting for what she has no idea. Dredd is hunting in the Dark Woods and smells her and realizes she's a Vessel, someone who might be able to get him back into the good graces of his tribe. He rescues her from another warrior and bites her to mark her and keep her safe from the other Ajax. Ivy doesn't want to be a slave and sure doesn't want to be mated to an Ajax so one night she drugs him and escapes. She ends up at hiding from Dredd at a brothel where she's the maid. During Dredd's hunt for Ivy he joins the Beast of Sport, sort of a traveling gladiator show, where he's the undefeated champion. When he finds Ivy he takes her in more ways than one. Now Ivy has to decide if she wants to be his mate and stay with him or run back to the brothel. Is there a HEA is their future or are they doomed? I enjoyed this book and thought the characters were well written and the storyline flowed well. Who doesn't like a book about a maiden and an strong alpha male who swoops in and takes what he wants. Independent reviewer for PR&ATR.
March 24, 2015
I really loved this book. It's set in a fantastical world, with a damsel in distress and her rescuer "beast". (I couldn't help but think of the Game of Thrones Dothraki King that may be a bit rough around the edges, but is a fierce protector of the woman he loves...and yummy!) The damsel is not really a damsel either. She is very strong-willed and opinionated. She has a very sarcastic inner dialogue that I loved. Overall, it is a great story & very well written. Can't wait to read more from this author!
February 5, 2015
This book as a romance story with slight paranormal attributes- fangs and the destined mate. At the begining of the book had hinted that there be more to the book, some acclamation for Dredd but she took another direction that made this romance story short and sweet. This book only had one element, romance and though I wished there was also something else, another element more of the story, it was a great read and I highly enjoyed it.
October 8, 2015
I liked this book. I wish I could give it more stars but I just can't.
I think my chief complaint is that it was too short. I finished reading it within one sitting. I really enjoyed the plot but it felt like it got rushed, and because of that the main characters didn't have as much character development as I would like.
Aside from that, it was a fun read.
I think my chief complaint is that it was too short. I finished reading it within one sitting. I really enjoyed the plot but it felt like it got rushed, and because of that the main characters didn't have as much character development as I would like.
Aside from that, it was a fun read.
May 9, 2015
Couldn't put it down!
The characters and their environments are described in such a way that you can see it vividly in your head. The main characters are so likeable. And let's not forget the sex...great stuff! Can't wait for another Trish Arcangelo novel!
The characters and their environments are described in such a way that you can see it vividly in your head. The main characters are so likeable. And let's not forget the sex...great stuff! Can't wait for another Trish Arcangelo novel!
February 9, 2017
Good
I couldn't put it down.
The entire novel felt like a combination of the Dark Ages and the Roman time of the Gladiators. The Axaj are essentially the boogeyman race, when the red moon brings out their inner beasts, but some things weren't really discussed as they were just thrown out there with expectations to just take it and get over it.
I liked this book, but it's not one many would like. I am fairly relaxed when it comes to the paranormal genre. In this particular case, I could look past the flaws and focus on the story.
If it wasn't a paranormal, I would have likely been able to give no more than two stars, but I like Trish's style here.
I couldn't put it down.
The entire novel felt like a combination of the Dark Ages and the Roman time of the Gladiators. The Axaj are essentially the boogeyman race, when the red moon brings out their inner beasts, but some things weren't really discussed as they were just thrown out there with expectations to just take it and get over it.
I liked this book, but it's not one many would like. I am fairly relaxed when it comes to the paranormal genre. In this particular case, I could look past the flaws and focus on the story.
If it wasn't a paranormal, I would have likely been able to give no more than two stars, but I like Trish's style here.
December 25, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I wish it had been a little longer but that was only because I would have liked to spend more time with the characters. The story moves quickly and is well written. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews