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Crimson
Not yet published
Expected 24 Sep 26Twelve years of silence. One photograph. And the most dangerous man in Brooklyn standing between her and the past.
Jade Monroe built her life on rules.
Rules keep you safe. Rules keep you alive. Rules keep you from becoming the kind of woman who waits for men to come home in handcuffs…or coffins.
So when someone from her father’s past resurfaces—watching her, following her, demanding payment for debts she never owed—Jade does what she’s always done:
She handles it alone.
Until Cristóbal “Crimson” De León makes that impossible.
Powerful. Calculated. Untouchable. A crime lord quietly building a legitimate empire on the bones of a criminal one. When Crimson offers Jade a lucrative consulting arrangement, she tells herself it’s strictly business. Professional. Controlled. Safe.
But nothing about Crimson is safe.
He notices too much. The fear she hides behind routine. The scars she never explains. And when the threat against her becomes undeniable, Crimson offers the one thing no one ever has:
Protection.
His resources. His power. His world.
The cost? Letting him in.
For a man who’s made control his religion, protecting Jade means breaking every rule he’s ever lived by. For a woman who’s survived by trusting no one, accepting his help means risking the one thing she’s fought to bury:
The truth about what happened twelve years ago.
As bodies surface and detectives close in, Jade finds herself trapped between the life she built and the man she never should have wanted.
Because in Brooklyn, debts don’t die.
And loving Crimson De León might be the most dangerous gamble of all.
Jade Monroe built her life on rules.
Rules keep you safe. Rules keep you alive. Rules keep you from becoming the kind of woman who waits for men to come home in handcuffs…or coffins.
So when someone from her father’s past resurfaces—watching her, following her, demanding payment for debts she never owed—Jade does what she’s always done:
She handles it alone.
Until Cristóbal “Crimson” De León makes that impossible.
Powerful. Calculated. Untouchable. A crime lord quietly building a legitimate empire on the bones of a criminal one. When Crimson offers Jade a lucrative consulting arrangement, she tells herself it’s strictly business. Professional. Controlled. Safe.
But nothing about Crimson is safe.
He notices too much. The fear she hides behind routine. The scars she never explains. And when the threat against her becomes undeniable, Crimson offers the one thing no one ever has:
Protection.
His resources. His power. His world.
The cost? Letting him in.
For a man who’s made control his religion, protecting Jade means breaking every rule he’s ever lived by. For a woman who’s survived by trusting no one, accepting his help means risking the one thing she’s fought to bury:
The truth about what happened twelve years ago.
As bodies surface and detectives close in, Jade finds herself trapped between the life she built and the man she never should have wanted.
Because in Brooklyn, debts don’t die.
And loving Crimson De León might be the most dangerous gamble of all.
Expected publication September 24, 2026
About the author
Desiree Moodie
15 books70 followersDesiree Moodie has been writing stories since before she could talk. As a child, she spent her weekends creating homemade books — scribbling on notebook paper and stapling the pages together like a miniature publishing house.
Today, Desiree is the author of dark, twisty stories full of morally complex characters, sharp dialogue, and layered plots. Her writing is influenced by her travels, old-school noir films, and — yes — pro-wrestling (she still watches sometimes; no judgment allowed).
She has a particular soft spot for difficult women and clever villains — the kind who are just charming enough to make you root for them even when you know you shouldn’t. She believes that words have immense power and should be wielded with intention — whether to challenge, delight, or simply keep you flipping the pages into the early hours of the morning.
When she's not writing, Desiree is watching reruns of Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, practicing her Lauren Bacall impression, and daydreaming about young Harrison Ford (and yes, older Harrison too). She’s also a sucker for a bold red lip and interesting locales — both in fiction and real life.
Her goal? To create beautifully written, compelling stories that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. And if you love morally ambiguous characters and a well-earned twist, you’ll feel right at home in her world.
Desiree loves hearing from readers — so don’t be shy. Drop her a line (just don’t yell in all caps).
👉 Find out more and grab a free book at desireemoodie.com
Today, Desiree is the author of dark, twisty stories full of morally complex characters, sharp dialogue, and layered plots. Her writing is influenced by her travels, old-school noir films, and — yes — pro-wrestling (she still watches sometimes; no judgment allowed).
She has a particular soft spot for difficult women and clever villains — the kind who are just charming enough to make you root for them even when you know you shouldn’t. She believes that words have immense power and should be wielded with intention — whether to challenge, delight, or simply keep you flipping the pages into the early hours of the morning.
When she's not writing, Desiree is watching reruns of Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, practicing her Lauren Bacall impression, and daydreaming about young Harrison Ford (and yes, older Harrison too). She’s also a sucker for a bold red lip and interesting locales — both in fiction and real life.
Her goal? To create beautifully written, compelling stories that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. And if you love morally ambiguous characters and a well-earned twist, you’ll feel right at home in her world.
Desiree loves hearing from readers — so don’t be shy. Drop her a line (just don’t yell in all caps).
👉 Find out more and grab a free book at desireemoodie.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 15, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC.
Omg. I was not expecting to love this as much as I did! I haven’t read a bang bang shoot em up time book in a while and this was the perfect book to get back into them. Crimson and Jade are both two complicated but very loveable characters who are both just wanting to be safe in their environments. I mean this story just pulled me in - I was audibly gasping at the end! Because what is going on! Desiree has a gift because the way I was literally in the story, feeling everything. She really knows how to set the stage and do it well! My goodness!
There’s romance, there’s tension, there’s tenderness, there’s suspense - the way the story builds and builds and builds - *chef’s kiss*.
All I can say is without spoilers- Why would Jade do that?? Why would Crimson just be okay with all that going down??
This is my first Desiree Moodie book, but definitely not my last! I’m so hype for book two!! Highly highly recommend picking this one up when it drops!
Omg. I was not expecting to love this as much as I did! I haven’t read a bang bang shoot em up time book in a while and this was the perfect book to get back into them. Crimson and Jade are both two complicated but very loveable characters who are both just wanting to be safe in their environments. I mean this story just pulled me in - I was audibly gasping at the end! Because what is going on! Desiree has a gift because the way I was literally in the story, feeling everything. She really knows how to set the stage and do it well! My goodness!
There’s romance, there’s tension, there’s tenderness, there’s suspense - the way the story builds and builds and builds - *chef’s kiss*.
All I can say is without spoilers- Why would Jade do that?? Why would Crimson just be okay with all that going down??
This is my first Desiree Moodie book, but definitely not my last! I’m so hype for book two!! Highly highly recommend picking this one up when it drops!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book has everything that a reader could want in a book! It is centered around two very strong individuals who normally would not have crossed paths, but they did! Crimson has inherited his grandfather's business and is working on making a legitimate enterprise, but is still using drugs for his financial base support. He is a young mafia king, gaining his Empire in Brooklyn. He is untouchable and observes everything. Then one evening Jade enters his club and he swears to make her his. She has tried to forget what she has been through as a teen, due to her Father's crime history. She has made rules and promises to herself and catalogued and filed everything in her life just like she does with the files at the bank she works at.
These 2 individuals have never given to another, yet they are pulled to each other and give what they never could to anyone else to the other. It keeps you on your toes and turning the pages as the tension keeps building. It does not have an ending you expect, it will have you searching for the next story in the series!! It is well written with a great story line and you cannot predict what happens until it does!!! The characters are wonderful and well introduced! Enjoy!!!
These 2 individuals have never given to another, yet they are pulled to each other and give what they never could to anyone else to the other. It keeps you on your toes and turning the pages as the tension keeps building. It does not have an ending you expect, it will have you searching for the next story in the series!! It is well written with a great story line and you cannot predict what happens until it does!!! The characters are wonderful and well introduced! Enjoy!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
SAFETY—that’s what we all crave at the end of the day. This story is about two people who already know how to take care of themselves, finally learning to let someone else in to do it for them. And WHEW, the turns this plot took! I was not ready.
What I loved most was being allowed to just sit in those real, raw moments with each character. I saw so much of myself in Jade. In a world where showing weakness could literally get you killed, Crimson decided she was worth the risk before he even knew what hit him. ( I’m definitely side-eyeing Montoya for now.)
This book completely grabbed me, wrapping me up in warm promises and nonstop anticipation. That ending had me almost going into a full panic, but Desiree politely brought me back down to earth with those bonus scenes. My heart aches but in a good way. I need Book 2 right now!.
What I loved most was being allowed to just sit in those real, raw moments with each character. I saw so much of myself in Jade. In a world where showing weakness could literally get you killed, Crimson decided she was worth the risk before he even knew what hit him. ( I’m definitely side-eyeing Montoya for now.)
This book completely grabbed me, wrapping me up in warm promises and nonstop anticipation. That ending had me almost going into a full panic, but Desiree politely brought me back down to earth with those bonus scenes. My heart aches but in a good way. I need Book 2 right now!.
September 9, 2026
What can I say besides I’m OBSESSED with Crimson & Jade. ♥️
Their story is so relatable and complex and just fun to watch unfold and just exist.
The ending … that call… the gasp I gasped 🤯
I truly enjoyed every moment in this world and I can not wait for book 2. 💚
The little extras Desiree added at the end made me so happy and realise this author truly loves her world and her characters and being a writer. Plus she loves us readers to bless us with so much more than just the story alone. 🫶🏽
Their story is so relatable and complex and just fun to watch unfold and just exist.
The ending … that call… the gasp I gasped 🤯
I truly enjoyed every moment in this world and I can not wait for book 2. 💚
The little extras Desiree added at the end made me so happy and realise this author truly loves her world and her characters and being a writer. Plus she loves us readers to bless us with so much more than just the story alone. 🫶🏽
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I can’t describe how much the writing felt like poetry! I’m a sucker for detailed scenes and beautiful prose.
Whew. But…secrets always eventually catch up to us! The overlapping complexities between Jade and Crimson kept me turning the pages. I kept asking myself, what would I do if I was Jade…
I was not expecting the ending at all, a preview is not enough…I need book 2 NOW!
Whew. But…secrets always eventually catch up to us! The overlapping complexities between Jade and Crimson kept me turning the pages. I kept asking myself, what would I do if I was Jade…
I was not expecting the ending at all, a preview is not enough…I need book 2 NOW!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so attached to this story and the characters and cannot wait to continue reading about them. The ending through me; but I hadn’t realized it was a part of a series so now I’m less thrown. Highly recommend!
September 15, 2026
So exciting, intense and just damn right good!!!
Crimson, shall we say new book boyfriend 😘 the slow burn in this one was perfect! 👌 Loved and definitely recommend thank you to the author for the e-arc but can I get book 2 like now 😩 #crimson #jade #desireemoodie #crimeromance
Crimson, shall we say new book boyfriend 😘 the slow burn in this one was perfect! 👌 Loved and definitely recommend thank you to the author for the e-arc but can I get book 2 like now 😩 #crimson #jade #desireemoodie #crimeromance
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews