Club Alpha

Billionaire's Game #1

by Marata Eros

“Would you pay fifty million for your soul mate?”

Club Alpha is a STANDALONE, PSYCHOLOGICAL DARK ROMANTIC SUSPENSE and contains scenes of graphic violence. May contain triggers.

Francisco “Paco” Castillo is a bilingual billionaire with unconventional ideas about love, sex and possession. He believes there is no other half to make him whole. Paco dreams of experimenting with a dangerous reality not of his own making. Club Alpha owner, Zaire Sebastian, can make Paco's vision a reality—for a price.

Greta Dahlem is an extreme sports executive whose ambition masks a terrible secret. When her mentor Gia Township, sponsors her as a player in Club Alpha, Greta's unsure she can survive the inherent risk of the game Zaire weaves. But in her heart, Greta yearns for a man who will complete her, and erase the brutal tragedy of two years ago.

As the fantasy progresses, Greta comes to realize she is the loose string in a plot of murder and deception that begins to unravel. Without knowing who to trust, Greta must decide between two men. When the three are thrown together, the lines of reality and fantasy blur.

Is there any way for her to know what is real?


Cliff-hanger free
Standalone novel
HEA

Psychological Dark Romantic Suspense.

Genres: Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary

302 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2015

About the author

NEW RELEASE ALERT: bit.ly/MarataNEWS

Marata Eros is the author of over ninety-five titles, including her NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novel, A TERRIBLE LOVE, and the #1 international bestselling erotic Interracial and African-American TOKEN serial. Marata writes a variety of dark fiction in the genres of erotica, fantasy, romance, suspense and sci-fi. She and her husband live in the midwest with their four sons and three disrespectful dogs. Marata's #1 hobby is reading; she loves interacting with her readers.

http://marataeroseroticaauthor.blogsp...
Tamara Rose Blodgett's Blog: http://tamararoseblodgett.blogspot.com/

FUTURE TITLES 2018:

TRAINER (Road Kill MC)
VIPER (Road Kill MC)
IN BROKEN LOVE
DRUID #11
SIREN #4
THE FIRST SPECIES

Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★! Club Alpha (stand-alone). Brought together by a game set in motion by a premier dating club Paco & Greta leave themselves vulnerable for enemies!

Club Alpha (stand-alone) opens a beautiful blond girl sipping on a drink her eyes meeting those of a handsome green-eyed stranger. Their eyes hold, but before they can speak they are torn apart by a calamity and it will be two years before their paths shall cross again.

Marketing executive and heiress Greta Dahlem is a shadow of her former self. Since that night she has been fighting to come back from dark place. Her scars both literally and figuratively run deep.

Her friend and doctor has signed her up for Club Alpha, a premier dating service that pairs couples in a game like fashion by setting in motion events that force them together “by chance”. Waiting on Mr. Wonderful is both e exhilaration and nerve-wrecking.

Francisco Emmanuel Lewis Castillo, Paco spends all his time running his family’s coffee empire; his lonely existence is filled with excessive exercising and the company of his body guard. Coerced by a friend he signs up for Club alpha but still thinks about the stunning blond in the bar…

But Club Alpha makes both Paco and Greta vulnerable for the dark forces surrounding them. While they innocently await their dating game to begin and their partner to be revealed they get caught up in a much larger game set on destruction and death.



Six words to describe Francisco Emmanuel Lewis Castillo, Paco: Charming, noble, patient, smart, determined and sweet.



Seven words to describe Greta Dahlem: Broken, resilient, strong, sweet, hopeful and timid.

Club Alpha, told from alternating POVs, is a suspenseful and dark romantic thriller filled with greed, power, lies, betrayal, violence even murder. It ends on a high with healing and love.

Complex and thrilling plot! Excellent story-telling! Broken heroine! Oh so sweet hero!

***
Hero rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3 stars
Plot rating: 4 stars
Dialogue rating: 4 stars
Storytelling rating: 4.5 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A, ARC
**********************************************
Overall rating: 4 stars

Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

ARC provided to me by author, Marata Eros in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashleyjo]

Someone needs to go for a full psych exam - me -or- the people who could understand this mfing book. I'm not talking like it or hate it... I'm talking just comprehending WTH the characters are talking about.

Basic Plot

From what I read, it's seems to be the matchmaker romantic version of...



I'm with ya so far, and it all sounds mysteriously interesting and intriguing.

The problem is that I either can't, don't want to, or don't need to understand a damn thing this author is saying.

The writing is just so ... bad confusing jumbled spastic monotone Here, just see for yourself.

The Writing

• "You got the Benedict Cumberbatch cheekbones. The green peepers the ladies dig, but you want to beef yourself up with some muscle mass, look menacing."

• "Damn, man! Are you Adonis or what?"
"Not that I'm aware of."

1. Who the fuck is Benedict Cumberbatch?

2. What black personal trainer on earth would ever call another dude an "Adonis" or his eyes "peepers?"

3. I just don't get WTF this author is even saying half the time. If I do get it, then it's still some oddball, weird shit that no one would say in reality.

• 'He rolls his eyes in a face that is just as dark.'

• "Stop wishing and start being, Paco. If this fantasy thing" - he palms his chin- "is some kind of slice of random all the time, that is your best defense - a good offense."

• "Its more than match-making. It's an irrevocable machine of non-compromise. It's meant to pair you with your best match while making sure the ineffability of life is ferreted out before long-term commitment is engineered between the two."
"And I know two languages?"
"I think- yeah- English please. You make my brain hurt."

1. It's a shitload of awkward sentences, awkward phrasing, or shit that just don't make sense at all. I know I digress, but, let me rephrase ... the shit that be coming outta ya mouth maketh no sense!

2. Yes, my brain hurts, too, and I'd like to light your thesaurus afire. Sometimes a simple sentence is just that - a simple sentence.

"I remember what Gia tells me in our sessions. As long as a comment is kind and honest, your feelings are always appropriate to verbalize. Just restating the facts, Jack.

1. How'd I know a heavy dose of prudish Pollyanna was coming? At least I could understand it~

I allow myself to relax increments. I use the breathing exercises until it am regulated and calm. Snorting my hands down my dark skinny jeans, I leave my room and slide the keycard into my back pocket. I have the company's American Express card in my front pocket. I
leave my handbag behind in the safe in my room. I walk to the elevator and press the down button. I snatch my smartphone out of my other pocket then scroll through the updates .

1. While I do appreciate that I can at least understand the shit, the monotone, step-by-step drivel is unnecessary.

The Plot



The FMC and MMC see each other across a bar the night of her gang rape. Sadly, she's drugged and hauled off before he even speaks to her.

Fast forward two years..

Her therapist/friend pays 50 MILLION dollars for her to be part of this exclusive matchmaking club which guarantees you'll know with absolute certainty that you've found a person devoted to you for all the right reasons.



Where might I find a friend/therapist like that?

Anyway...

The fatal flaw here is that it doesn't matter wtf kinda games and tests the club members are put through because BOTH the female and male KNOW they are going to be TESTED, for how long, and why. There's absolutely no possible twist that can get around that fact and make the club guarantee.

The MMC is still thinking about the MMC he saw once two years ago and never even said a single word to.

What an Fing coincidence that he is also signing up for this 50 mil alpha club.

Even bigger coincidence, she's his match at this alpha club thing.

Before they even get a chance to meet, some dudes who I'm assuming are cartel or mafia of some sort are showing him a pic of her and telling him that 1. They have her 2. She's his distant cousin 3. He has to pay some million kzillion dollars for her. 4. He has to kill her himself or they will torture, rape, and kill her.

I'm done at that point. DNF.

This is not suspense, people. This is absolute nonsense atop nonsense.

Bottom Line



My brain hurts trying to comprehend this shit. The author and I are on completely different planets because I can't understand most of this and the rest is either far fetched or step-by-step guides on shit like getting on an elevator.

I'd strongly suggest downloading a sample first if you intent on reading this book.


TRIGGER::::: Be aware that the prologue of the book involves gang rape of the FMC, which is briefly described in action and in mild to moderate detail. Chapter one begins two years later.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received for review

This was a dark thriller. It was interesting. I had to push through the first half of the book, but then it was easier. There's a bunch of crazy people. I mean seriously off their rockers. Paco and his body guard are both smoking hot. Greta was still very naive even after her past. I enjoyed it but wouldn't want to read it again.

[Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD · Rating 1 out of 5]

Paco was too much. Super hot. Super tough. Super smart. Super badass. Super sexy. blah blah blah .... not enough depth for me. Even his male friends idolized him as having the perfect body. And how did he get it and .....yeah I could not get into this at all.

Greta was boring and came off desperate and flighty.

So my opinion isn’t so lovely on this one. You know what the say about opinions. They are like _ _ _ holes everyone’s got one 😲

Happy reading! DD

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marata Eros heads straight to the dark and brutal side of life, the side your mother warns you about. Greta’s drink has been laced with drugs, and through her mental fog, she is repeatedly raped by 4 men with distinctive coloring. Battered, humiliated and terrified, she is convinced to try romance on her terms, for the small sum of fifty million dollars, but she is guaranteed to find her true love in this staged adventure. Francisco Castillo, a Hispanic billionaire is tired of the life he is leading and also seeks true love. One seeks redemption from the nightmares of her past, while the other seeks to have no control over where his life will take him, even it is for a brief time.
Seems simple, exciting and life changing, right? Little did these two know they were on a path filled with conspiracy, death and deceit, all with Greta hanging on to her sanity by a thread as she faces the possibility of history repeating itself in more ways than one. Is it possible for these two to truly find love in the middle of a maelstrom of tension?

Club Alpha by Marata Eros showcases her ability to create brutal reality with her words while plotting a tale more twisted than barbed wire. Ms. Eros chooses to use her strong voice to cover each page with grit, danger and mystery, adding some true chock factors along the way. Not for those sensitive to graphic sexual abuse, either during the act or as flashbacks, this is still an amazing psychological drama that will keep one on the edge of their seat.

I received this copy from Marata Eros in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: November 19, 2015
Publisher: Tamara Rose Blodgett
Genre: Dark, Romantic, Psychological Thriller
Print Length: 308 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/12/2019)! 🎁

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of Paco and Greta is intense and truly unexpected.
There are so many different twists and turns but that ending? Perfect!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most emotional book I have ever read. It is such a complicated plot and it isn't the most feel good book you will read but it does weave such a complicated story that you don't want to put it down because you need to get to the end. It is also not a book you will forget anytime soon. It tells of great tradegy and accomplishments, good friendship and love like no other. It is filled with evil and overcoming that evil to be who you want to be. The sincerest of love and second chances.

I give this 5 stars because it makes me feel both good and bad, and that is my criteria.

*This book has rape and torture in it so beware if you are sensitive to these topics.*

I received this as an ARC for an honest review.

[Scrap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given and ARC of this book for an honest review,

This book is so very good, It is a DARK thriller and has you on
the edge of your seat the whole way,

I really Love Paco, and his body guard Tallian, the trials that
they go through with Club Alpha are thrilling, What Greta has dealt
with in her life are so sad and hard to read, But how the book ends
is just amazing, what a beautiful Man Paco is,

I highly recommend this to all that like a dark thrilling read

[Bonny Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a title like CLUB ALPHA, I was expecting a typical bdsm romance, but that wasn't the case and I was pleasantly surprised. This was a very different type story. The concept is like the movie "The Game" starring Michael Douglas, but with the added purpose of finding one's soulmate.

It starts out good. The first few chapters set the stage with character history/backgrounds and takes you through their Club Alpha application process as well as explaining what Club Alpha is all about; how the H and h's "fantasy" will work, when it begins (neither knows the exact date, only that it can begin after a certain date), club disclaimers, warnings, etc. So far, so good.

Then something happens that makes absolutely no sense. What you suspect is the beginning of her fantasy is fine. I had a real problem with his. I won't spoil it by telling you what it is, only that one of the things he is asked to do seems to defeat the whole purpose of the fantasy! I'm thinking where the heck is the author going with this. I can't imagine any way this could ever make sense. I keep reading thinking this is going to have to be a very trite and dumb ending. Boy was I wrong. I guess that's why Marata Eros is an author and not me. She came up with an angle that I never anticipated nor could have imagined.

From the moment that angle is revealed this story just gets better. There is enough excitement, intrigue and violence to keep you interested until the end. I will definitely be reading more Marata Eros.

[Sarah Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I couldn’t keep up. They because I didn’t realize there were four different people. For some reason, my kind assumed I was reading the same POV of Greta and her sister and Paco and Tor. Anyway, I thought this was an interesting read. If only Paco would’ve intervened years ago, then Greta wouldn’t have went through the pain. But they say things happen for a reason.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is OH MY Goodness that was amazing!!!!

I have to admit this isnt a story I would have normally picked up, but I adore the author and just needed to give it a go. I am so glad I did.

Halfway through my friggen jaw drops WTF how does she (Marata Eros) even do it I mean twist after twist I am so amazed at the BRILLIANCE I was physically giddy with excitement and wonder, with what would be revealed next.

I really loved Paco he has charisma, charm, intelligence and grace.

Greta oh my heart stuttered for her. Her beginning is immensely horrific and violent. Her character is wondrous and beautiful and heart-filled.

As a couple they are soul connected and it is beautifully written each scene together strengthens their relationship and it does not feel fast or forced its Fated.

Marata is renowned for her sexy scenes (in my eyes) they are always so erotically charged and sexy as hell, so I was extremely pleased with how greatly she handled the love scene between Paco and Greta, with elegance and grace.

Please note* There are sex scenes that will offend (and rip your heart apart) including rape and they are gritty and raw and dark.

All the characters have their own unique role to play. I loved Tallin and would love to see him get a story. Gia is a brilliant addition and would love to meet her again.

All up I really loved it and found it to a great addition to the mighty works of Marata Eros. Beautiful and JAW DROPPINGLY AWESOME!!!!!

[DawnMarie Carpintero · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Kinky Stars

I was given this book for my honest review

Doing a normal review wasn’t in the cards for me and for that I am sorry.

This read is a dark romance and should have warnings of ice-cubes, ice-cream and the screaming towel. The read is just that good that these items will forever be in your possession when reading this book time and time again. It is not for the ill at heart and as the author writes in her blurb may contain triggers.

The author’s words become strong, scary and downright let me crawl in a hole at times and hide away from the feelings that she creates within this read. Greta learns and comes in contact with things that are unbeknown to her but excite her in ways that can only described as orgasmic. What will the true end mean for this woman that you will have to read for yourself. Please keep in mind that this author is creating a read within a read that is totally ice-cream worthy.

Happy Reading

[Caryn Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d like to preface this review by stating that Marata Eros has been one of my favorites since I read A Terrible Love. I’ve been completely hooked on her writing ever since. The webs she weaves with her words simply blows me away every time.
Club Alpha is no different.
A prologue powerfully written with so few words.
The diversity of characters in Club Alpha so refreshing
The mother of all “Holy S***! I didn’t see that coming” moments
Suspense written so well that you feel as if you’re watching a scary movie ~ where you cover your eyes but peek through your fingers because you have to know what happens next, even though it feels like your heart is going to beat right out of your chest.
A proper, well-spoken H that you can’t help but fall in love with.
An h that you hope with all that you have gets her happy ever after.
Along with a cast of characters that make Club Alpha a fantastic read!
One click Club Alpha and I promise you, Paco will become your next Book Crush
~ 5 ~ Stars

[Queen Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Stars- I received an ARC for an honest review of Club Alpha by Marata Eros

While this book was dark and intense and has you asking is this real? There is a lighter side to the story, the banter between Paco and his personal bodyguard Tallian is an absolute riot. Greta seems to be the pawn in the entire story and is violated in every way imaginable. This story was similar to the movie the game, where at any time you think is this real or part of Club Alpha? Regardless this story was good!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual and unique 4 star read

Oh wow wtf did I just read! ....this is a warning readers the story is a dark and brutal mystery that is quite graphic. It's raw, damaging and yet its plot is such a unique idea for a book, very unusual. The characters are engaging, and the story kept me guessing throughout most of it as to what next. The only thing that doesn't sit right with me is the amount of money being thrown around like its pocket change if it was lower I might just believe it.

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

What and intense read full of betrayal, and greed. This dark thriller is full of suspense and will keep you on edge just when you think you had everything figure out BAM!! your hit with another surprise. I really like the interaction between Paco and his bodyguard Tallian he was so hilarious. Poor Greta reading about her ordeal was really hard but she came out victorious in the end. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes reading dark thrillers.

[dakotapie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like to think I have pretty solid reading comprehension skills but this was just one big old question mark for me. What is Club Alpha. WHY is Club Alpha? The whole premise was murky at best and the red herrings the author weaved throughout this tale did nothing to clear that up. I finished this one thinking to myself, "why did I just waste a couple of hours of my life on this?"

[Jane Stopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book

[Cherri-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow your heart, Greta. 5 GOLD STARS

Would you pay fifty million for your soul mate?

Do you trust me? Yes. Then let whatever will happen, happen. So far… I'm on cloud nine. But I'm in unfamiliar waters. Talk about FANTASMIC storytelling! I have absolutely no nails left! This was so intense to me that the suspense had me biting my nails, which I haven't done for years! I don't often read suspense novels of any kind simply because I have very little patience, so waiting for things to play out, to be revealed, would normally drive me nuts, but to read one by Marata Eros? It not only amped it all up, but it made it all worthwhile!!!! This is one helluva story complete with characters I couldn't help but love - or hate - with so much emotion, I truly felt like I was right there with them, living it with them, through every single bit of it!! Only Marata can take me out of my comfort zone - so far out that I can't even see my comfort zone anymore! - and have me on my knees, begging for more! It doesn't matter what she writes - paranormal, contemporary, adult, young adult, explicitly dirty, or any & everything in between, she has me truly, madly, deeply, wholly, utterly and COMPLETELY entranced and consumed with – by – her unparalleled writing style & exceptional talent.

[Regina · Rating 1 out of 5]

No

I wrote a long review only for kindle new format to keep slinging me back to book .
Short of it . I knew more about his workout routine than him personally . bodyguard was with him all time talked about beefing him up ..annoying.. Met her in beginning allowed her to go with dude even tho he felt it was off ..she was drugged raped by multi men..fast forward .do some club cryptic thing to find " perfect match" in comes drug cartel ...lots of bad people entering but not enough build up. Just 2 much. They meet at 37% of book briefly.
Writer started right of with the race things that I find very annoying .she was pure blooded not a mix of things the bad guy uses the n word and sp word ..it was forced and it felt off in the book . tried to have to many things going on at once under the cloud of plot twist ..only made my brain hurt .it was 2 short for the things stuffed in the plot and took away instead of added. Had hopes for it but it had most of my pet peeves in it ....yep..you guessed it ..done with the writer no desire to read more .not even a spark at the " intrigue, mystery, romance 😂 ,that was promised in this book . shame Alpha Club could have been promising .......😒

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read a lot of dark romance books and have enjoyed most of them, but this one was almost too dark for me. This book contains several triggers - brutal SA scenes are described quite frequently throughout the book (one is literally within the first few pages), there are racial slurs as well that felt very unneeded. The whole Club Alpha aspect and the relationship between the two MC's Greta and Paco was kind of pushed to the background with everything else that was going on and the rules of the club were kind of confusing to begin with. We didn't really get to see a relationship fully develop between the two because of the whole side plot that became more of the main focus. Definitely avoid this one if you are sensitive to topics of SA and racism. I almost DNF'd several times but curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to see how everything played out, kind of wish I didn't continue on though as the outcome wasn't worth the time spent reading.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s more than a love story it’s greed rape death cartel and money lots of it, Paco sees a goddess the other side if the room and as he makes his way over she is whisked away. Two years later he joins “Club Alpha” who promise that they will find his true love. Greta on a business trip to Norway her birth home meets up with Tor who as far as she knows is a business man Greta has also joined the “Club Alpha” paid for by her good friend Gia. I don’t want to give away the nitty gritty of the story that’s for you to read, but Paco is set up to kill a Norwegian woman or the cartel will kill his family, this is where he meets Lisbeth who is Gretas twin sister ( that G thinks is dead) things get rather complicated at this point Paco and Greta meet accidentally in the lift and the rest of the world dissapeared for them. Loved the book and highly recommend it

[Chelsie Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle / audiobook (audible) - story is decent though note there is rape scenes. It's an interesting concept to have an agency that strives to create organic relationships from computerized pairings. The fmc seems to be a bit aloof given her past and way too trusting of strangers' stories. The mmc is a typical Prince Charming persona.
The virtual narrative audiobook is horrible with a lack of emotion and consistent skips of duplicate dialog words to indicate stuttering and adding in punctuations into some of the dialogue like periods and commas. This resulted in changing the scene's energy and emotions and causing confusion as to what was actually going on. There is also a lack of change between story lines and dialogue lines making it almost impossible to follow conversations without the written companion.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greta was drugged and kidnapped. Rape. Four men. Green eyes. Torture. Unbelievable pain. Two years later, Greta still suffers flashbacks from this horrendous time. Anything can trigger these flashbacks. Her friend signs her up for Club Alpha. Paci is a very handsome billionaire. He also signs up to find his perfect woman. Just like the woman he saw two years ago. Danger. Lots of danger. A beau. A sister. Kidnapping. More torture. And a great love. What a fantastic story this was. But be warned. There are a lot of triggers in this story.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and intriguing

I'm astounded by the emotions this story brought with it. I wasn't expecting some of what happened in this book, and I'm sure it has triggers for some women. I do not have those but even for me it was a little dark. It was like watching the scariest suspense movie.

[barbie hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted matchmaking.

Greta and Paco begin a dark, dangerous, life altering adventure of mind games, extortion, emotional triggers, intimidation, abduction, rape, betrayal, murder, deception, evil deceit, greed, blackmail, justice and yes, a HEA. It's action-packed and so suspenseful.

[Renee Malm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I can’t tell you how many times my Apple Watch alerted me to my rising heart rate. This book was intense and was more than I could have ever excepted (even though I always expect the best from Marata). Great read!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

The game can not only confuse the players, but the reader.
Sexual trauma could trigger some readers.
The story is sensitive and complex, but with a good lesson. We are not what others have done to us.

[Rise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. The trauma that Greta had to endure, but still came out stronger with the help of Gia. Although this was a tougher read I’m happy Greta got a wonderful ending. A bit confusing to say the least it turned out to be interesting.