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The one night that changed everything.

Valerie is tired of thinking about her ex. 

She's back in school and back in The Mother City, but she can't get him out of her head.
She can't stop thinking about his betrayal . 

On the advice of those who know better, she embarks on her first one night stand.

As they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else...

When Vladimir orders a drink, he doesn't expect to find such alluring company.

Fortunately for them both, she's only looking for a good time.

Deep in the weapons trade, he's learned to grab opportunity by the throat.

When they meet again, however, Valerie's curiosity gets the better of her. What was supposed to be a simple hook-up temptingly turns complicated.

Genesis is the first book in the Dark Desires Trilogy. Complete series now available in KU! Vladimir and Valerie's story continues in Deliverance and Redemption.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2016

151 people are currently reading
284 people want to read

About the author

Kourtney King

6 books38 followers
Kourtney King is an author that draws inspiration from the tragedies of reality to give life to her romances, basing them on real-life events.

Her constant musings of passers-by - the corporate lawyer drawing up yet another contract, the college student waiting for a bus and even the elderly sitting in a park who has lived through the history we read about - are her inspiration once she sits down to write. Ms King's stories are woven into sensitive subjects that she is passionate about and she thoroughly researches to portray a sense of realism in her fiction.

Through her writing, Kourtney hopes to provoke thought, strike a debate and challenge you to question your beliefs about the world and the people living in it.

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5 stars
80 (32%)
4 stars
87 (35%)
3 stars
50 (20%)
2 stars
16 (6%)
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12 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for DeeReads.
2,284 reviews
February 17, 2016
This is Valerie and Vladimir's smexy and a surprisingly good story where a one night stand leads to so much more.

Vladimir is a rather cocky and possessive character but he remained likeable yet evasive at the same time. Valerie, a young college student was out for an uhm, diversion to try to get over a heartbreak yet you'll discovered each needed that "something more" ... in a serendipitous way of bonding their relationship.

At first, I questioned minor grammatical flaws in the story but much admit after I got over the author's British language (talk) and spelling, I was all in"Dark Desire's: Genesis."

King is a vivid writer and I expect great things from this series.

... afterall, this is the dreaded cliffhanger.

4.4 dark stars ****.4
Profile Image for Tpagirl Loves Romance.
1,672 reviews185 followers
November 30, 2019
Genesis was the first book in the Dark Desires trilogy by Kourtney King.

Two unlikely people, Vlad and Valerie, met at a bar. They agreed to a one night stand and life was to go on. However, they connected and were curious. For the first part of the storyline it was pure sex and alpha dominance. King then tossed in details from daily routines in their personal lives. Vlad was an arms dealer and Valerie was a student. Nothing in common, nothing that would have their paths cross unless they facilitated it.

It was an interesting book for me. The writing was grammatically correct and had all the components for a great storyline - suspense, sex and character development. And I liked it, but it was a bit mechanical for me. I liked both Vlad and Valerie so I’d like to see where it goes next, but the biggest draw was the suspenseful storyline.

It was a trilogy so it ended with a cliff hanger and will pick up exactly where it left off in Deliverance.
Profile Image for JESSICA .
441 reviews
November 23, 2016
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This story is frickin amazing.. I was captivated from page one, right to the end. But I started having a feeling of "Déjà vu" Because it remind me of my husband and I. *Blushing*

So, we have, Valerie Thusi, a gorgeous African-American lady enjoying a cocktail in a bar (nursing a broken heart) when a sexy-as-sin Romanian man, Vladimir (The Impaler) steps up besides her, and one thing leads to another and to one amazing wild night of passion... What should have been just a one-night stand leads to so much more.. The chemistry between Vladimir and Valerie - simply of the frickin charts. The intimate scenes - pure hotness.. Just something about those foreign men! Wink! I loved how dominant, possessive and protective Vladimir was of Valerie...

If you love a hot erotica suspenseful romance, I highly recommend! But it does end on a cliffhanger... But all "3" books are out..
Profile Image for ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎.
1,753 reviews165 followers
December 14, 2017
Intense beginning

I'm finally going to post my review since its been waiting for me in my notes.

Valerie and Vlad's meet was nothing either of them expected but was something they both wanted but they both got a little more than. These opposites definitely are attracted to each other and have quite an intense sexual attraction to each other but will Vlad's issues with relationships and his way of life be able to get him what he needs and will Valerie be able to trust her heart after being broken buy someone who told her he loved her but left without a word.
This book left we with a cliffhanger but not what you think but I so need to continue reading the next book and find out what's going to happen.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,525 reviews322 followers
July 28, 2017
This was a pretty good dark read that I liked. Valerie and Vladimir met and had and had a one night stand. She had broken up with her previous boyfriend and was only looking for one night. Soon they were living together at his hotel. Vladimir has a dangerous job and when Valerie is in trouble he has to protect her. The sex between them was hot. This was my first time reading this author this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. This was the first book in a new series and I am looking forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for Kat.
229 reviews17 followers
February 20, 2017
I think I'll stop with this book. Not interested in continuing with this series.
Profile Image for Jeni.
263 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2016
Great storyline. Needs a lot of editing!

I have to say that the title and cover caught my attention. I am also quite impressed how the author incorporated the viewpoints of each and every character throughout the book instead of each chapter to their own. There is a very strong story here that introduces the main characters and a small background that definitely leads to another strong continuation.

I definitely give high praise to the author for not only showing us that it is perfectly OK and liberating for one to not be ashamed of ones animalistic sexual nature but to also not be so blinded by the ridiculous way people in society have come to judge racial relationships!

Now given the above, I did, however, almost give this 3 stars. I say this mainly because it lacks any sort of proper editing! It was difficult to follow at times as I had to constantly reread due to words being in the wrong placement and some sentence structure. There were also quite a few words in the beginning that did not fit the characters persona.

In addition, yet this may be minor to others, is that it did not have as much depth as I personally would have liked to have seen, too fast paced as if it was being rushed to get to the main event (if you will). LOL Even though it read somewhat like it was a few stages past the first draft, it was simple yet powerful at the same time. It gives you enough of what you want and need at just the right moment to keep you hooked.

I do hope that the next book provides more intrigue, passion and excitement that will set your nerves on fire!!
Profile Image for Teinevi.
334 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I needed to reacquaint myself with an alpha male again and I certainly got one with Vladimir (Vlad). Vlad and Val (Valerie) meet at a bar, she's there drowning her sorrows and trying to pick up a guy to help her forget how betrayed she feels by her ex.

What was supposed to be a one night stand for both of them, turns out to be something more. Coincidence has both of them meeting up again, although this time she's with friends having a night out, and he with his associates. Another night spent together, has Vlad shopping for some new clothes for Val the next morning, after her dress was torn from her. While Vlad is occupied, Val decides to do a bit of snooping, she wants to find out more about Vlad as he's not the forthcoming type. She discovers something about him that changes her attitude towards him.

Vlad finds out what she discovered and through a few emails, by this time he is overseas on business and Val is back at College, he explains more about himself and how he grew up. Vlad comes back to town and is back flexing his alpha maleness towards Val.

It ends on a cliffhanger. Generally I don't like to read Cliffhangers but this story just sort of flowed, it was an easy short read for me. A plus for me was the mention of "Rugby", it was good to read about a sport I knew something about.

Looking forward to part 2
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Andrea Turner.
300 reviews19 followers
January 29, 2016
Omg, how is she going to leave me like this!! I need to know what happens, why oh why!!!

But seriously, this is a great read. It's something you can read waiting at a doctors office, your getting your toes done. But I'm warning you now..... Try not to get all hot and bothered in public. It WILL NOT be easy I tell you. I completely devoured this book in one sitting. She definitely had me lost in these fun and sexy characters.

Vlad is this dark and dangerous man in town for some business, and he's got this mysterious vibe to him that drawls you in. He's had some rough times in his life, and is used to see the world for what it is. He's closed off to people around him, until he meets this vixen Val. She has had a rough year and is determined to change her life for the better, and she doesn't want to make the same mistakes over and over. But, when Vlad slides into her life her world gets turned upside down. She fights with everything she can not to feel for this man, but her one-night stand could just be what she needs.

I'm hoping these two can help each other grow as individuals, and as a couple. Lord knows Vlad needs it.

(Here's to not so patiently waiting for book two)
467 reviews
February 1, 2016
DNF.
Writing a book 101 - know the proper use of your/you're. There are so many books available that I have no qualms being ultra picky on spelling and grammar. I found myself skimming almost from the beginning, the sex wasn't that hot, and with such a basic spelling mistake at only 18%, I dropped this book like a hot potato.
Profile Image for Debra Crosby.
486 reviews14 followers
January 24, 2016
Not finished

I am happy that I stumbled into this book. It was good but I did not know it would be a continuation. Will get the second book
Profile Image for Nelly.
333 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2021
I would say that is not too bad.
The writing at the beginning was amateurish, but by the middle the author had improved.

Storyline: The story revolves around a Russian arms dealer and a college student from South Africa. In every way they were polar opposites, but they found common ground through their fiery passion.

While there were several glaring grammar mistakes, I enjoyed reading it.

I thought that the author did a good job of conducting research and that the pace of the narrative was good.

I will now move onto part 2.
Profile Image for Nadou.
81 reviews
March 7, 2016
I'm in love with Val & Vald ( IR Book)

I don't know where to start. I love their story both had conflict with their heart, but work through it. Now. Vald is so Alpha Male! I freakin loved it. The bedroom scenes was great. This is my first book where its base in South Africa. I'm very happy with the story line it's a little different from my Mafia,Gangster,BDSM's books that I'm use to reading. Val is sweet,young and completely clueless to what Vald do for a living. I can't wait to see the out come of this info when she confront him.
Profile Image for Carole Ann.
618 reviews
January 30, 2016
Cliffhanger! Decent read. Liked both the Hero and heroine. But with so many other books to choose from, it has to be better than decent for me to read a series. Need something unique to grab me. Anti-hero, fine, actually working changing that. Standard female friends trope, but there is a good reasonable one in the group. One shining light in the story is that the heroine actually does put up some resistance.
Profile Image for Mspraise50.
1,597 reviews65 followers
July 10, 2016
This series was recommended to me by some book buddies.

This is Valerie and Vald's story. There is approximately 8 year age gap between the couple. Valerie has just had a recent break up with a boyfriend and is looking for a one night stand which she has with Vald and their story takes off from here.

The story ends on a cliffhanger when Valerie was getting ready to move in with Vald
Profile Image for Elle1986.
456 reviews31 followers
August 2, 2016
dnf@86.... I was going to attempt to finish the whole thing.... changed my mind when I started just reading just to read... I stopped caring what the characters looked like and then started skimming.... probably should have stopped then.

so with that being said... not my cup of tea at all
Profile Image for Joyce.
511 reviews20 followers
May 28, 2016
Spoiler Alert there is a cliffhanger, but I loved it it set in South Africa mostly so 'yay Africa!' not a lot of description of the country but it somehow works and Oh what a story. A must read.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
November 20, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/20/2018)!💝

Blurb:
Vladimir is a man who never misses an opportunity when it comes to expanding his empire.

He doesn’t care much for people, he doesn’t care about propriety, and he definitely didn’t care that he still hadn’t bothered to ask the name of the woman he was about to take back to his hotel.

Valerie on the other hand cares – a lot.
She cares about how other people see her and she still cares about her ex. He is the only reason that she agreed to a one night stand with the brute from the bar who has confused arrogance with confidence. What else is she supposed to think of a man who wears a near constant smirk?

They may share hot chemistry, but Vladimir’s personality is arctic. And in the process of trying to get to know the cocky jerk, she stumbles onto the dubious contents of his suitcase and realizes that she needs to care more about her safety than what the hell he does for a living.
Profile Image for ILoveToRead.
688 reviews27 followers
did-not-finish
May 22, 2019
SKIP IT-

I didn’t make it past 16% of this book. Usually a reader has an inkling as to the direction a book will take, but that hasn’t happened. Pile on the grammatical/editing errors and the lackluster chemistry of the hero and heroine and it’s a “did not finish” bookshelf for me. Something is missing, and I don’t care to find out what it is.

Chemistry: 0
Plot: 0
Character Development: 0
Story Flow: 0
Love Scenes: 0
Editing/Grammatical Errors: 0
Profile Image for Brenda Hairston.
210 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2018
Compelling, realistic, sobering

Slow to start but soon it tantalize. The twist and turns almost as hot as the sex. Ending a real shock.
656 reviews4 followers
January 24, 2016
Hotness of Vladimir the impaler

When I saw the title...I thought it was as one of those paranormal IR stories...after the first page...I prayed it wasn't one of the hundreds of Billionaires one night stands about Bdsm....well much to my delight..it's none of those...set in Cape Town, South Africa...Vlad and Valerie embarks on a 1 night stand that spirals into a hot unexpected something...Valerie was looking to mend her broken heart and Vlad was looking to break off member....turns out he's an notorious arms dealer..who's world is about implode..with Val in it....Dark Deliverance is promised soon...this is surprisingly good and worth picking up.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
301 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2016
Just got done reading and thought OMG NO!!!! You have gotta be kidding me! A Cliffhanger???

I started reading sometime after 12am this morning and fought sleep until 3am because I didn't want to stop reading.

Dark Desires:Genesis although a short story didn't feel rushed. I loved getting to know the characters and understanding their world...loved every minute I spent reading. The only thing I hated is that it ends in a cliffhanger of all Cliffhangers...I wonder what's going through Val's mind now and how she and Vlad are gonna work out their trust issues after he gets her back.

Can't wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds.
Profile Image for Readingzmything.
613 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2016
4 Addicting Stars!!

What a pleasant surprise this story was!! Written in third person giving us both MC's POV's as well as snippets from other characters, this plot had me engrossed from beginning to end. This is super sexy and addicting. Although well written, it could use a little editing but beyond that all else was perfect. But damn that cliffy!!! I can't wait for book two. Kourtney King has a fan in me.
729 reviews16 followers
May 11, 2018
Wow! WOW!

So, this is my very first time reading this author and I am speechless. As it stands this is really not your typical or my typical reading material, so I took a little bit longer to read but wow, boy was that different...
To start, Vlad, man oh man I want one (albeit a little bit too cold for my taste) but the alpha part, man, this the bomb...
Now Valerie, was a different breed, a little bit too flimsy but her self-esteem was so humanly real that anyone could relate which ended up making her a wonderful heroine.
The plot, where a little bit different but not too different with the exception of the little political knowledge that one may or may not have which was the most surprising factor of all when number one rule is never to talk about religion and political for everyone's view is different.
I welcomed this story, because several books were writing about religion (a taboo subject) specifically on priests who found themselves so conflicted but yet never about politic such as this, so it was welcoming. Throwing the fact that there was no grammatical errors, or nothing in that factor both in the English and other languages, made this first book a great read but a wanting to continue with the series.
Profile Image for Maxine Wilson Perry.
143 reviews
March 25, 2021
Very. Good. Read. Vladimir and Valerie chemistry is so strong I felt it oozing from each page. I love different and this novel is a compelling kind of different indeed. I have to go through so many novels until I find that perfect fit for my reading taste. "Genesis" did that for me. I totally recommend this really good story telling. Now, I'm on to novel II, then novel III of this series. I can never get enough of Vladimir and Valerie. Thank you Ms. King!
Profile Image for KelticKat.
727 reviews30 followers
June 25, 2018
A love story wrapped in intrigue

A one night stand - leads to so much more.
Secrets lead to danger

I enjoyed the relationship and sexual tension that was between Jasmine & Vlad.

Enjoyed watched the relationship grow as they started on their journey -

Warning: ending is a cliffhanger. Definitely looking forward to continuing this story
340 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2018
Good story

So this is my first time reading this author's work. Good plot good characters development, as my fellow readers have said we will or I am only buying part ones when part two and three are already out it's too frustrating for those of whom enjoy and take the time to enjoy the work.
180 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2018
Really enjoyed

I was very impressed with this story. It grabbed me from the first chapter and became in grossed in the story line it was very well written and I loo forward to finishing the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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