Tragic Beauty

Beauty & The Darkness Trilogy #1

by Iris Ann Hunter, Joanne LaRe Thompson (Editor)

One beauty. Two beasts.
The one who owns her. And the one who wants her.
***
I was sixteen when I made the deal.
When I put my fate in the hands of Shayne McAllister, a man determined to break me.
A man with black eyes and a blacker heart, who’s been obsessed with me since we were kids.
And now that my father has passed, he’s coming to collect his debt.
But before I become his, I see a chance to make a choice for myself, and I take it.
I slip away, for one night.
One dark, stormy night that goes horribly wrong.
Until a stranger crosses my path.
An angry stranger, with a harsh voice and menacing eyes, who grants me one night.
One messed up, beautiful night, that changes everything, and spares no one.
Because the stranger wants more.
More than just one night.
He wants me.
What follows, is darkness.
A darkness where secrets will be revealed, blood will be shed, and sacrifices made.
My name is Ava, and this is my story.

(This is a very DARK, contemporary romance/erotic thriller with scenes some will find disturbing. It is a story about love and obsession, about hope and despair, but most of all, it is about finding light through the darkness. For mature audiences only.)

***This is Book One of the BEAUTY & THE DARKNESS Trilogy***

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, BDSM, Abuse, Romance, Erotica, Contemporary

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2018

About the author

Iris Ann Hunter is a bestselling author of a darker kind of romance. A tortured romantic at heart, she writes a twisted, psychological blend of dark romance, erotica, and suspense. Her books have been called beautiful and depraved, and range from tender to pitch black. Dominance and submission is a common theme and taboo is always fair game.

Before chasing a dream to be a writer, Iris worked with horses, then as a graphic designer. After testing the waters with a few erotic short stories, she fell deeper in love with dark romance and wrote her first novel, Tragic Beauty, which became an Amazon bestseller. When she’s not reading or writing, or wandering the dark recesses of her mind while questioning her sanity, you’ll likely find her riding her horse, playing with her dog, or sipping a glass of red wine. Iris lives with her longtime lover in a seaside town along the Southern California coast.

She is currently at work on her next novel, Hunted Beauty, the second book in the Beauty & The Darkness Trilogy...release date to be announced.

For more information on Iris or her other books, visit www.IrisAnnHunter.com.

She can also be found on Facebook and Instagram(@irisannhunter), as well as BookBub.

Join the mailing list at http://irisannhunter.com/mailing-list/

Find her books on Amazon - amazon.com/author/irisannhunter

Iris loves hearing from readers. Email her at iris(@)irisannhunter.com

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

fuck this book

I knew I was in trouble when I started this book...I just didn't know what kind of trouble. At first I thought it was just going to be ridiculous...you know...because Gavin was a super famous Actor. Oh poor little Ava wandering along the side of the road and she just happens to get a movie star's attention? And he stops to get her? Sure. Sure that could happen.

Sadly, that ended up being the least of my concerns. Seriously...why the fuck do people like this? 5 stars? Seriously????

So the story starts off with one of those "indebted to obsessed asshole" kind of tropes. You know, they're all the rage in dark romance. She promised bad evil Shayne her virginity and then decides FUCK IT and thinks it would be better to bone the rich, handsome and sexy actor Gavin. After spending one night together they are in instalove. Totes obsessed with each other. So much so that Ava decided to fucking endure the entirety of this torture porn of a book to save him. AVA! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??? WHY DON'T YOU JUST RUN AWAY YOU FUCKING MORON!?!?!?!


So once you get past the beginning, really buckle yourself in. Because for the almost the rest of this book it's going to be a horror movie. Like Saw....but for sex. Saw sex. For pages and pages. Just a never ending stream of sexual torture. Now, I love me some violence. Violent video games. Violent movies. Violent books. What I don't like is when that level of violence crosses over into "erotica"....or whatever the fuck this is. I'm not talking about bdsm or even noncon. The shit that Shayne does to her.....

Ripping clawed nipple clamps off of her causing blood to run down her body


Using a cat o' nine whip on her, scarring up her back


Cutting her up with a scalpel


BRANDING HER WITH A FUCKING CATTLE IRON


Using some kind of spiked cock sheath that does massive internal damage


Oh and you know, that's just in addition to starving her and keeping her in a dog cage and psychologically destroying her.


Then she gets her chance to blow Shayne's brains out and she doesn't do it. SHE DOESN'T FUCKING DO IT.


But don't worry, the only reason she doesn't die is because Gavin swoops in and saves her in the final chapter. The epilogue is basically her healing from all her wounds and Gavin whispering:
"By the way, I'm totes a sadistic fuck too and once you're healed I'm going to ruin you."
Not those exact words...but...you get it.


So no. No I didn't like this book. I don't give a fuck what happened to Shayne as a child. You know who else had a horrible childhood? John Wayne Gacy. Ted Bundy. Jeffrey Dahmer. Do we feel sorry for these men? FUCK NO! So I literally do not care how rough Shayne had it. Not at all. Of course he's still out there....lurking....because OF COURSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE MORE BOOKS! More books of which I certainly won't be reading. Not unless Ava snaps, killing everyone and then rides off into the sunset on her horse.

So, like I said, fuck this book.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

DEBUT BEST-SELLER! EROTIC THRILLER!

Book 1 of 3.
FREE! (limited time) | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
One beauty. Two beasts.
The one who owns her. And the one who wants her.
I was sixteen when I made the deal.
When I put my fate in the hands of Shayne McAllister, a man determined to break me.
A man with black eyes and a blacker heart, who’s been obsessed with me since we were kids.
And now that my father has passed, he’s coming to collect his debt.
But before I become his, I see a chance to make a choice for myself, and I take it.
I slip away, for one night.
One dark, stormy night that goes horribly wrong.
Until a stranger crosses my path.
An angry stranger, with a harsh voice and menacing eyes, who grants me one night.
One messed up, beautiful night, that changes everything, and spares no one.
Because the stranger wants more.
More than just one night.
He wants me.
What follows, is darkness.
A darkness where secrets will be revealed, blood will be shed, and sacrifices made.
My name is Ava, and this is my story.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW can also be found on my blog:
KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

‘TRAGIC BEAUTY:’ A dark full length novel, the first book in the ‘Beauty & the Darkness’ trilogy by ‘New to me’ Author Iris Ann Hunter.

One beauty. Two beasts. 
The one who owns her. And the one who wants her.

The opening chapter sees twenty-one year old Ava standing by her fathers newly dug grave, he’d been given a year to live but he’d outlasted that by five. Now that he’s gone she fears what is to become of her.

And she’s about to find out that same day she buries her father, her hand is being forced by the devil, a man obsessed with her since they were kids, he’s given her twenty four hours and then she’s finally his, and he will stop at nothing to claim her, to break her, to make her bleed, to make her his. At just twenty three years of age, he's a man to be reckoned with, he's rich, powerful, a man that will destroy ayone who gets in his way of claiming Ava.

She’s got just one night of freedom, she dresses up and makes her way to a nightclub using a borrowed car, knowing she needs to be back before her time is up, along the way her car breaks down on a deserted road, it’s pouring down with rain, a kind stranger picks her up and drops her off at a near by garage to use a pay phone but his conscience gets the best of him and he comes back and takes her back to his place.

For me this is where all the feels came in the story, I was lulled into a false sense of security, having high hopes this man would save her, but a few pages and all my hopes are shattered and like the heroine I’m thrown into a world of darkness.

I hated him, I wanted to kill him with my bare hands, I raged, but then when he reveals his childhood I cried for the injustice of it all..

Maybe just maybe the beast could change? snorts, yet again I was duped lol

God this was such a crazy, dark, gritty, sick, sad story, heed the warnings tagged when it comes to this book because I don't say this lightly but this will be very dark for some, it will cause triggers, it will push your comfort zones like no other book, when you think the author can't go any darker, she does, nothing is glossed over, it's full out in your face, you have nowhere to hide.
If you're just stepping into the dark genre this book isn't for you. And yet again I don't say that lightly. Heed the authors warning and my own. You have been warned.!!

     

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's PITCH BLACK!!!!

😈 yaaaaasssss

That was my first reaction before reading...


Hmmm...My thoughts are swirling around after finishing it...

But I m torn...so, I m gonna sleep on it and let it settle...if possible

I will have to look at this story from two different perspectives...or better yet through two different characters described here with a one single constant - the heroine, that links all the happenings through out the storyline.

Here we go...

Part one

Ava Rose Bennet has just burried her no worth father, a drunk and a menace and a failure to keep his daughter fed, clothed and taken care of. Instead, now 21 year old Ava had to do exactly that for her father and the household since she was a little girl and especially, her mother has fled, leaving her father a drunken mess after that.

She's trying to learn what it takes to keep their little farm in order but her father has fallen into huge debts and the bank put the pressure to withhold the premises, BUT just in time, Ava at age 16 strikes a deal with her peer rich cowboy/rancher and an heir Shayne McAlister , that she would become HIS to own completely in exchange for him taking care of her financially while she takes care of her, now sick father. And when the time comes, upon his death, Ava would willingly come to Shayne, cause well, he had a sickly obsession for Ava since they were kids. Shayne hiding his true nature and twisted tendencies from public, but for Ava, he will go the distance, no matter what...

I'm going to break you. I'm going to love making you bleed.

That's the promise Shyane declared to Ava on her father's dying day, and now Ava silently broken has 3 days to gather her sense of existence and say farewell to the world she knew so far.

So, for just one night, she wants to be somewhere else, she wants to escape, and she wants nothing more than take away the power over her body from Shayne...and the only thing he wants is to make her bleed and take the only thing she had left untacked and unspoiled.

On that one night, in the middle of a highway, in the rain, her car brokes down and just when she thinks that the whole Universe is against her sole little existence, a dark stranger comes to her rescue, if only for that one. single. night.

Gavin West is a famous hotshot actor with dark past and his own shadows and demons that haunt him and yet he can't not to get involved when he sees this little female standing by the road soaking wet. Inspite the inner grunts, he decides to help her out and well, that night proves to be the turning point for his existence, too.

Not only does he finds Ava beautiful, he finds her quiet, somber demeanor refreshing and intriguing, and the instant sexual pull startles his from the core, cause NOT only does he avoid relationships in general, he also avoids any emotional bonding...and he can only give her one-night of passion.

Dark, undulated passion bordering between pleasure and pain, wild, intense and sensually tender.

We both know what this is. One night. That's all we signed on for. That's all it can be.

and that's what they indulge thmeselves in, until the early dawn when Ava slips out and comes back to her hometown to pay of her debt. And Shayne, not only does he keep his promise, BUT when he finds out that Ava gave herself to another man - Gavin, who in the meantime comes seeking Ava, asking her to change her mind and that they should try to work out what they newly discovered between them, in Shayne twisted mental state he sees Ava's betrayal, and he totally flips, changing the rules of their deal - sealing her to himself in forced marriage thus reinforcing her future captivity.

And from that moment, her life turns into hell of excrutiating pain and torture, Shayne puts her through. He deprives her of everything human she ever close to her heart, threathing Ava, with delivering death to everyone and everything she holds dear.

So, she learns how to survive...and endure

Slowly though, I learn ways to survive. I learn that if I keep myself calm and control my breathing-center it-I can manage the pain better. I learn that when he beats me, no matter the tool, it hurts worse when my body is tight, so I try to focus and keep my muscles soft and loose. I learn to accept the pleasure he grants, knowing it will help when the pain comes.

A different side of pleasure and pain, twisted and vile, psychotic and toxic, she's enduring by the hands of Shayne, is nothing like the pain and pleasure she gave in willingly with Gavin and now, the remnants of his vision linger in the corners of her mind as a long lost sentiment, and a way of escaping her fate...

I've stolen time. Stolen a night with a man who in turn stole my heart.

He will be my lifeline. he will be the light I cling to when things get dark.

One night. One messed-up, beautiful night is all we had together, and yet I feel like I've been with him every night since then. Because in many ways, I have. He's been in my thoughts, my dreams, my memories, like a dark knight who never left my side, even when I left his.

And unfortunately, Ava's lifeline is slowly slipping, she's on the verge of extinguishing, on the very edge of giving up and yet she's holding on...not being aware of her own curse, her beautiful exterior, that actually intertwined the madness of men - men who will push the limits and barrieres of impossible to have her, in any way they can...

and who will win this Tragic beauty in the end...if there are only different shades of darkness, and each of the men sees her as their light in the dark...

Oh boy, so, this book...

this book is phenomenal in one segment and just solid in other , meaning that for me, the part of that total horrid torturous and absolutely condemnable exploit of Ava, in the ways of BDSM's tools, Shayne is "breaking" her, is fantastically described - it's vile, it's a dark side of BDSM, in my opinion, pushing that pain side more into the focus than the actual pleasure, and considering the fact that Ava never consented willingly to it, it's dubious and questionable as well.

And it really pushed my personal boundaries, especially since BDSM is a segment I CAN read about BUT do NOT enjoy in it while reading, I find differencies in it that kind of put me on the spot with this subject and I'm simply tolerating it BUT never really let myself dwell upon it.

And here, it's presented as darkly as possible and yes, it's full of TRIGGERS of all kinds .

So, thread carefully.

BUT like I said, the author was consistent in delivering a totally BAD villain into the picture, and you really don't have to understand the ways Shayne is operating, cause he's lost in his mental state - and as such, he's ultimately dark and unredeemable .

On the other note, the instant pull and connection between Gavin and Ava, was a bit lacking, for me, I, personally, don't really dig the "INSTA" thing, unless it concerns the attraction alone, BUT when it's presented as more, then, I'm having trouble believing in it.

I do believe, Ava found a lifeline and escaping mechanism in their physical connection that she transferred onto the emotional side so she would protect herself in a way, from the looming doom ahead, so in her case, it's convenient and probable and justifiable.

BUT in Gavin's case, I saw no such thing beyond pure chemical attraction and sexual connection, he never grew in that segment for me, so the fact that he went the ultimate lengths to save Ava, other than from pure human pull and conscience, doesn't really do it for me in love segment.

BUT I suppose that is debatable and it will be different for everyone else.

Thus said, this is a remarkably written gripping and captivating story, and a debut novel by Iris Ann Hunter where you will be pulled and torn with the darkest of turmoils and you'll question your own boundaries and tolerance and patience and still, it will grip you hard and fast and you will not know what hit you in the process! LOL

Enjoy! ;)

[Birjis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I think I found a hidden gem because Shay from Torment by Dylan Page stood first in my list of tragic hero but now I found another.
Tragic Beauty is a brutal hard read. There are valid open crazy men in this book who have endured abuse and provided it too.
Ava (21) made a deal with the devil and there are heavy consequences for it. When Ava had financial difficulties Shayne came to the rescue and in return she has to be his after her father died. Ava broke the promise, she gave away her first to Gavin. Gavin doesn't have room for anyone and Ava has no other future with anyone else. But after one night Gavin wasn't ready to give her up. After Ava's betrayal something broke in Shayne, where he once held back now he longer does. A part of grief and his sadistic side unleashed.
Shayne was a beast whom Ava was frightened of. He was obsessed and flat out mad for her since they were kids. In his own way he loved Ava, in his mind she was his. Ava doesn't want him, she (or the author) never romanticizes him but Ava felt a guilt for the boy who grew up with a sick father and a neglectful mother, for breaking her promise and his heart.

This book ends for now but it's not finished. I feel more connected to the villain than the hero. Sadly I can find no more updates on the next book of this series. This story has triggers and highly recommended for dark romance readers.

[Iris Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to present my debut novel, Tragic Beauty!
It's now a #1 Amazon Bestseller! ❤️

FREE w/ Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2n1DisU
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2n3lIEM
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2DZ1Tqe

Book trailer link: https://youtu.be/SIqQz59AwUQ

**I will warn you now this book is very DARK. Please read the reviews to get an idea of what you're in for.**

Description:

One beauty. Two beasts.
The one who owns her. And the one who wants her.
***
I was sixteen when I made the deal.
When I put my fate in the hands of Shayne McAllister, a man determined to break me.
A man with black eyes and a blacker heart, who’s been obsessed with me since we were kids.
And now that my father has passed, he’s coming to collect his debt.
But before I become his, I see a chance to make a choice for myself, and I take it.
I slip away, for one night.
One dark, stormy night that goes horribly wrong.
Until a stranger crosses my path.
An angry stranger, with a harsh voice and menacing eyes, who grants me one night.
One messed up, beautiful night, that changes everything, and spares no one.
Because the stranger wants more.
More than just one night.
He wants me.
What follows, is darkness.
A darkness where secrets will be revealed, blood will be shed, and sacrifices made.
My name is Ava, and this is my story.

(This is a very DARK, contemporary romance/erotic thriller with scenes some will find disturbing. It is a story about love and obsession, about hope and despair, but most of all, it is about finding light through the darkness. For mature audiences only.)

***This is Book One of the BEAUTY & THE DARKNESS Trilogy***

"Tragic Beauty encompasses everything a dark romance should be. Iris Ann Hunter has written a gem of a pitch black story of strength and brutal sacrifice entwined in a thorny love story you won't soon forget. I could NOT put this book down!" ~ Gemma James, USA Today Bestselling Author

[Tianna✸loves books✸ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Mind is officially fucked up.
What the hell did I just read????



This story is about three people. Ava, Gavin and Shayne.
*Ava is a stupid dumb girl.
*Shayne is a PSYCHO. He does VERY bad things to Ava. BEWARE. The things he does to her were ....Disgusting. All types of humiliation. Pain, abuse, forcing her to have sex with his friend. Let's just say that her body & mind will take a lot of time to heal. He is beyond obsessed with her. For the initial months he gives her only Roman Meal Bread to eat. Nothing else. He keeps her in a dark room without windows. She is NAKED for months. And he continually abuses her, rapes her. And use all these bdsm shit toys on her.
* Gavin. I felt sad for him. I still don't understand what he sees in Ava. He really felt like a true hero.

This book is very dark. I don't want to call it a Love triangle but unfortunately it is. We are supposed to feel sympathy for Shayne. Because the author has tried to justify his behavior. Like he had a bad abusive childhood. Ava breaks her promise to him. He himself ate only Roman Meal Bread. He also slept in dark room. Blah blah.

I'm honestly confused as to what to rate this book. Because this was way too dark for me. But it also had my attention. So the 3 Stars. And I'm going to read the other part. I want to know what happens further.

[D.D. Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five PITCH FUCKING BLACK stars.
Still gathering my thoughts.
I need a minute....

[Set · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two savage beasts after one sacred deer, who will win, the Boyka actor or that MOTHERFUCKER sadist? The author tried to give them both redeeming qualities but all I could see is red. I swear to God that I was plotting that fictional character's death the whole time. I'm so conflicted and I don't know what to rate this story, it's too dark and it gave me a lot of anxiety but I couldn't stop reading to the very horrid end which doesn't happen very often because I needed to know. I DIDN'T SLEEP THE WHOLE NIGHT.
Don't read if you're not into physical and mental abuse.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning, this book is very dark. If you don’t like that sort of thing then don’t read this. But those who do be prepared for an emotionally tumultuous ride. I can’t begin to describe this book and the complexity of the characters. Extremely well written. Very, very dark. Beautifully tragic. Ava was an amazing female MC. Her POV was most of the book with small snippets of Gavin’s POV, just enough to give us a little more insight. I felt everything Ava went through. I wanted to cry and rage for her, and yet felt so astounded by her inner strength. I can’t say much more, cause I honestly don’t want to give anything away, especially since you get the gist from the blurb. But this book is absolutely worth the read. I can’t wait for the next follow up book! Anyone who likes or is intrigued by dark romance/erotica with a slight thriller/suspense edge to it NEEDS TO READ THIS! ( then hound the author for the next book)

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my dayz. I sat down this afternoon to read a few chapters and apart from making a quick dinner I could not put it down. I literally inhaled this story.

Since childhood Shayne has wanted Ava as his own. He would do everything he could to keep her. Everything he did was for her.

Ava made a deal with the devil when she had it an all time low. She didn’t realise what a high price the deal will cost her.

Gavin has his own demons to deal with. Once he sees Ava she gets under his skin and he doesn’t want to let go.

If your like me and you love your dark reads then I highly recommend you read this. This book had my head spinning in a good way. I hadn’t a clue what way the story was gonna go. My heart broke so many times for Ava. I kept thinking that she couldn’t deal with much more and then she’d go and prove me wrong.

I’m so looking forward to reading book two Hunted Beauty.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a dark book in awhile.. I've been on a paranormal kick. I have had this book on my kindle for awhile because I knew there would be another one but couldn't wait anymore. This book was crazy and I read it within a few hours of purchase. If you like dark this is the book for you. First one by this author and if will be reading from her again. Amazing!!!

[Anita Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensational debut from Iris Hunter, a woman who clearly knows her way around a dark romance novel. Full of heat, raw grit, and tangible, intense characters, Tragic Beauty goes way beyond 5-stars for me.

I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Sam Crescent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely wrecked me. I feel so uncomfortable as I'm not against Shayne but this book was just wow. If you like them dark, then you'll it but you don't, approach with caution. It is fantastic.

[Aplis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear the amount of dark shit I've been reading has made me almost lack emotion when I read the most grittiest things! This one isn't a dark romance. It's dark.

Ava sells herself to Shayne, at the age of 16, to save her from debt after her father is diagnosed with cancer and given a year to live. She promises to give him her virginity as well as stay with him for the same amount of days it takes for her father to stay alive. This ultimately leads to 5 years. Shayne gives her 3 days to prepare herself after her father's funeral and on the third day, she suddenly decides to go against their agreement and give her first time to someone on her terms. Unfortunately, she gets stranded on her way to do so, but meets Gavin who lends her a helping hand. After spending the night with him, she goes back to Shayne, who's furious at what she's done which only gets worse when Gavin comes to find her. The remaining story is a sick series of events of her time with Shayne.

I was recommended this book by a fellow Facebook group reader, who mentioned that this was the darkest book she's ever read. It sure is the darkest I've read in terms of the psychological and physical abuse Ava finds at the hands of Shayne. He's a master manipulator who uses Ava's body against her. His switch from being a crazy dominant psycho to a sweet and kind man who takes care of her after their sexual interactions almost gave me whiplash! His past and reasons for being the man that he is, was just horrible. He was handed a poor start in life and his one obsession refused to be his. Ava's confused feelings for Shayne is something you've only heard about in abusive relationships. There's a side of her that's terrified of him, but there's also a side that wants to nurture him and give into his madness.

This book isn't about Gavin, Ava's "knight in shining armour". It's about Shayne and Ava. It's about an abusive relationship. It's about revenge. It's about pain and suffering. It's about toeing the line to satisfy someone else in exchange for your cooperation and it's about an obsessive love that a boy had when he saw a girl in a rose dress.

Would I call it dub con/non con?
I don't even know because the lines were so blurred.
Would I call Shayne a "dark hero'' or a "villain"?
I'm not sure. He's a complicated and fucked up character.
Does he deserve sympathy after everything?
Maybe? But does the past always hold a heavy weight on our beings and determine all our actions?! That's a question that can't be answered well enough to satisfy everyone.

[NC Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 tragic, dark & beautiful stars!!

WOW! This is not a sweet, romantic love story. No, this is ugly, torturous, cruel and BEAUTIFUL!!

Shayne has loved Ava since they were kids. Ava has hated Shayne since the first day she met him. Financial hardship has Ava selling her soul to the devil himself. Before she repays her debt, she’s determined to have one night of her choosing before she’s sent to hell. She never imagined what that choice would cost her.

I’m looking forward to the next installment of this series. I know Shayne is not finished yet.

[isidora crni biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

KMK 2018 IZAZOV
9/12 - Knjiga čiji naslov ili ime/prezime autora počinje na slovo vašeg imena

[Laura Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic Beauty (Beauty & The Darkness #1)
By: Iris Ann Hunter
4 Stars

Well my goodness, what a book I’ve just read! New to me author Iris Ann Hunter has done a great job writing Tragic Beauty! Look forward to reading more. Although this is Book 1, it can certainly be read as a standalone.

Ava has been dealt a pretty crappy life. From a very young age, she was forced to survive on her own. With a mother who up and left to a father who is present but constantly thinks of the wife he used to have and how much his beautiful daughter reminds him of her. Fending for herself, she has a few close friends, the neighbor and his horses.

When Ava is forced to make a deal with the devil, the time has come for the devil himself to come collect. Collect is what he has done!!

This is not an easy read, there is no glitter, there are no unicorns. It is straight up paying back the devil himself. Pull up your big girl panties and dive into this one. Keep in mind, this is a Dark Romance. Read the warning if you don’t know what you are getting into.

This is a DARK contemporary romance with scenes some may find disturbing. It is a story about love and obsession, about hope and despair, but most of all, it is about finding light through the darkness. For mature audiences only.

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Blurb:
One beauty. Two beasts.
The one who owns her. And the one who wants her.
***
I was sixteen when I made the deal.
When I put my fate in the hands of Shayne McAllister, a man determined to break me.
A man with black eyes and a blacker heart, who’s been obsessed with me since we were kids.
And now that my father has passed, he’s coming to collect his debt.
But before I become his, I see a chance to make a choice for myself, and I take it.
I slip away, for one night.
One dark, stormy night that goes horribly wrong.
Until a stranger crosses my path.
An angry stranger, with a harsh voice and menacing eyes, who grants me one night.
One messed up, beautiful night, that changes everything, and spares no one.
Because the stranger wants more.
More than just one night.
He wants me.
What follows, is darkness.
A darkness where secrets will be revealed, blood will be shed, and sacrifices made.
My name is Ava, and this is my story.

(This is a very DARK, contemporary romance/erotic thriller with scenes some will find disturbing. It is a story about love and obsession, about hope and despair, but most of all, it is about finding light through the darkness. For mature audiences only.)

***This is Book One of the BEAUTY & THE DARKNESS Trilogy***

[Expresso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is EVERYTHING darkness encompasses. Every element of Tragic Beauty feed the darkness in your soul. If you are a lover of dark suspense, romance, and obsession combined into one, this story is for you.

Hunter mastered the ingredients required to exploit every emotion known to humans! There are forces at play that result in insanity in some of the characters. The scenes are amazing as their insanity plays out!

Shayne. Ava. Gavin. There is deep tragedy among the three. One of the three characters is mentally and emotionally challenged. There is a level of darkness that can only be comprehended by delving into the heart and mind of this character. Kudos to Hunter for the attention given to detail- the character’s psychological and sociopathic tendencies!

This is not a menage but a tragic and unconventional love triangle.  This story MUST be read to be believed. This story is not for everyone. There are scenes, topics, and actions that can be triggers for some therefore proceed with caution. 

Clear your mind. Breathe. Dive in and fall in love with Hunter's amazing writing and classic psychological exploitation!

Five amazing stars!

[c a r í · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! hands down on this book, Holy shit! this was super intense, gritty and sinister in every possible way! Tragic Beauty unravels the tale between love, lust and obsession. How far are you willing to do or sacrifice for the people that you loved? It blindingly tells a consuming, tragic and twisted dark version of Beauty and the Beast.

I can't wait for the next book - Hunted Beauty

PS: Iris Ann Hunter might be my new favourite Dark Romance author!

#GavinxEva

[Fre06 Begum]

Need to read the next one before I can rate this.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is this author's debut novel. I was blown away with the caliber of writing and depth of emotions I felt . The complexity of the characters and the twisted, depraved turn of events make this book extremely dark. I found myself screaming at Ava many times in my head, wanting her to change her circumstances. When Shayne reveals his past I still hate him. Gavin I wanted to smack to make him realize he gave up too easily. There were moments when I did not want to read anymore but I needed to know there was light at the end out of so much darkness. I look forward to book 2.

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was crazy. I have no idea how I feel about it. I keep going from this was good, to, this was so messed up...So this one gets 3 stars from me..

I've read truly dark, twisted stuff before and this was no different. But something about the delivery of it and certain outcome/scenarios that occurred, kept me from truly connecting with these characters and their circumstances. It was shocking and like damn that's messed up. But that's about as far as it reached me. Which surprised me too. I was hoping to feel more, but that just didn't happen here.

Not sure if I'll continue to see how this saga ends...

If you decide to try this one, just know that EVERY single trigger you can think of, is inside this book. You've been warned ⚠️

[Nonieღserenity2bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mind and my heart are twisted by this story.

Shayne McAllister, or the beast, is a lunatic. I hate him from the start and his poor, sobbing story doesn't make his despicable action acceptable. My God, he deserves to be shot dead and a part of me was slightly gutted that Ava didn't pull the trigger when she had the chance . But I have to be honest that Shayne, being a devil monster that he is, makes one very interesting character. There's a humane side to him that we only get a glimpse of. Maybe that will be explored more later?

I like Ava. She's a survivor, or at least she knows what she must do to survive.

I don't know how I feel about Gavin. Yes, he's the Prince Charming to Ava's Beauty. But he's...boring. Maybe that's not a fair judgment considering he didn't appear that much in the story. But Shayne did hinted a darker side to him, so who knows, maybe he turns dark in the next book, which at this point, I am not sure whether we will ever get a second book. It's been two years and still not a peep about book two.

[Badh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to my first WTF book of 2018. This one made me wonder exactly how sane I was when I got through reading it. Then I wondered what it's like inside of Iris Ann Hunter's head. Whatever it's like in there, I hope it stays that way because even with how dark, twisted, and WTF this book is, I loved it, and I'm looking forward to reading the second part of the story.

Ava is a young woman who has pretty much sold her soul to the beast, Shayne. She had good reason for it, but that doesn't matter, he's still the beast. Until she has to actually had to go to him, she stays as far away from him as possible. She doesn't want to do anything to attract his attention, but it's hard, since he's pinpoint focused on her.

Gavin is a movie star who stops one rainy night on the side of the road to pick up a stranded woman, and ended up taking her home. It turns out that it was Ava that he picked up. She's trying to take one part of her life under control before she has to go and be with Shayne. She wants to just make some decision for herself, just to please herself. And Gavin becomes party to that decision.

Shayne is just a bully. He owns the town where he and Ava are from. He owns the cops. He's rich and he does what he wants because there is no one who will stop him.

Poor Ava, I think Hell would've been an easier stay for her than being anywhere near Shayne. He is just toxic. Gavin needed to pull his head out of his backside or have someone do it for him because he was sometimes not quite as cognizant as he should've been.

I do love the story. I love the characters, even the characters I'm supposed to hate. I love to hate him. This was my first Iris Ann Hunter book, but it won't be my last.

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy hell in a hand-basket Batman! Iris was not effing around when she warned this was a dark read. This story seriously messed with my head, and when I came out the other side, I had mixed feelings about every character in the story. That is a positive, btw. The characters were so rich and complex that none of them had that villain vs. hero vibe, they were all their own shade of messed up. Ultimately, Shayne broke my freaking heart. The things he went through obviously changed him as a person and how he thought about the world. I don’t generally like blaming mommy and daddy for your adult issues, but in these types of scenarios it’s hard not to. You just know that Shayne would’ve been a completely different person without the skeezy parents he had. I just feel so bad for him. On top of all his “cruelty”, he truly loves Ava and just wants to make her happy. The fact that she so fully rejects him as a person, slowly takes away the last vestige of humanity he has left. I liked Gavin, and I liked how he was as an alpha, but he was the most unbelievable character out of all of them. Mostly about how he reacts to Ava when she won’t leave Shayne. Seriously Gavin, take your head out of you’re a$$, it really isn’t that hard to see what’s going on. He did get major brownie points from me though when he did finally have is ah-ha moment and immediately went into action for Ava’s sake. I also can’t leave out Red, poor freaking red. He gets all the brownie points, poor guy.

I’ll definitely be interested to continue with this series to find out what happens next.

Thank you Iris for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I can't believe this is the author's first novel! It blew me away! Please, heed the warnings, this is a very dark book! If you can't handle dark romance, abuse, trigger situations...just keep on going! If you can though...this is a 5 star read!
This book made me sad, angry, happy, all the feels! I messaged the author and told her it was all her fault..I decided to read the last hour of the book in a bubble bath, with a glass of wine. Then I started crying, reached for a tissue to wipe my eyes and blow my nose, and knocked my glass of wine over. Then I had to call my husband up and explain WHY I was crying in the tub, which caused me to reach for the tissue, knocking over the glass and making a mess he had to clean up! Fortunately he cleaned it up, and brought me more wine...in a plastic cup!
The point being...this book has all the emotions, all the feelings...I can't believe how good this woman can write on her first novel! You need to buy this book, and read it, now! You won't regret it!!

[Nikki M (Hot books and Sassy girls) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shayne has been obsessed with Ava since they were children. When she is 16 her father becomes ill. Shayne steps in to pay all the bills, the price in exchange is more than Ava could ever have imagined. When her father dies 5 years later, she knows she has to honour her agreement with Shayne. The night before she has to give herself over to Shayne she decides to do something for herself, her one final decision. She meets Gavin and what they experience together shatters both of them. Gavin thought he was content with one night, only Ava has stirred something deep within him and he cannot give her up. When Shayne comes to collect his debt he notices the connection between Ava and Gavin and it unleashes his beast within. He takes this out on Ava. Ava knows she has to endure his entire wrath or he will kill Gavin. Can she save Gavin by doing so, will she survive herself? Can Gavin walk away as Ava has requested? Can Shayne forgive her or will he forever be here Sadist? This book is deep and dark. Shayne is the most sadistic man you will ever read about. You will hate him. The author has tried to redeem him but alas I was not prepared to forgive him. Gavin has his own demons but Ava at least knows how to tame him. Ava is stronger than you think and you will admire that she always puts everybody and everything before herself. What she has endured will shatter you and you will see red. It is not an easy book to read but it does capture you and intrigue you. This book pushed my boundaries. The author did a fantastic job of describing the horrid and torturous exploitations of what Ava had to unwillingly endure. The author delivered one of the worst evil villains I have ever read and yet you understand his mental state eventually. Is he redeemable? I doubt it! Please be warned this book is full of dark triggers. Would I recommend it? Yes, but only if you can handle the dark side of evil and a very sadistic villain.
Hot books and Sassy Girls

[Charity B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza! This was an intense and amazing read for sure. I've been reading darker books for a few years now, so there aren't a ton of books that succeed in shocking me like this one did. The way this book made me feel is why I love dark romance so much. The cover was beautiful and was wonderfully written. 

Ava was a heroin I really liked, which is fairly rare for me. She was raised  into a difficult situation and was forced to grow up quickly. When she is forced to make an impossible choice, she decides to keep one thing for herself before the time comes to pay for her decision. 

Things don't go as planned, and she meets Gavin. Oh Gavin... he was such a swoony character and I loved him from the very first moment. Their meeting was one of my favorites I've read. He was her black knight in shining armor so to speak, and while he was really sweet he was definitely an 'Alpha' character.
 
When everything comes to a head, we get to really meet Shayne... My word, Shayne was quite the villain. Believe me when I say that he's one of the worse ones. I hate him so much, yet I found myself kinda feeling for the guy. He was such an interesting character and I really loved reading him.

This was such an incredible debut. This is the first in a series and I cannot wait for the next book! If you enjoy your romance dark, sexy,  and twisted you will love this.