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Dark Embrace #1
His by Law
When Lucia is caught trespassing in Jackson McNabe’s home, she fears he’ll turn her over to the constable. With the holidays approaching and the nights growing colder, she had only wished to warm herself by his fire and pretend for a few minutes that she was the lady of the grand house, rather than a homeless girl stranded in a peculiar village. Though she hadn’t meant to break the law, she now finds herself at the mercy of a handsome stranger whose deep, commanding voice makes her heart flutter and her pulse quicken.
Jackson is taken in by Lucia’s wide, pretty blue eyes, and he sees the young lady’s sudden appearance in his home as an opportunity. He needs a wife, and Lucia clearly needs a husband. To his delight, she agrees to his terms, even when he tells her he expects obedience and won’t hesitate to spank her bare bottom when she misbehaves. The thought of owning her by law makes his blood heat, but a sinister plot threatens the legitimacy of their union, on their wedding day no less. Will Jackson and Lucia find their way back into one another’s arms in time for the holidays?
Publisher’s Note: This book was originally published in the naughty holiday anthology, Unwrapped.
Jackson is taken in by Lucia’s wide, pretty blue eyes, and he sees the young lady’s sudden appearance in his home as an opportunity. He needs a wife, and Lucia clearly needs a husband. To his delight, she agrees to his terms, even when he tells her he expects obedience and won’t hesitate to spank her bare bottom when she misbehaves. The thought of owning her by law makes his blood heat, but a sinister plot threatens the legitimacy of their union, on their wedding day no less. Will Jackson and Lucia find their way back into one another’s arms in time for the holidays?
Publisher’s Note: This book was originally published in the naughty holiday anthology, Unwrapped.
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2016
465 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Sue Lyndon
187 books915 followersUSA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUE LYNDON writes naughty, heartfelt romance filled with sexy discipline, breathless surrender, and scorching hot passion. Hard alpha males, strict husbands, fierce alien warriors, and stern daddy-doms make her go weak in the knees. She’s a #1 Amazon bestseller in multiple categories, including Sci-Fi Romance, Historical Romance, BDSM Erotica, and Fantasy Romance. She also writes vanilla sci-fi romance under the name Sue Mercury—but no matter the genre or pen name, her books always have a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
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August 7, 2020💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/1/2018)!💝
July 2, 2018
What the hell!!!?? The book just started! It ended too fast! 😭
July 28, 2018
Apocalyptic world, h is homeless and H is a rich Dom with a bad reputation. H needs a wife, she needs a home so they make a perfect match. It was just too fast, and not enough story to enjoy.
July 28, 2020
Short and Sweet, 💘Love is Forever
The title book is actually a short story about society hundreds of years after the fall of the technical and atomic age. People live much as they did in the early 19th century, no electricity, no telephone, no railroad, no motorized vehicles.
Jackson is the wealthiest man in the village because he owns a distillery. He has a large home and even running water, but he doesn't have a wife. With his rough tastes, he has become kind of a social pariah.
When orphan girl Lucia, is stranded in Jackson's village after her uncle dies in a tavern fire, she tries to find work but has no luck. Cold and starving, she sees the warm fireplace in Jackson's house and sneaks in to find some food and get warm.
If course he catches her and decides she will become the submissive wife he has always wanted. How could Lucia say no?
YEHAW! Ride em Bareback🍌, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎
The title book is actually a short story about society hundreds of years after the fall of the technical and atomic age. People live much as they did in the early 19th century, no electricity, no telephone, no railroad, no motorized vehicles.
Jackson is the wealthiest man in the village because he owns a distillery. He has a large home and even running water, but he doesn't have a wife. With his rough tastes, he has become kind of a social pariah.
When orphan girl Lucia, is stranded in Jackson's village after her uncle dies in a tavern fire, she tries to find work but has no luck. Cold and starving, she sees the warm fireplace in Jackson's house and sneaks in to find some food and get warm.
If course he catches her and decides she will become the submissive wife he has always wanted. How could Lucia say no?
YEHAW! Ride em Bareback🍌, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎
April 22, 2022
Firstly this should not be listed as dystopian fiction. The first chapter talks about the year 2088 and nuclear war but the rest of the novel read like it's set in England in the 1800s. The only mention of anything out of time after the first chapter was some lighting that sounded solar or battery-powered and indoor plumbing that would have been a tad more advanced than it was in the 1800s, but indoor plumbing was invented in the 1800s so if the writer had just written in gas lights instead the few pages that spoke of a dystopian future aspect could have been tossed aside and this would have simply been written as a historical romance. Everything from how the town operated, how people dressed, to laws, and having a constable in charge of crime and order was all reminiscent of the 1800s.
I also wasn't impressed with the man our MC marries, the entire time he was represented as someone who enjoys BDSM bed play (which was somehow unheard of in the future in fact they never used the term BDSM just that he had specific tastes). He takes to disciplining his soon-to-be wife with spankings but says he's not a sadist and doesn't want to cause her any pain even though he had thoughts of caining and belting her also even if he never actually did those things. When they actually consummate their marriage (another law that seemed reminiscent of the 1800s) they had "vanilla" missionary sex. It was a lot of BDSM foreplay build-up for nothing.
I was not impressed with this short story, but the plot was structured well and I didn't notice any grammatical errors. But that's all the praise I can give this book.
I also wasn't impressed with the man our MC marries, the entire time he was represented as someone who enjoys BDSM bed play (which was somehow unheard of in the future in fact they never used the term BDSM just that he had specific tastes). He takes to disciplining his soon-to-be wife with spankings but says he's not a sadist and doesn't want to cause her any pain even though he had thoughts of caining and belting her also even if he never actually did those things. When they actually consummate their marriage (another law that seemed reminiscent of the 1800s) they had "vanilla" missionary sex. It was a lot of BDSM foreplay build-up for nothing.
I was not impressed with this short story, but the plot was structured well and I didn't notice any grammatical errors. But that's all the praise I can give this book.
April 20, 2019
If you have a hot minute I'd recommend this book. I enjoyed it.
November 17, 2020
Until I read this book, I didn't realise there was a Lincolnshire in USA which, as somebody living in England, led to a bit of puzzlement about the story. Lucia comes originally from Lincolnshire and is wandering the streets looking for shelter when she finds Jackson's house. She enters the house where Jackson is asleep in front of the fire. She wishes for somebody to spend Christmas with and gets her wish but not quite in the way she thought! To tell you more in the review would spoil the story. The story did have many elements of "Whatever is going to happen next?" but, just when it seemed to have got going and things sorted out the story ended. I was left with a feeling of "Is that it, then?" which was disappointing.
This review also appears on Amazon.
This review also appears on Amazon.
April 24, 2016
It's a 2.5 stars
But it was well written. It's too short, not develop to me, my fault because this was a novella. And I prefer something with a lot more.
This book is the future historical because we were in 2xxx a couple hundred years after now. And Earth went through 2 major events. It was disastrous. No Aliens! But we were back in the time where people, in village, are extremely religious, some Madame have her way, no more electricity... back in time.
A girl, a bit daring for once, met her savior, (BDSM? it was pretty pretty light), insta mine.
But it was well written. It's too short, not develop to me, my fault because this was a novella. And I prefer something with a lot more.
This book is the future historical because we were in 2xxx a couple hundred years after now. And Earth went through 2 major events. It was disastrous. No Aliens! But we were back in the time where people, in village, are extremely religious, some Madame have her way, no more electricity... back in time.
A girl, a bit daring for once, met her savior, (BDSM? it was pretty pretty light), insta mine.
October 19, 2018
Post apocalyptic dominant man/virgin woman short story. a homeless girl sneaks into the home of a wealthy man, and when caught, is given the choice of marriage or jail. If she chose jail, the local madam that had been trying to hire her would own her. The question is if it safer to marry a total stranger or lose her innocence to the madam's clients.
April 15, 2016
Not my favorite read but it was nice.
Even though the book was so short and the events were a little bit rushed out, it was an ok read. Lucia deserved someone to take care of her and Jackson was the best offer she could get.
Even though the book was so short and the events were a little bit rushed out, it was an ok read. Lucia deserved someone to take care of her and Jackson was the best offer she could get.
December 26, 2023
I really wish this had been fleshed out and more than a short story.
I would have liked to see more of the world and setting.
I would have liked to see more of the world and setting.
September 3, 2025
Too disturbing to be sexy—
It’s a little far fetched that the U.S. would regress quite that quickly, back to a time when men literally owned women and women had no rights. However, I was willing to suspend my disbelief for a good story. This was not that. This was fantasizing about an abusive situation from page 1. The FMC thinks to herself that even if the MMC is cruel, she can be submissive and polite enough for him to fall in love with her and make her happy.
When we first meet the MMC, it’s when he decides to use his power over a vulnerable and desperate young woman to force her into marriage. If written well, that could be an okay fantasy. But the MMC knows how women are forced into prostitution and still regularly visited the brothel. That’s too morally reprehensible for me to get on board with—someone who cares so little about others that he’s willing to take advantage of sexual slavery to get his rocks off.
Then the surprise twist made little sense. I don’t know why the constable wouldn’t have explained that the FMC wasn’t in on the scheme, or why anyone would believe that she would willingly leave a proverbial gold mine to go into a destitute and abusive situation. She clearly had nothing to gain, so why would anyone think she’d prefer that to marriage? The whole premise of the book was that marriage was the last thing to save her from a life of unspeakable horrors. That was the entire reason she got married. And no one bothered to point out that she was under physical duress? Instead, the MMC out of the goodness of his heart decides not to cane the FMC and give her a chance to explain first.
This isn’t a romance that explores kink in the context of intimacy. This is fetishizing abuse and misogyny. It’s not kink if it’s total domination over someone with no power to say no, domination that extends to all aspects of life. It’s fine if you like power play during intimacy, but those scenes should have an end where you can be yourself and stop acting. If you aren’t free to be yourself in everyday situations without worrying about getting belted or caned, it’s no longer about sexual fantasies; it’s just abuse and oppression.
The book is 95% stress and the last 5% is a sex scene. Going with the misogyny is an antiquated and anatomically inaccurate portray of female virginity. If you don’t know, there’s no such thing as a virgin “barrier” and that myth was likely perpetuated by systems designed to control women through sexual naivety.
It’s a little far fetched that the U.S. would regress quite that quickly, back to a time when men literally owned women and women had no rights. However, I was willing to suspend my disbelief for a good story. This was not that. This was fantasizing about an abusive situation from page 1. The FMC thinks to herself that even if the MMC is cruel, she can be submissive and polite enough for him to fall in love with her and make her happy.
When we first meet the MMC, it’s when he decides to use his power over a vulnerable and desperate young woman to force her into marriage. If written well, that could be an okay fantasy. But the MMC knows how women are forced into prostitution and still regularly visited the brothel. That’s too morally reprehensible for me to get on board with—someone who cares so little about others that he’s willing to take advantage of sexual slavery to get his rocks off.
Then the surprise twist made little sense. I don’t know why the constable wouldn’t have explained that the FMC wasn’t in on the scheme, or why anyone would believe that she would willingly leave a proverbial gold mine to go into a destitute and abusive situation. She clearly had nothing to gain, so why would anyone think she’d prefer that to marriage? The whole premise of the book was that marriage was the last thing to save her from a life of unspeakable horrors. That was the entire reason she got married. And no one bothered to point out that she was under physical duress? Instead, the MMC out of the goodness of his heart decides not to cane the FMC and give her a chance to explain first.
This isn’t a romance that explores kink in the context of intimacy. This is fetishizing abuse and misogyny. It’s not kink if it’s total domination over someone with no power to say no, domination that extends to all aspects of life. It’s fine if you like power play during intimacy, but those scenes should have an end where you can be yourself and stop acting. If you aren’t free to be yourself in everyday situations without worrying about getting belted or caned, it’s no longer about sexual fantasies; it’s just abuse and oppression.
The book is 95% stress and the last 5% is a sex scene. Going with the misogyny is an antiquated and anatomically inaccurate portray of female virginity. If you don’t know, there’s no such thing as a virgin “barrier” and that myth was likely perpetuated by systems designed to control women through sexual naivety.
June 23, 2024
okay, so i like D/s style romances, where the big bloke takes care of his virgin/ less experienced heroine and saves her and builds her up to be his queen and his equal. HOWEVER. This novel was a step too far for me. Usually, i have zero issues with dark romance, a little coercion (depended on context), gray morals etc, but the way the h went on about it being her "wifely duties" to sleep with him put me off. I want the heroines to have sex and explore their sexuality because they WANT to, not because they feel they NEED to. When the H said "A wifes pleasure belongs to her husband" i kinda lost interest. It wasn't in a dynamic way where they are both equals, it was as if the H actually believed she was his property just because he wifed her up, not to mention the fact its illegal in this timeline to get married without a male relative's permission, it just icked me a bit, and i can put up with a lot of red flags in novels if the spice/story is good. The premise of catching h after she trespassed in his house and wifeing her up instead of handing her in is great, and has potention but this one didn't hit the spot for me.
Read
October 12, 2021His By Law is the first book in Sue Lyndon’s Dark Embrace series. In this book, Ms. Lyndon sets the tone for the subsequent books in this series—one of a Cinderella type romances. Readers meet Lucia and Jackson. Facing freezing and starvation, Lucia seeks refuge in Kingston home. He catches her and decides to keep her and make her his wife. Things are looking up for Lucia until her uncle shows up. She thought he died in a fire, but somehow, he survived. Now he intends to use her to get to Jackson’s wealth. Her uncles intend to pawn her off into another marriage reaping financial gains for himself. Will her uncle be successful? What will Jackson do? Will Lucia and Kingston find happiness? You must read this book to see what unfolds.
Yet again, Ms. Lyndon pens another delightful romance. I enjoy watching her vulnerable lead characters go from strangers to a romantic couple. I like Ms. Lydon’s skill in crafting strong dialog. I like how she uses descriptive language to draw readers into her plot. Way to go, Ms. Lyndon.
Yet again, Ms. Lyndon pens another delightful romance. I enjoy watching her vulnerable lead characters go from strangers to a romantic couple. I like Ms. Lydon’s skill in crafting strong dialog. I like how she uses descriptive language to draw readers into her plot. Way to go, Ms. Lyndon.
October 7, 2018
Although this novella is written way into the future in the year 2689, in my opinion it has a slight historical feel to it. Lucia is beyond down on her luck. Starving, cold and desperate she breaks into a house while the owner of said house (Jackson) is asleep. Being close to Christmas, she makes a wish upon a Christmas ornament, little knowing that it will come true.
There is a lot of talk/thoughts from Jackson's side that indicates this is a BDSM story but nothing that really happens except for one spanking.
The story is over just as it gets started. Although I would have liked to read more, I can't deduct 'stars' because of the length as I knew this going in.
All in all, a good (very) fast read.
There is a lot of talk/thoughts from Jackson's side that indicates this is a BDSM story but nothing that really happens except for one spanking.
The story is over just as it gets started. Although I would have liked to read more, I can't deduct 'stars' because of the length as I knew this going in.
All in all, a good (very) fast read.
December 17, 2017
Some aspects of small town life are universal
In a small town a malicious rumor can be the death of dreams and hope. She is reputed to be a witch, possibly worse, and he is rumored to be a sexual sadist... but each is simply struggling to survive, and perhaps even find a bit of happiness in a world that has seen better days.
A done in one quick read, I enjoyed both of the lead characters, particularly her appreciation of safety, and security, along with her willingness to look at what she had as opposed to dwelling on what she has lost.
In a small town a malicious rumor can be the death of dreams and hope. She is reputed to be a witch, possibly worse, and he is rumored to be a sexual sadist... but each is simply struggling to survive, and perhaps even find a bit of happiness in a world that has seen better days.
A done in one quick read, I enjoyed both of the lead characters, particularly her appreciation of safety, and security, along with her willingness to look at what she had as opposed to dwelling on what she has lost.
July 23, 2023
This is a short but steamy story. Lucia is on the streets, basically an orphan. She comes upon a large grand house and peeks into the window where she sees a man asleep. For some reason, her instinct tells her to go inside and maybe scrounge for some food and get some warmth. The man, named Jackson, wakes up and is intrigued by Lucia. He needs a wife and she needs a place to live. They make an agreement and marry but her supposedly dead uncle reappears and almost ruins this new relationship. In the end, they are happy and start their new lives together.
June 25, 2018
A Great Read!
I enjoyed reading His Law(Dark Embrace Book 1), all about Lucia who is nineteen years old homeless and Cole & Jackson McNabe the owner of The Distillery and a man in need of a wife. The author wrote a story about a young girl who needed protection and stumbles upon her answer accidentally! Read about Lucia & Jackson and find out what happens! I liked reading the book. I hope you do as well! Can’t wait to read book 2!
I enjoyed reading His Law(Dark Embrace Book 1), all about Lucia who is nineteen years old homeless and Cole & Jackson McNabe the owner of The Distillery and a man in need of a wife. The author wrote a story about a young girl who needed protection and stumbles upon her answer accidentally! Read about Lucia & Jackson and find out what happens! I liked reading the book. I hope you do as well! Can’t wait to read book 2!
September 20, 2018
Her wrongful entry brings her something special..
When Lucia trespasses into an unlocked home at night to get out of the cold, she didn't know that it would bring her a husband, Jackson. Neither did Lucia know that her uncle fooled with his so called death and now plans to use her to further his own needs. Will Lucia and Jackson be brought back together before it is too late?
A short story of dark desires, love and greed.
Jo-Ann Doyle
When Lucia trespasses into an unlocked home at night to get out of the cold, she didn't know that it would bring her a husband, Jackson. Neither did Lucia know that her uncle fooled with his so called death and now plans to use her to further his own needs. Will Lucia and Jackson be brought back together before it is too late?
A short story of dark desires, love and greed.
Jo-Ann Doyle
August 12, 2020
His by Law
What is a girl to do when she is so cold and a door is open? Why go in of course but what happens after she enters is beyond what she imagines. What is a man to do when he awakes to find a girl sitting in front of his fire when there was not supposed to be anyone in the house but him? Why take as a wife and discipline her in the right way of how she is supposed to do things of course.
Recommended book 📖.
What is a girl to do when she is so cold and a door is open? Why go in of course but what happens after she enters is beyond what she imagines. What is a man to do when he awakes to find a girl sitting in front of his fire when there was not supposed to be anyone in the house but him? Why take as a wife and discipline her in the right way of how she is supposed to do things of course.
Recommended book 📖.
January 28, 2024
Feels like I’ve traveled back in time in the worst way possible. Except this is supposed to take place in the future? Honestly this was all confusing to me.
The main character lacked *character* and a personality while she was okay with being dominated by a stranger and forced to marry. This all just screams abuse and serious Stockholm syndrome while there is no romance to be found in this short story.
The main character lacked *character* and a personality while she was okay with being dominated by a stranger and forced to marry. This all just screams abuse and serious Stockholm syndrome while there is no romance to be found in this short story.
December 15, 2018
Just Trying to Get Out of the Cold
The novella of a foundling claimed by a rich, misunderstood town scion, was just a tad too short to do much with the setup. Both characters are sketched-out, not fleshed-out, so it's an insta-connect, instalove plotline more than a full story with development and change.
The novella of a foundling claimed by a rich, misunderstood town scion, was just a tad too short to do much with the setup. Both characters are sketched-out, not fleshed-out, so it's an insta-connect, instalove plotline more than a full story with development and change.
December 27, 2020
Short but still had a little drama
I don't know if I would call this a "dark" story. Yes, there is a spanking and the threat of others, but nothing horrible or over the top. The twist was surprising, and honestly, I was expecting someone else entirely. It would have been easy to make this into a much longer story.
I don't know if I would call this a "dark" story. Yes, there is a spanking and the threat of others, but nothing horrible or over the top. The twist was surprising, and honestly, I was expecting someone else entirely. It would have been easy to make this into a much longer story.
December 7, 2022
Short but intense story
Jackson and Lucia are two lost and lonely people. The town has turned on both of them. When they meet because Lucia sneaks into his home to stay warm, Jackson sees an opportunity for making a life together. There's a bit of trouble for them before things work out. I enjoyed how Jackson cares for and wants to protect Lucia.
Jackson and Lucia are two lost and lonely people. The town has turned on both of them. When they meet because Lucia sneaks into his home to stay warm, Jackson sees an opportunity for making a life together. There's a bit of trouble for them before things work out. I enjoyed how Jackson cares for and wants to protect Lucia.
February 7, 2023
Short and whole
Although this was a short story, even for a novella, it was complete. There was resolved conflict, a little angst and the main character showed some growth. We even get a HEA, presumably. I wish the author would change opening paragraph so it matches the setting of the 1800s. This book does not appear to take place in 2689.
Although this was a short story, even for a novella, it was complete. There was resolved conflict, a little angst and the main character showed some growth. We even get a HEA, presumably. I wish the author would change opening paragraph so it matches the setting of the 1800s. This book does not appear to take place in 2689.
July 2, 2018
Loved reading the engaging first book in the Dark Embrace series. Lucia's struggles with the cold and hunger lead her to a house owned by a sleeping Jackson McNabe. Instead of calling for the police, Jackson makes a deal with Lucia. Read the highly recommended and wonderfully written love story.
July 11, 2018
This book was so confusing. Supposedly, it is set in 600+ years in the future but sounds like historical England. Huh? Nothing sounds futuristic. Also, it was so short it kinda ruined the story.
March 31, 2020
Sweet and short
Lucia steals into Jacksons house to get warm, the only thing she never expected was to meet him. What will he do when faced with hi intruder? Read now to find out!!
Lucia steals into Jacksons house to get warm, the only thing she never expected was to meet him. What will he do when faced with hi intruder? Read now to find out!!
February 15, 2021
This is a short story. Slightly dark with a spanking scene and torn garments. My only wish is that it had been a bit longer with a few more chapters or an epilogue showing Lucia and Jackson as an established couple and maybe a pregnancy announcement.
February 22, 2021
Short does not equal lacking.
Although this is a short story it lacks nothing in excitement, intrigue, despair, hope, rescue, and romance. Please read. It's truly worthy of your time and effort.
Although this is a short story it lacks nothing in excitement, intrigue, despair, hope, rescue, and romance. Please read. It's truly worthy of your time and effort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews