Beastly Beautiful

Beasts of Prey #1

by Noelle Cross

ROURKE

Do you ever wonder at the beast inside you?

I don't have to wonder.

I know.

I know the taste of blood. I know the taste of fire and ash and death in my veins, coursing through my body, making me a beast of prey. I live for the hunt. The kill. Both in the boardroom, and out of it. I've crafted the perfect polished image of a high-powered executive, owner of global development giant For King and Country, hiding my sickness in plain sight. I surround myself with beautiful things. With delicate things. But underneath the fine wool suits and the platinum watches, nothing can conceal what I truly am.

A monster straining at my leash, desperate to be free.

And the night I meet her?

Is the night I lose control. The night I snap. The night I nearly kill a man—because if I don't?

I'll take out the hunger in my blood on her pale, innocent flesh. And if I hurt her...

I'll never be able to live with myself again.

SILVER

I've never met a man as fascinating and terrifying as Rourke King.

The first time I saw him was in a concrete arena, his powerful, tattooed body covered in the blood of another man. The second time I saw him, he was a slick and hard-edged thing in a fine black suit. And the third time?

The third time I saw Rourke King, he saved me...and showed me what it means to be free.

After a life in captivity to the cruelest man alive, I don't know what to do when I'm thrown into the real world. When Rourke tears me away from my owner and tells me I can stand on my own, if I just try. He says I don't have to serve anyone; says I belong to no one.

But what if I want to belong to him?

I don't understand Rourke. I don't understand how one man can be both noble and knave, knight and dragon, angel and demon. His code of honor makes me trust him. His brutal, animalistic side makes me need him, drawn to him by something primal that I can't control. He entices me. He infuriates me. He confuses me. He frightens me. And deep down?

I want to be afraid.

But the delicious bite of fear that Rourke inspires is nothing like the sour, awful terror that comes when my owner, one of the most powerful men in New York's criminal underworld, says he wants me back. Says he'll kill anyone to take me home. And Rourke?

Rourke is the only one who can keep me alive.

Note: this is a dark romance containing 18+ kink situations and multiple triggers.

Genres: Dark Romance

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2018

About the author

Noelle Cross is the author of dark fantasies that explore the line between desire and fear, treading dangerous paths and letting the darklings out into the light of day. She’s obsessed with the sexuality of deadly things, and loves exploring why we’re so attracted to villains, bad boys, and tortured antiheroes with skewed moral compasses.

She will always choose Hannibal over Will, and Loki over Thor. She stans for Dexter, and is fascinated by the TV series that slowly chronicles young Norman Bates’ emergent sexuality, sexual deviancy, and violent behavior.

She also never said she wasn’t a little messed up.

But shh. Don’t tell anyone.

Every twisted vixen was once someone’s innocent little girl.

She’s also obsessed with crocheting, herbalism, and yoga—even if her downward dog is usually a little closer to a downward donut.

Reviews

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Refreshing change of pace!



You don’t often find a dark romance where the guy is like this, he is an underground MMA type fighter in his free time, he is very dominant and likes kinky sex, but there isn’t anything wrong with him. He had a normal childhood, no abuse or screwed up situation to make him abnormal, he just likes what he likes. I like that because that is actually the norm, you don’t really have to be f*cked up to be kinky.

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[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is to short and feels rushed...
To a sex slave to forget a life of abuse in a week just because theres a "magical connection" its unrealistic, IMO!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about WOW. This lust filled story rips your guts out and leaves you gasping for more. As dark and demented as this is it only leaves you asking how much darker and more beautiful can it get. You almost want to hate it because of its content but then you realize you can’t. You are only as dark, broken, crazy as you let yourself be. This story in the end is a story of love, acceptance and passion. Shivers of nicely done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He knows he is a monster and he will kill no matter what and whenever he needed but she may just change that. She wants to be with him but she is also afraid of him. How will they get through this? Will she leave him forever? Can they ever be together? See if they can

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[EroticaAfterDark (Lilith)]

#erotica #new #release #NoelleCross #BDSM #DarkRomance
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Merged review:


#erotica #new #release #NoelleCross #BDSM #DarkRomance
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2SG1TlH
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2SC3kl3
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2LTnSD9

Check out our archive: https://goo.gl/WaJD6j
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://goo.gl/SrUf3e
Or join our group: https://goo.gl/RpzyFd
Submit for FREE: https://goo.gl/MqqJv3
List your permafreebies: https://goo.gl/forms/rwaGEU3xXgif64852
changes may occur throughout the day

[Bo0kSLoth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be different than it really was. It was gritty and eye-opening during the sex scenes. I have read dark erotica and was still surprised by the type of sexual-rape-violence that the heroine, Silver, needs to get off. I liked how no matter how broken the two characters are, they both got each other, but definite not my type of play

[Suzanne Gandolfi-lapham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Vanilla maybe my favorite ice cream but I enjoy a little kink every where else. It was beautiful when Rourke told Silver nothing is wrong as long as you choose it. Curious to see what else this author comes out with.

[Marcie Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don't mind a dark and twisted tale, but some of this didn't work for me. Would have liked more background on Rourke.

[Christi Whitson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a serious book hangover

I don’t even know where to begin with this book. It was an absolutely incredible debut novel. And although it doesn’t say so in the blurb, it is a standalone novel with a HEA.

The writing was imaginative and poetic. Her prose is absolutely beautiful. But don’t expect the choppy, simple thoughts you usually get in a first person POV. Cross plays fast and loose with grammatical sentence structure, and it works well for her.

I am not always one for dark romance. Usually because I end up disliking the hero (especially if he’s an ‘anti-hero’). But this hero was a good person who happened to have a dark side (as opposed to being a jerk with one or two redeeming qualities).

I’ll admit that I did skim some of the more graphically violent parts of this book, but that didn’t diminish my appreciation for it. Rourke has darkness inside of him and has tried to fight it all his life. But what he needed was to be shown that darkness isn’t inherently bad. Silver learns that in her own way too.

This book was also one of the best explanations I’ve read to date for the concept of using CNC (consensual nonconsent roleplay) to heal from sexual trauma. It’s a paradox that a lot of people just can’t wrap their heads around, and I venture to say that most won’t truly ‘get it’ until they experience it. Cross gives her readers an incredibly comprehensive perspective from the POV of the trauma survivor. The subject material may not be for everyone, but if you give it a chance, you just might learn something. :)

This is a standalone novel, but there are five more books planned for the series. I can’t wait to see what Cross comes up with next!

[Judy Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was warned that this was a very dark romance, but I decided to read it anyway because I do have a bit of a dark side and I have read “dark” stories before. This is probably one of the darkest stories I have read, but is also one of the most honest and hopeful stories I have ever read. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, and some readers may find elements of the story disturbing - but I loved it! This story is full of dark lust and demented desire and I did cringe and blanch a little at some of the crude violence and degradation, but more than that, this story enthralled and captivated me in a very real way and I was unable to put it down. Rourke and Silver are captivating and intriguing and their concern for each other is uplifting and hopeful. The dark, sometimes violent, passion between them is actually beautiful in its own way and their devotion to each other is very inspiring. This romance, although not conventional by any means, is just as heartfelt and endearing as any conventional romance I have read, and even brought me to the point of tears at times - which rarely happens to me. Ultimately, this is a savage but poignant tale of passion, acceptance and uplifting and enduring love. Fantastic!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.uk

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver was abused and used by Bouchard from age six to twenty before capturing the interest of Rourke King. A monster by his own definition, Rourke was deeply obsessed with pain, both giving and receiving. He knew that normal was never used to describe him, but when he saw Silver with Bouchard, he rescued her to give her a chance for a normal life.
This dark romance brought out Silver’s painful past with enough detail to hurt the readers heart. I liked the way the author didn’t turn this into a horror story and allowed Silver to retain her humanity despite her horrific past in the control of Bouchard.
Rourke’s hero is strong, twisted, and blood thirsty. Silver gets past his beast-like persona and lifts him into a better version of himself.
Darkly violent and raw as Rourke and Silver balance each other as the author shows that they are able to freely be themselves without guilt or shame.
I was impressed with the quality of writing this author exhibited, especially with the detailed descriptive scenarios that were vividly awesome. Many authors overdo this and turn the story into a boring, plodding read. Not so with this author! I plan to keep this in my library to read again and again. It was that good!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ElleEmSee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. At the start there’s a graphic fight.. almost turned my stomach not gonna lie! Rouke uses street fighting or whatever it is to feed his dark side... you get the impression that he’s really twisted and kinda evil but that soon changed as the story went on. He sees Silver in the crowd and ends up kidnapping her from her ‘master’ shortly after. He looks after her so well and doesn’t force himself on her or anything and just replace her master like I would have expected. He knows he shouldn’t touch her because of his desires to hurt people and she’s vulnerable so he tries to keep his distance but she doesn’t want him to. He can’t resist for long and gives in when she kisses him and from there they start an intense sexual relationship. I liked them together it all felt natural - they were a perfect match for each other as she needs someone to dominate her and cause a bit of pain and he needs that too.
There’s some drama as the man who used to own her catches up with them but there’s a satisfying ending.
.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So first off....heed ALL the warnings on this book! This book covers alot of sensitive topics for some folks and well proceed with caution. If you can get passed all the warnings then you are in for a fanf***ingtastic read! This book contains a story about a woman named Silver who has managed to survive being sold off as a slave at the age of 6. She is currently in her twenties and is a slave/pet to a drug lord. But she finds herself being kidnapped or is it a rescue and told she is free. She has no idea what to do, EVERYTHING has been provided for her with no choices allowed. Her rescuer she finds is not a simple man nor does he consider himself a man, he is a beast in his own eyes and has a few secrets of his own. This is a captivating read right from page one til the end of the book. You will finish this book knowing that Silver is truly loved and has 100% control of her life and her ability to choose what she wants.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Rescued by the Beast~
Silver has never seen the like, the man-turned-beast in the latest fight she witnessed, who turned deadly and so easily beat another, nor the same man turned knight who later calmly stole her right out from under the nose of her owner. Not given any choice but to be used or brutally beaten or displayed in ownership at her master’s whim, Silver did know how to really function on her own, not with everything given to her on a silver platter. Silver did not realize she could have had, should have had all this in her life already, but it was all stolen from her during these vital years with her owner. She now had more than she had a right to ask for, except what she really wished for: Rourke King himself.

This woman who clearly needed saving went straight to Rourke’s heart. But for all the depraved things he wanted to do to her, Rourke had to keep steadily pushing her away.

A delicious, dark, and demanding read!

[Sharee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so conflicted. I was sucked in by the title. I was expecting a dark Beauty and The Beast sort of thing. Not so much. The sex completely messes up everything for me. I just don't understand how anyone would crave brutality, especially victims of abuse. I hate when the characters are rushed into having sex and falling in love. Their "relationship" was unhealthy from the start. I would have liked to have seen her heal and flourish and learn to become more independent before they got together. With all that being said, I still enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

[Debra Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will wrap itself around your heart from start to finish taking you on a roller coaster of emotions – some of them I have never ever felt. I stopped reading a number of times in order to calm down. It is an on the edge of your seat read that is well written, well-developed, dark, raw, funny, and witty. The characters are very broken but strong and have great depth and are just what each other needs. I am still reeling from knowing how twisted, uncaring, and unfeeling some people are (SMH). I am very happy though that the characters got their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rourke hides behind the monster
This is my 1st book by the author and she quickly draws you into the characters story. Rourke is a powerful man who sheds his trappings to be in a fight to draw blood. During the fight, he is briefly distracted by Silver. Rourke uses the excuse of not being paid his winnings to visit Silver’s owner and states his interest in Silver. Rourke kidnaps Silver to set her free, but Silver has a hard time adjusting. When Rourke and Silver give in to their mutual needs, it’s everything they need. But when Silver’s ex-owner enters back into the scene, it could all end? You will be rooting for Rourke and Silver to beat the odds!

[Mrs S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal romance

Wow! I started this and couldn’t put this down and if this is the start of a series then I will follow this author and series. I already need more!
This is a well written with a rocky path to a unique HEA, and I loved it!

There are a couple of reviews with good spoilers so I will not rehash, but I did love the line “there’s nothing wrong with choosing this when choosing it makes me feel strong, makes me feel powerful, makes me feel in control even as I give that control up to him...”

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savy ,dark ,unique and taboo type of Beauty and Beast retelling

What a stylish,deviant yet somehow endearing psychsexual extravaganza .The anti hero is duality personified,an uncanny mix of kind yet deviant,Beast yet heroic savoir,violence,yet sweet and accommodating. Silver ,the heroine too is a complex , convoluted character and the ying to his yang. In a crowded room ,in the midst of a violent beat down and despite her submissive lockdown ,their souls reached out and demanded fulfillment. Only wish it was longer. It is book one,so hopefully we will encounter them down the line. This author is definitely one to watch!

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a very good read. It is a very dark read and it features content that some will not like and can be triggers for others, so be aware before purchasing and reading. The story is gritty and raw and has both a realism and a over the top feel to it. Yes, I know that is contradictory, but that is how I felt. I did like both characters and I really liked the chemistry and connection between Rourke and Silver. It is a dark, steamy, emotional, kink filled romance that is filled with intensity. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is a book that can almost gut you A deeply emotional story that drags you in and doesn't let go until that final page is turned This book isn't for the faint hearted it is deeply dark and demented

Silver abuse since the ago of six by Bouchard but now she has freedom of a kind Rourke King has saved her but he is as dark and twisted in his own way but at least he knows it. As love develops between these two they will each release one another from the past and give each other something that they both desire freedom

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This twisted dark romance had me on the edge of my seat as I was drawn in to the main characters world and story. The author has a wonderful descriptive way of writing and one that found enjoyable to read. There is violence, pain, lots of emotion and romance, some of which may be triggers for some people. An amazing book! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark and dangerous read.
She was a slave a pet a toy
He is a beast of a man
Powerful noble savior killer
Together they could be beautiful
But there is another beast the one he freed her from the one who kills for sport and terrorizes for fun
A powerful man with powerful allies and he is coming for her going through him

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't get enough of Silver & Rourke...wow...this book was just amazing. So raw...& different from other similar ones I've read in similoar genre...my only complaint is it's too short. lol. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book.

[Farrah Centner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beastly!

I love Dark Romances and this book doesn’t disappoint! I’ve never read one with Dark Roleplay before but I loved it!

[E. Leta Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery good but tough read

Good characters with a very gritty dark story line. Might be too much for some folks but love is love in whatever from it takes for the people involved.

[Debra fuge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Really enjoyed this book, a monster on the inside but a monster who knows how to protect the 1 thing he loves the most,

[Peggy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkness

Darkness is all around us. Some people need to love more in the dark to be a or to tolerate the light.

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, rough, suspenseful. The story of Rourke and Silver is not an easy, sweet romance. This is storyline is keeps you on your toes and hooked until the end.

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the heck did I just read?!?! OMG

This is the dark, twisted, steamy story of two broken people brought together by fate. While fighting one night at an underground fight, Rourke spots Silver with a very dangerous man, a man he knows all too well. Once he sets his sights on something or someone he will do what it takes to get it but he never expected for his world to turn upside down in a blink of an eye all because of a scared, broken, beautiful young lady.

**Readers, please be aware, this story is very dark but so good. 🖤🖤