Hearts of Darkness

Santiago #1

by Catherine Wiltcher

“First, Dante Santiago held a gun to my head. Then he blew my world apart …”

He’s a criminal with no conscience. The whisper of a name, a faceless stranger… A man content to dwell in the shadows of his underworld.

I’m the light to his dark, an investigative reporter intent on exposing dangerous men like him. We were worlds apart until I caught his attention. Now I’m his captive, kept at the whim of a devil with no kindness or morality.

I may be an innocent but I have secrets too. For years I’ve been fighting a private war with the illegal drugs trade, with the cartel responsible for murdering my brother. I’m closer to revenge than I’ve ever been until his duplicity tears my life apart.

Ours is a relationship borne of hate but we can't deny the fire that rages between us. But Dante’s a haunted man. He knows only pain and suffering until I see a spark of light buried deep within the shadows of his heart.

Now I have two choices. Save Dante Santiago’s soul or lose myself to his darkness forever.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Crime, BDSM

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2018

About the author

Sign up to her newsletter for giveaways and Santiago exclusives —> www.catherinewiltcher.com/newsletter

Catherine Wiltcher is a USA Today and Amazon Top 15 bestselling romance author. Her books include The Santiago Series and the Cristo Sinners World.

In 2017, Catherine wrote her first book while undergoing cancer treatment. These days, she writes flawed and dangerous characters who always fall hard for their women, whatever the cost.

She lives in the U.K. with her husband, their two young daughters, and their crazy spaniel, Bella.

Insta: @catherinewiltcher
TT: @catherinewiltcher
F/B Group: Dante's Devils

SANTIAGO READING ORDER

Santiago World:
The Santiago Trilogy Collection:
-Hearts of Darkness
-Hearts Divine
-Hearts on Fire
The Grayson Duet Collection:
-Shadow Man
-Reckless Woman
Devils & Dust
Lovers & Liars (coming soon)
Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2

Cristo Sinners World:
Black Skies Riviera
A London Villain
The Viper (coming soon)
TBAT (coming soon)

The Castillo Empire:
(coming soon)

Corrupt Gods World/Next Generation:
Born Sinner
Bad Blood
Tainted Blood
City of Thieves
Rush & Ruin, Parts 1 & 2

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Low 2 - 2.5 Stars

This was a mildly decent read for me...I picked it up because someone told me it gave Anna Zaires a run for her money. So obviously I was expecting greatness and probably had my expectations a little too high. Unfortunately, this felt like a very average mafia romance. The insta-lust was a little too strong and not offset by enough psychological/relational character-building to make it feel rooted and visceral enough for me.

I originally intended to power through the whole series since it’s available via Kindle Unlimited, but honestly, I just don’t feel all that compelled to continue and I have too much other stuff to read.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

 

~WRITING - PLOT - PACE~
This book is pretty much the perfect example on why I LOVE to give new authors a chance. I've never read anything by this author before, in fact, I hadn't even heard of her before, but oh man was this book fan-f-cking-tastic. I am not even exaggerating. Every single minute of this book was pure perfection. The writing was excellent. The pace moved along at a good clip. Especially considering that this book was on the longer side. It was told in a dual POV. The plot was intricate and engaging. Last, it was all wrapped up in a cliffhanger which took me a bit by surprise because I thought this was a standalone. *shrug* My only TINY issue (and it really was a small niggle), was I got a little annoyed at how many times Dante would call Eve by her complete name (Eve Miller).


~HERO~
DANTE...I adored Dante. He was alpha. He was possessive. He was sexy as sin. He was complicated. He was all about Eve from the minute he saw her. He wasn't going to win any personality awards, but Eve softened his edges (just a bit). He was pretty much the perfect anti-hero you just can't help but fall for.


~HEROINE~
EVE...First of all, what a fantastic name. More heroines should be called Eve in my opinion (lol). Anyway, I loved Eve just as much as I loved Dante. Ya, she probably caved into his advances a little too quickly considering the circumstance, but she wasn't a weak heroine at all. She gave as good as she got. She was sweet. She was feisty. She was a great heroine.




~SECONDARY CHARACTERS~
They were a good cast of secondary characters in this one. Some I hope we will be seeing more of. Perhaps in their own books? Some I loved. Some I hated. One I cried over. All of them added fantastic extra layers to the story.


~HEAT LEVEL~
High. There were a lot of smokin' hot sex scenes in this one. Rough sex. Maybe some borderline dub consent? Spanking. Nothing too over the top or kinky.


~ANGST LEVEL - SEXUAL HISTORIES~
Lowish...I didn't find this one particularly angsty. This couple has quite a few acrimonious exchanges due to circumstances and who they are, but the relationship was quite insta and pretty solid from the start. Then, of course, there is some angst caused by the overlying plot involving the drug cartels etc. Eve wasn't a virgin. Dante was most likely a manwhore, but there are only a few mentions here and there about his prior sex life. There wasn't any OW drama or OM drama either.


~IN THE END~
Did I enjoy it? HELL YES!
Would I recommend it! Again...HELL YES!
Would I read more from this author? Affirmative!
What type of reader would this appeal to? I think this would appeal to all types of readers, safe or otherwise. Especially those who love a jealous and possessive anti-hero.
Bring on book two please!

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd re-read 18/04/2025

Part 1/3

4 ❤️🖤❤️❤️ ⚡️🧨💥⚡️🌟🌟🌟🌟s❗️❣️❗️❣️

I had the same feelings when I read it for the first time!



1st read 22/08/2020

4 ❤️🖤❤️❤️ ⚡️🧨💥⚡️🌟🌟🌟🌟s❗️❣️❗️❣️

Let me introduce you to Dante Santiago.
He might be tall, handsome and well built, but he is a monster beneath that savage, beautiful mask. Decency and compassion are dead to him.
Dante Santiago is is a very bad man.

Accidentally he met Eve Miller. A sassy and feisty reporter who defies him at every step.
The light to his darkness.
Their connection and chemistry are by far explosive.

“He’s the man of my dreams.
He’s the devil from my nightmares.” Eve

“I’ll be a husk of a man without her.” Dante

A dark, suspenseful and romantic story, very well written with twists and turns, scenes with great action, fast paced, strong, intriguing and extremely well developed characters.

The first part of this trilogy had me completely engaged and consumed❗️❗️

[Kay's Blushing Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts of Darkness by Catherine Wiltcher
GENRE: Dark Mafia Romance
NARRATION: Dual POV
BOOK DETAILS: Book #1 The Santiago Trilogy.
AUDIO AVAILABLE? No



MY REVIEW

This is one of those stories that draws you in from the beginning, its immediately sets the pace for an intriguing and intensely dark storyline. This is precisely the type of books I love to read. Eve and Dante have a fierce passion and instant chemistry.

Dante is the epitome of dominance, he is coated in authority and has that dangerous edge that drops woman to their knees (well me anyway) I adored the darkness in him. Eve's a sassy little one, she has an admirable strength of character. Together Dante and Eve complimented one another where Dante was hard, Eve was soft, and it balanced them, the push and pull between them made for some hot and heavy scenes

Catherine is a new author for me and I would definitely be looking at her other works in the future. Her writing style is captivating and well diverged, creating great character depth and story development.

MY RATINGS: (All ratings are out of 5)
HERO RATING: 5
HEROINE RATING: 5
BLUSH RATING: 3.5
DARKNESS RATING: 4
OVERALL: 4.5 Blushing Stars.



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[Fre06 Begum]

I liked the story nothing wrong with it. It’s just my personal dislike of the “betraying body syndrome” which was too much in does book. The h spoilt it for me, one minute she’s calling him a monster and then next second she’s overwhelmed with lust and begs him to have sex with her. I prefer my female h’s a little less hormone ridden to be honest. Think and worry about your life woman not your sex starved body!

[Momma Eureka · Rating 2 out of 5]

……….. well this could’ve been amazing…. Alas it wasn’t ! I was excited about it because Cartel and such, unfortunately this book made me feel absolutely NOTHING . I won’t even read the next two books.

Insta Lust
Insta Love
No plot till the end
Mildly entertaining towards the end
Couldn’t for the love of god fall for the couple
No chemistry
No longing
No angst

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Reread)

''You're my devil, Dante, and you're tempting me into your darkness''

Safety warnings:
- H mid/late 30s / h 25
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Dub con
- BBS
- Violence/torture/d*ath
- Cliffhanger

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

Keep this short and sweet.

Dante is an absolute beast of a man who literally doesn't feel much beyond what he feels for Eve BUT it does not mean he is incapable of it but rather he refuses to let himself or doesn't believe he deserves it.

He kidnaps her at gunpoint, and she slowly slithers on over to the dark side. I can feel her confliction when it comes to letting Dante in. She grew up around a father who spends his time tracking down criminals and works for the DEA, her brother died from an overdose because he got involved with the wrong crowd.

We find out that Dante ordered the hit on her brother 5 years ago, but he died before it was carried out.

There is a lot of spice in this book, and it starts off pretty early on. They both, despite their massive differences, have a lot of physical chemistry that slowly morphs into an emotional one even if Dante refuses to acknowledge things and push Eve away.

Dante's brother and his schemes didn't come as a surprise but I was shocked to find out about Tomas being the reason so many things had gone wrong.

We get glimpses of Dante and his past life, we find out he had a daughter that has been missing for 15 years, he has never stopped looking for her but it is later revealed that his brother killed her out of spite.

I was sad about Manuel’s fate…I wanted better for him and even though I knew what to expect, it still hard to get through it.

Rereading this I have to say Catherine was amazing when she first wrote this trilogy, but she has gotten as the years have gone on. If you have never read her books please pick them up, you won't be disappointed!
It has the perfect mixture of plot and spice!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just fine. Predictable.

[Ms reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept seeing this recommended over and over and over again in multiple different Facebook groups. Many people compared it to Anna Zaire’s Twist Me series, which is one of my all time favourite books. Needless to say, I was VERY excited to read this.

I actually picked up last year and tried to read it but DNF’d after only a couple of chapters because it just didn’t hold my interest. I decided to give it another go though because the audiobook was free on Scribd. I liked the narrators, so I thought I would give it another go.

There were a lot of similarities between this series and Twist Me, so I couldn’t help comparing the two. Unfortunately, this just didn’t measure up. Dante was definitely no Julian, and the h (who’s name I forget even though I legit JUST finished listening to the book), was annoying but obviously not very memorable. The relationship between them was just too insta-love for my liking. I get insta-lust and obsession, but they were talking about their SOULS being bound to each other not even halfway through the book. It was just too fast.

I did like the mafia aspect of this book though. The overall story was good and I’m curious to see what happens next.

Edit: after listening to the second book in this trilogy I had to come back and increase my rating for this book. I’m so glad I stuck with this series because it gets SOOOOO GOOD!

[Syndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hearts of Darkness does not win 4 stars for me. Miss Wiltcher cut off the emotional connection and dove right into the physical attraction between Dante and Eve. Hence, I feel disconnected.

Without proper introduction of Dante's dark past, this book fails to impress me. The smutty scenes are mainly rough and lukewarm. Not sizzling hot.
In short, I am not feeling any lasting impression with this book.

2 stars

[Catherine Wiltcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is not your sweet, passionate love story. This is raw, deep down in your soul passion" - Up All Night With Books

US: https://amzn.to/2S70aVh
UK: https://amzn.to/2VAND3i
AU: https://amzn.to/346hy3p
CA: https://amzn.to/2O7OKBO

[Alexandraa XX · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY WOW... I DIDN’T EXPECT THIS BOOK TO BE GREAT BUT OMG! IT IS GREAT 😍😍😍


MAFIA MOBB BOSS HERO!

I love this whole story and the vibe...



- I LOVE THAT WHEN THE HERO WAS DOING something else at the time (working) AND HE FIRST SAW THE HEROINE AND IMMEDIATELY WANTS HER... IMMEDIATELY HE FEELS that the heroine is someone very important to him and HE FEELS THE PULL THAT THE HEROINE GIVES HIM! Omg.... omg


- THE STORY BEGINS VERY MUCH WHAT I WANT! The hero put a gun on the heroine’s head and tells her sweet things like “don’t move angel” ANGEL AT FIRST! I was blown away just like that lol


- SAFE LOVE STORY


- THE HERO IS OTT POSSESSIVE ALPHA MALE

He became very obsessed with her omg so cute lol



- THE HERO ALWAYS... said... YOU ARE MINE mine!



- MANY JEALOUS SCENE FROM THE HERO


- NO CHEATING!


- THE HERO always called the heroine “my angel”

Even though the heroine always calls his name lol


- THE HEROINE IS SASSY ALRIGHT LOL


- I LOVE THAT EVEN THO THE HERO CAPTURED HER BUT he didn’t make her very complicated... he didn’t push her away and always care about her. THE HEROINE AS WELL WHEN SHE WAS CAPTURED she was confused but she didn’t make it very difficult for him and she was not being annoying... SHE WANTS THE HERO JUST AS MUCH THE HERO WANTS HER BUT at first she thought she was wrong. And then she immediately just go with her feelings :)



- THE HEROINE DID PUSH THE HERO AWAY sometimes i think three times but never too much... THE HERO push the heroine away just once.
THE HEROINE was not being too pushing anyway, even when she found out the hero did the killing and crimes. She knew the hero is good to him, she was not being very difficult at all with their feelings.


- NO DRAMA WITH OW ! THE DRAMA IS ONLY WITH THE HERO AND HIS BROTHER AND HIS FRIENDS... And all the crime drama was not too annoying!


- IT HAS SEPARATION. TWICE. First it lasted 6 weeks and then the second which lead the second book of this series. DURING THIS SEPARATION, THERE IS NO ANYONE ELSE. HERO AND HEROINE R VERY LOYAL!


“I don’t see other women.
I only have eyes for my angel.”


- THE HERO IS A MOBB BOSS BUT HE HATED WHAT HIS BROTHER AND FRIENDS DOES. HE WAS A VERY SMART MAN, i love that the hero knows what he stands for and he does not let any of his past defines him! HE ALWAYS KNOW HE WAS DIFFERENT FROM HIS BROTHER AND FRIENDS THAT ARE WAY WORST THAN HIM...

EVEN THOUGH HE BEEN THROUGH A LOT BUT HE NEVER LET THAT PAST CONSUME HIM AND MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON. NOOOOO....



- I ALSO LOVE THAT THE HERO FEEL THE PULL FROM THE HEROINE IS STRONG AND HE FIGHTS FOR THE HEROINE! Despite what his been through and what his stands for. HE IMMEDIATELY TELLS THE HEROINE THAT THE PULL ARE STRONG AND HE WANTS HER LIKE NEVER BEFORE. Omg omg

(I love that even the hero is cold and what his past life is very dark for him, he didn’t tainted that to the heroine. He separated that dark thoughts and make the heroine his light himself) if you know what i mean


- VERY HOT SMUT SCENES
BOTH ARE CLEAN AND CELIBATE FOR A WHILE


- NO VIRGINS


- CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SECOND BOOK :)

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, Dante… Yeah, Imma be hitting up all the area liquor stores. If you see me, mind yo business.

[⋆Lara⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!


I loved Dante Santiago! He's the perfect anti-hero character, so dark and daring! And hot. And sexy... Did I say hot already?
The plot was wonderful. The female protagonist Eve Miller was very likeable and exactly the type of heroine I adore.

Congratulations to the author for such a wonderful job!

[Lucía · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the mafia part of this book but the relationship between the MCs was too insta-love, like they fucked 2 times and they were ❤️the one❤️ 🤦🏼‍♀️

Also the heroine was so annoying; spends 10 times rambling about how she doesn’t want to have sex with the H and then with one simple touch she comes undone, like girly, shut up, stop lying and wasting pages.

[Milica's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5❤️
I have a new addiction.
His name is Dante. Dante Santiago. 🔥

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My angel."
"My devil."

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!

Altra nuova autrice, altra splendida sorpresa! Dio mio, questo romanzo mi ha mandata in estasi, l'ho adorato da cima a fondo, volevo mangiarmelo.
Immaginate di essere in un negozio a comprare qualcosa ed entra un uomo che vi punta una pistola alla testa, dicendovi di non fare movimenti bruschi se non volete morire seduta stante. E' così che Eve conosce Dante Santiago.

Dante è un uomo colombiano del cartello, che insieme a suo fratello Emilio gestisce uno dei più grandi giri di droga. Nessuno però li ha mai visti, sono sempre stati dei fantasmi e nemmeno la DEA è ancora riuscita a catturarli.
Eve è una giovane giornalista che dopo la tragica morte del fratello per mano appunto del cartello, ha deciso di chiudersi in solitudine e non fare mai più niente di pericoloso, come ad esempio andare nei locali e magari bere qualche bicchiere in più.
Ho adorato come il loro incontro fosse casuale. Dante non la conosceva, ma passeggiando per le strade di Miami dopo aver ucciso qualcuno, la vede e ne rimane incantato, quindi entra nel negozio e le punta una pistola alla testa, la rapisce, anche se per poco tempo e la bacia all'aereoporto prima di sparire nel nulla...

...ma lui tornerà per prendersi il suo angelo.

Ero già incantata alle prime pagine. Dante è un uomo davvero focoso, non vi lascerà nemmeno il tempo di respirare, un po' come fa con Eve. Ci sono tante scene hot che a mio parere calzano a pennello con tutta la storia, vi faranno sudare davvero davvero tanto. Il loro rapporto inizialmente è di odio e diffidenza, almeno da parte di Eve, ma spera che assecondandolo lui la lascerà andare. Eh no cara mia, ora sei sua e lo sarai per sempre. Dante non è romantico, ma sa benissimo cosa dire e quando dirlo per mandarti in pappa e non farti più capire un accidente. Persino Eve alla fine si arrende, perchè non puo fare a meno di innamorarsi di lui. (attenzione, niente insta-love qui)

Mi è piaciuta molto anche la parte più "viva" della storia, dove ci sono gli scontri fra i membri del cartello, dove i fedeli alleati ti pugnalano alle spalle per andare dal migliore offerente, e dove Eve vede passarsi tutta la sua vita davanti agli occhi perchè ora che è diventata la donna di Dante, è in estremo pericolo.
Insomma che io appena finito questo libro volevo piangere ma non mi resta che aspettare dicembre per poter leggere il seguito. Ho la sensazione che ancora tante cose devono succedere e io non vedo l'ora! Tante stelline per Catherine Wiltcher, grazie per aver creato uno dei migliori personaggi maschili letti quest'anno!

[❤️Court - Villains Do It Better❤️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 DNF at 60% Stars

This isn't a terrible book, but it was very lackluster. The hero is super possessive which I love, but other than that, I had a hard time connecting with the story and characters. It was very insta love, and I was trying to get past that, but she was literally implying he was starting to "hold her heart" after like 3 days of her "captivity" and of knowing him, 2 of which he was completely gone for. They also spoke in too many analogies like comparing her lightness and his darkness, or him being a monster and devil and her being an angel, and it was so cheesy. I actually Dnfed right as one of his crewman called her the hero's queen, because that's super cringe, and that was after only a couple weeks of being with each other. Besides all of that, everything was super predictable and the hero being completely blindsided at one time made absolutely no sense because you can see that betrayal coming for miles.

Overall, I was bored. Nothing interesting or new. The only thing I liked was that this was a completely safe from OW mafia book, at least from what I read, and the hero being possessive, and that's it. So just an eh read.

[Readbyana (New bio)]

DNF AT 34% (RANT COMING 👇🏻)

I genuinely tried with this one. I really did. But by 34%, I was so done that I couldn't convince myself to keep going. 😭

This book is SO heavily based on insta-lust that after a while it felt like that was the entire foundation of the story. I don't mind a dark romance being spicy or having an intense attraction, but here it was just... too much. I wanted some actual chemistry, character development, or emotional connection, and instead I kept getting lust, sex, and the MMC thinking about the FMC's body.

And the very first chapter already had me questioning what I was reading. 😭

The FMC is literally being held at gunpoint, gets taken to a car, and this girl is busy noticing how beautiful he is and how hard he is behind her.

Girl??? YOU ARE BEING KIDNAPPED. WHERE IS THE SURVIVAL INSTINCT??? 😭

Then she finally starts fighting him a little, he suddenly kisses her, and... SHE KISSES HIM BACK.
I had to put the book down for a second because WHAT???

And then we get his POV and find out he wasn't actually planning to take her by force. He was attracted to her, wanted her, realized he couldn't just force her, and decided he needed a "better approach."

Fast forward three days and she's STILL thinking about him and his kisse. And this is where I really started getting frustrated with her because she's supposedly into journalism, writes about the criminal world, and is the daughter of an FBI agent (If I remember correctly), yet when the police question her about this man, she gives them the wrong name and description.
For what??? Because she's been thinking about his kisses for three days. 😭

Then he comes back to kill an agent who happens to be her father, and she decides to offer herself to him instead so he'll take her rather than kill her father.
And I'm just sitting there like...

GIRL. STAND UP. PLEASE.

I kept waiting for her to show some backbone, but so many of her decisions had me rolling my eyes instead.

Then she wakes up NAKED in his bed, and when she asks where her clothes are, this man has the audacity to tell her:

> “You won't be needing them tonight.”

THE AUDACITY OF THIS MAN. 😭

And then he tries to have sex with her, she kisses him back AGAIN, and suddenly her brain kicks in and she's like wait, I can't do this.

NOW you remember???

He gets angry, leaves her there locking his room for days without giving her clothes, and gives her basically bread and water because he wants her to submit to his demands. And then she eventually does.

The MMC was probably the biggest problem for me too. He is so incredibly lust-driven toward her that I barely felt like I was getting to know him as a person. His thoughts were constantly about her body, how much he wanted her, how attracted he was to her... and every time he called her “my angel,” I swear I rolled my eyes a little harder. 😭

Both characters just felt immature, irritating, and incredibly cringe to me. And instead of making me excited about their relationship, their interactions kept making me question why I was still reading.

I kept thinking, surely this is going somewhere... surely I'll start understanding the hype.. but Nope. 😭

And honestly, I still cannot understand how this has so many 4 and 5-star ratings because clearly I was reading a completely different book. 😂

Maybe it gets better after 34%. Maybe the characters develop. Maybe the story eventually becomes more than lust and questionable decisions.

But the problem is... I don't care enough to find out anymore. I gave it a fair shot, but this was just way too cringe, way too lust-heavy, and way too eye-roll-worthy for me.

I'm tapping out. 🤚🏻

➣ 𝑷𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 :-

Ticking another series off my TBR... 🤭
The blurb has me intrigued, it's dark and messy and I can't wait to dive into it.
Also So far, the only Dantes I know are Dante Maroni and Dante Russo, and I love both of them. 🫣🤭
You better live up to the name!!!

⤷ ​̲𝑺​̲𝒕​̲𝒂​̲𝒓​̲𝒕​̲ ​̲𝒅​̲𝒂​̲𝒕​̲𝒆​̲:​̲- 9/Aug/26
⤷ ​̲𝑭​̲𝒊​̲𝒏​̲𝒊​̲𝒔​̲𝒉​̲ ​̲𝒅​̲𝒂​̲𝒕​̲𝒆​̲:- dnf

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza. Just as good as everyone said.

5/5 stars

[“Human” · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! This was fantastic!!!!

MUST READ ALERT! ❤️❤️❤️

One of the best mafia books I’ve EVER read! Perfect grit and so fucking sexy... like beyond sexy. Smoldering perfection! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

The storyline, plot, and pacing were perfect! I wasn’t bored for a single second! I find myself trudging along in book land lately, nothing is fresh, nothing is surprising. I needed something that just grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. This was IT!!!!

An amazing new author, who I found completely by accident. These two characters are pure bliss, this story rocked my brain like an avalanche of epic proportions. The side characters will make you smirk and swoon... just... ugh I won’t give anything away, but I loved them all!

I actually had a reminder set for these books, since they are cliffies, but the last one released TODAY thank god for bloggers with awesome reviews!

I’ve shared this series with everyone I know! Get your hands on these babies! You won’t regret it! 1000000 gazillion flaming panty stars!!! 🔥🔥🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Gloria]

DNF at 14%

Rejection is a new experience for me. I’ve never had to work for a pretty face. Usually, they’re primed and ready just looking at this body, and that’s before they find out who I am. First, I entice them in with my darkness, and soon they’re begging me for my pain.

Is it just me, or does a MMC seem kind of pathetic when he’s calling himself dark and dangerous and prime man-flesh?

Anywhoo, at 14% all I found was not-even-surface-level characterization and OTT insta-lust and OTT violence and mayhem and florid writing. Since the book is fast reading I might have hung around for curiosity’s sake but…

I went back to the blurb and noticed, in tiny little letters on the upper right corner of the book cover, it says “Santiago Trilogy Book 1.” Devote 3 books of my life to this nonsense? Nope.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fact, I am a SUCKER for any kind of Mafia romance. Recently I haven't been able to find anything at all interesting with actual substance and genuinely found myself asking - have I read all the decent Mafia romance? Then I saw this book recommended by another Mafia author I really respect and what can I say... I finished the whole trilogy at 05:00am this morning. The heroine was a breath of fresh air, I enjoyed the push and pull dynamic in the romance and the story kept me hooked the whole time.

If you have Kindle Unlimited, or in the market for a dark romance, I would recommend Hearts of Darkness. I'm definitely eager to read more from Catherine Wiltcher.

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might do a review tomorrow

[Jo - •.• Midlife Cosy Reader •.• · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve first encounters Dante one night in a liquor store when he holds a gun to her head. Really interesting way to meet a girl huh? Her next encounter with him is just as equally terrifying and instead of walking away from him, she finds herself captive in his home.

Okay, so a freaking terrifying experience for Eve but this scary man has something about him. Danger, arrogance, domination and really fucking sexy are a few words that come to mind. All of this is confusing Eve's senses and messing with her mind. She should be terrified of him but she is completely aroused in his presence.

Eve is about to have a sexual awakening like nothing she has experienced before. Dante is a man who takes what he wants, when he wants it and when he sets his mind on having Eve, nothing was going to get in his way. And holy shite, this guy has a libido like no other and it turns out that Eve is just as insatiable when it comes to this man.

Let's back up the bus a bit. Eve is a reporter for a local newspaper and she has been committed to exposing as much as she can about the Santiago family. She does investigative reporting and it comes with risks. She has personal reasons for this focus but a strong determination to seek justice.

Dante is a very bad and dangerous man. He is part of a cartel and a ruthless, cold blooded killer. He lives a life filled with risk and danger, anyone he has ever loved or felt close to is now dead. He knows that bringing Eve into his life will now put a target on her as she will be seen as weakness, a way to get to him by his enemies. However, he just can't stay away from her.

'Your light appeases my dark, Eve. When we're together I can almost taste whatever good is left in me'

Turns out that Eve is not as good as a reporter because she is completely oblivious to who Dante is and what he does for a living. She has unwittingly been pulled into his crazy fucked up life and now has to deal with it the best she can. When things go from crazy to out of this world mad, Eve finds herself doing things she never imagined. As Dante's enemies close in on them Eve has to adjust her moral compass if she wants to be with the man she is falling for.

This is my first book from this author and not a genre I usually read much of but it's good to break away once in awhile and read something different :) I guess I would class this an erotic suspense novel. There is a lot happening in this story and it definitely kept me turning the pages until late at night!

[Salma · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed this !! picking book 2 rnnn

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/16/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
“First, Dante Santiago held a gun to my head. Then he blew my world apart …”

He’s a criminal with no conscience. The whisper of a name, a faceless stranger… A man content to dwell in the shadows of his underworld.

I’m the light to his dark, an investigative reporter intent on exposing dangerous men like him. We were worlds apart until I caught his attention. Now I’m his captive, kept at the whim of a devil with no kindness or morality.

I may be an innocent but I have secrets too. For years I’ve been fighting a private war with the illegal drugs trade, with the cartel responsible for murdering my brother. I’m closer to revenge than I’ve ever been until his duplicity tears my life apart.

Ours is a relationship borne of hate but we can't deny the fire that rages between us. But Dante’s a haunted man. He knows only pain and suffering until I see a spark of light buried deep within the shadows of his heart.

Now I have two choices. Save Dante Santiago’s soul or lose myself to his darkness forever.

[TF · Rating 3 out of 5]

It lacked the darkness that was expected from reading the blurb….

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[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved loved this darkish read, a killer abducting a beautiful innocent victim. She wants to hate him but at the same time fuck him. He's mysterious and handsome. Hopefully I can read book 2 soon. Loved Dante and Eve.

[Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danteeeeee Santiago!!!!