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Darker Than Love #0.5
Sweeter Than Hate
I shouldn’t have heard the things I did. Shouldn’t have attracted his attention.
Now I feel his stare like a touch. Viscerally. Acutely.
The Russian assassin has me in his sights, and there’s only one way out.
His bed.
Good thing I’m drawn to danger.
Now I feel his stare like a touch. Viscerally. Acutely.
The Russian assassin has me in his sights, and there’s only one way out.
His bed.
Good thing I’m drawn to danger.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2019
673 people are currently reading
1290 people want to read
About the author
Anna Zaires
100 books7,860 followersAnna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in Florida, Anna is happily married to Dima Zales (a science fiction and fantasy author) and closely collaborates with him on all their works.
After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.
Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.
In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.
She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.
After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.
Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.
In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.
She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
February 1, 2020
A new story in the world of Julian (from Twist Me) and Lucas (from Capture Me) and Peter (from Tormentor Mine).
...And I cannot even describe how happy I am!
This time Yan (one of the twins from Tormentor Mine) finds his own obsession with another special girl.
I am definitely reading the full novel.
...And I cannot even describe how happy I am!
This time Yan (one of the twins from Tormentor Mine) finds his own obsession with another special girl.
I am definitely reading the full novel.
February 2, 2020
This was a pretty good prequel. At 110 pages it reads fast and smooth though there's no doubt that the instalust is like WHAM and there you go.
It starts with Mina with a carjacking on a dark, wintry country road in Czechia where young Mina loses both parents to the gunfire and manages to escape into the surrounding woods before being killed herself. From there, we jump to to Mina all grown up and waitressing in a bar where she hears part of a conversation two Russians are having regarding what is obviously a hit they're planning. Fearing they'll think she overhead, she goes about her business the rest of the night putting a first rate acting job on but that does nothing to save her when she leaves work through the back alley and is abducted and taken against her will to their apartment. There she learns the names of the two men, Yan and Ilya - both contract kriillers and also non-identical twins. Mina is hiding her own secrets and being with two assassins is practically the worse place she could be. The two plan on holding her over the night until their job is done. Both brothers want her but Mina ends up spending one hot night with Yan - fear is part of her stimuli. But the next morning when not being supervised, she makes a break for it and vanishes.
Cut to 15 months laters and Yan has never forgotten his night with Mina nor she with him. But when they finally do see each other again, this time it's under really bad circumstances. She's gone from a waitress to an enemy whose true identity is now known. As an added treat, when she's finally tracked down, she's bought to Julian Esguerra's from the original Twist Me series. There she is held prisoner and although Yan still has the desire for her, he's furious thinking she set him up for the clusterfuck of what has occurred since. Julian and Peter from past books want to know why and how and who and after than her life is has an expiration date. All Mina asks of Yan is to make it painless.
There's quite a few sexy scenes in here for such a short book - I would've liked him digging into her brain a little bit more instead of her ..... But regardless, it ends on a partial cliffhanger. No matter any instalust or quick story, this novella totally sets you up ready for the novel Darker Than Love.
And since I haven't gotten to read a new Anna Zaire in sooo long and given all the secrets that are tucked away between these two, I'm perfectly primed and ready to go head first into the full novel.
Going with 4**** start me up stars and interested to see if the plot will take a different turn with Charmaine Paul writing with Zaire! Hoping it's gonna be a real good ride!
UPDATE: Upon starting Darker Than Love, this novella makes up the first part of it up to 26% so if you want to read about these two you can actually just go to the main novel.
It starts with Mina with a carjacking on a dark, wintry country road in Czechia where young Mina loses both parents to the gunfire and manages to escape into the surrounding woods before being killed herself. From there, we jump to to Mina all grown up and waitressing in a bar where she hears part of a conversation two Russians are having regarding what is obviously a hit they're planning. Fearing they'll think she overhead, she goes about her business the rest of the night putting a first rate acting job on but that does nothing to save her when she leaves work through the back alley and is abducted and taken against her will to their apartment. There she learns the names of the two men, Yan and Ilya - both contract kriillers and also non-identical twins. Mina is hiding her own secrets and being with two assassins is practically the worse place she could be. The two plan on holding her over the night until their job is done. Both brothers want her but Mina ends up spending one hot night with Yan - fear is part of her stimuli. But the next morning when not being supervised, she makes a break for it and vanishes.
Cut to 15 months laters and Yan has never forgotten his night with Mina nor she with him. But when they finally do see each other again, this time it's under really bad circumstances. She's gone from a waitress to an enemy whose true identity is now known. As an added treat, when she's finally tracked down, she's bought to Julian Esguerra's from the original Twist Me series. There she is held prisoner and although Yan still has the desire for her, he's furious thinking she set him up for the clusterfuck of what has occurred since. Julian and Peter from past books want to know why and how and who and after than her life is has an expiration date. All Mina asks of Yan is to make it painless.
There's quite a few sexy scenes in here for such a short book - I would've liked him digging into her brain a little bit more instead of her ..... But regardless, it ends on a partial cliffhanger. No matter any instalust or quick story, this novella totally sets you up ready for the novel Darker Than Love.
And since I haven't gotten to read a new Anna Zaire in sooo long and given all the secrets that are tucked away between these two, I'm perfectly primed and ready to go head first into the full novel.
Going with 4**** start me up stars and interested to see if the plot will take a different turn with Charmaine Paul writing with Zaire! Hoping it's gonna be a real good ride!
UPDATE: Upon starting Darker Than Love, this novella makes up the first part of it up to 26% so if you want to read about these two you can actually just go to the main novel.
February 29, 2020
Yan and Ilya, are two Russian assasins. If you have followed up The Tormentor series, you already have their introduction. They are twins who look different from each other. They're known to share women. Mina overhears Yan and Ilya's conversation while waitressing. She is then kidnapped by them. Yan and Mina have a one night stand, she later escapes them while hearing the twins agrue with each other. After 15 months Mina is kidnapped again. This time she comes with secrets and for getting unknowingly involved for 'betraying' Yan.
This story is dark, sexy and sizzling clusterfuck of irresistible maleness! Yan is super possessive of Mina. Actually all of Anna Zaires heroes are so smashingly hot, has deadly charm and is so deliciously brooding. (if such term exists!)
This book is the prequel to Darker Than Love. It is a short story and is added in Darker Than Love so you can avoid reading the prequel and directly jump to the sequel.
This story is dark, sexy and sizzling clusterfuck of irresistible maleness! Yan is super possessive of Mina. Actually all of Anna Zaires heroes are so smashingly hot, has deadly charm and is so deliciously brooding. (if such term exists!)
This book is the prequel to Darker Than Love. It is a short story and is added in Darker Than Love so you can avoid reading the prequel and directly jump to the sequel.
January 25, 2020
This is just the prequel of Darker Than Love. It’s free on Amazon and a great way to find out if you want to read the full story.
March 2, 2020
4 ❤️❤️🖤🖤⚡️⚡️🌟🌟🌟🌟s
An intriguing and angsty prequel, introducing the main characters and plot, had me very excited for the full story that follows!!!
An intriguing and angsty prequel, introducing the main characters and plot, had me very excited for the full story that follows!!!
January 28, 2020
Super quick read .... although it is a bit rushed I do feel this was a solid opening. Definitely left me on the edge of my seat and beyond curious as to how the story plays out.
Little sore spots for me was the insta-bone jumping which lead to the next time they meet ......quite a serious situation .....more and more and more bone jumping. The last several pages were pretty much just sex I would have liked a little more story in the end.
Looking forward to the next book!!
Happy reading! DD
Little sore spots for me was the insta-bone jumping which lead to the next time they meet ......quite a serious situation .....more and more and more bone jumping. The last several pages were pretty much just sex I would have liked a little more story in the end.
Looking forward to the next book!!
Happy reading! DD
dnf
October 1, 2020Audio 3.5 Stars
Story dnf @ 44% 🙄
Story dnf @ 44% 🙄
February 2, 2020
This was a good beginning to a dark series that I know I am going to love. I have read and loved both of these authors work. Mina overheard something that she shouldn't have while working on a bar two Russians talking about a hit. Yan and his twin brother are hit men. Turns out Mina has some skills of her own she is a trained killer who took a job to take out Peter. Also they are Julian Esguerra men from the
"Twist Me"
series and I loved Julian. When they find out who took the shot it was Mine so she is kidnapped and brought to the compound where she knows she is going to die. This was a good read and this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I looking forward to reading and listening to the next book.
January 23, 2020
A fabulous teaser for Darker Than Love.
April 3, 2025
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/29/2019)! 🎁
February 1, 2020
This is a short read since it's the prequel to Darker Than Love by the same authors. There is a lot of action in this, including some scorching hot sex scenes, and plenty of character building. This didn't leave a LOT of space for world building/ background setting BUT there was enough of that and I fully expect to learn more in the full length novel.
Mina, Yan and Ilya are incredibly intriguing characters and I can't wait to learn more about them. I will definitely be continuing what I hope is their story in Darker Than Love. A great prequel, novella that is currently free and is well worth reading to see if these authors are for you.
Mina, Yan and Ilya are incredibly intriguing characters and I can't wait to learn more about them. I will definitely be continuing what I hope is their story in Darker Than Love. A great prequel, novella that is currently free and is well worth reading to see if these authors are for you.
January 22, 2020
Oh my goodness, what a tease for the story that is to come!
Mina and Yan have an instant and immediate connection that steamy hot and heavy.
I loved this quick little read and look forward to reading Dark Than Love.
Mina and Yan have an instant and immediate connection that steamy hot and heavy.
I loved this quick little read and look forward to reading Dark Than Love.
February 27, 2022
3.5 stars.
January 12, 2021
I wish the trope was different, otherwise it’s a good addition to the Twist Me universe.
July 2, 2020
SWEETER THAN HATE … and hotter than a thousand suns
“Men who are dangerous as I am”
Just give me a hint … a whiff … a sniff of a really bad, bad, bad boy – let’s say a dangerous Russian assassin … or, maybe yet, two Russian assassins that happen to be fraternal twins and fugitives. Let’s say there’s a girl that takes your breath away. Pixie-like, spiky hair, adorable with an undercurrent of don’t-mess-with-me. She’s different. Sexy. Been through h3ll and back. Honed by the fire of it. Waitressing in a dive bar, and just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when these Russian twinnies think she overheard something she shouldn’t. They lay in wait for her in the alley and abduct her. The plan is to question and kill her. BUT, both of them might like a whirl with her first. She’s only attracted to one – the hot one. But, after they do the mattress mambo she makes her Houdini escape to save her life from certain death. She isn’t who said she was and will never run into them again anyway. Mmmm. Hasn’t she heard of the term “entanglement” in quantum physics?
OMG, there aren’t enough words for me to express how much I love this prequel to Darker Than Love. It was like being sucked into a delicious vortex of lies, hidden motives, loyalty, cross and double-cross betrayals, and so much dang hotness. What happens to Mina aka Minka in the past as a girl turns her into who she is now, and that’s a bombshell all its own. Plus, unexpectedly encountering the Russian twinnies again -- oops. And then there’s that sizzling connection she has with Russian killer Yan – this guy oozes sex appeal, deadly charm, is dressed to kill, and speaks several languages. Is there such a thing as an urbane assassin? His ironic intersection with his “pretty waitress from Budapest” was pure dynamite. Who they are, what they do, how they’re now connected to Mina put her between a rock and a hard place. She finds herself unable to protect herself and loyalty to others. Her predicament and lies are worth the price of admission alone. It was just a terrific clusterfuck. I can’t wait to see their sizzling chemistry play out, their adversarial relationship, and how Mina will get herself out of this jam after that prequel cliffy. So good! Anna, Anna, Anna ... can't wait to read the next book.
“Men who are dangerous as I am”
Just give me a hint … a whiff … a sniff of a really bad, bad, bad boy – let’s say a dangerous Russian assassin … or, maybe yet, two Russian assassins that happen to be fraternal twins and fugitives. Let’s say there’s a girl that takes your breath away. Pixie-like, spiky hair, adorable with an undercurrent of don’t-mess-with-me. She’s different. Sexy. Been through h3ll and back. Honed by the fire of it. Waitressing in a dive bar, and just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when these Russian twinnies think she overheard something she shouldn’t. They lay in wait for her in the alley and abduct her. The plan is to question and kill her. BUT, both of them might like a whirl with her first. She’s only attracted to one – the hot one. But, after they do the mattress mambo she makes her Houdini escape to save her life from certain death. She isn’t who said she was and will never run into them again anyway. Mmmm. Hasn’t she heard of the term “entanglement” in quantum physics?
OMG, there aren’t enough words for me to express how much I love this prequel to Darker Than Love. It was like being sucked into a delicious vortex of lies, hidden motives, loyalty, cross and double-cross betrayals, and so much dang hotness. What happens to Mina aka Minka in the past as a girl turns her into who she is now, and that’s a bombshell all its own. Plus, unexpectedly encountering the Russian twinnies again -- oops. And then there’s that sizzling connection she has with Russian killer Yan – this guy oozes sex appeal, deadly charm, is dressed to kill, and speaks several languages. Is there such a thing as an urbane assassin? His ironic intersection with his “pretty waitress from Budapest” was pure dynamite. Who they are, what they do, how they’re now connected to Mina put her between a rock and a hard place. She finds herself unable to protect herself and loyalty to others. Her predicament and lies are worth the price of admission alone. It was just a terrific clusterfuck. I can’t wait to see their sizzling chemistry play out, their adversarial relationship, and how Mina will get herself out of this jam after that prequel cliffy. So good! Anna, Anna, Anna ... can't wait to read the next book.
January 26, 2020
OH SHIIIIIIIIT!!!!
free-on-amazon-owned
August 30, 2021free 30 Aug 2021:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
January 1, 2020
I expect a lot from Anna Zaires. She is my favorite author.
So obviously I was excited to read this one.
Also this book is a prequel of coming series.
I will not say that I loved this but I’m surely excited for the book 1.
So obviously I was excited to read this one.
Also this book is a prequel of coming series.
I will not say that I loved this but I’m surely excited for the book 1.
February 18, 2020
I really hope this wasn't just a sample because I want more. A lot more.
I loved them and can't wait for the whole story. It will be a good one as long as it remains safe.
Even though I don't want to read Peter & Sara’s story, looks like I'll have to before the actual book comes out.
Edit: A very little bit of this is mentioned in Destiny Mine and there're spoilers from Forever Mine.
I'm glad I read this first because I don't think I would have wanted Yan's story otherwise. Two (TWIN) brothers fighting over the same woman is definitely not my thing. Ew. Glad it's not that. At least I hope so, I can't trust a prequel. Been burned before this way.
Edit2: IT'S NOT THAT, YAY! Darker Than Love is safe. No OW or OM, not even during separation. On the other hand, this is just a sample (25% of the main book), not a real prequel.
I loved them and can't wait for the whole story. It will be a good one as long as it remains safe.
Even though I don't want to read Peter & Sara’s story, looks like I'll have to before the actual book comes out.
Edit: A very little bit of this is mentioned in Destiny Mine and there're spoilers from Forever Mine.
I'm glad I read this first because I don't think I would have wanted Yan's story otherwise. Two (TWIN) brothers fighting over the same woman is definitely not my thing. Ew. Glad it's not that. At least I hope so, I can't trust a prequel. Been burned before this way.
Edit2: IT'S NOT THAT, YAY! Darker Than Love is safe. No OW or OM, not even during separation. On the other hand, this is just a sample (25% of the main book), not a real prequel.
December 3, 2020
I am not certain what to make of this prequel. In theory, it reads like a good high-energy story but in reality, I was lost, bored and unsure of what the hell was going on. It was neither of their show and they just seemed secondary to all that was happening.
Then we get to the overabundance of sex...within a prequel at that. I would have loved to know what caused two trained killers to fall in love at first sight as well as a bit more about their chosen fields and partners.
Highly-skilled and highly-trained killers but I don't know why or how and all the things between them meeting and their messed up sexual rendezvous in a shed in Colombia.
The first two chapters were extremely promising but then the story veered off course and I still don't know what we're supposed to be reading. Isn't that the point of a prequel? to give us the back story for the main story.
Then we get to the overabundance of sex...within a prequel at that. I would have loved to know what caused two trained killers to fall in love at first sight as well as a bit more about their chosen fields and partners.
Highly-skilled and highly-trained killers but I don't know why or how and all the things between them meeting and their messed up sexual rendezvous in a shed in Colombia.
The first two chapters were extremely promising but then the story veered off course and I still don't know what we're supposed to be reading. Isn't that the point of a prequel? to give us the back story for the main story.
December 16, 2019
Two great authors come together to bring us this little teaser for what is to come. Can not wait to read the full story!
This is just a preview as to how great these two authors work together.
If you've read previous books, you know about the twins Yan and Ilya. Dark and Dangerous is how I've always imagined them to be. Just in the short amount we see in this Sweeter Than Hate novella, my imagination was not far off.
Bring on January and the rest of the story!
This is just a preview as to how great these two authors work together.
If you've read previous books, you know about the twins Yan and Ilya. Dark and Dangerous is how I've always imagined them to be. Just in the short amount we see in this Sweeter Than Hate novella, my imagination was not far off.
Bring on January and the rest of the story!
August 9, 2020
I read this for a while then I realized its actually the first part of Darker Than Love. Apparently Sweeter Than Hate come out supposed to be a little sneak peek to Darker Than Love and later expand towards the full novel which is Darker Than Love.
This book contains Yan and Mina's meeting up to Mina being kidnapped at his apartment
But I still love this though. Love anything by Anna Zaires
This book contains Yan and Mina's meeting up to Mina being kidnapped at his apartment
But I still love this though. Love anything by Anna Zaires
July 13, 2020
Not what I would call a prequel. This is a teaser and rehash of how Mina, Yan (and my darling Ilya) are brought together - and how the beginning of their relationship pans out.
Since it's free, this is a great way to find out if the full story is for you.
Since it's free, this is a great way to find out if the full story is for you.
January 10, 2020
All of Anna Zaire’s books are so incredibly written. The characters are developed over time and they are they alpha types you love to hate. All of her books can be a bit dark and this one is no different. It was a short novella and I can’t wait to read the rest.
December 14, 2019
This is the AZ I know and love. Fast paced, thrilling, gritty, formidable characters. I really liked the hero and heroine!
Yan and Ilya are a pair of Russian Assassins. Twins, though they look very different. They’ve been known to share women before.
Yan is very possessive over Mina when they meet due to a mishap. Yan and Mina have a one night stand before she escapes and then there is a fifteen month time lapse.
Mina, or “Mink” has betrayed their boss Peter Sokolov and is ordered to be captured. Yan recognises her picture. And the torture begins.
Potentially safe; pending more info. But AZ usually does make her stories safe. There’s no information on either of them during the 15 month lapse other than Yan searching for her.
Yan and Ilya are a pair of Russian Assassins. Twins, though they look very different. They’ve been known to share women before.
Yan is very possessive over Mina when they meet due to a mishap. Yan and Mina have a one night stand before she escapes and then there is a fifteen month time lapse.
Mina, or “Mink” has betrayed their boss Peter Sokolov and is ordered to be captured. Yan recognises her picture. And the torture begins.
Potentially safe; pending more info. But AZ usually does make her stories safe. There’s no information on either of them during the 15 month lapse other than Yan searching for her.
December 3, 2019
Sweeter Than Hate is the beginning of Darker Than Love, which will be released in January.
This short read is an awesome appetizer, in it you'll meet old aquintances and get a exquisit taste of the story to come for Mina and Yan. Their story starts out smoldering hot and doesn't cool down. If you love the dark and sexy, this is for you!
Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls will not disappoint you! If you are familiar with both or either of them, you can be sure to find everything you love about their books in this prequel--and in Darker Than Love.
This short read is an awesome appetizer, in it you'll meet old aquintances and get a exquisit taste of the story to come for Mina and Yan. Their story starts out smoldering hot and doesn't cool down. If you love the dark and sexy, this is for you!
Anna Zaires and Charmaine Pauls will not disappoint you! If you are familiar with both or either of them, you can be sure to find everything you love about their books in this prequel--and in Darker Than Love.
February 21, 2020
This was a super hot and sexy read. I loved it! Wasn't wild about the h immediately sleeping with a complete stranger in such a scary situation. Also, the h had short spikey hair which I didn't like. Besides that, I can't wait to read the next one after such a good cliffhanger.
March 6, 2020
5 HOT stars!
Great prequel! My only problem is I didn't read Peter's story so I felt like a lot was missing, especially because the hero appears in that series first. Either way I really enjoyed this book and I'm excited to start the next one.
Great prequel! My only problem is I didn't read Peter's story so I felt like a lot was missing, especially because the hero appears in that series first. Either way I really enjoyed this book and I'm excited to start the next one.
February 6, 2025
I’m addicted already , when and where is the next book ?
March 17, 2020
As far as short stories go....this one was whatevs. I didn’t rlly love nor hate. But it also didn’t intrigue me to immediately read darker than love. So I’ll be putting it off for a while. Especially since there’s A LOT of books on my to read list, especially with a lot of them being free on amazon nowadays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews