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A New Reign #1
Evgeni’s Obsession
She came to Moscow to escape, to forget how her life was falling apart.
All sunshine and sweetness, she calls to the predator within me like no other woman has.
I think of nothing else.
But she is a good girl, not made for a soldier of the Bratva. I try to keep my distance, but the pull is too strong.
Oh, my solnyshko. I fear I cannot let you go.
Fate has gifted you to a monster.
** Evgeni’s Obsession is the first book in a new Bratva dark romance series that features sizzling chemistry, danger, suspense, and a cliffhanger that will leave you gasping for breath**
All sunshine and sweetness, she calls to the predator within me like no other woman has.
I think of nothing else.
But she is a good girl, not made for a soldier of the Bratva. I try to keep my distance, but the pull is too strong.
Oh, my solnyshko. I fear I cannot let you go.
Fate has gifted you to a monster.
** Evgeni’s Obsession is the first book in a new Bratva dark romance series that features sizzling chemistry, danger, suspense, and a cliffhanger that will leave you gasping for breath**
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2020
22 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Merel Pierce
30 books205 followersMerel Pierce was born and raised in the Midwest, USA. Ever the country girl, her hobbies have evolved to include nature photography, animal care, and exploring the great outdoors.
She is a crafter/art hobbiest, who spends her time writing, working on art projects, and keeping her two rescue dogs; a Schipperke mix and a Jack Russel, out of trouble.
She has always been drawn to the duality of life, learning early on to appreciate both the light and the dark of what the world has to offer. She believes there is beauty and meaning to be found in both the struggles and joys life brings and strives to share that with her writing.
Merel most enjoys writing dark, complex tales with raw, realistic characters. Her stories may not always close with a happy ending, but she will always make you feel something by the time it's done. Whether that feeling is horror or happiness, you'll have to wait and see...
She is a crafter/art hobbiest, who spends her time writing, working on art projects, and keeping her two rescue dogs; a Schipperke mix and a Jack Russel, out of trouble.
She has always been drawn to the duality of life, learning early on to appreciate both the light and the dark of what the world has to offer. She believes there is beauty and meaning to be found in both the struggles and joys life brings and strives to share that with her writing.
Merel most enjoys writing dark, complex tales with raw, realistic characters. Her stories may not always close with a happy ending, but she will always make you feel something by the time it's done. Whether that feeling is horror or happiness, you'll have to wait and see...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 22, 2020
I’ll be honest and say that I beta read this, so I have a slightly vested interest but this is still my genuine opinion of the book.
Back when my kindle was still new and shiny, I discovered a love of mafia romance. I read every single one I could get my hands on, to the point that I overloaded on them and stopped reading them altogether. So I did initially worry about being the right person to read this, but incredibly well written characters and an intriguing storyline soon had me spellbound.
This is NOT an omegaverse, which is what the author is perhaps more well known for, but I’m still happy to recommend this novella serialisation that is fairly slow burn. Despite there being no actual sex scenes in this book, the sexual tension is high with enough scorching chemistry to hold your interest. The opening scenes are a little contrived, though they were given a nice sense of individuality and were definitely required for the set-up of the story.
Great writing meant I soon found myself caught up in the story, loving the not very subtle flirting between Elena and Evgeni and wondering where the tale would take me. Both MC’s were very easy to like, neither is perfect but they are honest characters, both believable and “normal”. Good world building and succinct descriptions readily set the scene. Enough to do a good job of building a mental picture, without being OTT or distracting.
Evgeni, our anti-hero, is actually a fairly decent human being. Well as much as a Bratva member can be, but he does have a sense of decency and integrity that set him above many of his mafia brothers. What really impressed me is that he isn’t portrayed as rich or powerful or indispensable within the organisation. He is, for want of a better description, just a common foot soldier, though one with both drive and ambition.
Elena is no doormat, but wisely chose her battles to pick. She’s a fun-loving girl and I can’t wait to see how she handles the situation with Evgeni. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I do need to comment on how refreshing it was that in later parts of the book she wasn’t led by her libido.
There were times where in other books I would have been rolling my eyes at the heroine’s out of control lust, as in those circumstances sex would be the last thing on your mind. Instead we get a much more realistic response of Elena wondering if/when she and avoiding being physically close to Evgeni. I did a little happy dance that whilst she might find him attractive it didn’t make her forget the dire situation she is in.
Throughout the book one thing that stood out was how very genuine the emotions felt. The author certainly has a wonderful ability to put you inside her characters heads and hearts and has left me eager for the next book.
Back when my kindle was still new and shiny, I discovered a love of mafia romance. I read every single one I could get my hands on, to the point that I overloaded on them and stopped reading them altogether. So I did initially worry about being the right person to read this, but incredibly well written characters and an intriguing storyline soon had me spellbound.
This is NOT an omegaverse, which is what the author is perhaps more well known for, but I’m still happy to recommend this novella serialisation that is fairly slow burn. Despite there being no actual sex scenes in this book, the sexual tension is high with enough scorching chemistry to hold your interest. The opening scenes are a little contrived, though they were given a nice sense of individuality and were definitely required for the set-up of the story.
Great writing meant I soon found myself caught up in the story, loving the not very subtle flirting between Elena and Evgeni and wondering where the tale would take me. Both MC’s were very easy to like, neither is perfect but they are honest characters, both believable and “normal”. Good world building and succinct descriptions readily set the scene. Enough to do a good job of building a mental picture, without being OTT or distracting.
Evgeni, our anti-hero, is actually a fairly decent human being. Well as much as a Bratva member can be, but he does have a sense of decency and integrity that set him above many of his mafia brothers. What really impressed me is that he isn’t portrayed as rich or powerful or indispensable within the organisation. He is, for want of a better description, just a common foot soldier, though one with both drive and ambition.
Elena is no doormat, but wisely chose her battles to pick. She’s a fun-loving girl and I can’t wait to see how she handles the situation with Evgeni. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I do need to comment on how refreshing it was that in later parts of the book she wasn’t led by her libido.
There were times where in other books I would have been rolling my eyes at the heroine’s out of control lust, as in those circumstances sex would be the last thing on your mind. Instead we get a much more realistic response of Elena wondering if/when she and avoiding being physically close to Evgeni. I did a little happy dance that whilst she might find him attractive it didn’t make her forget the dire situation she is in.
Throughout the book one thing that stood out was how very genuine the emotions felt. The author certainly has a wonderful ability to put you inside her characters heads and hearts and has left me eager for the next book.
January 8, 2021
Reviewed by PussnBooks.net
Review by Puss’n’Books. Reviewing the darkest, most erotic and taboo books we can find. Click HERE for your next disturbingly sexy read.
You know how your book cravings change along with your moods sometimes?
Well, I wanted dark, intense, sexy as fuck but still had an amazing story.
I wanted an alpha male with serious ‘don’t even fuckin’ think about it’ vibes.
And...I started so many books, but nothing kept my attention or had all of the above.
Until I picked up Evgeni’s Obsession by Merel Pierce!
What an amazing start to a series.
ELENA
You ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong?
Like everything!
Not only does she get fired from her job and sent home as soon as she gets there but she walks in on her boyfriend fuckin’ some other hoe...in her bed...with another dude watching!
I gotta say, she handled that way better than I would have.
Seriously, I’d have used a cheese grater and some lemon juice. Just sayin’.
So, she goes to the besties for moral support, of course, and as she was in need of a fresh start the bestie remembers she has a cousin in Russia who needs someone to house sit for him for a few weeks while he’s away on business.
So off Elena goes with a hope and a prayer, lol.
She finds a job in a local bar and on her first day kinda stumbles across a group of three, huge, mean-looking dudes.
One of them is bigger, scarier and...sexier than the others.
He has this hold on her and she can’t help but be drawn to him but at the same time he kinda scares her.
Her natural instincts are telling her “Stay away!” and “Danger!”. But does she listen? Nope.
And to be fair, I wouldn’t have either :-)
And talk about sexual tension. Holy crap!
Then, once again, life takes a massive dump on her when she witnesses him and his pal doing something naughty and her life changes in an instant.
EVGENI
Wow...this is one serious, in-control, alpha, Russian mobster!
I want one!
Actually, I want three...one for each hole, ye ken?
Anyway, I digress.
He was so well written that I swear I could hear his voice in my head. No joke.
I could picture those hands spanking me and damn did my wee black heartbeat in triple time!
So he’s into some sketchy shit, right?
And he sees this wee American lass looking gooood, lol.
But he knows that she’s fairly innocent and as much as he wants to sink balls deep in her and spank that ass, he doesn’t want to taint her.
His life is too dark for someone like her.
But when she witnesses something she really shouldn’t have witnessed, he needs to step in and what he does in order to save her life is just so fucked up...and yummy.
SEXY SCENES
Now, there is no actual intercourse but!!! That does NOT mean that there wasn’t a shit ton of chemistry and wet knickers :-) Also, I’m desperate for the actual fucking to begin!
So I have three small scenes to share.
Elena watched the soap slide down his body, running over his chest, the ridges of his abdomen, and through the patch of neatly manicured hair surrounding the root of one of the heftiest cocks she’d ever seen. Her mouth went dry at the sight of it, fear and trepidation rearing their heads. Still half-mast, his morning erection not quite gone, she’d have sworn the thing looked almost as thick as her wrist. She couldn’t imagine it hard—didn’t want to imagine it—didn’t want to be in close to it without clothing between them to protect her. He could wreck her with his cock alone, never mind being strong enough to strangle her one-handed.
“I see you, I want you. Normally man like me take what he want. But you are good girl, and I don’t want to dirty you. I tell myself I am happy to play this game of flirting.”He motioned back and forth between them, though his attention hadn’t left the steaks. “That when is time for you to go, I let you go. But thanks to wrong place, wrong time, it don’t work out this way.”He flipped the steaks, moving to a cabinet to pull out a plate while he waited for them to finish. “If I don’t like you, things would end as I say before. Slave for to be whored, or dead. Only other way?”He shrugged, talking about the situation as if life as she’d known it hadn’t ceased to exist the night before. “I claim you, take responsibility for to keep you under control.”
“It’s degrading. I’m not a child. I can feed myself. Just like I can bathe myself. Can’t I jus—”“Degrading,”Evgeni interrupted, his voice low and slow—a hint of danger in his tone that raised hair along Elena’s arms, “would be if I make you eat from bowl on floor. You rather eat on floor, like dog?”The thinly veiled threat was like a kick to the gut. Elena’s shoulder slumped, her gaze lowering as heat flooded her cheeks. “Have I hurt you?”She shook her head. “No. That is right. But still you resist. I think you do not understand position yet. You have no say, Elena. I care for you how I choose, treat you nice because you are good girl. If you don’t appreciate, I can show you what is like to be slave. Is this what you want?”
FINAL THOUGHTS on EVGENI’S OBSESSION by Merel Pierce
I’m not usually into books with no actual fucking in them but this one? Had so much sexual build-up and tension that I couldn’t put it down. And I need book two...like, now, lol.
GET IT FROM AMAZON HERE
October 27, 2020
Another knockout by Merel Pierce! Elena has experienced one of the worst days of her life! She decides to house sit for her friends Cousin in Russia, to help her get a new perspective on her future. While there, she takes a job bartending and meets Evgeni....the attraction is immediate and here commences our slow and super sexy burn. Evgeni and Elena play off each other throughout the book. She is pretty naive and a little fiesty and Evgeni is drawn to her. Evgeni is the strong, silent and broody type. A soldier in the Bratva, who has a give no f*cks attitude. Elena doesn't know what she is getting herself into and ends up in a dangerous spot that only Evgeni can rescue her from. But at what cost? You'll have to read the book yourself to find out!
October 26, 2020
Feel the slow, slow burn!
This book had a really different feel than this author's other books (of which I'm totally enamoured - if you haven't read "Eli's Hellcat" in the Auctioned anthology, go find it - best short story I've read this year) but I absolutely loved it. Because it was written with such immediacy, like I was walking through the streets with the characters, I fell in love with them, despite the cultural divide. It's this sort of description, which isn't necessarily beautiful, but has beauty in its realness, that make this such an engaging story:
"His dark, murky green eyes watched her from beneath a brow marked heavily by worry lines, her first indication that the man was probably always as somber as he looked now. You only got lines like that when you were constantly making the face that inspired them—one of grim disapproval."
Pierce, Merel; Pierce, Merel. Evgeni's Obsession: A New Reign Book 1 . Reticent Desire Publications. Kindle Edition.
This is just the start of Elena and Evgeni's story. There's clearly more to come, but there were enough twists, turns and reveals to keep me flipping pages right to the wicked cliffy. I can't wait for the next book!
Highly recommended.
This book had a really different feel than this author's other books (of which I'm totally enamoured - if you haven't read "Eli's Hellcat" in the Auctioned anthology, go find it - best short story I've read this year) but I absolutely loved it. Because it was written with such immediacy, like I was walking through the streets with the characters, I fell in love with them, despite the cultural divide. It's this sort of description, which isn't necessarily beautiful, but has beauty in its realness, that make this such an engaging story:
"His dark, murky green eyes watched her from beneath a brow marked heavily by worry lines, her first indication that the man was probably always as somber as he looked now. You only got lines like that when you were constantly making the face that inspired them—one of grim disapproval."
Pierce, Merel; Pierce, Merel. Evgeni's Obsession: A New Reign Book 1 . Reticent Desire Publications. Kindle Edition.
This is just the start of Elena and Evgeni's story. There's clearly more to come, but there were enough twists, turns and reveals to keep me flipping pages right to the wicked cliffy. I can't wait for the next book!
Highly recommended.
December 14, 2020
This story was depressing. I felt so bad for the h. It was such a turn off that I will not be continuing this series.
October 21, 2020
Elena has a rough few days with work and her not for long boyfriend. With the help of her best friend who happens to be Russian, she's off on a trip of a lifetime to house sit for her Russian friends cousin. Never one to just sit around, Elena applies for a part-time job as a bar tender where she meets a sexy as h@3l local who happens to be a member of the Bratva, Evgeni, who bullies the owner into giving her a job. This is a slow burn tale of sultry looks, flirting, want, and teasing but the H knows his Sunshine is a "good girl" and while he's taking every opportunity he can to be at the bar to see and talk to her, he has made up his mind that he will let her go when her time house sitting is up, he will not "dirty" her. Elena flirts and teases all the while wanting to make a move but knowing he's a dangerous man. An unfortunate incident turns into a disaster for them both with Evgeni determined that he will protect his Sunshine no matter what the cost and Elena's choices in the matter are no longer relevant. With danger breathing down their necks will they be able to make it through. Merel Pierce has done it again. Her writing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, flipping pages and then sorry when the end is there. In this case their story will continue on as the angst builds to a crescendo of a cliffhanger.
I received this as an ARC and am giving my honest opinion. Will I 1 click, yes and I'll 1 click the remainder of the series too!
I received this as an ARC and am giving my honest opinion. Will I 1 click, yes and I'll 1 click the remainder of the series too!
October 23, 2020
Everything we love about the Bratava and more...
Russian mafia enforcer meets young, innocent American girl.. What could go wrong? EV... ER..Y ..THING. .. This book was fantastic!!! Elena is a typical American girl who has a deep desire for the bad boys. The alpha, dominant and dangerous man.. Well she finds what she's looking for. I can just see the trouble that is brewing for book 2 . I need more already. I have to know what happens with the girl who just wants to be free and the man who can't let her go.. You Must read this book. It was full of angst and wit and colorful characters. Oleg was such a trip! I loved him. His dancing.. Omg that scene cracked me up! I highly recommend this book..
Russian mafia enforcer meets young, innocent American girl.. What could go wrong? EV... ER..Y ..THING. .. This book was fantastic!!! Elena is a typical American girl who has a deep desire for the bad boys. The alpha, dominant and dangerous man.. Well she finds what she's looking for. I can just see the trouble that is brewing for book 2 . I need more already. I have to know what happens with the girl who just wants to be free and the man who can't let her go.. You Must read this book. It was full of angst and wit and colorful characters. Oleg was such a trip! I loved him. His dancing.. Omg that scene cracked me up! I highly recommend this book..
October 25, 2020
Gosh, it was hard to read to the end of this book knowing it would end in a cliff hanger! I loved the sexual tension and chemistry Elena and Evgeni had for one another. Despite being who Evgeni is, I am glad there was some humanity left in him to know he didn't want to taint Elena. She didn't belong in his world no matter how much he wanted her. Yet things happens for a reason and he will do what he has to do to keep her for himself.
I am more familiar with this author's Omegaverse stories but gosh oh gosh, I am loving this Bratva story. I wasn't expecting the ending but I can't say I am surprised. I cannot wait to see what she has planned for Elena and Evgeni next. Definitely recommended!
I am more familiar with this author's Omegaverse stories but gosh oh gosh, I am loving this Bratva story. I wasn't expecting the ending but I can't say I am surprised. I cannot wait to see what she has planned for Elena and Evgeni next. Definitely recommended!
October 22, 2020
I loved, loved, loved Merel Pierce's new book, Evgeni's Obsession! A dark, gritty, slow burn romance, I was almost screaming at my Kindle screen at the end because the chemistry between the main characters is off the charts. I appreciated how Evgeni was a Bratva soldier, doing the dirty work for the higher ups. It added an extra sense of dangerousness to him because you know he has done and seen some messed up stuff. And Elena was the perfect blend of independence/innocence/deviance. It's going to be the biggest Fourth of July fireworks show once these two FINALLY get together! Warning: the story does end on a cliffhanger!
October 23, 2020
This is a slow burn kinda book. It definitely made me look forward to the next one tho! The ending is a for sure cliffhanger, that made me actually say NO! out loud and have my family look at me strange. Lol I can't wait to find out what comes next in this couple's story. There is plenty hinted at what comes next. And that makes me so excited to see what will actually come next!
December 15, 2020
Intriguing first book
Surprisingly good. I will caution that this book is all just the setting for what's to come. No sexy time ppl!, but it's definitely going to be a dark read with how things seem to be heading so far. Left on a cliffhanger, I still definitely can't wait to see what the second book has in store for evgeni and his hostage sunshine.
Surprisingly good. I will caution that this book is all just the setting for what's to come. No sexy time ppl!, but it's definitely going to be a dark read with how things seem to be heading so far. Left on a cliffhanger, I still definitely can't wait to see what the second book has in store for evgeni and his hostage sunshine.
December 19, 2020
More
I really can't wait to see where this story continues to go. Does it turn into an enemy-to-lovers story? I can see it going into so many different possible directions because the genius that is MP has set the ending of this book up so well. There are hints of a deeper darkness to come and I honestly can't wait for it.
I really can't wait to see where this story continues to go. Does it turn into an enemy-to-lovers story? I can see it going into so many different possible directions because the genius that is MP has set the ending of this book up so well. There are hints of a deeper darkness to come and I honestly can't wait for it.
March 22, 2024
The character of Evgeni is great. So well fleshed-out that I have no problem hearing his voice in my mind.
Elena has also been great so far. Her actions and reactions make sense. I like her.
I just gave 3 stars because I dont think I'll be rushing to do a re-read. That's sorta my requirement for more stars; though I still look forward to the next book!
Elena has also been great so far. Her actions and reactions make sense. I like her.
I just gave 3 stars because I dont think I'll be rushing to do a re-read. That's sorta my requirement for more stars; though I still look forward to the next book!
February 12, 2025
**2.5**
This was hard to rate because I really liked the hero’s character and the tension between the mc’s. I felt the heroine was very immature. Her character seemed to be 18-19 but I think she was early-mid 20s. This had a lot of potential but fell flat by the end. Going to give the second book a miss I think..
This was hard to rate because I really liked the hero’s character and the tension between the mc’s. I felt the heroine was very immature. Her character seemed to be 18-19 but I think she was early-mid 20s. This had a lot of potential but fell flat by the end. Going to give the second book a miss I think..
October 21, 2020
Now I’m scared 😱
So, this definitely ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m frightened to see what the next book holds, lol. Why? Because as I finished this, I read the author bio and it says that not all of her books have happy endings. *gasp*
So, this definitely ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m frightened to see what the next book holds, lol. Why? Because as I finished this, I read the author bio and it says that not all of her books have happy endings. *gasp*
March 7, 2021
Irritated by this book
This book just ends like the writer decided she didn’t want to complete it... it was well written and had a good build up then just ended. Leaves you feeling cheated and your time wasted on it...
This book just ends like the writer decided she didn’t want to complete it... it was well written and had a good build up then just ended. Leaves you feeling cheated and your time wasted on it...
October 26, 2021
Holy Cliffhanger!
I loved how the setting was in Russia rather than the predictable stores of an Alpha Russian man in America. Great story line and the ending killed me. Now I have to wait for book 2 to come out to see how this pans out. I have so many ideas going on in my head!
I loved how the setting was in Russia rather than the predictable stores of an Alpha Russian man in America. Great story line and the ending killed me. Now I have to wait for book 2 to come out to see how this pans out. I have so many ideas going on in my head!
October 23, 2020
First time reading this author and while it was a slow burn darkish read there is a cliffhanger so hopefully soon.
October 24, 2020
Elena and Evgeni
Evgeni was a mob enforcer of the Russian Mob. And he wanted American Elena.He finally had his obsession sexy Elena.
Evgeni was a mob enforcer of the Russian Mob. And he wanted American Elena.He finally had his obsession sexy Elena.
May 12, 2021
Dark romance... they ain't kidding!
I lost sleep on this one. Just one more page...
Hunky brooding H, petite cute h. Steam? More like explosive! This was hot Hot 🔥!
I lost sleep on this one. Just one more page...
Hunky brooding H, petite cute h. Steam? More like explosive! This was hot Hot 🔥!
February 11, 2025
I NEED the second book right now.
Being taken kills a romance vibe but the two had such chemistry. Please make the second book soon so I can eat it up like I did this one.
Being taken kills a romance vibe but the two had such chemistry. Please make the second book soon so I can eat it up like I did this one.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews