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The Desecration of Innocence #1
Cruel Control
Sometimes the worst monsters in the world are the ones we let close.
Daddy keeps me locked away. For my own good, he says. The world is a dark and terrible place, full of people who will take advantage of you, hurt you… maybe even kill you. I don’t know what he does, only that his clients are of the rich variety.
But one day he doesn’t come home, and I wake to find a stranger in my room.
Whisked away, stolen to a house on the outskirts of Midpark, I’m no more than a pawn, something the devil himself can control. Daddy crossed the devil, and now I’m to pay for his sins.
What is the devil’s name, you ask?
Markus Scott. And Markus will not stop until I fall in line.
This innocence of mine has no place in a hell like this.
**The Desecration of Innocence series will contain triggers. Violence and gore, among other things. This is the first book in a RH/Why Choose series, meaning our girl will not have to choose. The men in this series are not heroes, so if you need that in your romance, turn back now. You’ve been warned. Markus doesn’t play nice.**
Daddy keeps me locked away. For my own good, he says. The world is a dark and terrible place, full of people who will take advantage of you, hurt you… maybe even kill you. I don’t know what he does, only that his clients are of the rich variety.
But one day he doesn’t come home, and I wake to find a stranger in my room.
Whisked away, stolen to a house on the outskirts of Midpark, I’m no more than a pawn, something the devil himself can control. Daddy crossed the devil, and now I’m to pay for his sins.
What is the devil’s name, you ask?
Markus Scott. And Markus will not stop until I fall in line.
This innocence of mine has no place in a hell like this.
**The Desecration of Innocence series will contain triggers. Violence and gore, among other things. This is the first book in a RH/Why Choose series, meaning our girl will not have to choose. The men in this series are not heroes, so if you need that in your romance, turn back now. You’ve been warned. Markus doesn’t play nice.**
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2021
957 people are currently reading
2128 people want to read
About the author
Candace Wondrak
116 books1,845 followersHey guys! I'm a writer, an office worker, a wife, a mother to two dogs and two cats, and half of a strange pair of young adults who flip the houses they're living in with the goal of having no mortgage (so that I can eventually focus on my writing career!). Needless to say, I'm busy.
Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
If you're active on Goodreads and have similar interests, friend me. I don't bite. Or if you'd rather follow my reviews, you can do that, too.
Happy reading!
Link to newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dppf_v
Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
If you're active on Goodreads and have similar interests, friend me. I don't bite. Or if you'd rather follow my reviews, you can do that, too.
Happy reading!
Link to newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dppf_v
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
June 6, 2021
My #1 book boyfriend as of today 😆
All the 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This is the book I've been waiting for since I read Cruel Black Hearts and Markus was introduced.
This is the author who started my trek into the dark side of romance. No regrets.
And this character, Markus Scott, he's everything sinister and calculated, primal and controlled, confident to the point of arrogance, but arrogance is beneath Markus. He just is, and whatever he is... He's just twisted, corrupt, and lethal in the most fascinating of ways. He is the leash that serial killers wear to stay out of trouble. He calls himself a devil. Maybe he is. I'd legit sell my soul to Markus.
So, about the book: It's told using multi POV, it's a dark RH first book of a new series, and it is absofreakinglutely platinum, baby. If you have any triggers about anything - skip this. I'm serious. It has everything I've heard used as a trigger warning except clowns... but who knows? This is the first book. ;-)
Our FMC, Juliet, is a lost little lamb in a house of horrors. She's an innocent, pure and unaware, kept away from the whole world to make sure she isn't tarnished, I guess. Oh and Markus? He sees it as his duty to desecrate that innocence. And so it begins.
By the end of the book, she's seen some stuff. Enough stuff that, if you know anything about the Scott family, it means she can never leave there now. Stay and live or go to die. Luckily she is our FMC. She won't die, I hope.
So, why? Well you gotta read the book.
Here's what I can tell you without giving away too much. Juliet is taken from her father's home and now resides at the Scott family home in Midpark. Her dad has gone rogue and she's the ticket to getting him back on track, Markus says. *ahem* Anyway, once she's there she meets some other folks and as you probably suspect some things happen so that she knows what's happening there.
There isn't a terrible cliffhanger that is going to leave you in a state of anxiety (unless you don't need to be reading this book anyway, I suppose). But rather, the ending gives us a moment of clarity where we see just how far Markus is willing to go. But the question is why?
I'm so over the top obsessed with this though that I am going to put a bunch of character stuff and spoilers at the bottom though for myself as a refresher for the second book. This isn't for you guys. Unless you need a refresher before book 2, Dark Desires, comes out too. (I've already preordered that too, btw!).
One thing I think this book could have used more of though - physical descriptions. I barely remember any descriptions except for vaguely maybe Will and Markus of course. I think Theo wears glasses. This is probably my own fault because I literally read it crazy fast and then went back again and read parts of it again. I'll probably reread it again later today, or at least look to see if I can find better descriptions of the characters.
Phenomenal first book. Can't wait for Aug 1st for the next one. I LOVE THIS SERIES. It does not disappoint and highly recommend for fans of psychotic dark romance with serial killer craziness.
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Markus - Head of Scott family. I suspect all the corrupting Markus is doing of J is so he can keep her. He probably has some twisted logic that her father won't want her if she's not so pure and sweet. Or probably more like since she knows everything pretty much now she can't leave and he's justified keeping her. He also probably sees it as using her to control her father, but he also seems to control everyone so, maybe she's going to help him realize not everything and everyone needs to be controlled all the time maybe?
Theo - Doctor for Scott family. - Seems to be as much a prisoner in some ways as Juliet, but accepts it. - Is the soft one of the bunch. He is gentle and genuine. Is he really though? - Seems to care about J a lot and tries to take care of her in ways like bringing her food, and being an ear to listen if she needs it.
Will - From Hillcrest <3 - has this sort of dual natured awareness now of "bad Will" in terms of his actions leading to his downfall, etc. - Already very interested in J and keeps her secrets. - Took her on a "date" and kissed her.
Jaxon - Adopted Scott brother - crushing on Juliet & pretty sure it's reciprocated - took a beat down without a second thought when Markus wanted to punish Juliet by hurting someone she cares about. Tries to keep his distance. Markus already showing jealousy regarding him and J.
Bennet - angry, volatile, "psycho": Scott brother that Markus sees as most expendable - (foreshadowing his demise or better yet maybe he ends of part of her harem and is why Markus struggles with him etc.?)
Jaxon got a beatdown from Markus after Juliet refused to take the birth control pills Theo gave her. He just took it. He tried to stay away after since he realized she really did care for him that fast. Markus showed a video to J of what the family actually does in the basement. Markus gave her a choice to be able to walk away from them all (which he knew she wouldn't accept AND he probably would have found some loophole to keep her if she did). She chose to not do it. He did. Then he brings her in there after the TOD and did kinda the same thing the Ray Strangler guy did to Ash with the holding her hand kinda thing. Ends in a bit of a mess to put it lightly. What did J's dad do? Is he someone investigating the Scott's? Did he go rogue to put J in Markus' orbit? What is going on there? Where was he? Maybe he got held captive. 🤔
All the 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This is the book I've been waiting for since I read Cruel Black Hearts and Markus was introduced.
This is the author who started my trek into the dark side of romance. No regrets.
And this character, Markus Scott, he's everything sinister and calculated, primal and controlled, confident to the point of arrogance, but arrogance is beneath Markus. He just is, and whatever he is... He's just twisted, corrupt, and lethal in the most fascinating of ways. He is the leash that serial killers wear to stay out of trouble. He calls himself a devil. Maybe he is. I'd legit sell my soul to Markus.
So, about the book: It's told using multi POV, it's a dark RH first book of a new series, and it is absofreakinglutely platinum, baby. If you have any triggers about anything - skip this. I'm serious. It has everything I've heard used as a trigger warning except clowns... but who knows? This is the first book. ;-)
Our FMC, Juliet, is a lost little lamb in a house of horrors. She's an innocent, pure and unaware, kept away from the whole world to make sure she isn't tarnished, I guess. Oh and Markus? He sees it as his duty to desecrate that innocence. And so it begins.
By the end of the book, she's seen some stuff. Enough stuff that, if you know anything about the Scott family, it means she can never leave there now. Stay and live or go to die. Luckily she is our FMC. She won't die, I hope.
So, why? Well you gotta read the book.
Here's what I can tell you without giving away too much. Juliet is taken from her father's home and now resides at the Scott family home in Midpark. Her dad has gone rogue and she's the ticket to getting him back on track, Markus says. *ahem* Anyway, once she's there she meets some other folks and as you probably suspect some things happen so that she knows what's happening there.
There isn't a terrible cliffhanger that is going to leave you in a state of anxiety (unless you don't need to be reading this book anyway, I suppose). But rather, the ending gives us a moment of clarity where we see just how far Markus is willing to go. But the question is why?
I'm so over the top obsessed with this though that I am going to put a bunch of character stuff and spoilers at the bottom though for myself as a refresher for the second book. This isn't for you guys. Unless you need a refresher before book 2, Dark Desires, comes out too. (I've already preordered that too, btw!).
One thing I think this book could have used more of though - physical descriptions. I barely remember any descriptions except for vaguely maybe Will and Markus of course. I think Theo wears glasses. This is probably my own fault because I literally read it crazy fast and then went back again and read parts of it again. I'll probably reread it again later today, or at least look to see if I can find better descriptions of the characters.
Phenomenal first book. Can't wait for Aug 1st for the next one. I LOVE THIS SERIES. It does not disappoint and highly recommend for fans of psychotic dark romance with serial killer craziness.
STOP READING HERE.
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Markus - Head of Scott family. I suspect all the corrupting Markus is doing of J is so he can keep her. He probably has some twisted logic that her father won't want her if she's not so pure and sweet. Or probably more like since she knows everything pretty much now she can't leave and he's justified keeping her. He also probably sees it as using her to control her father, but he also seems to control everyone so, maybe she's going to help him realize not everything and everyone needs to be controlled all the time maybe?
Theo - Doctor for Scott family. - Seems to be as much a prisoner in some ways as Juliet, but accepts it. - Is the soft one of the bunch. He is gentle and genuine. Is he really though? - Seems to care about J a lot and tries to take care of her in ways like bringing her food, and being an ear to listen if she needs it.
Will - From Hillcrest <3 - has this sort of dual natured awareness now of "bad Will" in terms of his actions leading to his downfall, etc. - Already very interested in J and keeps her secrets. - Took her on a "date" and kissed her.
Jaxon - Adopted Scott brother - crushing on Juliet & pretty sure it's reciprocated - took a beat down without a second thought when Markus wanted to punish Juliet by hurting someone she cares about. Tries to keep his distance. Markus already showing jealousy regarding him and J.
Bennet - angry, volatile, "psycho": Scott brother that Markus sees as most expendable - (foreshadowing his demise or better yet maybe he ends of part of her harem and is why Markus struggles with him etc.?)
Jaxon got a beatdown from Markus after Juliet refused to take the birth control pills Theo gave her. He just took it. He tried to stay away after since he realized she really did care for him that fast. Markus showed a video to J of what the family actually does in the basement. Markus gave her a choice to be able to walk away from them all (which he knew she wouldn't accept AND he probably would have found some loophole to keep her if she did). She chose to not do it. He did. Then he brings her in there after the TOD and did kinda the same thing the Ray Strangler guy did to Ash with the holding her hand kinda thing. Ends in a bit of a mess to put it lightly. What did J's dad do? Is he someone investigating the Scott's? Did he go rogue to put J in Markus' orbit? What is going on there? Where was he? Maybe he got held captive. 🤔
August 21, 2022
***Possible Spoilers***
FYI: This book will definitely be only for people who can handle really dark reads. Unfortunately I think even some dark readers won’t enjoy this and it’s really a book you have to read yourself to determine if it’s right or not for you.
Holy Fuck! This book was a whole lot. Dark barely touches on how depraved and vile this book gets. I’m bordering on loving the crazy to also questioning my own boundaries because this book tested them all. If you’re looking for a RH novel with psychotic killer men, this certainly fits the bill. However it should be noted almost all the guys (I assume she’ll end up with because there is literally no relationships truly built or started here) are irredeemable in every way. Rather than being able to justify their killing ways, this time around there’s really no getting around it. They don’t kill bad guys, they’re not vigilantes, no they’re straight murderers who get off on pain, blood and horrible torture. Even rape is not off the cards, one thing that really gives me pause. Crazy I could overlook murder and torture but somehow knowing they do this and how many of these people could actually be innocent and are makes me more than pause. Why are they doing this? Money of course. Seems that is the ONLY reason for this as it also gives these crazy people an outlet to be themselves in the real world but with boundaries that keep them safe and protected, oh and paid too! As long as the price is right, Markus and his family will dole out the pain and death.
Heroine Juliet is as innocent as they come. She’s basically been a prisoner in her own home forced to remain there by her father. Taken as collateral, Juliet is thrown in the unknown. Held in a mansion of killers she’s having more human contact than ever before. Her 18 year old body is also raging with hormones being surrounded by hot men. She’s bright eyed and hopeful, waiting for price charming to come to the rescue. Only by the end of the book, I have to wonder how Juliet really feels about the guys. Her very limits are tested and while she thinks she can handle whatever they throw at her, her naivety may be the death of her. Most of the book she is again prisoner in a home where everything that happens there is a mystery. In the most horrible way you can imagine Juliet is shown, not once but twice, what happens in the basement beneath Markus Scott’s mansion. The last chapter was intense and it’s hard to really process. Definitely a hella cliffy that leaves Juliet’s life and sanity on the edge. I have no idea how she’s going to cope with what happens to her and I have no clue what the next four books would entail and I gotta admit I’m nervous and almost hesitant to go on. Boundaries got leveled here and even my psycho loving self feels a bit blindsided and unsure how to proceed. I really think I need to know what happens but damn, I’m honestly afraid.
FYI: This book will definitely be only for people who can handle really dark reads. Unfortunately I think even some dark readers won’t enjoy this and it’s really a book you have to read yourself to determine if it’s right or not for you.
Holy Fuck! This book was a whole lot. Dark barely touches on how depraved and vile this book gets. I’m bordering on loving the crazy to also questioning my own boundaries because this book tested them all. If you’re looking for a RH novel with psychotic killer men, this certainly fits the bill. However it should be noted almost all the guys (I assume she’ll end up with because there is literally no relationships truly built or started here) are irredeemable in every way. Rather than being able to justify their killing ways, this time around there’s really no getting around it. They don’t kill bad guys, they’re not vigilantes, no they’re straight murderers who get off on pain, blood and horrible torture. Even rape is not off the cards, one thing that really gives me pause. Crazy I could overlook murder and torture but somehow knowing they do this and how many of these people could actually be innocent and are makes me more than pause. Why are they doing this? Money of course. Seems that is the ONLY reason for this as it also gives these crazy people an outlet to be themselves in the real world but with boundaries that keep them safe and protected, oh and paid too! As long as the price is right, Markus and his family will dole out the pain and death.
Heroine Juliet is as innocent as they come. She’s basically been a prisoner in her own home forced to remain there by her father. Taken as collateral, Juliet is thrown in the unknown. Held in a mansion of killers she’s having more human contact than ever before. Her 18 year old body is also raging with hormones being surrounded by hot men. She’s bright eyed and hopeful, waiting for price charming to come to the rescue. Only by the end of the book, I have to wonder how Juliet really feels about the guys. Her very limits are tested and while she thinks she can handle whatever they throw at her, her naivety may be the death of her. Most of the book she is again prisoner in a home where everything that happens there is a mystery. In the most horrible way you can imagine Juliet is shown, not once but twice, what happens in the basement beneath Markus Scott’s mansion. The last chapter was intense and it’s hard to really process. Definitely a hella cliffy that leaves Juliet’s life and sanity on the edge. I have no idea how she’s going to cope with what happens to her and I have no clue what the next four books would entail and I gotta admit I’m nervous and almost hesitant to go on. Boundaries got leveled here and even my psycho loving self feels a bit blindsided and unsure how to proceed. I really think I need to know what happens but damn, I’m honestly afraid.
October 5, 2022
Maybe it's me... but I kinda felt that it was dragging... too much monologues 😴.
June 11, 2021
So sick of these pointless series
Drag it out so you buy more books.. Yep so sick of these.No meat,none its like we have a party where you.meet someone new then get to know a little about them but it takes a year to meet again at another party and that goes on for 20 years or so 😒 Vague thoughts as to something else going on. Just nothing meaty . Don't know what dad did ,don't know what Markus wants don't know if Will wants old girl don't know if Jason is anything. don't know if doc is anything don't know why she was locked up don't know if she deviant or weak or strong and frankly I consider it cheating ( obviously another harem couple from another book ,and if i was their kid I'd not only be ashamed but,sick,scared and horrified that they were my parents ,that kill and rape together and well moms ok with him sticking it unwrapped into their victim they are paid to torture ,rape and kill 🤷) even if the girl in harem is giving you permission to sex up a mark that scene was unnecessary and just for sick Factor .💀 Not happy that I am expected to wait for next book ,you didn't give me enough " want" to make me WANT to wait and read next one ... So as peeved as I am now I'm sticking my tongue out at you and then blowing you a raspberry. And not in a good way . 👎
Drag it out so you buy more books.. Yep so sick of these.No meat,none its like we have a party where you.meet someone new then get to know a little about them but it takes a year to meet again at another party and that goes on for 20 years or so 😒 Vague thoughts as to something else going on. Just nothing meaty . Don't know what dad did ,don't know what Markus wants don't know if Will wants old girl don't know if Jason is anything. don't know if doc is anything don't know why she was locked up don't know if she deviant or weak or strong and frankly I consider it cheating ( obviously another harem couple from another book ,and if i was their kid I'd not only be ashamed but,sick,scared and horrified that they were my parents ,that kill and rape together and well moms ok with him sticking it unwrapped into their victim they are paid to torture ,rape and kill 🤷) even if the girl in harem is giving you permission to sex up a mark that scene was unnecessary and just for sick Factor .💀 Not happy that I am expected to wait for next book ,you didn't give me enough " want" to make me WANT to wait and read next one ... So as peeved as I am now I'm sticking my tongue out at you and then blowing you a raspberry. And not in a good way . 👎
September 22, 2021
I couldn't get through this book fast enough...in the worst way possible. The author sets it up to be this beastly, violent, reverse harem story, but it's boring AF. Nothing exciting even starts to happen until the 72% mark, and even then it's only two gory scenes (shock factor), and one innocent kiss (with a little something else that happens behind the MC's back). Soooo NOT the epic tale of "bad people" and reverse harem that we were promised.
General gist with spoilers:
🔵Rating - 2 stars - doesn't live up to the hype that the author spews.
🔵Steam - 3 stars - meh. Definitely NOT reverse harem yet. And I hate when books are marked as such and don't actually delve into it until the last book of a series. If it's one of the reasons I picked a book/series, then I want to read about it throughout the whole story, not just as a last placed puzzle piece.
🔵Storyline - 3 stars - also meh. A for-hire family of hitmen and psychos, kidnapping the daughter of another hired hitman to punish his misdoings, but I'm guessing the main guys end up falling in love. Nothing really out of the ordinary here.
🔵Plot Twists - 2 stars - no plot twists really as everything is foreshadowed or just outright said.
🔵Emotional Pull - 1 star - no emotional rollercoaster here, but be wary of the triggers (listed below).
🔵Writing - 2 stars - terribly uncomfortable to read. The words don't flow well, which makes it difficult to stay in the story. I skimmed a heck of a lot.
🔵Denouement - 1 star - open ending, left off with a cliffhanger....but a boring one at that.
🔵Cliffhanger? - yes
🔵HEA? - no
*Trigger warning: for those with a weak stomach, this ain't the book for you. The following triggers are present: rape, torture, gore, sex.
General gist with spoilers:
🔵Rating - 2 stars - doesn't live up to the hype that the author spews.
🔵Steam - 3 stars - meh. Definitely NOT reverse harem yet. And I hate when books are marked as such and don't actually delve into it until the last book of a series. If it's one of the reasons I picked a book/series, then I want to read about it throughout the whole story, not just as a last placed puzzle piece.
🔵Storyline - 3 stars - also meh. A for-hire family of hitmen and psychos, kidnapping the daughter of another hired hitman to punish his misdoings, but I'm guessing the main guys end up falling in love. Nothing really out of the ordinary here.
🔵Plot Twists - 2 stars - no plot twists really as everything is foreshadowed or just outright said.
🔵Emotional Pull - 1 star - no emotional rollercoaster here, but be wary of the triggers (listed below).
🔵Writing - 2 stars - terribly uncomfortable to read. The words don't flow well, which makes it difficult to stay in the story. I skimmed a heck of a lot.
🔵Denouement - 1 star - open ending, left off with a cliffhanger....but a boring one at that.
🔵Cliffhanger? - yes
🔵HEA? - no
*Trigger warning: for those with a weak stomach, this ain't the book for you. The following triggers are present: rape, torture, gore, sex.
June 7, 2021
Morality check
Awful, I enjoyed the beginning of the book. However, when scene of murder was introduced I realized how evil sneaks in. There is a fine line between dark and light. The author dipped into the dark , so it's a hard No for me. After books like that I think I need to read Bible.
Awful, I enjoyed the beginning of the book. However, when scene of murder was introduced I realized how evil sneaks in. There is a fine line between dark and light. The author dipped into the dark , so it's a hard No for me. After books like that I think I need to read Bible.
September 11, 2022
Cruel Control is the first book within The Desecration of Innocence series. It's a dark, mysterious and very chaotic mafia-like book. Or maybe that's just me view on how everything went down. Still, I want to dive into the next book because I feel like everyone is going to keep me on my toes constantly guessing what will happen next.
Are the guy's crazy territorial? Sure, but who wouldn't be if someone who you thought was family messed up big time. Then to find this young naive innocent girl just waiting to be plucked from underneath that person. So, yeah, did I see her being kidnapped by them? Heck yes. It felt a bit obvious something was going to happen after her dad finally let her out of the house.
Speaking of this girl, I hope Juliet become a bit more likable in the next book. I get that she knows absolutely nothing since she was highly sheltered for her entire life. But dang girl, open your eyes and realize what's happening here. Also, can she stop calling her dad 'Daddy'? It creeps out.
Other than that, I'm excited to see what Markus has up his sleeve next. Also, need more Will and Jaxon please.
Are the guy's crazy territorial? Sure, but who wouldn't be if someone who you thought was family messed up big time. Then to find this young naive innocent girl just waiting to be plucked from underneath that person. So, yeah, did I see her being kidnapped by them? Heck yes. It felt a bit obvious something was going to happen after her dad finally let her out of the house.
Speaking of this girl, I hope Juliet become a bit more likable in the next book. I get that she knows absolutely nothing since she was highly sheltered for her entire life. But dang girl, open your eyes and realize what's happening here. Also, can she stop calling her dad 'Daddy'? It creeps out.
Other than that, I'm excited to see what Markus has up his sleeve next. Also, need more Will and Jaxon please.
October 6, 2023
A household of psychopaths who love to kill and an extremely innocent, sheltered women? I am here for it!
There wasn't much romance in this. So I'm not entirely sure who's going to be part of Juliet's harem yet.
I need to get started on the second book right away!
Will 💜
Jaxon
Theo (Doc)
Markus
There wasn't much romance in this. So I'm not entirely sure who's going to be part of Juliet's harem yet.
I need to get started on the second book right away!
Will 💜
Jaxon
Theo (Doc)
Markus
November 20, 2022
**4 Marcus stars**
Juliet's father always kept her locked away inside his house. She wasn't allowed to go to school or have friends or any sort of freedom. Even when he went away on his 'jobs', she was left alone. Her father controlled her every move and she was content until one day he didn't come back from his job. She woke to find Jaxson in her room, who says her father did something wrong and now she has to pay. She's kidnapped and taken to the Scott estate where Marcus rules with an iron fist.
This is a tough book to read, even for dark romance lovers. Triggers folks. Triggers everywhere. Rape, murder and gore. I'm familiar with Marcus from other series I've read from this author. I've been dying for his story ever since. I must warn you, there are no white knights here. The guys are murderers and Marcus is truly a monster. I felt for Juliet who had no knowledge of the world outside her home. She's tossed into a nightmare of her father's making and is struggling to cope with her new reality. No one will tell her what her father did to piss off Marcus and she can't help but challenge him at every turn. Marcus was perturbed at her effortless ability to get under his skin and challenge his self-control. Loved how possessive he was over her even ordering the others not to touch her and getting jealous over her friendship with Jaxson. Marcus and the other guys are drawn to her innocence and purity.
I was happy that Will (from Hillcrest University) is one of the LIs since I felt bad for the ending he got. His secret date with Juliet was so hot. Eventually Marcus decides to break her in different ways since she refuses to submit. The ending scene was so tough to read and it ended on an awful cliffhanger. So many questions were still unanswered. I'll take a break and read another book before I continue with this series.
Juliet's father always kept her locked away inside his house. She wasn't allowed to go to school or have friends or any sort of freedom. Even when he went away on his 'jobs', she was left alone. Her father controlled her every move and she was content until one day he didn't come back from his job. She woke to find Jaxson in her room, who says her father did something wrong and now she has to pay. She's kidnapped and taken to the Scott estate where Marcus rules with an iron fist.
This is a tough book to read, even for dark romance lovers. Triggers folks. Triggers everywhere. Rape, murder and gore. I'm familiar with Marcus from other series I've read from this author. I've been dying for his story ever since. I must warn you, there are no white knights here. The guys are murderers and Marcus is truly a monster. I felt for Juliet who had no knowledge of the world outside her home. She's tossed into a nightmare of her father's making and is struggling to cope with her new reality. No one will tell her what her father did to piss off Marcus and she can't help but challenge him at every turn. Marcus was perturbed at her effortless ability to get under his skin and challenge his self-control. Loved how possessive he was over her even ordering the others not to touch her and getting jealous over her friendship with Jaxson. Marcus and the other guys are drawn to her innocence and purity.
I was happy that Will (from Hillcrest University) is one of the LIs since I felt bad for the ending he got. His secret date with Juliet was so hot. Eventually Marcus decides to break her in different ways since she refuses to submit. The ending scene was so tough to read and it ended on an awful cliffhanger. So many questions were still unanswered. I'll take a break and read another book before I continue with this series.
June 1, 2021
Cruel Control
Ever since I met Markus while reading Cruel Black Hearts, I knew I needed him as a main character ik his own series. Imagine my glee when I learned the author was planning his books. For weeks now I have been looking forward to dive into this book, it was a no-brainer that as soon as the preorder dropped on my kindle, I dove in headfirst.
The author did not disappoint at all. Markus was everything I expected and more. Add sole great cameos and small bits and pieces of previous main characters and holy guacamole, I want to reread. Every. Single. Book!
Ever since I met Markus while reading Cruel Black Hearts, I knew I needed him as a main character ik his own series. Imagine my glee when I learned the author was planning his books. For weeks now I have been looking forward to dive into this book, it was a no-brainer that as soon as the preorder dropped on my kindle, I dove in headfirst.
The author did not disappoint at all. Markus was everything I expected and more. Add sole great cameos and small bits and pieces of previous main characters and holy guacamole, I want to reread. Every. Single. Book!
November 21, 2023
I'm going to give it 2,75 stars, because the cliffhanger was good. I just expected so much more darkness and spice, and more of Marcus.
December 27, 2024
The female main character is ridiculously stupid, I can't make myself finish this.
September 14, 2022
This is long. I am bored and I have useless things to say. Proceed at your own risk.
I wanted to try a new to me author, so I went to kindle and just eenie meenie mynie moed my ass into this story. As my usual MO with authors I do not know, I jumped in blind.
Fucker ends in a cliffy. Wasn't even that good of a cliffy. No hair pulling, or mindfuck sense after getting to the end. It says it's dark and for the useless pearl clutchers, it's dark, for me, it was like drinking cranberry juice on your period. It's red, cold and a bit sour, but you swallow anyways. It was creative, don't get me wrong, but it was eh.
The story. What's in a story? Something. Something is in a fucking story. Did I get one here? No. It was filled, fucking busting through its dirty seams, of nonsensical filler shit. You learn absofuckinglutely nothing. NADA. You're in peoples head more than you see them converse. I started skipping a few dozen pages of just internal shit, fuck off.
It's supposed to be an RH, so, like, yay! More cocks and all that. Well, we got cocks, but one was raping some chick and the other was just jerked off by its owner. Boo. Fucking boring. I say, if we're gonna do RH, then there better be a fucking RH scene in the first book! Give me one or two cocks AT GODDAMN MINIMUM with the FMC. And I mean IN the cunt or ass or mouth, none of this rub or handjob bullshit. We're not in Mrs. Banks empty freshman history class. We're not rushing to touch the limp dick cuz he convinced you that he likes you and you're just trying to be cool cuz he's a senior, and you for sure "have done this before". Yea, no. You fucking haven't, it was a hot fucking mess, you didn't get off, but he sure did, all over your hand and now what? What's that fucking smell, is it supposed to smell like that? Why does it look like spoiled, watery mayo, holy shit, get it away!
Yea, this book brought me back to that pathetic fucking memory. It's a fucking mess of nothing. Where's the story? The chemistry? The connections? All the males mentioned, that could be potential RH members were fucking lame. Pure unadulterated fucking lame asses. The main dude, Marcus had the worst case of hemroids I've seen. Dude was grumpy, agitated and a sour puss the entire book. Jaxon is a cunt if I ever met one. Just a hollowed out, hot and slimy cunt. Like, dude, you have no fucking substance and I bet you smell like fish. Will and Bennett were set up as dark fuckers to avoid at all costs and yet, these declawed fucking tabby little shits were just that, little shits. Then you have Theo, whose "good guy" act is godawful. Ugh, I always end up hating the nice one in an RH. He's it. Just fucking choke on a monkey's asshole and go away.
The only interesting people were definitely not the FMC and her daddy. Holy shit, 18 and still calling her father "daddy", fucking skeeve. A couple (M/F) showed up in the middle of the book, I'm guessing they have their own story which was prior to this mess. They seemed interesting. Well, let's just say, I wasn't as interested in chugging rat poison for them as I was for the 10 year old girl that shows up in this book. Yay, a kid that speaks and acts way too fucking mature, woo hoo, my fave. Where's the rat poison?!
I wanted to try a new to me author, so I went to kindle and just eenie meenie mynie moed my ass into this story. As my usual MO with authors I do not know, I jumped in blind.
Fucker ends in a cliffy. Wasn't even that good of a cliffy. No hair pulling, or mindfuck sense after getting to the end. It says it's dark and for the useless pearl clutchers, it's dark, for me, it was like drinking cranberry juice on your period. It's red, cold and a bit sour, but you swallow anyways. It was creative, don't get me wrong, but it was eh.
The story. What's in a story? Something. Something is in a fucking story. Did I get one here? No. It was filled, fucking busting through its dirty seams, of nonsensical filler shit. You learn absofuckinglutely nothing. NADA. You're in peoples head more than you see them converse. I started skipping a few dozen pages of just internal shit, fuck off.
It's supposed to be an RH, so, like, yay! More cocks and all that. Well, we got cocks, but one was raping some chick and the other was just jerked off by its owner. Boo. Fucking boring. I say, if we're gonna do RH, then there better be a fucking RH scene in the first book! Give me one or two cocks AT GODDAMN MINIMUM with the FMC. And I mean IN the cunt or ass or mouth, none of this rub or handjob bullshit. We're not in Mrs. Banks empty freshman history class. We're not rushing to touch the limp dick cuz he convinced you that he likes you and you're just trying to be cool cuz he's a senior, and you for sure "have done this before". Yea, no. You fucking haven't, it was a hot fucking mess, you didn't get off, but he sure did, all over your hand and now what? What's that fucking smell, is it supposed to smell like that? Why does it look like spoiled, watery mayo, holy shit, get it away!
Yea, this book brought me back to that pathetic fucking memory. It's a fucking mess of nothing. Where's the story? The chemistry? The connections? All the males mentioned, that could be potential RH members were fucking lame. Pure unadulterated fucking lame asses. The main dude, Marcus had the worst case of hemroids I've seen. Dude was grumpy, agitated and a sour puss the entire book. Jaxon is a cunt if I ever met one. Just a hollowed out, hot and slimy cunt. Like, dude, you have no fucking substance and I bet you smell like fish. Will and Bennett were set up as dark fuckers to avoid at all costs and yet, these declawed fucking tabby little shits were just that, little shits. Then you have Theo, whose "good guy" act is godawful. Ugh, I always end up hating the nice one in an RH. He's it. Just fucking choke on a monkey's asshole and go away.
The only interesting people were definitely not the FMC and her daddy. Holy shit, 18 and still calling her father "daddy", fucking skeeve. A couple (M/F) showed up in the middle of the book, I'm guessing they have their own story which was prior to this mess. They seemed interesting. Well, let's just say, I wasn't as interested in chugging rat poison for them as I was for the 10 year old girl that shows up in this book. Yay, a kid that speaks and acts way too fucking mature, woo hoo, my fave. Where's the rat poison?!
June 30, 2021
Cruel Control is the first book in The Desecration of Innocence and it features the one and only Markus fucking Scott as a main character. I've been obssessed with him since Hillcrest series and I was worried that his book wouldn't live up to expectations. That both happened and didn't happen.
Let me try to explain; If anyone, any-fucking-one deserved a book of their own with a different formula, it was Markus, but I feel like authors sometimes may get too attached on their own formula and after a while it ends up being more of the same. All of Candace Wondrak RH books have one girl plus three guys, a lot of psychos and killers, and looming threats that unite even the most difficult personalities. Even though the first book doesn't have any sex whatsoever, and little to no steamy scenes, we see focus on three of the guys: Jaxon, Markus and Will, which leads me to believe the same formula will happen in this series. I really hope I'm wrong and the author manages to make this into something fresh and completely fucked up, because I can't really see Markus playing nice into anyone's reverse harem.
That being said, Markus himself did not disappoint, a truly admirable monster unlike any other in this perverted universe the author created. Will is fucking insane, but I already knew that because of Hillcrest. I loved seeing him again, I really had been hoping that he would get his own story and that seems to be the perfect time, since he is the only one I'd say could be a match for Markus. Jaxon is on the fence for now, he seems like the better guy out of the three but who knows. It's not perfectly clear if it will actually be these three in the harem (the author said it would be a #whychoose RH), but so far it looks like it.
Main girl Juliet was the one I was surprised by. I really liked her, even with all her innocence and sheltering, she has a fire burning within her that is ready to take on these vicious killers. I could see why the author chose this particular FMC for these vile man such as Markus and Will. It's the perfect balance, and I cannot wait to see them trying to break her. Juliet won't go down easy, though, that much I already know.
Overall, looks promissing but we'll see how it plays out. Hopefully it will be shocking and revolting, 'cause I don't expect anything less from the men in black that haunts everyone's nightmares (and wet dreams).
5/5 stars.
Let me try to explain; If anyone, any-fucking-one deserved a book of their own with a different formula, it was Markus, but I feel like authors sometimes may get too attached on their own formula and after a while it ends up being more of the same. All of Candace Wondrak RH books have one girl plus three guys, a lot of psychos and killers, and looming threats that unite even the most difficult personalities. Even though the first book doesn't have any sex whatsoever, and little to no steamy scenes, we see focus on three of the guys: Jaxon, Markus and Will, which leads me to believe the same formula will happen in this series. I really hope I'm wrong and the author manages to make this into something fresh and completely fucked up, because I can't really see Markus playing nice into anyone's reverse harem.
That being said, Markus himself did not disappoint, a truly admirable monster unlike any other in this perverted universe the author created. Will is fucking insane, but I already knew that because of Hillcrest. I loved seeing him again, I really had been hoping that he would get his own story and that seems to be the perfect time, since he is the only one I'd say could be a match for Markus. Jaxon is on the fence for now, he seems like the better guy out of the three but who knows. It's not perfectly clear if it will actually be these three in the harem (the author said it would be a #whychoose RH), but so far it looks like it.
Main girl Juliet was the one I was surprised by. I really liked her, even with all her innocence and sheltering, she has a fire burning within her that is ready to take on these vicious killers. I could see why the author chose this particular FMC for these vile man such as Markus and Will. It's the perfect balance, and I cannot wait to see them trying to break her. Juliet won't go down easy, though, that much I already know.
Overall, looks promissing but we'll see how it plays out. Hopefully it will be shocking and revolting, 'cause I don't expect anything less from the men in black that haunts everyone's nightmares (and wet dreams).
5/5 stars.
August 16, 2022
the worst series ever
This series is god awful. God. Awful. There aren’t enough words in existence to accurately describe how horrible these books are. Every. Single. Character. Sucks. All of them. Their personas are awful, their cruelty, actions, and thoughts are awful, their unwillingness to intervene/change/grow a backbone is awful, and the things they do are beyond awful.
This entire series is thousands of pages of trauma p 0rn, r-a pe, mur-der, and so much worse. It’s disgusting. There’s dark romance, and then there’s just straight abuse. This is straight abuse being billed as “romance.” It’s not. I hate these characters, even the ones who are ‘good’ to Juliet, because none of them stand up and protect her from the abuse she’s forced to endure. They all stand by, watch, and let it happen.
I hate this series, and by god, I wish I never read book 1 to begin with. Give me back my hours and time. I cannot believe I’ve wasted so much time waiting for this awful series to turn itself around. It doesn’t turn around, and after the book 4 ending, I’m just flat-out furious. We have made NO PROGRESS with these characters. None. They don’t grow, and it’s beyond the pale, at this point.
And what is with the NEVER-ENDING INTERNAL DIALOGUE? I’m screaming mad. It. Never. Ends. This ENTIRE series is just rambling, stupid, and useless internal dialogue. It could have—and should have—been edited and condensed into 2 books. Don’t cut corners and be lazy if you’re writing a series that adds up to thousands of pages. If you want readers to invest in your stories, invest in an editor. Get an editor and copy editor, and use them. There are so many spelling errors and mistakes in every book 1-4. It’s so disappointing.
I don’t get the high reviews, and you know what? That’s okay, because everyone has different tastes. But to give these books a high review after the crappy editing and ridiculous prose style? No. Just no. I think it’s fairly obvious at this point that I will never read book 5. I’d rather tear my own nails out.
This series is god awful. God. Awful. There aren’t enough words in existence to accurately describe how horrible these books are. Every. Single. Character. Sucks. All of them. Their personas are awful, their cruelty, actions, and thoughts are awful, their unwillingness to intervene/change/grow a backbone is awful, and the things they do are beyond awful.
This entire series is thousands of pages of trauma p 0rn, r-a pe, mur-der, and so much worse. It’s disgusting. There’s dark romance, and then there’s just straight abuse. This is straight abuse being billed as “romance.” It’s not. I hate these characters, even the ones who are ‘good’ to Juliet, because none of them stand up and protect her from the abuse she’s forced to endure. They all stand by, watch, and let it happen.
I hate this series, and by god, I wish I never read book 1 to begin with. Give me back my hours and time. I cannot believe I’ve wasted so much time waiting for this awful series to turn itself around. It doesn’t turn around, and after the book 4 ending, I’m just flat-out furious. We have made NO PROGRESS with these characters. None. They don’t grow, and it’s beyond the pale, at this point.
And what is with the NEVER-ENDING INTERNAL DIALOGUE? I’m screaming mad. It. Never. Ends. This ENTIRE series is just rambling, stupid, and useless internal dialogue. It could have—and should have—been edited and condensed into 2 books. Don’t cut corners and be lazy if you’re writing a series that adds up to thousands of pages. If you want readers to invest in your stories, invest in an editor. Get an editor and copy editor, and use them. There are so many spelling errors and mistakes in every book 1-4. It’s so disappointing.
I don’t get the high reviews, and you know what? That’s okay, because everyone has different tastes. But to give these books a high review after the crappy editing and ridiculous prose style? No. Just no. I think it’s fairly obvious at this point that I will never read book 5. I’d rather tear my own nails out.
August 7, 2022
Messed up!
I've often wondered what could possibly happen in a persons life for this kind of sick and messed up stuff to even be written about. This type of writing where a man is so obsessed and evil that he kills, tortures and manipulates a person in front of said women and tells her its her fault is so far over the line of wrong I actually worry about the people in her life.
This isn't normal and no matter how many "warnings" you put in the front of a book nothing compares you for this sickness that is written.
DON'T buy this book if you have any hope of ever believing our world has good in it because no matter how many times you try and tell yourself it's just fiction and not real...think about what could possibly be going on inside this authors heart and mind to think of this stuff! Nope, I choose to believe in goodness, kindness and a world where not everyone trys to romanticize serial killing, rape and mutilation.
I've often wondered what could possibly happen in a persons life for this kind of sick and messed up stuff to even be written about. This type of writing where a man is so obsessed and evil that he kills, tortures and manipulates a person in front of said women and tells her its her fault is so far over the line of wrong I actually worry about the people in her life.
This isn't normal and no matter how many "warnings" you put in the front of a book nothing compares you for this sickness that is written.
DON'T buy this book if you have any hope of ever believing our world has good in it because no matter how many times you try and tell yourself it's just fiction and not real...think about what could possibly be going on inside this authors heart and mind to think of this stuff! Nope, I choose to believe in goodness, kindness and a world where not everyone trys to romanticize serial killing, rape and mutilation.
June 7, 2022
Is a minus rating possible?
This was the most irrational, childish,pointless story that I have ever read. I don’t know where the author intended to go with it but my suggestion would be that she seek help soon! I would have appreciated some warning that it was essentially a snuff story. No erotica, no explanation of why the girl was kidnapped ( except that her father did “something”). Just a houseful of unpleasant characters and some unrealistic killings. A heroine that was a cross between and Enid Blyton character and Linda Lovelace. Weird is the only description!
This was the most irrational, childish,pointless story that I have ever read. I don’t know where the author intended to go with it but my suggestion would be that she seek help soon! I would have appreciated some warning that it was essentially a snuff story. No erotica, no explanation of why the girl was kidnapped ( except that her father did “something”). Just a houseful of unpleasant characters and some unrealistic killings. A heroine that was a cross between and Enid Blyton character and Linda Lovelace. Weird is the only description!
August 30, 2021
Holy wow!
My god are these people crazy! Markus needs love in his life for sure but he’s definitely not going to get it from Juliet. I can’t see her forgiving him and I bet he’s going to regret it. Sick, sick family!
My god are these people crazy! Markus needs love in his life for sure but he’s definitely not going to get it from Juliet. I can’t see her forgiving him and I bet he’s going to regret it. Sick, sick family!
December 13, 2024
A lot of thoughts running through my head right now so to make sense of it all I’ll list them:
1. MY PSYCHO BBY WILL!!! Love him 4eva- if you’ve read the hillcrest series then you’ll know who I’m on about
2. Jaxon, wtf dude? You just let Marcus beat tf out of you and didn’t even try to defend yourself?! Juliet 100% has bigger balls than you as SHE stood up to Marcus multiple times and yet you couldn’t do it once.
3. I’m all for morally grey, blood thirsty, murderous serial killers/psychos but Jesus Christ- Marcus is like every cruel, twisted red flag wrapped up into one. There are just no words that are enough to describe him.
4. Marcus is the boss and control freak, right? Yet he beats up Jaxon and brutally kills a man because of Juliet… So doesn’t that mean that really Juliet is the one with the power and control? As Marcus is throwing hissy fits because he’s not getting what he wants from Juliet or her father? He’s like a toddler throwing his toys out of the pram, except his version would be slaughtering someone and then chucking Juliet at the corpse… And the biggest drama queen award goes too… MARCUS 🏆
5. WTF DOES JULIET’S DAD DO FOR THE SCOTT’S?! I’m very much feeling Juliet’s frustration as we’re as much in the dark about this as she is.
6. Okay we get it the Scott’s are psychos, now that we’ve established that… Can someone just tell us wtf Juliet’s dad has done wrong? Why tf won’t anyone just tell Juliet- it’s driving me nuts. I won’t sleep til I get answers.
7. How a reader can get annoyed by Juliet’s innocence and lack of knowledge about the world is beyond me. Her father kept her locked in the house her ENTIRE LIFE- so how on earth do you expect her to know how to understand people when the only person she’s ever really been around is her father ffs. Give the girl a fucking break, okay? She’s been kidnapped from her home which is literally all she has ever known and is being held hostage in a house with a bunch of psychos. And she’s just experienced her first orgasm, then first kiss and then held down and made to watch a gruesome snuff film… AND THEN forced to watch a man get slaughtered, blamed for it and thrown at the corpse. Oh and can’t forget about the intestines being rubbed over her chest and then being locked in the room and pitch black darkness with said corpse! GIVE HER A GODDAMN BREAK, OKAY?!
8. Candace is my all time favourite author, every single one of her books and series are top tier. Like I just can’t find the words to explain how addictive her stories are- once you read one, you’ll never get enough of them. Her characters, storylines, plot twists-ALL OF IT- is chef’s fucking kiss 💋
1. MY PSYCHO BBY WILL!!! Love him 4eva- if you’ve read the hillcrest series then you’ll know who I’m on about
2. Jaxon, wtf dude? You just let Marcus beat tf out of you and didn’t even try to defend yourself?! Juliet 100% has bigger balls than you as SHE stood up to Marcus multiple times and yet you couldn’t do it once.
3. I’m all for morally grey, blood thirsty, murderous serial killers/psychos but Jesus Christ- Marcus is like every cruel, twisted red flag wrapped up into one. There are just no words that are enough to describe him.
4. Marcus is the boss and control freak, right? Yet he beats up Jaxon and brutally kills a man because of Juliet… So doesn’t that mean that really Juliet is the one with the power and control? As Marcus is throwing hissy fits because he’s not getting what he wants from Juliet or her father? He’s like a toddler throwing his toys out of the pram, except his version would be slaughtering someone and then chucking Juliet at the corpse… And the biggest drama queen award goes too… MARCUS 🏆
5. WTF DOES JULIET’S DAD DO FOR THE SCOTT’S?! I’m very much feeling Juliet’s frustration as we’re as much in the dark about this as she is.
6. Okay we get it the Scott’s are psychos, now that we’ve established that… Can someone just tell us wtf Juliet’s dad has done wrong? Why tf won’t anyone just tell Juliet- it’s driving me nuts. I won’t sleep til I get answers.
7. How a reader can get annoyed by Juliet’s innocence and lack of knowledge about the world is beyond me. Her father kept her locked in the house her ENTIRE LIFE- so how on earth do you expect her to know how to understand people when the only person she’s ever really been around is her father ffs. Give the girl a fucking break, okay? She’s been kidnapped from her home which is literally all she has ever known and is being held hostage in a house with a bunch of psychos. And she’s just experienced her first orgasm, then first kiss and then held down and made to watch a gruesome snuff film… AND THEN forced to watch a man get slaughtered, blamed for it and thrown at the corpse. Oh and can’t forget about the intestines being rubbed over her chest and then being locked in the room and pitch black darkness with said corpse! GIVE HER A GODDAMN BREAK, OKAY?!
8. Candace is my all time favourite author, every single one of her books and series are top tier. Like I just can’t find the words to explain how addictive her stories are- once you read one, you’ll never get enough of them. Her characters, storylines, plot twists-ALL OF IT- is chef’s fucking kiss 💋
June 1, 2021
Oh my 🤯
I’ve been following along the author’s psychos ever since the release of Cruel Black Hearts. The bar was set pretty high with this book because of how much I loved Markus as a character in all the other books he made appearances in. He was cold, dark, had a commanding presence, and was so enigmatic because we barely knew anything about him. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of woman Markus found himself involved in and how she would affect him. So far, it’s all living up to my expectations. I knew not to expect a fairy tale romance full of heartfelt proclamations. Unless you consider “mine to break, mine to control, mine to do whatever the **** I want with,” a heartfelt proclamation 😅
This was one heck of a dark read. It’s up to par with the Cruel Black Hearts series in twisted characters and dark themes. I would probably say this one may be the author’s darkest book yet. There are no characters in this book who seem like sweet and romantic guys. They are all psychotic in varying degrees who revel in blood, violence, power, and control. The doctor may be the only sweet one but then again, how sweet can one be when working for this family within any capacity?
The overall plot was great and left just enough for the readers to chew on, make up our own theories, and keep us eager for the next book. The question of what Juliet’s dad did that led her to be kidnapped by Markus, and why he hasn’t responded even though he knows exactly what happened to his daughter has me coming up with all kinds of ideas. And why she was forced to live such a sheltered and reclusive life.
While this book doesn’t need you to read other series, I do suggest reading the Cruel Black Hearts series and Hillcrest series so you can have more of a back story on Markus since CBH was the series the Scott Family and Markus made the first appearance. Will was actually one of the main characters in Hillcrest so there are actually spoilers in this book for Hillcrest since it takes place years after. It’s not required but it would allow you to have more of an understanding of each of the characters.
I’ve been following along the author’s psychos ever since the release of Cruel Black Hearts. The bar was set pretty high with this book because of how much I loved Markus as a character in all the other books he made appearances in. He was cold, dark, had a commanding presence, and was so enigmatic because we barely knew anything about him. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of woman Markus found himself involved in and how she would affect him. So far, it’s all living up to my expectations. I knew not to expect a fairy tale romance full of heartfelt proclamations. Unless you consider “mine to break, mine to control, mine to do whatever the **** I want with,” a heartfelt proclamation 😅
This was one heck of a dark read. It’s up to par with the Cruel Black Hearts series in twisted characters and dark themes. I would probably say this one may be the author’s darkest book yet. There are no characters in this book who seem like sweet and romantic guys. They are all psychotic in varying degrees who revel in blood, violence, power, and control. The doctor may be the only sweet one but then again, how sweet can one be when working for this family within any capacity?
The overall plot was great and left just enough for the readers to chew on, make up our own theories, and keep us eager for the next book. The question of what Juliet’s dad did that led her to be kidnapped by Markus, and why he hasn’t responded even though he knows exactly what happened to his daughter has me coming up with all kinds of ideas. And why she was forced to live such a sheltered and reclusive life.
While this book doesn’t need you to read other series, I do suggest reading the Cruel Black Hearts series and Hillcrest series so you can have more of a back story on Markus since CBH was the series the Scott Family and Markus made the first appearance. Will was actually one of the main characters in Hillcrest so there are actually spoilers in this book for Hillcrest since it takes place years after. It’s not required but it would allow you to have more of an understanding of each of the characters.
September 4, 2021
Usually I’m all in…but this book?
I love the author’s books. However, these I just can’t get behind. Let me tell you why. (Spoiler alerts below)
Ok, so there are just a few things that are a little too f*ed for me. I don’t mind most “dark” genera books but in this series so far? There’s been rape and not just any kind of rape but a husband and wife raping a woman while in the process of stabbing her. What also horrified me is that there is a child in the book. I child that belongs to those two in particular. Then there’s the main character being forced to watch her captor murder an innocent man and then him forcing her to practically play in his guts and blood. Then locking her in a dark room with the body for hours. THEN one of the “love” interests rapes her while she’s asleep cause apparently she sleeps so hard that he can screw her and she never knows. Then is very very much not sorry for doing that although without her giving ANY type of consent it can’t be seen as anything other than rape.
Like I said I don’t mind “dark” genera books and I like some of the other books the author has written but this went past dark into WTF THAT SHIT IS SICK territory.
I love the author’s books. However, these I just can’t get behind. Let me tell you why. (Spoiler alerts below)
Ok, so there are just a few things that are a little too f*ed for me. I don’t mind most “dark” genera books but in this series so far? There’s been rape and not just any kind of rape but a husband and wife raping a woman while in the process of stabbing her. What also horrified me is that there is a child in the book. I child that belongs to those two in particular. Then there’s the main character being forced to watch her captor murder an innocent man and then him forcing her to practically play in his guts and blood. Then locking her in a dark room with the body for hours. THEN one of the “love” interests rapes her while she’s asleep cause apparently she sleeps so hard that he can screw her and she never knows. Then is very very much not sorry for doing that although without her giving ANY type of consent it can’t be seen as anything other than rape.
Like I said I don’t mind “dark” genera books and I like some of the other books the author has written but this went past dark into WTF THAT SHIT IS SICK territory.
October 11, 2025
Brutal
Being totally honest I didn’t read the entire book, I skipped a small portion of it near the very end of the book. The scene entails Juliet being “taught a lesson”. Mostly because I have a very vivid imagination and I really don’t want a torture scene living rent free in my head. Frankly my brain is probably conjuring up something worse than what’s already written.
I’m now left pretty conflicted. How can this possibly move forward to become a Reverse Harem Love Story? She had already declared them all to be evil monsters BEFORE it got to the the scene I skipped.
The “monsters” in the house (or rather the male ones) are all drawn towards her because of her obvious innocence. The knowledge she’s unwilling gained will have such a profound impact on her to the extent that she’s not going to be the person they were attracted to in the first place.
I’ve read several books by this author and thoroughly enjoyed them, now for the first time I’m doubting how this turns into a HEA for psychopaths. Curiosity is going to make me pick up book 2, well, that and my KU subscription.
Being totally honest I didn’t read the entire book, I skipped a small portion of it near the very end of the book. The scene entails Juliet being “taught a lesson”. Mostly because I have a very vivid imagination and I really don’t want a torture scene living rent free in my head. Frankly my brain is probably conjuring up something worse than what’s already written.
I’m now left pretty conflicted. How can this possibly move forward to become a Reverse Harem Love Story? She had already declared them all to be evil monsters BEFORE it got to the the scene I skipped.
The “monsters” in the house (or rather the male ones) are all drawn towards her because of her obvious innocence. The knowledge she’s unwilling gained will have such a profound impact on her to the extent that she’s not going to be the person they were attracted to in the first place.
I’ve read several books by this author and thoroughly enjoyed them, now for the first time I’m doubting how this turns into a HEA for psychopaths. Curiosity is going to make me pick up book 2, well, that and my KU subscription.
June 12, 2021
Stopped halfway through at the birth control scene.
Abuse of any kind towards the FMC from the love interest/s is a hard line for me, and this was classic abuse - force her to do what you want, or you’ll hurt her or someone she cares about. Then it’s *her* fault, she made you do it, because if she’d just done what you said it wouldn’t have come to that.
I love a good dark romance, and I’m all for characters that are ‘bad’ and do bad things to other people, but it’s a big ole nope from me when it’s directed at the main character. There’s no redemption to be had for that. And in this case with the neglect & abuse she suffered at the hands of her father (keeping her locked up, to the extent that she’s never interacted with another child or been to a doctor, is certainly abuse), she already has a skewed world view that prevents her from fully seeing this for what it is. I don’t need love interests to be heroes; they can be violent and cruel and criminal and all the other things that make ‘dark romances’ dark. I just need them not to be abusers.
Abuse of any kind towards the FMC from the love interest/s is a hard line for me, and this was classic abuse - force her to do what you want, or you’ll hurt her or someone she cares about. Then it’s *her* fault, she made you do it, because if she’d just done what you said it wouldn’t have come to that.
I love a good dark romance, and I’m all for characters that are ‘bad’ and do bad things to other people, but it’s a big ole nope from me when it’s directed at the main character. There’s no redemption to be had for that. And in this case with the neglect & abuse she suffered at the hands of her father (keeping her locked up, to the extent that she’s never interacted with another child or been to a doctor, is certainly abuse), she already has a skewed world view that prevents her from fully seeing this for what it is. I don’t need love interests to be heroes; they can be violent and cruel and criminal and all the other things that make ‘dark romances’ dark. I just need them not to be abusers.
February 20, 2023
It was a mid read. There really wasn't much going on and I felt like it was boring and dragged out. At times, I wanted to drop the book. Its one of those books where you don't know what to read so you just pick something random. I did like the writing though and I feel like the plot had a lot of potential. I feel like if there was more going on and it wasn't so dragged out, I would have enjoyed this a lot more. Also, none of the questions were answered in this book like I started out with nothing and I finished with nothing. We already knew everyone in that house was psychotic so that revelation really wasn't anything to the reader like it was to Juliet. It just felt like to the me like the author just wanted us to buy the next book to see what's happening, it seemed like a money ploy. This book wasn't very long either so the second book I think could have been included in this one as well so the reader actually felt like there was something going on. Unless the second book doesn't have anything either.
Overall I got to say I was dissapointed, I expected more.
Overall I got to say I was dissapointed, I expected more.
October 15, 2023
Good but heroine was disappointing!
This was my first book by this author, it was gripping and definhtely had its dark moments which i loved. Markus, Will, Theo and Jaxon were all so very different which I think is important when reading RH romance and i liked the balance between them. The biggest disappointment though was the heroine Juliet...I appreciate she's been sheltered her whole life and kept away from a normal life, but to still lust after these guys and repeated run straight into danger after what they say and do just puts her in the stupid category rather than immature. Maybe her character will develop in future books, but I'm concerned that this is a 5 book series and book one did feel a little drawn out already...so I'm not sure if I like it enough to continue.
Overall it was good, it certainly had the makings of being brilliant if only the author would re write the heroine!
This was my first book by this author, it was gripping and definhtely had its dark moments which i loved. Markus, Will, Theo and Jaxon were all so very different which I think is important when reading RH romance and i liked the balance between them. The biggest disappointment though was the heroine Juliet...I appreciate she's been sheltered her whole life and kept away from a normal life, but to still lust after these guys and repeated run straight into danger after what they say and do just puts her in the stupid category rather than immature. Maybe her character will develop in future books, but I'm concerned that this is a 5 book series and book one did feel a little drawn out already...so I'm not sure if I like it enough to continue.
Overall it was good, it certainly had the makings of being brilliant if only the author would re write the heroine!
June 1, 2021
Cruel control This is Markus story I have been waiting forMarkus story and it most definitely didn’t disappoint I loved it. One off his men has gone rogue and in order to remind him who is in control Markus kidnaps his daughter Juliet and her fathers has kept her like a prison. Juliet doesn’t understand the outside world she is so innocent and there is something about her that draws Markus to her and he will make her his no matter it takes.
I just love Markus character he dark , brooding , very handsome he is the devil and then Juliet character is the complete opposite she is innocent , light and an Angle to Markus dark. Will he break her and will she survive Markus Scott. But also Will has also taken to wanting Juliet and telling her it’s there secret when he has meet up with her because Markus has told them all she is off limits. I so hope Markus finds out what Will is doing and stop him. I don’t like Wills characters and I just so hope Juliet stays away from Will. The well wow I need the second book ASAP to find out what is going to happen to Juliet
I just love Markus character he dark , brooding , very handsome he is the devil and then Juliet character is the complete opposite she is innocent , light and an Angle to Markus dark. Will he break her and will she survive Markus Scott. But also Will has also taken to wanting Juliet and telling her it’s there secret when he has meet up with her because Markus has told them all she is off limits. I so hope Markus finds out what Will is doing and stop him. I don’t like Wills characters and I just so hope Juliet stays away from Will. The well wow I need the second book ASAP to find out what is going to happen to Juliet
June 5, 2021
The wait is over
For anyone who has been reading Candaces books has probably been waiting for this book and chance to finally get to know Marcus......and the wait is finally over.
Marcus was not a disappointed at all. He didn't get all gaga or whisper sweet words but he definitely kept me wondering what he would do next. Thanks to the different POVs we got to see inside his head and some of the others as well.
The FMC Juliet is brought to the Scott house and she is not prepared for what she was brought into. She is beyond innocent and brought into a house of darkness. So you can understand having questions....I probably would as well. But part of me was like 🤫 don't ask...shh. After dipping her toes into the darkness you have to be prepared for when you may get consumed whole.
Can't wait for book 2 🔪
For anyone who has been reading Candaces books has probably been waiting for this book and chance to finally get to know Marcus......and the wait is finally over.
Marcus was not a disappointed at all. He didn't get all gaga or whisper sweet words but he definitely kept me wondering what he would do next. Thanks to the different POVs we got to see inside his head and some of the others as well.
The FMC Juliet is brought to the Scott house and she is not prepared for what she was brought into. She is beyond innocent and brought into a house of darkness. So you can understand having questions....I probably would as well. But part of me was like 🤫 don't ask...shh. After dipping her toes into the darkness you have to be prepared for when you may get consumed whole.
Can't wait for book 2 🔪
June 28, 2021
Juliet is kept locked up by her like a princess in the tower. Until one day she taken and kept prisoner till her father gives into Marcus demands. While in the house she meets Jeremy whom seems sweet unless demanded to do other wise and she pushes his limits with her disobedience, Will whom seems twisted but tempts her beyond means and doc whom seems nice but is stuck as she is. Marcus now leader of the family and house of horrors. Is attracted to Juliet and refuses to give in. While she is innocent and disobedient he has no choice but to show her his true dark side.
I gave a three star cuz Juliet is kinda annoying and whinny. Marcus is Marcus but it is a dark book . While i am waiting to see what book 2 brings just hope in next book Juliet is less whinny annoying with daddy this and daddy that.
I gave a three star cuz Juliet is kinda annoying and whinny. Marcus is Marcus but it is a dark book . While i am waiting to see what book 2 brings just hope in next book Juliet is less whinny annoying with daddy this and daddy that.
September 20, 2021
Not for everyone
Well there was a warning this was dark. The house is full of psychopaths and killers and the dark in the book is about the torture and murders of their victims. There’s no reverse harem as yet and definitely no romance! The MMC would kill anyone that touched the MFC so besides the other males being a bit nice to her I’m not sure there is going to be a reverse harem. I cant imagine him sharing at all.
I’m curious enough to read the second book just to find out about her father and her weird upbringing. I don’t like any of the characters. Men that torture and kill random innocent people aren’t appealing to me. And the MFC is nothing but a skinny/ boney/ curvy (all descriptions used) brain dead zombie.
Well there was a warning this was dark. The house is full of psychopaths and killers and the dark in the book is about the torture and murders of their victims. There’s no reverse harem as yet and definitely no romance! The MMC would kill anyone that touched the MFC so besides the other males being a bit nice to her I’m not sure there is going to be a reverse harem. I cant imagine him sharing at all.
I’m curious enough to read the second book just to find out about her father and her weird upbringing. I don’t like any of the characters. Men that torture and kill random innocent people aren’t appealing to me. And the MFC is nothing but a skinny/ boney/ curvy (all descriptions used) brain dead zombie.
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