Marked for Seduction

Cain and Abel #1

by S.J. Rowe

Previously published as Propositioning a Thief

The game is set. Seduction is the key. Who will win or who will die?
Thieves don’t get caught…

However, Tess’s career both started and stopped when she was. Her hand wasn’t the only thing she would lose this time. What was she to do: save her skin or let another die?

Primes choose loyalty over personal joy…

For over 200 years, Maliki didn’t regret exchanging his death for a life filled with duty and to right the wrongs that killed him. Under the watchful eye of an outsider makes it harder, especially with one that keeps tugging on a heart he thought was lost. When forced to choose, will he kill the Kayen, the soulless creatures of the night, or the talented thief hired to steal the secrets of his hidden society?

Does love make a soul whole?

Forced to work together: one to save three lives, the other thousands. Are they willing to push aside their desire to find those that betrayed them? Both have no problem surrendering their souls to spare another’s life, but are they willing to sacrifice their hearts this time?

This is a standalone love story in a series but can be read in any order. Be advised that this book has been published under a prior title - Propositioning a Thief. The story has not changed, just editorial along with a facelift. Happy Reading.

Genres: Paranormal Romance

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2021

About the author

After traveling all over the world as a child, S.J. Rowe has found a home in the southwest with her husband. She continues to visit exotic destinations around the world with her best friends, and when she is home, she splits her time between watching baseball and singing in the car. To unwind, she finds herself enjoying a good cup of coffee while curled up watching Star Wars.

Reviews

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when a new-to-me author's work gives me the giggles. Marked for Seduction was funny, sexy, and a wee bit suspenseful. Throw in some supernatural drama and it made for quite the entertaining read. Tess was a thief with a huge heart while Maliki was a male who was slowly discovering that love could play a part in his life too. They didn't make sense, their romance was almost forbidden, and yet something about them worked.

I'll admit that I'm intrigued by the idea of the whole Cain and Abel secret society of immortals or semi-immortals, locked in an endless battle of good vs. evil. I do wish that I learned more about the inner workings of that society, the people who make it their priority to protect humans, and even the evil ones who look at humans as fodder. For instance, why did I find out so much about everyone else's super powers, but nothing about Maliki's? Did he not have one?

Overall, a solid story and I'll probably read from this author again.

[Kristin Scearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Nicholas Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Read it in one night, was pulled into the story and couldn't bring myself to put it down. Don't want to spoil it for you, definitely worth the read! Can't wait to read the next book!

[Chrissie Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! The Character development was spot on. I love this new twist on in old well-known story. Can’t wait to see more from this Author!!!

[Seashell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. The premise is very intriguing and I really like how in depth and thought out the back story was. I liked Tess a lot but I wished there was a bit more to the story between her and Malaki. I also found all the details of the different categories of people in this world to be a little difficult to keep straight. Luckily, I'm hooked to this series and I am sure the more I immerse myself in it, the easier it will be to keep straight. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Scarlett Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Cain and Abel series was a great way to kick-off an exciting take on the biblical story.

The main character Tess is a complicated mix of hard and soft coming from her unusual upbringing. Unfortunately, for me, the male leading character Maliki was not as interesting.

That being said, the chemistry between the two, the way they handle the difficulties thrown in the way and most importantly, the way they overcome them makes for great reading.

Thank you for sharing this ARC with me, and apologies for the incredibly delayed review.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/25/2020)! 🎁

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in Rowe's Cain and Abel series. A paranormal romance read with main characters Maliki and Tess. Tess is a thief who's had to steal to live. Maliki is a soldier / warrior thru and thru. Both have no reason to trust the other but their chemistry is too much to deny. This is a well written romance with lots of into - world and character building and explaining these paranormal races and their strength's and weaknesses. Good storyline and characters - I didn't know how this would play out and the ending leaves me wanting more!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marked for Seduction was my first story by the author. I was drawn in by the cover and blurb. I was not disappointed.

Maliki and Tess are drawn to each other from the beginning. There is something there. Even though there are so many things that should keep them apart, they are not powerful enough.

The past of these characters is dark. They have survived and there is hope of something better. I was glued to this story as it unfolded. I am looking forward to reading the next story in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Claire Turvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a steep learning curve at the start of the book as you are introduced to SJ Rowe’s world of Cain and Abel. There are a lot of terms and classes to wrap your head around. Our heroine, Tess, is a nice blend of strength, vulnerability, skill and spunk. Her motivations are revealed over the course of the story, and at the end she faces her greatest challenge…

Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of the book, however this review is my own honest opinion.

[Diana Dasilva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book.

The title doesn't reflect the complicity of the storyline.

I found it amazing the way the author relate with the characters of the Bible

brothers Abel and Cain to this new world, this new society with all classes and how they relate to each other. The way the world are needing protection, by one side being immortal and the other side with mortality the fight continues to overtake one another and save humanity. And here came these Primes, Civilians, and Kayens with humans being the Outsiders.

I loved how Tess came into this world and revolutionized the way Maliki was living and turning into a love connection.

This book has all twists and turns that put you in a roller-coaster, it is exciting, there is suspense and the good and bad, it only ended fast and I am anxious to read some more.

I received this copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[WILMA from the Netherlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I found it funny, sexy and exciting. Add in some supernatural drama and it made for a pretty entertaining read. Just had to chuckle every now and then. Full of strong characters, provoking violence, aggressive passion, blossoming love and an unsurprising tenderness. Both were described so well. The plot was so well put together that I was completely sucked into it. The intimacy was super hot and the love between Maliki and Tess was so real. Tess is a thief with a big heart, while Maliki is a man who is slowly beginning to realize that love can also play a part in his life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Destinee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for the second installment! Marked for seduction is an amazing book filled with great characters that follow a fantastic plot. The storyline was great and the point of view transitioning was flawless. Bad POV switches are a pet peeve of mine so if you're like me this book is a welcomed read. The world in which this book takes place seems to be very well thought out by the author. And she does a great job of explaining it without the reader feeling overwhelmed or confused. 5 stars!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Naomi McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a interesting world. Cain and Abel, loyalist, primes and civilians, fallen mixed in.. I would have liked more of a explanation at the beginning of this world so I didn't feel so lost initially. once you start into it and get past the first couple chapters the world starts to fit together. enjoyable read, loved the characters, honestly can't wait to see what happens next!

I received an arc and voluntarily leave a honest review

[Christyn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maliki and Tess - wow! This was intense. Full of strong characters, triggering violence, aggressive passion, blossoming love, and unsurprising tenderness. Both were described so well. The plot was laid out so well that I was completely sucked in, and the twists added so much depth to an already complex story. The intimacy was super hot and the love between Maliki and Tess was so real. A HEA with a twist. Loved it.

[Kayla Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book! With great characters, an emotional journey and unexpected twists throughout its easy to call in love with the book and it’s characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book and can’t wait to see what happens.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vanessa Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was such a brilliant adaptation of the Cain and Abel story. I loved the characters that we meet in this book so much and I certainly cant wait for the second book in the series as this one was just so well written.

[Amy Frump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to read Book 2....

Sexy with unexpected twists and characters that are so easy to love. Didn't know I could enjoy paranormal so much......can't wait to read book 2!

[cassie]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
loved the layout and characters

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool story.. I liked it.. It has lots of suspense.. A unique and interesting world has been created.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.