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The Tainted Love Series

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“How angry are you, Vixen?” Those are the words Whiskey would speak to me before he hate-fucked me when we started all this. I was abused, but he had it worse—missing-kid-on-the-side-of-a-milk-carton worse. We’re both broken, and he’s scared he’s gonna hurt me, but we’re good for each other. I know we are. We can help each other get better. Vixen’s become my entire life, but even she can’t save me when things get too dark. That whole love-fucking thing she taught me is slipping away, too. We’re heading into Hate-fuck Hell. I don’t want to hurt her. But not even the head-shrinker I see for therapy can fix everything that’s going on now. Everything I thought I had—everything I knew about myself—is gone. What little I had is taken away, and I hate it. There’s no hope. I can’t even look Vixen in the eyes anymore. As I face the people who hurt me, the world, the press, and their lawyer make me out to be a monster, so I decide I’m just going to have to show them a fucking hellhound. Vixen, the sexy badass that she is, won’t accept that and is forcing me to confront my abductors. I need her next to me and to not let me believe I’m this evil thing everyone says I am. It’s hard to face the people who made my childhood a living hell as I try to put them away, while the rest of the world judges and hates me. I’m crossed between wanting vengeance and seeking justice, pushing Vixen to her limit. All I want is to clear my name. If that can happen, then maybe Vixen and I will be able to find our way back to Hate-fuck Heaven. TRIGGER This book contains mature subject matter about child abduction, alcoholism, and other abuse. 18+
Reader discretion is advised.
Book four is available now... read Whisper. Bring tissue. xxx

550 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2020

23 people are currently reading
88 people want to read

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R&C Christiansen

22 books38 followers

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
143 reviews
September 16, 2021
Book one

I'm will update with each book completed

SPOILERS







I love Whiskey and Vixen together. In book one they have this hate f**K relationship. Whiskey wants more but Vixen wants to wait until he can take her away.

She has emotional baggage from life with her mother that she can't allow herself to fall in right now.

However, during the story you can tell her heart was already given she just couldn't admit it then. The future she envisioned has Whiskey in it.

Whiskey bless his heart stood for her and allowed her to set the pace of their relationship. He from day one looked out for her and kept her safe. He knew exactly how to give her what she needed.

Im so glad each one of them never gave up on each other.

Book one hints to the tragedy that Whiskey endured in childhood when he was abducted.

Now on to book 2 where it sounds like we'll dive in deeper. Ill update once i complete book 2.

Book 2
This book delved a bit deeper into Whiskey's past. It had where he needed to answer 10 questions about his life and abduction.

I liked how him and Vixen created a family and adopted their daughter. It was a sweet second book to the story.
Profile Image for Monique Edenwood.
Author 8 books325 followers
September 26, 2021
THIS TRILOGY IS A MASTERPIECE
RC Christiansen just went to the top of my one-click authors list.
I'm not sure if there is a series that has plunged me into as many different emotions as this one.
The bond between Vixen and Whiskey is so palpable, you feel it in the room.
The writing is gritty and raw.
The secondary characters jump off the page (especially Satan--will never forget her and that lawnmower).
The hate-f*cking is off the charts, but beneath it all is this undercurrent of pain and sadness which takes you into deep, dark places, which infuses so much weight into every single thing these characters do. These characters are fighting to pull themselves out of the trauma of their past and it's thrilling to watch.
It is gut-wrenching at times, uplifting at others.
RC writes so vividly that I felt mini-explosions going off throughout the read.
Vixen is strong and feisty at times but gentle and vulnerable at others. I love the way Whiskey loves her.
Please read this. You will laugh, cry and get very hot and bothered.
Stunning. Genius. Thrilling.
This writer is sensational and this trilogy a must-read for all lovers of dark romance.
Profile Image for Bruce Spydar.
Author 11 books39 followers
January 20, 2021
Raw, emotional, heart-breaking, captivating ... a must-read romance.
Caution: This is 18+ and not one to read if you get offended by sex, profanity or descriptions of abusive situations. However, if you can accept the emotional challenge, this is such a raw, gut-wrenching ride that it is sooooo worth reading ... it’s awesome. In the first part, the author drew me in and got me hooked on Whiskey and Vixen, the two main characters, their baggage-laden past and their explosively hot chemistry. The story develops deeper as they try to work to overcome their psychological baggage and have a more normal family life, with an adorable new daughter appearing on the scene. Then they go in search of justice for past wrongs, and freedom from the straitjacket of constant psychological torment. A must for any romance reading list.
Profile Image for Holly.
106 reviews11 followers
June 17, 2021
Where do I start? This trilogy is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Whiskey & Vixen are both beautifully broken people who find the other half of their whole in each other. These two have their own dark, haunted pasts & somehow end up finding their light together. This story will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions & I often went from laughing to crying. I’m not going to lie, my heart ached for the characters in this series. Vixen is fiercely protective & an all around badass. Whiskey is so sweet & jovial. His playfulness really made me admire who he was as a person. Their chemistry is insane & their banter is funny. Watching them grow together & fight for & with one another was beautiful. Everything they did was together, for each other. While there are dark themes in this book & some things that may trigger someone, it’s definitely worth the read. This is definitely something that will stay with me for a long time & by far a top read of 2021.

“Are we really star-crossed lovers as Robert said? Nah, I think we are more like fate-crossed lovers, or tainted lovers. The kind of people who hold their own and at the drop of a pin would lay down their life for the other.”
Profile Image for Court Small.
635 reviews37 followers
June 7, 2022
I first meet Whiskey & Vixen when I read the Novella Whisper.

Both characters carry scars and emotional baggage from their childhoods but together they are each other’s champions and are stronger for it.
Vixen is fierce, loyal ultra protective, Whiskey is haunted & cheeky but determined to not let the events of his past define him.
These books will take you on an emotional roller coaster but they are 100% written with heart.

This book has dark themes so check the trigger warnings.
Profile Image for Juliana Pappas.
76 reviews3 followers
May 1, 2021
I own this series in paperback. I was sucked into this series from start to finish. Pax is awesome, he was never too much for me. Vixen was raw and had to grow on me, but I realized this work is not watered down like many other books are to appeal to a large audience. By the third book, Vixen is awesome and I can see how the author put intricate work in to crafting this character over the course of the series. Also, their little one is adorable and I couldn’t help but want my own child after reading this series. 🤣

Even if you never read dark romance and are new to the genre, give it a try. This one is emotionally taxing in the best way possible, you will be drawn in and have feelings you may not even know you could have.

Profile Image for Erin Moya.
Author 24 books192 followers
June 21, 2021
This Trilogy was everything and then some.

In a time when I so desperately needed to escape real life, Whiskey and Vixen dragged me into hate-f*ck city.

These two characters were beautiful in all their flawed glory. Their bruised souls spoke to mine and with each page I turned I became more and more engrossed in their love and the very idea that these two damaged individuals could only be whole together.

This Trilogy tested the boundaries of morality as the characters formed their own moral guidelines in the name of protecting their family. The side characters also managed to leave their imprint behind, leaving me wondering about all those who didn't make it.

The dialogue, monologues and descriptive paragraphs in-between were flawless and I fell in love with Racey's writing with each word I read. After this series I can firmly say that this author has become and easy one-click-no-look purchase for me, and I am so grateful to have found and read these books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Andrea ( books_fiction_desire ).
674 reviews
March 30, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a definitely raw and emotional read by RC Christiansen

Whiskey and Vixen were just perfect for each other, both had a dark broken past, they were both dysfunctional but they were tough and strong for each other.While Whiskey/Pax/Liam was abducted as a child his past is much darker then Kirstens that had to deal with the loveless life of her mother. And that makes them perfect for each other and they find their way to heal. They call it hate fuck for a reason and if that’s the therapy they need then they well deserved it.
While Kirsten and her mother found their way to each other Liam still has his ways to go. That road might be tough but at the end was well worth it.

I absolutely loved this story, it was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for annasbook nookk.
956 reviews75 followers
April 11, 2021
This book was so beautiful.

Written about Whisky and Vixen who just fit each other perfectly.
Read their story of how they come to terms with their broken pasts and help each with the trauma theyve both been through.

I was addicted to this book from the get - go, the character and story sucked you right in.

To read about Whiskeys childhood and known what hes gone through and then come out the side the way he did was inspiring and then Vixen was right there to help him.

This was my first book by RC Christiansen and I'm eager for more, she's so talented.

This is a Dark Romance with many triggers but honestly read it it will break your heart and put it back together all in one go.
Profile Image for Sarah Hill.
Author 7 books57 followers
February 3, 2021
Christiansen has done a beautiful job writing the ending of Whiskey & Vixen's story. This third & final installment was inspiring, heartbreaking to the point of tears, but also allowing for love and joy to shine through the victories they accomplished one at a time.
I've said before that this series scare me, because all I knew about it was it was steamy. The thing is, I feel it being touted as mainly a steamy read does it a disservice. This is more than a steamy read. More than a story about star-crossed lovers. This story brings to life the raw emotions, the nightmares, the anger and so much more that victims of abduction and sex crimes must feel. This shows how extremely messed up someone can be after this type of torture. My heart broke in so many way, because I know that these crimes are committed everyday and unlike the characters in this story, some are never found. Families are left wondering what happened to someone they loved so much. Lives are ruined and never put back together. This book brings awareness to so much. I am sorry it took me so long to read this series, because I will not tout it as steamy read, but as a series that brings even a small understanding to the victims of such horrendous crimes. It gives a huge meaning to the saying don't judge another man until you've walked a mile in his shoes. Or in Liam's case, ran barefoot over gravel, stickers and through fields.
If, like me, you don't like the steamier reads, then know you can skim over these parts and still get goosebumps from this story. This was a hard story to read, not because of the steam, but because of the hurt caused to so many by violence that they shouldn't ever have to experience. We need to be better at being aware of our surroundings. Be aware of people who for some reason make you uneasy. You could very well help prevent another child or adult honestly, from being taken by a predator. I love the speech given by Vixen in the courtroom. I literally had tears of joy blurring my vision because Liam had someone going to bat for him in front of the entire world. We need more people willing to stand up for what's right. And Liam I am so glad you finally found your freedom. To love and be loved. Your family is your FREEDOM!
Profile Image for Maxine Keith.
105 reviews7 followers
February 10, 2021
A bumpy, fast ride on two wheels. Whiskey breaks your heart and Vixen makes you want to step in to protect her. Their love story is steamy and sexy, with a mix of heartbreaking pain. Grab yourself a glass of Whiskey, let your hair down, and settle in for this fast paced ride through the highs and lows as this couple juggles and balances the chaos life brings. 

When we're first introduced to Whiskey and Vixen, in Tainted Love, we met two characters who are broken and beaten down by their pasts and life in general. Clinging to each other, they find the peace that only love can offer a tortured soul. But building a life together is more than just living together and building a home; they must confront their pasts and the mistakes that they made. Tainted Love II gave a us a peek at the trauma and suffering Whiskey and Vixen had to endure and overcome. But Tainted Love III is the final piece of the puzzle. It’s about facing our fears and overcoming our anguish. Vixen, the strong fighter who will do anything to show her man just how amazing he is, and Liam, the boy-man who has to face his monsters in order to grow up, are pushed to their limits in the final chapter of their story. While revenge and justification feel really good, neither heal. Both of these beloved characters have to confront the fact that it’ll take more than justice to heal the wounds they’ve suffered. Tainted Love III is the end to whirl-wind roller coaster ride through hell, and hate-f*ck city, that brings healing to their angry and tortured souls.  
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Linda MARIE Pankow.
Author 37 books47 followers
July 10, 2021
This book had me taking breaks to read others because of how heavy the content was. If you're ready to have your emotions tore into, tossed back at you, and placed neatly infront of you as some sort of peace offering... Then you need to read this.
Profile Image for Jayne.
Author 15 books84 followers
June 28, 2021
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains mature subject matter pertaining to child abduction, alcoholism, and other abuse. !8+ Reader discretion advised.

Never has a TW been so appropriate, or a title been so apt. The author wants people to know this isn’t an easy ride before they dive into this book.

Tainted Love is an uncomfortable, but compelling read. Face it, a lot of people would see couples like Vixen and Whiskey in WalMart and judge them just for their tattoos, their crude language and tough demeanour. But dig a bit deeper, and you find a couple utterly devoted to each other and their adopted children. At first, it’s easy to dismiss Whiskey (Pax) as a thug, but he’s been through stuff no one would want their children to experience. Vixen is the rich girl who seems to have it all, but with an abusive mother and an absent father, she sees Whiskey as her soulmate. Whilst he is terrified of hurting her, she is determined their unique love will save both of them. She’s a tough cookie who takes no shit, whilst he is an anti-hero in the truest sense.

I read the trilogy because I don’t think you can really not after the first book. This is about survival, mental health, facing your fears and how to deal with being demonised by a media obsessed with lurid details and finding scapegoats. It’s a well-written, unusual love story which blossomed from a terrible place and now has to fight to survive.

Vixen isn’t a saint. She isn’t there to “save” Whiskey from himself. They save each other. She gives as good as she gets, and as the story progresses you can see their bond growing, lurching from crisis to crisis and coming back stronger.

The surrounding characters are brilliant, from the abusive mum who finds redemption, if not total forgiveness, and the slippery lawyer who is a diamond when it counts. And there are Ken, Verna and Cliff, Whiskey’s only comfort when they were all abducted, who have their own story in a coming prequel.

In short, I loved this book. It was so fresh, putting a unique and uncompromising spin on the romance genre. Even though there was some tragedy, the ending was all I hoped it would be. Whiskey and Vixen are true survivors.
100 reviews
May 3, 2021
Don't let the 5 stars fool you as I would give Tainted love a million stars if I could.I loved this book from the very first page I laughed and cried and was made uncomfortable as parts of this book were so sad.Whiskey and vixen are the greatest love story ever.I think the husband and wife team R&C Christiansen are genius writers to write something so dark yet with such beautiful parts you cry like a baby.No spoilers I think it's best to read this book without any outside influence.please read it if yo can it is one of those books I will read over again and keep forever x
Profile Image for Leighelle Stone.
Author 15 books44 followers
April 30, 2021
Whiskey and Vixen will make you laugh, cry, love them and hate them. The emotional roller coaster is so worth it!
They compliment each other so well and their back stories are crafted beautifully. Everything about Tainted Love is real, the trauma, the love, the way they handle things. Their journey is like no other I've read.
Whiskey is damn sweet and Vixen is a pistol. I sure as hell wouldn't have them any other way because reading their story felt natural and easy, even during the hard parts, and believe me, they were there. I wish there was more to their story.
I'm not ready to let go of them yet!!!
Profile Image for Torri Heat.
Author 26 books438 followers
January 22, 2021
Y’all. This series suckered me in from the first page, and now it’s a complete book which is AMAZING. If you love dark romance you need this book. There’s triggers in it, but the author deals with it in such a delicate and beautiful way. Whiskey is hot, and so so loveable. And Vixen? Man. She’s a girl after my own heart. Together they are steamy, and have an incredible story. I couldn’t wait to dive into the next book, and now you don’t have to because it’s RIGHT THERE. Go get this - you won’t regret it.
Profile Image for N. Dune.
Author 9 books140 followers
June 22, 2021
I read all three of these back to back without stopping for a breather because of the pull of the characters and the story. I felt all the emotions of this beautifully written trilogy needing tissues and emotional support. I also threw my phone occasionally (onto something soft) because that's where I read my books on my kindle app. But, I could not put it down despite my heart breaking in some places.
This author has the ability to write such heartwrenching stories that make you want to keep reading them no matter that you can barely see through the tears. This is why I immediately signed up to ARC read Whisper, the prequel. Don't even get me started on what that did to me.
You need Whiskey and Vixen in your life, even though it will be for a short time as you will no doubt devour their story as I did. But, don't worry, they will stay with you for a while after, to make sure you don't forget them.
Profile Image for Laura Lukasavage.
Author 12 books61 followers
August 28, 2021
Book review 😁
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

This series was amazingly beautiful, dark and funny at times. A moving story, so much growth, love, compassion and understanding.

Book 3 review
"I'm a metal man." Liam.
"You mean iron man." Vix.
😂😭🤣🤣🤣

Ok. Wow. This journey has been a Rollercoaster. Every book was different then the last and just as amazing.

Book 3, for me, was both the most heartbreaking and funniest for sure.

I love that in this book we get to see more with VIx and Liam and their family. Growing relationships, and relationships mended. However, we also have a lot of heartbreak, loss and an on the edge of your seat trial to endure.

This book has all the feels. Liams journey is amazing and deep in this book and it's nice to see how much he changes throughout it. And omg the kids and him are too cute and funny.

The author did an amazing job at both making you laugh and cry and I can't wait to see what other amazing stories she comes up with.

If your into reading something dark and beautiful then this is the series for you.
Profile Image for Cheryl  addie.
1,492 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2021
OMG awesome trilogy, made me laugh at times and cry others , well written,kept me riveted all day as I read it all the way thru
Profile Image for K.H. Kate.
Author 10 books197 followers
April 25, 2021
'Bonnie and Clyde in a nutshell.'

Whiskey and Vixen's story made me ugly cry for hours. It's dark and gritty, they are both broken and beaten but they always have each other. Their chemistry? Every page they were on just made me swoon. I can't wait to read more from Christiansen.
Profile Image for Nicci Harris.
Author 22 books2,522 followers
April 5, 2021
𝐖𝐨𝐰. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞.

We are thrown into Vixen & Whiskey's world. 😍😍 An already established duo. Established yes, but with burdens and hang ups and secrets.

They have a unique and special bond from page one.

Vixen is hot, rich, smart-mouthed and boy does she have a fierce bite. I loved her spirit. Her presence.

My beautiful Whiskey is a broken lost soul with big deep Vixen eyes. A possessive and strong hero with a heart of gold.

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 - 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.

It's a must read! It has dark themes but on these pages you'll find moving words, beautiful descriptions, and hot hate f#cking.

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘.

I'll be searching for another read by Christiansen now.... so laters!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
547 reviews13 followers
October 14, 2021
💙KU Read 💜

If I could give this trilogy more than 5 stars, I definitely would. This is an emotional, heartbreaking dark read. This trilogy is not for the faint of heart, triggers galore.

Whiskey and Vixen's love is volatile. Their sex is violent and they call it hate f**k city.

She has grown up with an alcoholic mother. He was locked in a basement with 3 other kids and made to do unspeakable things. Ken, Verna, and Cliffy became his only family until he met Vixen.

RC Christiansen wrote a beautiful love story about two broken souls. I've never read a story quite like this one.

I definitely recommend reading Whisper after this trilogy.

Style: Dark romance
Story: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Sexual Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: Yes
Violence: Yes
Series: Books 1-3
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Dual POV
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