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Desire and Deception #1
Taken by the King
After I and my parents were kidnapped, I survived only to become slave to a man who needed a body to impersonate his dead wife.
Being a dead ringer for the woman probably saved all our lives.
So, I was sold like chattel by the very people I trusted the most.
But this was just the beginning.
All I had to do was forget myself completely and become someone else.
To obey and submit to Sebastian Dimitrei’s darkest, ruthless desires.
To lose myself in him.
Being a dead ringer for the woman probably saved all our lives.
So, I was sold like chattel by the very people I trusted the most.
But this was just the beginning.
All I had to do was forget myself completely and become someone else.
To obey and submit to Sebastian Dimitrei’s darkest, ruthless desires.
To lose myself in him.
- GenresDark RomanceRomance
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2022
542 people are currently reading
1225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 3, 2023
There were problems
February 2, 2022
2.25 rating Reader be advised: DNF I started this book and got through the first half of the book before I noticed that the second book in this series doesn't come out until August 31, 2022. I NEVER read a book that's has a release date for the second book seven months later. Too much time between releases of a duet or series causes me to lose interest unless the author has done a very good job of captivating my interest.
The first 1/2 of this book has failed to do that. It has it moments and the characters are okay, just nothing out of the ordinary. The storyline and the characters have failed to provide me with any "got ya's" (other than the h looks like the dead wife). Otherwise, the story is pretty text book "revenge genre". I've read enough of this genre that I have some basic expectations; the story needs to be intriguing, have redeemable characters (including the dark and very dark characters) substance and staying power. Perhaps this series will provide something like that at a later date, but these stories need to have more than BDSM and sex scenes.
The story to date is okay and will perhaps get better. Their is no real backstory or character development throughout the first one-half of the book to help guide the reader into the why's and wherefores' of this plot. Marinka's character spends allot of time whining and masturbating visualizing Sebastian, her assailant f.....king her. Very little has been said about the dead wife or why Marinka looks like her and why Sebastain took her captive instead of just killing her father, the man who killed his wife. Daddy and mommy dearest had no problem selling their only daughter to a killer to save their own lives.
It's another "revenge plot" with a immature h taken as payment for her father's actions and an oversexed H. If that theme sounds familiar, it's because; it is. The only thing that is a bit interesting is that she is a "dead ringer" for the late wife, which could or could not mean anything. Sebastian's character is just another narcassistic anti-hero whose idea of justice includes taking an innocent young woman in the place of the real perpetrator's to pay for the "sins of mummy and daddy".
The first 1/2 of this book has failed to do that. It has it moments and the characters are okay, just nothing out of the ordinary. The storyline and the characters have failed to provide me with any "got ya's" (other than the h looks like the dead wife). Otherwise, the story is pretty text book "revenge genre". I've read enough of this genre that I have some basic expectations; the story needs to be intriguing, have redeemable characters (including the dark and very dark characters) substance and staying power. Perhaps this series will provide something like that at a later date, but these stories need to have more than BDSM and sex scenes.
The story to date is okay and will perhaps get better. Their is no real backstory or character development throughout the first one-half of the book to help guide the reader into the why's and wherefores' of this plot. Marinka's character spends allot of time whining and masturbating visualizing Sebastian, her assailant f.....king her. Very little has been said about the dead wife or why Marinka looks like her and why Sebastain took her captive instead of just killing her father, the man who killed his wife. Daddy and mommy dearest had no problem selling their only daughter to a killer to save their own lives.
It's another "revenge plot" with a immature h taken as payment for her father's actions and an oversexed H. If that theme sounds familiar, it's because; it is. The only thing that is a bit interesting is that she is a "dead ringer" for the late wife, which could or could not mean anything. Sebastian's character is just another narcassistic anti-hero whose idea of justice includes taking an innocent young woman in the place of the real perpetrator's to pay for the "sins of mummy and daddy".
January 4, 2023
Taken by the King is a book I was so excited to read. It had so much potential, but then it just went downhill.
Things that are included in story:
~ Marriage of convenience ✔️
~ Enemies to lovers ✔️
~ BDSM ✔️
~ Mafia Romance ✔️
~ Grumpy MMC ✔️
~ Sunshine FMC ✔️
"I swallowed, the implications of what was going on sinking in. My father had killed this man’s wife, and now their captor sought payback. Retribution."
Marinka Sevchenko wasn't aware of the fact that her family was part of the Mafia family. Both of her parents were absent in their own way.
Her father traveled a lot and her mother had 'better' things to do. So Marinka and her brother felt no parental love.
Because of one mistake that Russians made, Marinka's world turns upside down and she has to pay the price for their wrong doings.
Sebastian is Serbian crime lord. After having his wife killed by Sevchenko, he is looking for a way to make things even and to save his business.
He is the epitome of darkness. Everything about him is hard, dark, sadistic, punishing, etc.
The only solution to his problems is Marinka, the woman he's planning to break.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
What made me dislike the book and give it such a low rating:
I don't know whether or not the author did her research about Serbs and Serbian culture, but there are many things that are totally incorrect.
1. In the book, Sebastian and Marinka are getting married in a Catholic church. Now, I'm not saying there aren't any Catholic Russians and Serbs. But both, Russians and Serbs, are mainly Orthodox Christian.
So, I doubt that this would happen since Sebastian is represented as a 'BIG SERB' who needs to go around proving himself to be better than anyone else.
2. Author mentions a couple of times throughout the book how Balkans (mainly Serbs again) hate Russians. Which is, also, incorrect.
Serbs consider Russians to be a part of the family, just like the rest of the Slavs.
Maybe the hate between mafia families is possible. But other than that, the assertion is false.
3. Silly and incorrect first and last names for the characters.
Sebastian Dimitrei...
Dimitrei could be Russian last name. Or Dimitri/Dmitri for a first name
Since Sebastian is a Serb, there is no way his last name would be like that, unless his ancestors mingled with Russians.
The Serbian last names mainly end with 'ić', so the last name for Sebastian could be: Dimitrijević, Dimitrić...
Very easy to look up on the internet.
Also, the first names given to him and his brothers. As I understood, their family immigrated to Chicago, America from Serbia. So, giving them the names that are common in America is not unusual since they live there.
But: SPARKY, MILO...
Just... No.
4. Incorrect translation:
“Shee … mališa, Sebastian went to school and Lila is at the doctor’s. She’s always at the doctor’s,”
...
My father had just called her ‘little one’ in Serbian, as though she was a child. Confused, I kept on staring."
Mališa - Little one. (for a boy)
Malena - Little one. ( for a girl)
For me personally, there was no real chemistry between main characters. Everything just moved too quickly and changed suddenly.
There was no grovelling from Sebastian for the things that he did. Nor for the way he treated Marinka in the beginning of the book.
Things were hot and cold, time and time again.
Trigger warning: violence, blood, self-harming, suicide.
Things that are included in story:
~ Marriage of convenience ✔️
~ Enemies to lovers ✔️
~ BDSM ✔️
~ Mafia Romance ✔️
~ Grumpy MMC ✔️
~ Sunshine FMC ✔️
"I swallowed, the implications of what was going on sinking in. My father had killed this man’s wife, and now their captor sought payback. Retribution."
Marinka Sevchenko wasn't aware of the fact that her family was part of the Mafia family. Both of her parents were absent in their own way.
Her father traveled a lot and her mother had 'better' things to do. So Marinka and her brother felt no parental love.
Because of one mistake that Russians made, Marinka's world turns upside down and she has to pay the price for their wrong doings.
Sebastian is Serbian crime lord. After having his wife killed by Sevchenko, he is looking for a way to make things even and to save his business.
He is the epitome of darkness. Everything about him is hard, dark, sadistic, punishing, etc.
The only solution to his problems is Marinka, the woman he's planning to break.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
What made me dislike the book and give it such a low rating:
I don't know whether or not the author did her research about Serbs and Serbian culture, but there are many things that are totally incorrect.
1. In the book, Sebastian and Marinka are getting married in a Catholic church. Now, I'm not saying there aren't any Catholic Russians and Serbs. But both, Russians and Serbs, are mainly Orthodox Christian.
So, I doubt that this would happen since Sebastian is represented as a 'BIG SERB' who needs to go around proving himself to be better than anyone else.
2. Author mentions a couple of times throughout the book how Balkans (mainly Serbs again) hate Russians. Which is, also, incorrect.
Serbs consider Russians to be a part of the family, just like the rest of the Slavs.
Maybe the hate between mafia families is possible. But other than that, the assertion is false.
3. Silly and incorrect first and last names for the characters.
Sebastian Dimitrei...
Dimitrei could be Russian last name. Or Dimitri/Dmitri for a first name
Since Sebastian is a Serb, there is no way his last name would be like that, unless his ancestors mingled with Russians.
The Serbian last names mainly end with 'ić', so the last name for Sebastian could be: Dimitrijević, Dimitrić...
Very easy to look up on the internet.
Also, the first names given to him and his brothers. As I understood, their family immigrated to Chicago, America from Serbia. So, giving them the names that are common in America is not unusual since they live there.
But: SPARKY, MILO...
Just... No.
4. Incorrect translation:
“Shee … mališa, Sebastian went to school and Lila is at the doctor’s. She’s always at the doctor’s,”
...
My father had just called her ‘little one’ in Serbian, as though she was a child. Confused, I kept on staring."
Mališa - Little one. (for a boy)
Malena - Little one. ( for a girl)
For me personally, there was no real chemistry between main characters. Everything just moved too quickly and changed suddenly.
There was no grovelling from Sebastian for the things that he did. Nor for the way he treated Marinka in the beginning of the book.
Things were hot and cold, time and time again.
Trigger warning: violence, blood, self-harming, suicide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
Good read.
Rated 4 because of the reputation in the beginning of the book about a few things which i got kinda annoyed with, and grammar im not one to go on about grammer but sometimes it was bad, there would be a random word in a sentance. Made it hard to stay focused on story trying to figure this out if it happened one time i wouldnt said anything but it was multiple. I am not an editor, and i myself couldn’t write a book but i feel it should be called out if the author decides to do an update on the book.
That being said i liked how the mmc was fallng slowly for the fmc. He was trying hard to be a jerk and prove his point but he just couldnt stop falling. He got mad at her because she was right about something. He has a soft side. I love the fiesty fmc shes fun, shes confused and shes got some deep seated mother issues. I would have like the spice sooner in the book but it developed at the right pace for the characters i think.
Rated 4 because of the reputation in the beginning of the book about a few things which i got kinda annoyed with, and grammar im not one to go on about grammer but sometimes it was bad, there would be a random word in a sentance. Made it hard to stay focused on story trying to figure this out if it happened one time i wouldnt said anything but it was multiple. I am not an editor, and i myself couldn’t write a book but i feel it should be called out if the author decides to do an update on the book.
That being said i liked how the mmc was fallng slowly for the fmc. He was trying hard to be a jerk and prove his point but he just couldnt stop falling. He got mad at her because she was right about something. He has a soft side. I love the fiesty fmc shes fun, shes confused and shes got some deep seated mother issues. I would have like the spice sooner in the book but it developed at the right pace for the characters i think.
February 2, 2022
This book has you gripped from the first paragraph and it doesn't stop until the last one.
Marinka Sevchenko has no idea that her parents had ties to the Russian Mafia, all she knew was that her father worked a lot and her mother had no time for either of her children. Only once they are kidnapped by Sebastian Dimitrei in retaliation for her parents killing his wife, does the story start to unravel. To save her own life, Marinka's mother gives her to Sebastian as she bares a passing resemblance to his dead wife. This first part finished quickly and on a cliff hanger. Now to wait for the next part.
The story is not for those looking for a sweet story, there's violence and very steamy, dirty scenes. If you enjoyed 365 days, you'll enjoy this.
Marinka Sevchenko has no idea that her parents had ties to the Russian Mafia, all she knew was that her father worked a lot and her mother had no time for either of her children. Only once they are kidnapped by Sebastian Dimitrei in retaliation for her parents killing his wife, does the story start to unravel. To save her own life, Marinka's mother gives her to Sebastian as she bares a passing resemblance to his dead wife. This first part finished quickly and on a cliff hanger. Now to wait for the next part.
The story is not for those looking for a sweet story, there's violence and very steamy, dirty scenes. If you enjoyed 365 days, you'll enjoy this.
October 17, 2023
Marinka Sevchenko didn't know her parents were connected to the Russian Mafia; all she knew was that her mother didn't have time for either of her kids and her father worked a lot. The plot only begins to come together after they are abducted by Sebastian Dimitrei in vengeance for her parents' murder of his wife. Marinka's mother offers her to Sebastian because she resembles his late wife just enough to spare her own life. There are numerous grammar mistakes. However, it works well if all you want is a fast, dominant kind of read. As someone said if you're into 365 Days kind of book you will like this one.
September 22, 2022
starts good then …
I’m very rarely someone who writes a review for a book but, here we are. The beginning of this book held promise. And then, the promise was gone. I am not one to DNF a book but this was close to being a DNF. I like the plot idea of this book, don’t get me wrong. However, it moves very quickly into a strange territory where there is a large disconnect of the characters and I lost my investment in them to the point where this book ended on a cliffhanger and I’m not remotely interested in the second book.
I’m very rarely someone who writes a review for a book but, here we are. The beginning of this book held promise. And then, the promise was gone. I am not one to DNF a book but this was close to being a DNF. I like the plot idea of this book, don’t get me wrong. However, it moves very quickly into a strange territory where there is a large disconnect of the characters and I lost my investment in them to the point where this book ended on a cliffhanger and I’m not remotely interested in the second book.
March 9, 2022
Mafia….
I was looking for a mafia book and this book popped up. It was pretty good, it just felt a little juvenile when reading it. What I mean by juvenile is the word choice did not feel as elegant as some of the other books that I’ve read. The plot line is good, you have an alpha male who kidnaps a innocent female and it’s how he slowly falls for her. It was good I will probably read book two but again it just felt like it could’ve done with a little bit of sprucing up.
I was looking for a mafia book and this book popped up. It was pretty good, it just felt a little juvenile when reading it. What I mean by juvenile is the word choice did not feel as elegant as some of the other books that I’ve read. The plot line is good, you have an alpha male who kidnaps a innocent female and it’s how he slowly falls for her. It was good I will probably read book two but again it just felt like it could’ve done with a little bit of sprucing up.
June 20, 2022
Not my cupnof tea...
I got to about page 100 and I just couldn't finish this. I'm not feeling the characters and there is nothing to the story to keep me intrigued. The story started off with a lot of action and I had high hopes for the story, but it fell flat very quickly for me. The images or scenes used on TikTok gave me high hopes for this story, but it's a no for me. Too many books and not enough time. I'm going to have to stop and possibly come back to it.
I got to about page 100 and I just couldn't finish this. I'm not feeling the characters and there is nothing to the story to keep me intrigued. The story started off with a lot of action and I had high hopes for the story, but it fell flat very quickly for me. The images or scenes used on TikTok gave me high hopes for this story, but it's a no for me. Too many books and not enough time. I'm going to have to stop and possibly come back to it.
January 22, 2023
A very choppy read
This book is very sloppy. So many misspellings and inconsistencies. Also, there is no flow of the story, it’s very choppy and there are gaps. It’s almost like you come in halfway through a book at the beginning. And I absolutely hate when authors make the MMC a manwhore then we are suppose to want him to be with the FMC. He is constantly with other women and even in front of her making her watch. It feels yuck.
This book is very sloppy. So many misspellings and inconsistencies. Also, there is no flow of the story, it’s very choppy and there are gaps. It’s almost like you come in halfway through a book at the beginning. And I absolutely hate when authors make the MMC a manwhore then we are suppose to want him to be with the FMC. He is constantly with other women and even in front of her making her watch. It feels yuck.
July 31, 2023
Worst read ever
I DNF'd this at 43%. I'm sad I wasted so much time on it. I just couldn't get into this. Its boring and childishly written. The part on self harm was just a shambles. 'Stop self harming or I'll sell you,' 'ok I'll stop,' cos it works like that. Just no. Do not waste your time on this poorly written book. There's mountains of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
I DNF'd this at 43%. I'm sad I wasted so much time on it. I just couldn't get into this. Its boring and childishly written. The part on self harm was just a shambles. 'Stop self harming or I'll sell you,' 'ok I'll stop,' cos it works like that. Just no. Do not waste your time on this poorly written book. There's mountains of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
November 23, 2022
Enemies to lovers
TW: If you are sensitive to cutting then be aware that the FMC is a cutter. Forced marriage, enemies to lovers, daddy vibes. Only one hang up for me the editing needs some work. Lots of typos and areas where the writing could be improved throughout the book. In some of the scenes it distracts from the impact.
TW: If you are sensitive to cutting then be aware that the FMC is a cutter. Forced marriage, enemies to lovers, daddy vibes. Only one hang up for me the editing needs some work. Lots of typos and areas where the writing could be improved throughout the book. In some of the scenes it distracts from the impact.
Read
December 24, 2022DNF: 9%
Not for me. I love dark romance, and even captive, and or bratva/mafia romance.
What I'm not liking here is that both MCs are fighting each other for power using sexual head games. They've had next to no interaction. What little they have had is to attempt to use sex against each other.
Just nope.
Not for me. I love dark romance, and even captive, and or bratva/mafia romance.
What I'm not liking here is that both MCs are fighting each other for power using sexual head games. They've had next to no interaction. What little they have had is to attempt to use sex against each other.
Just nope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2022
It was a standard dark mafia romance book. It lost me at times; the author was repetitive in some aspects, and there were some irregularities. I would read the second one, just out of curiosity. Not quite a page turner, but enjoyable for what it is.
April 25, 2022
An okay hot read
The story is a bit all over the place, and there are several grammatical errors. However, if you are just wanting a quick, hot, dominant type read, it does the trick.
The story is a bit all over the place, and there are several grammatical errors. However, if you are just wanting a quick, hot, dominant type read, it does the trick.
June 28, 2022
Wtf!!!
I can't believe I fail to know that this was a duet or series, I can't, come on, I just don't do in progress books, I just love the first one, I hope I don't forget about the next one. Read it people.
I can't believe I fail to know that this was a duet or series, I can't, come on, I just don't do in progress books, I just love the first one, I hope I don't forget about the next one. Read it people.
November 25, 2022
I liked this story, the way it was set out. I do feel that the ending was rushed. There was also quite a few spelling mistakes or wrong words. I will continue the story to find out where their journey goes ☺️
Read
January 9, 2023DNF.
I love mafia books, arrange marriage, smut, and can tolerate enemies to lovers but this book was not it for me. Spiting the other with sexual mental games and with OW does not sit well with me.
Others might like this one but I’ll have to pass.
I love mafia books, arrange marriage, smut, and can tolerate enemies to lovers but this book was not it for me. Spiting the other with sexual mental games and with OW does not sit well with me.
Others might like this one but I’ll have to pass.
Read
March 21, 2023Good but....
I did enjoy the story. However, there were many grammatical and typographical errors. Was a bit frustrating at times. But again, I did enjoy the story and will move on to the next.
I did enjoy the story. However, there were many grammatical and typographical errors. Was a bit frustrating at times. But again, I did enjoy the story and will move on to the next.
May 15, 2023
DNF 6%
His interest in her because she looked like his dead wife...gross
Him fucking another woman in front of her...even worse
Honestly didn't like a single thing I read and felt nothing deleting it off my kindle
His interest in her because she looked like his dead wife...gross
Him fucking another woman in front of her...even worse
Honestly didn't like a single thing I read and felt nothing deleting it off my kindle
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2023
The king can take me!!!
First book to be read by the author(s) Sophia Snowe. This book waz recommended a lot on Instagram and I'm glad I decided to give it a read. With a cliffhanger like that I gotta get my hands on book two
First book to be read by the author(s) Sophia Snowe. This book waz recommended a lot on Instagram and I'm glad I decided to give it a read. With a cliffhanger like that I gotta get my hands on book two
February 11, 2024
good but has some typos
The overall story is well done. However there are several typos or words that were autocorrected that are incorrect. There are also some scenes that could use a bit more description. With a round of proof reading/editing it’ll be a five star review.
The overall story is well done. However there are several typos or words that were autocorrected that are incorrect. There are also some scenes that could use a bit more description. With a round of proof reading/editing it’ll be a five star review.
June 28, 2024
lets just say that this wasn't the worst book ever. the enemies to lovers, forced proximity, arranged marriage, and BDSM made this book pretty entertaining. if you're thinking about reading this book i would definitely say go for it, but you have to have an open mind.
Read
February 14, 2022Loved this book. It was dark and mysterious. The characters were authentic and well rounded. Can't wait for another book.
February 23, 2022
Great book.
Wow wow wow an excellent read first time I reader a book by Mina and I was not disappointed at alll.
Wow wow wow an excellent read first time I reader a book by Mina and I was not disappointed at alll.
March 1, 2022
A must read
Captivating from start to end. The story unfolds on its own. It's like you cannot read fast enough to find out what happened or is going to happen
Captivating from start to end. The story unfolds on its own. It's like you cannot read fast enough to find out what happened or is going to happen
March 8, 2022
Nope
Couldn’t finish this mess. To immature for me.
I don’t have 12 more words to use for you Amazon. 🤨
Couldn’t finish this mess. To immature for me.
I don’t have 12 more words to use for you Amazon. 🤨
March 8, 2022
Eh, lots and lots of grammar and spelling errors that were hard to get past. The story was ok and I might read the second book but I don't know yet.
March 27, 2022
I love mafia romances but this was all over the place and I couldn’t really get interested in the main characters romance
April 19, 2022
Can't wait
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews