מפלט אכזרי

Wages of Sin #1

by Tara Leigh, טל לוי אסקרי (Translator )

דיימון קינג
אומרים שניו יורק היא מגרש המשחקים של השטן. מי שאומר את זה, טועה.
העיר שייכת לי, וכך גם אייסלין גרנוויל. כבתו המפונקת של פוליטיקאי, היא חונכה לחייך ולהנהן ולעשות את מה שאומרים לה, רק שזה ממש לא מתיישב עם האופי שלה, ואף שאני אחד האנשים המסוכנים ביותר שהיא אי פעם תפגוש, היא אף פעם לא מקשיבה לי.
בעיר הזאת, השורצת גנבים ופושעים, אני הייתי זה ששמר עליה בטוחה מפני האויבים של אביה, מפני האויבים שלי, ובעיקר מפניי. כל זה עומד להשתנות.

אייסלין גרנוויל
כל חיי ציפו ממני שאלך בתלם, עד שאבי וארוסי לעתיד עשו צעד אחד רחוק מדי והחלטתי שנמאס לי לשחק את המשחק. עכשיו אני נרדפת, מאוימת, נתונה לחסדיו של האיש השנוא עליי ביותר, שטוען שהוא היחיד שיכול להציל אותי, אך גם הוא רוצה להשליט עליי את מרותו. האם השטן, כפי שדיימון טוען, שורץ ברחובות ניו יורק? או שמא הוא עצמו השטן הנוראי ביותר?

מפלט אכזרי מאת סופרת רבי המכר טרה לי הוא רומן עכשווי רווי מתח, מסתורין ותשוקה בלתי נשלטת, אשר תשאב אתכם אל העולם התחתון של העיר נוי יורק, ותשאיר אתכם משתוקקים לעוד.
זה הספר הראשון בדואט מחיר החטא. הספר השני בדואט, מושיע מושחת, ראה אור בהוצאת אדל. הדואט כיכב ברשימות רבי המכר בעולם וכבש את לבבות הקוראים.

Genres: Romance, Dark, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Erotica

252 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

Want to keep up with Tara Leigh and hear all the news & behind the scenes details about her books? Just click here: http://bit.ly/TaraLeighNwsltr. And are you a member of her exclusive readers group? http://bit.ly/TaraLeighReaders

Tara Leigh writes sexy contemporary romance about billionaires and rock stars that are alpha without being ***holes.

She attended Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia Business School in New York, and worked on Wall Street and Main Street before “retiring” to become a wife and mother. When the people in her head became just as real as the people in her life, she decided to put their stories on paper. Tara currently lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut with her husband, children and fur-baby, Pixie.

Do you love signed paperbacks? Want to know if Tara will be signing at an event? Do want to check out all the gorgeous teasers for Tara's books? Are you a writer looking for tips on writing and publishing? Check her website! https://www.taraleighbooks.com

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Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Sanctuary is book one in The Wages of Sin duet by Tara Leigh. Book two, the final book, Corrupt Savior, is due out in May. This is one of those books that you just sit in awe. How did Tara’s mind conjure these words? This book took over my mind while I was reading it. I couldn’t think of anything else. I highlighted practically half the book in quotes and now I have to choose which ones to share with you. I need to somehow come up with the right words to convey how I feel about this book and I have no idea how I’ll be able do that.



Aislinn Granville, only child of James Granville, had everything she thought her life stood for ripped right out from under her in one fell swoop. Nothing had been as it seemed. Not only was her father not the man she thought he was, nor was his chief of staff and her sometimes casual lover, Chad Lytton. And now it seems that her life is in danger and the devil himself wants to protect her.

“Damon King might reign over Manhattan, but I will never bow to him.”



Damon King rules New York. He walks a line between the political elite and the underworld. Nothing happens that he doesn’t orchestrate in one way or another. Damon has watched Aislinn from a distance for years. He always knew that one day she would be his for however long he chose to keep her. Now is that time. She needs to be protected. She will be safe with him, but not safe from him.

“Aislinn Granville is supposed to be an entertaining diversion. A vice that won’t corrupt my body or mind. I am already corrupt. In this city, I am the king of corruption.”



Aislinn is not the pampered woman Damon thought her to be. She’s smart, she’s tough, and she has secrets. He thought he knew everything about her, but she is a constant surprise to him. Damon represents everything to Aislinn she hates. He wants to control her and she will not be controlled. But the more she looks, the more she sees. That maybe there is more to this man.

“After a lifetime of being the dutiful daughter, the good girl, minding my manners, I am intrigued by the darkness Damon has exposed me to. Tonight, I want to dance with the devil.”



Aislinn was just supposed to be temporary, until she was safe. But the longer she is under his care, the more Damon feels like he won’t be able to let her go.

“Darkness is where I thrive. Dark minds. Dark rooms. Dark hearts. Except that my heart doesn’t feel so dark anymore. Aislinn has brought light into my life.”



I’m going to stop here. There are so many secrets. Things Damon knows that he doesn’t share with Aislinn that are still to be revealed. The chemistry between these two is off the charts hot! You want to dislike Damon. He definitely lives on the dark side. But you can’t help but love him as well. It’s obvious the affect Aislinn has on him. That they NEED to be together. Yes, there is a cliffhanger. But the other half of this duet will be out in no time. I can’t say enough how amazing this book is. How beautiful Tara’s words are. I was riveted. Did I convince you yet? I hope so because you don’t want to go one more day without reading this book.

“I will be her sanctuary.”
“Aislinn Granville is my victory.
And I claim her,
As mine.”

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: ➳ Cruel Sanctuary
Series ➳The Wages of Sin Series 1#
Author: ➳ Tara Leigh
Publication: ➳March 25th 2019
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
💖💖💖💖💖

➳Aislinn Granville, most would think me to be pampered politician’s daughter. Untouched by real tragedy, Lil do most know my secrets
I use to work for a cushy political consulting firm, until my father (James Granville) the Manhattan district attorney told me he would be running in the next election for mayor. I decided to go work for my father, even though we aren’t very close
Somewhere along the way my father & his assistant got them self into something that they couldn’t get them out of. These two have made PR nightmare even I can’t fix
That’s when Damon King was called in to help…. Only thing is at what price will Mr. King be paid? Who who’s soul will be sacrifice?

➳ Damon King , he consider to most the last resort- He no trust fund brat. Nor was he born a Mafia prince. But to some he might be revered as the boogeyman of Manhattan. He has accumulated his power & fortune the only way that he knows how to by truly be earning it, with worked hard.
Some might think of him as the fixer in the same way the devil is. but only time will tell

➳ I love how strong & feisty Aislinn is… She not willing to bow down to the all mighty Damon King

❤💕 Of course, you are going to find some very steamy scenes. But you are also going to find so much more then you expected in this book. If you love bit of mystery, suspense, alpha male, corrupt men, feisty female’s, secrets, lies & murder- This book for you – I do want to warn you there is a cliffhanger

ღ I was so excited to get my hands on this book, after reading Blurb on this babe & of course Tara Leigh didn’t disappoint

➦📚 Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
Books should be read in order:

Book 1: Cruel Sanctuary-Release: March 25, 2019
Book 2: Corrupt Savior- Expected publication: May 13th 2019

-------------------------- Happy Reading ---------

➦ 💕 I received an EXCLUSIVE copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of it. 💕
💕 . .**This has not influenced my review.* **

💕 ✎Paulette Review ❤💕

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been on a bit of a streak lately with awesome books. I pretty much LOVED every minute of this. I read a book by this author awhile back (ROCK KING) and enjoyed it quite a lot. I am not sure why I didn't continue with that series, but I am certainly glad I went with my gut and signed up for an early copy of this book. It had everything I LOVE in a romance book, and none of the cliché crap I hate. (lol)

 
So deets...I found this to be a well written and well paced. It was a relatively short book that took me around two hours (give or take) to finish. It was told in a dual POV format. The plot was engaging and held my attention throughout. I didn't find it particularly angsty. More like acrimonious foreplay. (lol) The sex scenes were smokin' hot. It had an intriguing cast of secondary characters. I ADORED both the main characters in this book. Damon's character is my favorite type of anti-hero. He was a bossy a$$hole. He was damaged. He was sexy as sin. However, underneath all that is lurking a decent human being that will protect Aislinn with his life. As much as I loved Damon, I LOVED Aislinn even more. Girl had a set of balls on her. (lol) She gave as good as she got. She wasn't a pushover. She was also sweet and kind. Together these two had OFF THE CHARTS on page chemistry. Last, it was all wrapped up in a whopper of a cliffhanger, and I am not above begging for book two ASAP!

 
SIDE NOTE: I've mentioned this before, and I want to mention it on this review as well. I really appreciate authors that can write a fantastic story that includes no pointless or cliché OW drama. Such was the case here. No, Damon wasn't a saint (and thank the lord Aislinn wasn't a virgin), but their sexual pasts didn't play a third character, nor was there even a BLIP of OW drama. So I am giving the author props for that, and I hope book two continues to be OW free.

 

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |


THIS SOUNDS DIVINE!

Book 1 in duet
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
They say New York City is the Devil’s Playground.
They’re wrong.
This city belongs to me.
And so does Aislinn Granville.
She is a pampered politician’s daughter.
A decorative ornament,
raised to smile and nod and do what she’s told.
Except… she doesn’t. Not with me. Ever.
In this city full of thugs and thieves, I’ve kept Aislinn safe.
From my enemies.
From me.
Until now.

Book 1: Cruel Sanctuary
Book 2: Corrupt Savior

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤ 5 STARS❤❤

This was a fantastic read, from page one till the end!I fall in love with the characters and the story was brilliant.Damon and Aislinn rocked the story.They have a great chemistry.So much tension and passion and angst!



Aislinn is so strong and sassy, I loved her and I could easily relate to her.Damon is dark,sexy and so swoon worthy!He wants to protect her and omg my heart is so full with him!I loved their moments together!!

"Damon my dark knight, took my night-mare and turned it into a fantasy."

I need the next book, this one left me speechless and I want more!It was so addictive , fast paced and captivating!


 

  

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Cruel Sanctuary
AUTHOR: Tara Leigh
SERIES Wages of Sin #1
GENRE: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
FORMAT: ebook
STAR RATING: ★★★★★
CLIFFHANGER: Yes








I'm not going to tell you a lot about the plot of CRUEL SANCTUARY. I think picking this up only knowing about the story what the blurb tells you is (intriguing) enough. Instead I'll tell you about the characters that drive this story to its cliffhanger end.

I love a good anti-hero. The one shrouded in darkness that gets cracks when he meets his match and all of a sudden the light comes through. Damon rules over New York from the underworld, nothing goes past him without him knowing. He is the puppet master of criminals and politicians alike, keeping a well adjusted balance. He's a former hacker, as brilliant and ingenious as he is depraved.

I invade Aislinn’s body like an army. Like a starving, vengeful, bloodthirsty soldier intent on domination.
Subjugation.
She is the spoils of a war I never knew I was fighting. Aislinn Granville is my victory.
And I claim her.
As mine.

When he made his first appearance I rubbed my hands giddily because I knew I'd be in for a treat. He is a cocky, unconscionable man who loves to rile up Aislinn. He has wanted her since he saw her in pictures of a magazine on the walls of his prison cell. But as it is always with these men, they want something, think they can take it and then walk away. So my gleeful reaction is "Who the heck is he kidding?" And sure as hell this heroine is going to make him eat his words. The way he underestimates her is a thing of beauty.

Aislinn is a sassy, feisty firecracker and ready to go to extremes and she makes herself look cool as a cucumber in the process. She literally set her bed on fire, what after that ensued is probably one of my favorite scenes in a book. I loved her strength, her clear head and ability to open her heart and her steadfast morals. However, her black-or-white view of everything shifted when she learned more about Damon and his past.

Damon King is a ruthless bastard. A dark warrior with the soul of a savior.

Damon walks the edge between good and evil but it becomes clear very soon that he has his own code of honor, that ensures that he will never fall victim to the dark completely. Although I suppose he may come close, when the woman he has been obsessing over for years is in danger. I was so looking forward to his reaction  when he realized that Aislinn wasn't the spoiled daughter he thought her to be.

Their connection is at first based on necessity and hate-lust but damn they make the air crackle with sexual tension. Aislinn has every intention to resist Damon (and fails) and Damon won't accept anything less than total destruction of Aislinn's resistance and armor. This sexual attraction turns into something more profound once they get to know each other - Damon's vulnerability made my heart go pitter-patter.

What I just experienced was a full-body paroxysm of the most intense pleasure I’d ever felt.
A total body detonation.
Domination.
Courtesy of Damon King.
Motherfucker.

Tara Leigh's writing is descriptive, engaging and captivating. I marked so many quotes that moved me in some way. She has this vibrant, brisk writing style that makes it super fast to read. So now I'm a bit miffed because I have to wait a couple of weeks until the second of this duet releases. CRUEL SANCTUARY is sexy, suspenseful, a little dark and entirely seductive. I couldn't move my eyes away from my Kindle. Tara Leigh has a new fan.

[Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog•• · Rating 5 out of 5]

And still a week later....... I’m pretty speechless. Scrambling for words to describe just how much I loved this one!!! So, I’m gonna try to sum it up.


This book. From start to finish, Tara Leigh you had me from the first chapter. And now I’m begging you for the next installment 🙏🏻🙏🏻



I’m not going to go into detail about the story because, I’m one of those believers that you go in blind and this book, it’s the perfect example of that.

Damon & Aislinn dominate this story, between the chemistry they have between them, the angst, and my god the passion, it’s left me a mess🙃



I have devoured Tara’s previous books, but this is a new style, a darker romance and damn did she rock it. This story is brilliantly told, the writing was exceptional. I absolutely adore a story where you love the hero, love the heroine, and LOVE the couple. Hands down recommend this book to all you romance lovers, and definitely an added book to my favorites list!!

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Cruel Sanctuary (The Wages of Sin #1)
Author: Tara Leigh
Publication Date: March 25, 2019

Can this woman do no wrong?!
Cruel Sanctuary was brilliant!

My copy of the book is highlighted like nobody's business.... just proves to show how much I enjoyed it.

I have loved every book written by Tara and I was genuinely really excited and intrigued when she said that she was planning on writing a book that is very different from the ones she has written in the past.
Cruel Sanctuary is absolutely seductive and sexy.

I am actually speechless..which is saying a lot because apparently, I tend to talk too much. LOL!

I've read my fair share of anti-hero romance books but this book just takes the crown. The storyline is so enticing and the characters...woh! they are something else!



Damon King...he is just wow. He is like the boogeyman of Manhattan. He is feared and revered by all. He oozes masculinity with a huge dollop of intellect that is so bloody attractive.

Aislinn Granville is strong, confident and feisty. She is also smart as she is stunning. And, I think I have a girl crush on her.

In Tara's words, The chemistry between Aislinn and Damon gave me a full-body paroxysm of the most intense pleasure. I loved Damon's protective nature too!

Tara has given us a marvellously addictive page turner that is perfectly wedged between right and wrong. A story that makes my veins zing with excitement.
I can't wait for you guys to read this book!

I Salut you Tara! I can't wait to read Corrupt Saviour.

NOTE: If you can, try not to read a review with spoilers. Trust me, This book is so good. Worth your pennies. worth every emotion. worth your time.





 

[Karen Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Leigh makes one spectacular splash of a dark romance debut in Cruel Sanctuary! Deliciously dark, seductively sexy, and passionately poignant, this riveting roller coaster of a romance hits all the feels. You’ll be left begging for mercy and screaming for more!

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

The man is a savage dressed in a bespoke suit. A sinfully sexy savage.

It's no secret that I love me a good anti-hero, and when the name of a duet has "Sin" in it? Well, you best believe I'm going to be all over it.

Cruel Sanctuary was completely different from what I've come to expect from Tara Leigh. It's grittier. It's sexier. And it's a whole lot darker. I would say that for those looking to dip their toes into the darker reads genre, this is the perfect gateway book. It's not too dark, but it's definitely not a walk in the park either.

Lies, secrets, political agendas and betrayals, and murder, all wrapped up in one sinful page turner of a read.

Aislinn Granville is a politician's daughter with plenty of career aspirations of her own. But when she learns that her father is not just crooked but his actions have also painted a target on her back with a ruthless Cartel, her world comes crumbling down. All of her carefully constructed walls are now in danger of crumbling to a man that's determined to kick his way in if it means protecting her.

Damon King.

*rarrrrr*

This man. A criminal that built himself an underground empire is now the only man capable of protecting Aislinn, whether she likes it or not. And let me just tell you, the sparks fly immediately between these two. And not just from their chemistry. Aislinn is none too thrilled to be essentially kidnapped by Damon and whisked into his life, even if he claims it's for her own good. She doesn't trust him, no matter if he makes her pulse pound as much as he makes her blood boil.

Have you ever been fucked by a man who knows what you want better than you do? I promise it’s worth begging for, princess.”

I loved the delicious tension between these two. Aislinn is not afraid to put Damon in his place, and it definitely makes for some fun banter.

There's so many layers that get unraveled in this book, and I can't wait for all the answers that book two is sure to bring!

beta read

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[Rochelle ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weeks after devouring Cruel Sanctuary, I’m still floating within the clouds, unable to step away from this enthralling introduction with a clear conscience. Beautiful darkness and enrapturing suspense creeping through this wonderfully written narrative ensnares your attention, pulling you towards its gravity of jaw-dropping revelations and heart-stopping unexpectations. Aislinn and Damon’s sinfully decadent chemistry renders you breathless, totally captivated and utterly wanton.

Damon King might reign over Manhattan, but I will never bow to him.

Damon King is my newest obsession, an irresistible dangerous enigma with an imposing and conceited attitude that infuriates you, but also leaves your insides a confused mess of fluttering desire. I’m unable to resist the complexity buried underneath a ruthless anti-hero, one who exudes sweet corruption and merciless intentions, but carefully unfurls an unexpected compassionate side. Witnessing this emotionally detached man quietly obsess over Aislinn’s safety sends the heart soaring and belly fluttering with so many good feelings. Despite walking the fine line between right and wrong in precarious ways, Damon possesses a personally instilled code of honour, a sliver of goodness that balances the darkness inside.

Damon King is a ruthless bastard. A dark warrior with the soul of a savior.

I adore a fierce and feisty heroine with an inner strength that conflicts and coincides with the hero’s equally intense personality. Aislinn Granville astounded me—she’s carefully constructed walls around her heart, fortifying them whenever possible, but when those constructs begin to crumble she learns to embrace the darkness surrounding Damon. Her ability to maintain an open mind and caring heart, as well as remaining undeterred and resolute, despite her deeply ingrained ethics being continuously challenged by an infuriating hero is an admirable feat of strength.

After a lifetime of being the dutiful daughter, the good girl, minding my manners, I am intrigued by the darkness Damon has exposed me to. Tonight, I want to dance with the devil.

Aislinn and Damon’s connection bursts with hatred filled lust; a type of chemistry with an intensity that crackles seamlessly into a passion filled relationship as they open up to each other. I love this author’s writing—the poetic, almost fairytale-esque nature of it with a hint of darkness to balance the scattered sweet moments throughout. And she writes a brooding asshole so damn effortlessly, you can’t help but love him, even when he is insufferable!

Darkness is where I thrive. Dark minds. Dark rooms. Dark hearts. Except that my heart doesn’t feel so dark anymore. Aislinn has brought light into my life.

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[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
“Who am I? Hacker. Criminal. Murderer. A thug in a ten-thousand-dollar suit. I am all of those things. And I’m also the man who will keep Aislinn Granville alive.”

With Cruel Sanctuary Tara Leigh dips her feet into the dark romance, suspense romance genre and she did this so well, that this book should definitely come with a warning:
It’s so sinful and sexy that your glasses and windows fog over as soon as you open it. Grabbing, no … demanding your attention from the first page to the very last!

“Damon King might reign over Manhatten, but I will never bow to him.”

Tara Leigh created a savage playground for dark and tainted souls. Both main characters play hard and they play to win. The game is on with the first encounter of Aislinn and Damon. Their physical attraction steals your breath and together they completely negate normal rules. With Damnon and Aislinn nothing is normal.

“After all, if I want to sin, who better to sin with than the devil himself?”

Aislinn is strong and feisty. Confident and proud. She knows what she wants, has a clear view of what is right and wrong. Carrying her scarred soul like an armor she slowly learns that not everything that shines like gold is actually gold. However, she doesn’t fail to see the light in Damon where he only sees true darkness.

“Right here, right now. Damon King is my lord and my liege. My captor and savior.”

Damon is a predator, a lion that likes to hunt, to scare and to rule. New York is his cage and Aislinn his prey. With his power he’s used to get what he wants, even if the way to get there is unconventional. He’s a perfect alpha male with a dark and scarred soul oblivious to the longing to be saved.

“Aislinn Granville is a custom tattoo, a permanent injection of ink into my skin.”

The story in Cruel Sanctuary is an enticing puzzle you have to solve. Not only the relationship between Aislinn and Damon but also what’s happening in between. The supsense that is building from chapter to chapter, unveils layers of lies one by one. The author puts us in Aislinn’s shoes, totally oblivious to what’s happening, how real the threat is and discovering piece by piece that people you believed good are actually the bad ones here.

“Damon King is a ruthless bastard. A dark warrior with the soul of a savior. A cruel, corrupt savior who believes himself beyond redemption.”

This first book in The Wages of Sin Duet is about desire. As much as sexual desire as the the desire for power, the desire to rule. This combination is a dangerous one and doomed to explode.
Cruel Sanctuary is beautifully captivating, sinful, dark and definitely far from normal, leaving us with a very fitting cliffhanger. Be prepared to get your soul tainted!

“I don’t do normal, princess. Never have, never will.”

[Tara Leigh]

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[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ❤️❤️❤️❤️⚡️🔥⚡️🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️

Would you like to be “Kinged”?? ⚡️🔥⚡️

Damon King. A ruthless bastard. A dark warrior with the soul of a saviour. King of corruption.

Aislinn Granville. Political strategist, beautiful, with a fire in her that remained undimmed.

Due to a rising political scandal, Aislinn needed protection and Damon was the right person for this task.

They were two absolute opposites who had an amazing chemistry.

“I am intrigued by the darkness Damon has exposed me to.
Tonight, I want to dance with the devil.” Aislinn

While they spent time with each other, various layers of their characters were unveiled.

“Damon, I’ve been face-to-face with true darkness. You may think that is all you are - but I see the light in you.” Aislinn

“When it comes to Aislinn Granville, want is my default mode.” Damon

An intriguing romance read, suspenseful, dangerous, sinful, very well written and fast paced.

[Nicole Dykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!!! If you want action and a hot alpha male, here you go!! I liked the writing style and really enjoyed this book! This is my first Tara Leigh book, but it won't be my last!!!

[Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m definitely in the minority with this book. Everything about the blurb told me I would love. But instead, this story was just not my cuppa. I didn’t buy the instant connection and definitely not with how the first part of the story unfolded. It’s just that for me, the plot didn’t flow quite smoothly so I struggled with the story instead of it capturing me. And lastly, I’m not a prude by any sense of the word, but having erotic sex to just have sex, that doesn’t drive the story, isn’t sexy or flattering to the story.

I will say that there are many favorable reviews out there so I’m sure it’s a case of me and not the book.

*advanced copy provided by Candi Kane PR in exchange for an honest review*

[Melanie (mells_view) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I assure you, my blackened soul will only stain your squeaky-clean hands. My dark will suffocate your light.”

Ok. So this read is enjoyable. I liked it. Kind of a captive lite romance. Damon King is practically a genius and he moves all the chess pieces in the New York City, business, political and crime world. He has had his sights set on Aislinn for a very long time, and he snatches her up as soon as he finds out she’s in danger.

Thing is Aislinn is not JUST the upper east side princess she appears to be. She isn’t going to just sit still and look pretty because King tells her she is in danger. Even though she’s rebellious against him, she can’t help the heat that is burning between them.

Everyone said that this book is hot, and they are right. I can’t say that I haven’t read hotter, but this one is pretty damn good. I enjoyed this read and the plot. I did roll my eyes a couple times over some decisions characters made and such, but all in all it’s a good read. Good pacing. Good plot. Hot sex. Can’t really complain too much with that mixture 😂

[Chelé-----4 The Love of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am BREATHLESS  and SPEECHLESS and ENRAGED and SCARED! These are all my feelings at reading the last page of Cruel Sanctuary. I don't know how Tara does it, a perfect balance of intense grit, corruption, betrayal and violence all merged with a beautiful broken man, and a strong and determined angel willing to clip her wings to be with her devil.

 "Greed. You won’t find it listed on any coroner’s report, but in my world, it’s by far the most common cause-of-death."

Damon King in my opinion is multiple things, many will see him as a threat, as a criminal as the last person they would ever want to meet but he's so much more, there's so many  layers to him. He's intelligent, lethal, tough, controlling but for one person he's vulnerable, giving, loving and devoted.

 “Don’t what?” “Don’t try to heal me, princess.” The low tenor of his voice is icy and detached. “I assure you, my blackened soul will only stain your squeaky-clean hands. My dark will suffocate your light.”

I loved Aislinn immediately. Her father is a district attorney, she's a political strategist. Chad is his chief of staff. Let's just say they've gotten themselves in a whole mess of trouble that they expect Aislinn to get them out of but this time their greed and smugness has gotten the attention of the Mexican cartel.

When you want a mess cleaned up, when you want someone who isn't guided by a moral compass you call Damon. Aislinn doesn't know it yet but her life is in danger in more ways than one. If the cartel can't get to her father, then the daughter will pay for his sins but not if Damon has anything to do about it.

 "The pureness of her want. The pure possession of my need. She may as well be living inside my skin because I feel her touch everywhere."

There are so many secrets, shocking moments, jaw dropping moments that I wasn't expecting at ALL which makes Cruel Sanctuary heart pounding, action filled, suspenseful, and chilling!!! But Damon & Aislinn? Together they are perfection!  I can't even deal with how sexy they are, they are HOT, explosive.....chemistry that is absolutely EVERYTHING!


 “Do you have the sense that we were supposed to find each other somehow? Like fate is the one really in charge? That maybe our wounds make us the perfect people to heal each other?” My first instinct is to bristle at the suggestion that I have wounds. Life hasn’t broken me. And then I realize—Who am I kidding? The life I’ve known has come at me like a vicious fucking bully. But I’m here now, with Aislinn. I may be bent, but I’m not broken. I’ve survived. Hell, I’ve fucking conquered. And there’s no shame in carrying around battle scars."

[Mandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I have to say is, WOAH!! What the hell did I just read!! Hands down one of my top reads this year!!

[Tanaka K · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Right here, right now, Damon King is my lord and liege. My captor and savior. Maybe he’s put a spell on me. Or maybe he’s cursed me. Because my mind is filled with only two words. His name. Damon King. Damon King. Damon King."

Ever had the feeling you never wanted to finish a book? Ever had a feeling that you wanted to suck every single word to the last letter? Ever had a feeling of utter destruction? Devastation? Ruin? Because of a book. Ever felt so complete because of a book? Cruel Sanctuary by Tara Leigh truly the above feelings. A feeling of great joy. A feeling of reading an incredible book. A feeling of such intense reading pleasure. Cruel Sanctuary gave me life, Cruel Sanctuary gave me a slice of heaven. Cruel Sanctuary is an equally brilliant story with magnificent characters take a piece of your heart. I only read a few books by Tara Leigh but she is definitely becoming one of my favourites. Cruel Sanctuary is a bonafide winner worthy to capture your heart.

With poetic and stellar writing, Cruel Sanctuary is the fist spellbinding book in the Wages of Sin duet that full captures the deadly, sensual and suspenseful world set in the underworld of New York. A masterful story with exhilarating scenes that suck you in deeply. A striking story with interesting characters that become a part f you. Hauntingly Intense. Mesmerizing. Lusciously Sexy. Heart Racing. Entrancing. Cruel Sanctuary is a fantastic dark romance between a spitfire heroine and a dangerous antihero to give you a fascinating and deliciously sinful ride. Buckle up, put your helmet and let Cruel Sanctuary take you on a mind blowing adventure. Tara Leigh’s writing rocks my mind. Tara Leigh’s writing pulls you into a deep and explosive story that will cruelly snatch your heart away. Absolutely incredible. Cruel Sanctuary is a sanctuary you need with a storyline of dominance, submission, crime and heartstopping and drool worthy sexiness.

I am totally shook. I am totally awestruck. I am totally dumbstruck. By the story. By the characters. You are introduced to Damon King, the sexiest, baddest and controlling crime boss with a dominant streak and Aislinn Granville, a sassy, confident and feisty heroine. Man, I LOVED Damon and Aislinn. Their chemistry is off the charts and they absolutely set the pages on fire. Their passion is freaking captivating. Deep. Pulse Hitting. Electrifying. I soaked on every single bit of their chemistry. Totally addicting.

I NEED CORRUPT SAVIOUR. I need it like air. I am a little broken and my heart. Cruel Sanctuary is not a 5 star. CRUEL SANCTUARY IS A 6+ STAR BOOK. What are you waiting for? One click Cruel Sanctuary NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora) · Rating 5 out of 5]

➳ Rate: ++5/ 5 stars

I may say this a lot. But if there’s a writer I’ve followed from the start and have noticed how much their writing has gotten better with every book? Then Tara is definitely it! Her writing is more astonishing with every release, her words more beautiful and poetic even. And if I loved her past characters, you best be sure I’m gonna love the news ones even more. Damon and Ash, my god these were so different from each other and from the characters Tara usually writes but they were truly magnificent and made for each other and I simply cannot wait to get more of them and see where Tara takes their story next.

Damon was corrupt in almost every sense of the word but he’s definitely one of those anti-hero you can’t help but love to pieces. He was filthy and boy did I love that. I swear some of the things he said left me breathless. Most of the quotes I highlighted were from him because 😍😍😍 I just really loved Damon King. He might be a corrupt and do bad bad things but he has a heart and he slowly, very slowly gives it to Aislinn piece by piece. What he doesn’t give her is all the information about what’s going on. There is so much Aislinn doesn’t know about what’s happening and about her past. She just found out a major truth aout her father that completely changed her life upside down but there's still so much she doesn't know. I don’t think it will be pretty once the whole truth comes out.

Aislinn is a very strong heroine. So although the truth will shake her, I know it won’t knock her down and she will stand tall and even fiercer than before. I love how she fights Damon. He is used to getting his way, to people following his orders and bowing down to him but Aislinn doesn’t give in to his demands, not like he expected her to. She fights him. She might give him her body and her heart but she will not give up her will or common sense.
She is a queen and queen’s rule alongside their king, they don’t bow to him (only in private (; ).

I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. So much is on sidelines, just waiting to burst into the field. I can’t wait to see it all unfold and to see how Aislinn will react to everything. And to see how she and Damon are gonna rise through all the chaos about to be set to flames.

➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.

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[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Review of Cruel Sanctuary (The Wages of Sin Duet #1) by Tara Leigh
Firstly be prepared, this book does end on a cliff hanger however I believe that the conclusion Corrupt Saviour, will be released in the not to distant future. I have read a couple of books by Tara Leigh but I had no idea what to expect from Cruel Sanctuary which is Damon King and Aislinn Granville’s story.
I was hooked from the first page until the very last and found myself absolutely riveted to the book, I couldn’t put it down. I am not sure if the author has written any other dark stories but I have to say she did an outstanding job.
Aislinn cannot understand the need for protection and is frustrated and annoyed when Damon seems to take over her life. The story was not only suspenseful but it was hot with the chemistry between them intense and sizzling. Damon is not used to the word NO, in fact it may as well not be in his vocabulary, however the feisty and sassy Aislinn is not afraid to give as good as she gets.
I loved this book and cannot wait for the conclusion.

[Kelly G (Now Accepting Book Boyfriend Applications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When it comes to Aislinn Granville, want is my default mode."

For the love of all that is hot AF! Tara Leigh brought the fire (in more ways than one).... and the suspense! Damon and Aislinn are so sizzling I thought my kindle just might melt! The back story with these 2 is so intriguing that I was completely tapped with the very first chapter! If I didn't have adult stuff to be done I most likely would NOT have put this book down once I started, it was THAT good! Tara Leigh wrote this book in a way that totally makes you say "just one more chapter".... and then you keep on going until there are no more chapters to be read! I am so freaking excited and CAN NOT WAIT for Corrupt SAVIOR! I will be having all the grabby hands ready for when that one lands on my kindle! 5 super freaking awesome 🌟. Everyone needs to one-click this baby as soon as they can!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, I need to know what happens next, Stars!!

“Damon King is like the boogeyman of Manhattan. No one I know has met him and yet everyone I know is scared of him. He’s the name your mind conjures when you find yourself in a dark alley, or when you’re already lost and your vision is obscured by steam from a subway grate.”

“I am a monarch. A general. A dictator–and not the benevolent kind. I wasn’t born to the crown. Nevertheless, I wear it well. Aislinn Granville is more than just a tribute from one of my subjects. She is a trophy. A prize. A woman worthy of becoming the Crown Jewel of an empire. My empire.”

“I’ve spent my whole life following rules, walking a straight line with only the slightest, smallest deviations before quickly returning to my narrow path. Until tonight. I’m trapped here, in this room, by this man. And yet I’ve never felt more free.”

“Life always comes down to the details. A single forgotten instruction can lead to the failure of the most carefully crafted plan. But well-executed moments elevate an event into an experience. A memory that stands out from the rest.”

I’m not gonna lie, I was super excited to hear that author Tara Leigh was going to dive into the dark romance genre. And let me tell you, I was definitely impressed. Cruel Sanctuary had just the right amount of dark without being too dark. It was sexy. It was downright sinful. And the added suspense element will keep you glued to the pages.

From the moment we are introduced to Damon & Aislinn, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by these two. There’s no love lost between Aislinn and her father, but that doesn’t stop her from working with him. In some ways, I think she’s hoping that one day he will see HER and not what she can do for his political career. Aislinn is smart and fiesty and is about to give Damon a total run for his money. She’s different from most of the people he knows and once Damon sets his sights on something, well, let’s just say Aislinn doesn’t stand a chance….Damon King is feared by all that know him; even his name insights fear. When Damon sets out to protect Aislinn, all bets are off. Damon King is a force to be reckoned with. 100% Alpha and is one to not be trifled with. His darkness is alluring and Aislinn brings a light to him that he never thought was possible. Will Damon be able to complete his task and eliminate the danger facing Aislinn?? There’s only one way to find out…..

Cruel Sanctuary hits the ground running and is a terrific start to The Wages of Sin Duet. I was instantly intrigued by the characters and glued to their story. From secrets to lies to passion and delicious tension, it’s anyones guess how this story will go. The suspense and danger will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering how this story is going to play out. I had a lot of fun getting lost in Cruel Sanctuary. It had just the right amount of darkness I was looking for and an ending that will leave you begging to get the next book in your hands….

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

[Gina Azzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Sanctuary is fire! Damon and Aislinn’s chemistry smolders off the page, pulling you right into their intense, dark romance. Brimming with unexpected plot twists, teeming with heat, Cruel Sanctuary is captivating.

Damon is the king of New York’s underworld and Aislinn is independent and fierce - but with a moral compass. When Damon steps in to protect Aislinn from external threats, she wants none of it... until she starts wanting him back. The conflict and surprising history between Damon and Aislinn fuels the intensity of the book and I rooted for them from the start!

Tara Leigh delivers the perfect blend of tension, romance, and suspense. Cruel Sanctuary will absorb you from the first page and leave you wanting more. I can’t even wait for Corrupt Savior!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This was so amazing! Dark, sexy, suspenseful. I was captivated from the beginning. I love Aislinn and Damon. They are great characters with amazingly hot chemistry. I can’t wait for more! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

[JG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about twists and turns, violence and romance, this story had it all. Damon King is your quintessential bad boy who uses his criminal activities for the greater good.



The darling daughter of a politician who is determined to bring one particular Mexican cartel under control, Aislinn's father he does what he does whether Aislinn likes it or not. When her father's recent dealings are about to become public and are likely to put an end to his mayoral ambitions, Aislinn decides that she can no longer support her father’s endeavours, especially when they place her directly in harm's way. Enter Damon King. Tasked with protecting Aislinn, little does she know that he has been watching over her most of her life, for reasons which will become known. Aislinn doesn’t want Damon’s protection and doesn’t appreciate how endangered her life is but Damon is not about to take no for answer where Aislinn’s safety is concerned.

Damon does what Damon thinks is the best thing and he promptly locks Aislinn up in his apartment but little does he know some of the past which haunts Aislinn’s future. With time, frustrations and a little patience, Damon and Aislinn start to understand each other’s mindset and despite the ever-present danger, they unwittingly start to fall for each other.

With friends now foes and right turning out to be wrong, Aislinn finds herself buried deep in the battle between her father and the Los Muertos cartel. Despite Damon’s presence, Aislinn becomes involved in two deaths, both of which could have been her own. Damon, fearful for her life, steps up her security but little does he know, the biggest threat to Aislinn is the most innocent one imaginable.

This story had me questioning right from wrong and running to keep up with its fast pace. With just a mere second of distraction, you can find yourself missing a vital piece of the complicated puzzle that is the Wages of Sin Duet. The beautiful words may lull you into believing this is a sweet romance but the darkness quickly overpowers the poetic nature of the story. There is definitely more to come from Damon and Aislinn’s story, apart from the obvious, especially when factoring other characters and revelations which will leave you intrigued and with more questions than answers. Damon is not what I would look for in a book hero and yet his bruskness is also endearing and I suspect his character will start to soften thanks to his involvement with Aislinn. My only slight reservation was that the story may have been a little too wordy. There are so many definitions of Damon that I felt that I’d highlighted half of the book. That said, the storyline was captivating and thoroughly fascinating.

As expected, the book pauses on a cliff-hanger leaving readers bereft of answers but fear not, Corrupt Saviour is waiting around the corner.

This ebook was kindly provided by the author prior to release in return for an honest and unbiased review.



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[Yamina -Women Who Stare at Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A kiss from Damon King would be a brand of ownership. A claiming."

Tara Leigh totally nailed it once again! Cruel Sanctuary is different than what she usually delivers for sure, but by exploring a new genre, the author has totally
1. captivated me
2. sent me on a thrilling roller coaster ride of emotions through her remarkable characters
3. left me craving for more

Damon King and Aislinn Granville’s story is not a fairy tale but a story that will steal your hearts and rock your world senseless.
Damon King is very well known in NYC as the guy that "fixes" things. If you know him chances are it's not good for you.

"Rumor has it, he’s a fixer in the same way the devil is."

I was hooked in the first few lines of this book. Damon King is cocky, ruthless and cold blooded. He has no place for distractions or commitments in his life. His life is his empire and his name is the one that everybody should fear. However, I LOVE HIM with all my heart.

Damon King is no prince charming, he won’t give you hearts and flowers. Despite all of these, The author has managed to give us a first class jerk that we all crave to love.

The heroine Aislinn is not weak or submissive. She is fierce, independent, sassy and determined to give Damon a run for his money. She is a strong woman and her wit is what makes her so attractive.

"Damon King can’t have me. Isn’t going to tame me. Because I won’t let him."

Two people so different, yet so good together. Damon is the kind that does what he wants, when he wants and damn the consequences. He has many secrets that he needs to keep buried and there is one thing that keeps him going… a promise.

"Right here, right now, Damon King is my lord and liege. My captor and savior. Maybe he’s put a spell on me. Or maybe he’s cursed me. Because my mind is filled with only two words. His name."

The dual point of view narration enabled us to get to know all the characters as individuals, then as a unit ... It was a roller coaster full of ups, downs, twists and stomach dropping moments – and the CLIFFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story is so well written that you can only feel devoted to the main characters. Cruel Sanctuary reads like a movie in my head. For me Aislinn and Damon’s story is more than a story about love, corruption and loss, it is a story about trust.
The words on the pages were true genius. Damon King is Alpha-liscious but his “ love and devotion” to Aislinn is fierce and knows no boundaries and that just gives me goosebumps.

"I am already corrupt. In this city, I am the goddamn king of corruption. But she is corrupting me further—in ways I didn’t expect and don’t want."

Lots of action in this captivating storyline, along with fantastic lead characters and secondary ones as well. By the way the sex scenes are off the charts #justsaying

"Giving you everything you never had. Everything you never knew you needed. But you do, don’t you? You need my c**k to make you fly. To make you soar. Only inside my arms can you soar, Aislinn Granville. Remember that."

I did not say much about the storyline but trust me you have to read this book - as the plot progresses, we will see how connected both characters are. CS is the best book that the author has written thus far and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in the second book. I loved it from beginning to end. This book has all the ingredients you look for in a book that will swoon you away.

*Arc kinldy provided for an honest review

[Rebecca Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the first book in the Wages of Sin duet! It has everything from a feisty heroine to a drool-worthy alphahole that I love!

I admired Aislinn's deep moral compass and determination to stick to her guns almost as much as I adored Damon's bad-boy protectiveness and intense alpha-ness. The sexual tension and suspense is on point throughout the whole story and the ending has me on the edge of my seat until book 2 comes out! I *cannot* wait!