Gilded Thorn

Dark Reign #4

by Ember Davis

VLAD
I’ve been watching and waiting for a chance to get Laurel in my arms. I shouldn’t want her since she’s the Orlov princess, but I don’t care that our families have spent generations killing each other. All I want is her. She will be the Petrov family’s queen.

I know her power, her strength, and her softness; I crave all of her. I’ll lure her to me and then I’ll never let her go. The darkness inside of me demands her submission and I don’t care if the thorns she uses to protect herself draw blood. I will gladly bleed for her.

I’ll free her of the gilded cage the Orlovs have built around her. She’s mine and I’m never letting her go. Once she’s in my arms, nothing can take her from me, not even her brothers. They can come for her, but they’ll never win.

LAUREL
With my brother out of town, burying himself in his own misery and guilt over something he couldn’t control, the throne of the Orlov family is vacant. It should mean freedom for me, but unfortunately the rest of my brothers think I should be caged as well. The only solace I have is my art.

When I get an offer to talk to someone in Atlantic City about a gallery show, it’s an opportunity I can’t pass up. Coming face-to-face with my family’s enemy is the last thing I expect. The Petrov name has always been sneered in my family and I know the kind of darkness that lives in Vlad.

Vlad says he wants to set me free, but I know he only wants to trap me for himself. I’ve always hated not having my freedom but being captured by Vlad is a craving I can’t deny. If he can handle my thorns, he can have me. My family will get over it or I’ll watch it all burn.

*18+. This story has dark themes and a morally gray hero. You’ll still find an insta-love story that is spicy and isn’t necessarily simple, but with darker themes, situations, rough spicy times, and depictions of violence (not between the MMC and MFC). No cheating with a guaranteed HEA. This book is part of my Orlov Bratva series but can be read as a standalone. Meet one estranged Orlov brother in Their Songbird and the head of the family, Nikolai, in Snowed In With the Bratva Boss.*

Power comes at a cost and these men have sacrificed their souls. They know violence, death, and how to walk in the gray, but that doesn’t mean they are without weakness. The women they love are their light and they would scorch the Earth to protect them. This December meet the men who rule their empires of crime and the women who stand by them while darkness reigns.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2022

About the author

Ember Davis loves alpha heroes with a range of emotions, but a strong sense of how to take care of their women. She loves her heroines from all walks of life, just like her heroes, and she wants them to be real and relatable. Her heroines tend to be sassy, opinionated and smart.

Ember is a stay at home mom of two who recently refound her love of books and all things romance and is so glad that she did. She’s always been creative, but writing and creating stories that she would love to read satisfies the dreams she had as a little girl. She loves butterflies, the color purple and enjoying time with her family.

Pssst, it’s totally a pen name, but everything above is 100% true.

Find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ember.A.Davis

Find her on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/ember.a.davis/

Reviews

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very romantic
Very good sec scenes
Safe
He stalked her for two years and been celibate
She is smart, resilient and an interesting female character
They are very in love
She’s a mafia princess and He is the head of another mafia family
No violence

Very good book!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the Dark Reign series so buckle up this is a wild ride, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, so gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊.) By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
CAN’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED!!!!!
Two families have hated each other ever since the head of each family died but the moment Vlad sexy as all get out bratva ruthless, deadly when needed and a sweetheart (shhhh don’t say that too loud) when needed. Laurel intelligent, an artist who has lost her will to paint because her brother is a tab bit overbearing, and feeling trapped in a pretty cage. The moment Vlade laid eyes on his girl he knew she was his going to be his just a matter of time and the attraction between these two is instant, it is intense, and the magnetic pull can’t be ignored despite the hate between their families h will have his girl one way or another but where are they headed, will Laurel willing go with, will her brother allow it or start a war, and can they have their own HEA despite the hate between their families?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel is kick ass. She is a strong woman who has been protected and shielded by her brothers but feels trapped in a gilded cage. She is able to spring free and stand on her own, using her words to bring men to their knees. She is also passionate about art and thrives through her artwork.

Vlad is cunning but also sweet. While he deceived Laurel at first and has been stalking her, he proves the only thing he cares about is her and her well being. He may have possessive tendencies but he also is willing to allow Laurel to make decisions and be open about what she wants. He would move mountains for her and wears his heart on his sleeve for her.

The two of them as a couple was both sweet and spicy. While their relationship is founded on Insta lust, their emotional connection is the perfect slow to medium burn, with each of them showing how they can trust the other and accepting how they truly feel for their other. They show how dedicated and loyal they are to each other.

This was an enjoyable read and I am curious to see what other stories will come out from the Orlov family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a part of the Dark Reign series and focuses on Vlad and Laurel. Laurel is the only girl of the Orlov family and has always been protected at all costs by the men in the family. She is feeling caged in and stifled in her life when she gets an email about the opportunity to get her art into an art gallery. She is thrilled with the opportunity but soon discovers it is not exactly as it seems when she comes face to face with Vlad, a sworn enemy of her family. Vlad has been obsessed and watching Laurel for 2 years just waiting for the opportunity to finally get her in his grasp. Vlad is determined to get Laurel to fall in love with him and to finally get her where she belongs. I love that Vlad was completely devoted to Laurel and only wanted to be the man to be able to provide her with a lifetime of happiness and security. This was a great story and a great addition to the series! I really hope we get the other Orlov brothers' stories soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Georgia Herpen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED, LOVED LAUREN AND VLAD!! I love Ember Davis's books, but this one was extra special. It stole my heart. It's not your typical plot line, and I ADORED IT! I don't want to give it away, but I can tell you it's well written and the passion between Vlad and Lauren sizzles. As the princess of the Orlov Bratva family, she's strong, sassy and takes zero crap from anyone. She's had to grow up tough with three overprotective older brothers. Essentially, she lives in a gilded cage. She feels helpless.

When Lauren "meets" Vlad, they fall passionately in love with each other, but hello?? It's super awkward with their feuding families a la Romeo and Juliet. The Orlovs and Petrovs are sworn enemies although no one knows why. The rising tension exists because Lauren's family freaks out once they learn she's determined to stay with Vlad. They believe Vlad is using her, and it's coming to a head. Read this beautifully written story to learn how it turns out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters

Dark Reign series, related to Snowed In with The Bratva Boss

*over 18 readers only*

Trigger warnings
Morally Gray mmc
Stalker vibes
Violence
Dubious consent
Murder

Laurel is the mafia princess of the Orlov Bratva. She feels stiffled. She lives in a gilded gage, selling her paintings under an alias, and just wants freedom. She gets invited to do a gallery showing on Atlantic City, but she can only get there by sneaking out. Vlad has been watching her for years, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make her his. He tries to take care of his lust with another woman, but it sickens him. When Laurel gets there and discovers that Vlad set her up, she knows she's in trouble. He's not going to give her a choice in staying. He will keep her. Will her brothers come for her? Will this start a war?


I enjoyed the book until Chapter 13. In Nicolai's book, I thought they first met with all 4 brothers in Atlantic City. This is confusing. Did I miss something in that book? Otherwise, the book was great.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. I liked how freeing this story is for Laurel. She took a chance and showed strength enough to soldier thru it even when the bottom falls out. From the beginning Vlad was a stalker/protector once he had seen her. He would do whatever it took to keep her. He had highs and lows for me. What a shame their families had an old fued. I liked their romance and how they interacted. The parts I didn't like with this story right after reading Nikolai's, was that they didn't match up in a couple of places. They were a little different for each book when it came to family meet and greets. It probably wouldn't have been so noticeable if I hadn't went from one book to the other. Otherwise a good mafia romance where Laurel came into her own

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best dark romances I have read. Vlad and Laurel are great together. Their families have hated each other forever but since their fathers deaths no one knows why. When Vlad sees Laurel it's instalove for him but it takes him stalking her for two years before he can get her in his clutches. But Laurel is a powerhouse herself. Vlad may think he has her but she has all the power. Will her brothers let her stay with Vlad or will there be a bloodbath. I loved this book, excellent read, very well written and lots of steam. Great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilded Thorn is Laurel and Vlad's bratva, dark themes HEA. Laurel is Nikolai's (Snowed In With The Bratva Boss) sister. Always under a microscope and always watched. Women are to be protected at all times. Protected for her safety but never able to spread her wings. Laurel dreams of something that is hers... something that she earned for herself. Vlad fell instantly for the bratva princess. On first sight he knew there would never be another. Ever.
Ohh the heat🔥 Love the bad boy,bratva, dominant teddy bear alpha type🥵.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natasha Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the second Vlad set eyes on Laurel two years earlier he knew she was his. The problem was she was the Orlov princess and their families were enemies. He watched her and waited for his opportunity to get her alone on Petrov territory. He was going to make her his! Hot, steamy story with drama, danger, suspense, amazing chemistry, true love, a very protective hero and a wonderful HEA. I loved the story, I was a 5 star read but I really didn’t enjoy the scene with the ‘redhead’ near the beginning, I nearly stopped reading but very glad I didn’t.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vlad (H) has been watching Laurel (h) for two years and finally has the opportunity to lure her away from the safe gilded cage her bratva brothers keep her in. When she realizes that Vlad in another bratva boss, she at first think she’s traded one cage for another, but with Vlad she comes to find a different freedom than she’s known before even as things get hot and steamy between the two. He has to work to convince her that she’s meant to be his and that there can be an accord between the two families. Hot and steamy OMYW bratva quickie.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel is being suffocated by her brothers’ overprotectiveness. She loves to paint but her inspiration has become nonexistent. Vlad knew she was his at first sight two years ago. He is as powerful as her brother and takes his first opportunity to steal her away. Their mutual attraction very quickly becomes physical and they know in their hearts nothing can tear them apart. I’m loving these characters and look forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mistie Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read! I was looking forward to Vlad and Laurel's story after reading Nikolai and Mistletoe's book. This was really good! Vlad is a man who is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Laurel. Laurel is tired of feeling caged, and as the Orlov princess, she is kept behind some pretty highly protective walls. When Vlad gets an opportunity to get Laurel to himself, he seizes it and doesn't look back. These two are perfect together... I absolutely loved the sweet and heat between them!

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good mafia romance. I was so excited going into this story having just finished Nikolai’s story and this story just didn’t get me as invested. Don’t get me wrong it was a good story and I absolutely loved Laurel but Vlad not so much. I think that my problem was that I just didn’t get a sense of his motivations and he was quite a flat character. Laurel was a completely different story and I felt like she was the star.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel is a Bratva princess that her brothers keep caged up in their home to protect her! Only she decides to sell her paintings, imagine her surprise when she gets an offer for a gallery showing! She didn’t expect gorgeous rival Bratva boss Vlad to be the one who tricked her into showing up. Vlad fell for beautiful Laurel two years ago and since has been waiting to make her his! Now he just has to show her that they belong together! Another great book in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dyanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurel is a mafia princess in the Orlov family. She is struggling with the fact that her brothers keep her isolated from the world, so when an opportunity presents itself, she takes off and ditches her guard.
Vlad Petrov is head of the Petrov mafia and has been keeping tabs on Laurel for about two years. He sets things in motion so she will be on his turf. Things move quickly once they meet. There are a few small hurdles they have to overcome and plenty of steam throughout.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vlad Petrov has been watching and waiting for a chance to make Laurel Orlov his queen, there is one problem, the families are enemies. It does not matter to him, Laurel is meant to be his.

Laurel is tired of being caged, the only bright spot she has is her art. When a gallery contacts her about displaying her art, her brother Nikolai, being out of town is the perfect opportunity. When she comes face to face with Vlad, there is something about him that does not feel like a cage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, steamy mafia romance story.

This newest release in the multi author Dark Reign series gives its readers a mafia romance story. A Bratva princess, Laurel is tired of being caged by her overprotective brothers and when her passion gives her a way out she takes it. Little did she know that Vlad has been waiting in the shadows and what happens next was a quick but steamy romance story with wonderful characters and a forever worth waiting. I enjoyed how Vlad found a way to win Laurel’s heart to find them a HEA.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Vlad has stalked from afar wanting Laurel. When the time is right, he moves and has her come to him. Laurel at first doesn't want to stay but soon changes her mind. She wants Vlad as much and the only thing stopping it is a feud which is silly. I like how everything is resolved and the epilogue made me chuckle.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very definition of an alpha taking what he wants and not by force. Vlad is a self assured mafioso who stalks the woman of his dreams until he is able to catch her heart. It’s is sweet with plenty of steam and enough action to keep you reading and wanting more books about the Petrovs. The ending was my favorite part of the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I loved Laurel and Vlad together. Vlad is obsessed with Laurel and after waiting two years, he is done waiting for her. Laurel just wants to be from her cage and when she finally sees an opening, she takes it; not know that it is a trap. Vald is all about Laurel and he proves that over and over again. I really hope that we get more of the Orlov men books soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good romance, but a little awkward obsession at the start
4.5
The story begins with Laurel, a mafia princess trapped in her condition who, when she escapes, falls into the trap of Vlad, a mafia boss, obsessed with her for years.
The story is intense, steamy, perhaps a little awkward by the way they first meet, but also tender by their own moral compass.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Lisa D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy dark romance and I love this author but I really struggled with this story. Vkadi stalks Laurel, kidnaps her and then within a few hours of meeting she's ok sleeping with him??? It just didn't make sense. She was unhappy being under guard at home and then she becomes thrilled to be under guard by Vlad. I like these characters but I really struggled with the plot and story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Vlad and Laurel's story! It was genius how he lured her to him, he seriously played the long game. Laurel is fierce and yet guarded, shaped by her family and the life they lead. Vlad truly gives her wings to fly. He has no desire to keep her caged, just protected like the jewel she is for him. Absolutely adore this author, especially her forays into darker stories! 5 stars for Laurel and Vlad!

[Marie’s Book Barn Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great Stalker and Captive romance book. Vlad and Laurel are complete opposites and I just love it, they are like night and day but this book gives you the 'you find love when you least expect it. I'm not one that dark romances are the first option I of for but I wanted to give this one a shot and I'm so glad that I did. I highly recommend reading this book. 10/10.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another dark romance by Ember, Though I'm a huge fan of her romance books. I am becoming a fan of these dark ones. This one is an enemies to lovers with the bratva princess from one family being sort after by the head of a rival family. The book has a great plot with amazing characters. Reading this book is a great way to spend the afternoon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel is a Bratva princess who is tired of being caged in the family home by her brothers. Her only escape is her paintings Vlad has been stalking Laurel from afar for years and has been waiting for the right time to make his move. This stalker romance has strong characters, mafia family drama, and passion. This is a great addition to the Dark Reign multi-author series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Lizette Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Vlad and Laurel's story. She is the only sister of the Orlov clan and when she gets the invitation to have her art shown, she meets Vlad who she was sworn to stay away from these two have the hottest story and you will love their perfect ending. Ember this is becoming my newest favorite character's to read of yours.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel should have some freedom but with her brothers they put her in an orlav princess cage. Only her art is her salvation and its what bringer her to Vlad, he craves her, he wants her and he will get her. Well written steamy enemies to lovers romance with action, desires and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, fast read. I have not read any of the prior books in this series, and didn't feel like I was missing anything story-wise for this novella. The H is obsessed with the h and I found myself rooting for him as he quickly involved himself in the h's life. Very good!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.