Seducing Darkness

Masters of Purgatory #1

by Tmonique Stephens

She's just a girl working the late shift, trying to make ends meet when she's attacked and left for dead. Except... she didn't die. She healed. It's a miracle! Or is it?

Hours later, a demon is in her living room and an angel is on her doorstep. Is this The Matrix? Did someone slip her the red pill? Nothing makes sense. Not them telling her she's one of the chosen. Not a horde of Demons determined to drain her blood. Not the lust she feels for her immortal protectors.

She should run because she's better off on her own. Or should she stay and put her faith in an angel who hates humans and a demon who has shown her heaven?

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Menage, Angels, Fiction, M F M, Demons

181 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2022

About the author

Passion changes everything, especially for the characters Tmonique writes about in her Descendants of Ra, UnHallowed, and Plain Jane series. Flawed characters who reflect the emotional baggage we all carry interests her the most. She writes complicated stories for complicated people.
Her favorite paranormal authors are JR Ward, Gena Showalter, and Kresley Cole. Her favorite contemporary authors are Natasha Knight, Theodora Taylor, and Nancy Haviland. She also enjoys Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Preston & Child.
Check out her Descendants of Ra series. Eternity, Everlasting, Evermore, Encore, and Forever, are the first five novels available now. The first four novels in her UnHallowed series—Only The Fallen, Only One I Want, Only You, and Only One I’ll Have are available now.


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Email: Tmoniquebooks@gmail.com
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Reviews

[Amur Thera · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good
+ Eden's strength and iron will
+ Eden's independence
+ Agone being a big ol' softie
+ Eden judging Agone based on his actions and character, instead of his species
+ Agone's true form
+ Eden's anger at Seren
+ Eden checking there's no jealousy between the men
+ Angels and demons both being a mix of 'good and evil'

The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o There were five different POVs, which made the story hard to follow sometimes
o The side plot about the woman Agone and Seren had both... dated? in the past was a little confusing. I wonder if it's going anywhere, or was just there for the original tension

The bad
- Eden kept forgiving (or forgetting) Seren hurting her. He cut her deeply time and time again, but somehow her feelings were overridden by lust every time
- Seren and Agone kind of failed at protecting her multiple times, which pretty bad for two beings whose sole purpose is to protect her. But they never really apologized for being lousy at their jobs
- This book ends on a heavy cliffhanger


It's an exciting start to a new series. I like the tension, and the different strong characters. I do hope Eden doesn't forgive Seren easily, especially now that Agone is on shaky ground. She should let Seren feel her anger. I think I would recommend this book, but only after the sequels are out. This cliffhanger is no joke.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an entertaining read, I loved the idea of angels and demons working together, it’s not something you read often. I loved the multi POVs in this because I always think that they add so much more insight. I loved the story which is full of betrayal, drama, revelation, action, fast paced storytelling and so much more. If you don’t like cliffhangers you might not want to read this as there is a doozy of a cliffhanger to this, but so excited for the next.

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

[Lauren Erzsebet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a demon prince and a seraph make a pact to change eleven female babies with their essence, this should prevent a foreseen war that starts with the rising of a captured king.
The chosen eleven have a drop of grace and a drop of ichor which makes them powerful warriors in the fight to come if they can survive it.
Eden is one of these eleven whose life changes drastically when she dies then reawakens fully healed.
Two protectors emerge from the shadows in order to train her for the battle she will face... Seren the angel and Agone who is a First order demon.
Together they must prepare her and save her from every single threat.. If only they could resist the lust she stirs in them both.
It seems ironic that the demon can be trusted over an angelic being.. What is Seren hiding? Can they stop her blood being drained to release an evil into the world?

This was a different type of romance story with a enhanced human, an angel and a demon joining together for a bigger purpose.
Agone has accepted his part in this assignment with a softness towards Eden that is sweet yet unexpected.
He is her tower of strength who can soothe her very soul whereas Seren provokes anger and distrust.
I was blown away by every twist, every thrill, every lustful thought and every single encounter between the three that was nothing short of spectacular.
Every ounce of imagination has been squeezed to conjure such a otherworldly story that doesn't focus too heavily on the rights and wrongs.
I adored the way they deal with this emerging power that must be pushed and the way they never forget about the human behind it.
There are some shockers that I could not have predicted and I cannot wait for the second book which is sure to be another heart pounding adventure.

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

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the classic battle of good vs. evil and flips it into something completely unexpected. Eden is one of eleven warriors, created with both angelic power and demonic energy, meant to prevent a catastrophic war. After barely surviving a close call, she’s thrown into a world she didn’t even know existed, where she’s protected and trained by Seren—a mysterious seraph—and Agone, a demon who turns out to be a lot more reliable than she ever imagined. The tension between them is intense, not just because of the dangers they face, but because fighting their attraction to Eden seems almost impossible.

The story is packed with action, twists, and romance, keeping you hooked from start to finish. Agone’s steady and protective nature makes him easy to love, while Seren’s secrets add a whole extra layer of mystery. The dynamic between all three is complicated, full of passion, trust issues, and life-or-death stakes. And fair warning—the cliffhanger is brutal, so you’ll definitely want the next book ASAP. If you’re into fresh takes on angels, demons, and fated warriors, Seducing Darkness is a must-read!.

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

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

walk into a bar.... ;). Haha I kid I kid, it was just calling to me. So they don't actually walk into a bar, but this is an incredible story to read. Just forewarning, this cliffhanger is NO joke, so if you're not a fan of cliffies, I would have a "hangover" book handy. There is an Angel, a Demon, and one of the chosen who are brought together. This storyline was not what I was expecting at all. Especially with angels and demons, usually they're polar opposites, and don't work together even for the "greater good". I like that both of them are a mix of good and evil, but someone is keeping a secret, but who?

This is a multi POV book, so you're getting different perspective and some insight to the characters. I do wish that Eden didn't forgive Seren so easily for hurting her, I think there is probably an underlying reason for it, but... I hope he grovels or makes up for how he treats her in the next book.

There was drama, betrayal, truths that come to light, and so much more. If you're looking for a different take on angels and demons, give this series a try!

[Melanie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ambushed by the dreaded cliffhanger

Oh my! All that lovely intrigue! All that graphic and gruesome gore! What a weird conspiracy - an angel, one of the Seraphim, conspiring with a mighty demon from Hell, as they choose and mark eleven female babies born on the same day in the same place? I pondered as I read, why is our author, the gifted T'monique Stephens, taking so long to set this up? When the steam, sexual tension, crazy paranormal events and incipient menage a trois came to an abrupt and unsatisfactory "stay tuned for the next book" ending, I had my answer. Trouble is, no matter how vivid the writing, how delicious the sex, and how engaging the story - I choke and gag on cliffhangers. BAM! There went my 5-star enthusiastic ARC review. (Sorry, but I review honestly.) Feel free to read this book and disagree.

[Coastie Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not what I was expecting, but I did like the storyline. You have an angel, a demon and one of the chosen who are brought together for an impending war. One knew of the chosen years before and became infatuated with her. One only found out the day before he was sent to watch her, train her, and protect her. But what happens when the Chosen one starts to remember things and it puts a twist into this new dynamic for her? And what happens when one finds out that he’s been watching her for all the wrong reasons?

Drama, twists, deception, betrayal, fears, secrets, and truths are plenty in this story and be prepared for a roller coaster of a ride. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Flor Arasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me Good Omens vibes in the best way possible!

At first I didn’t like the MMCs names, but then they were explained and I see potential there, of course Eden is tongue in cheek and I loved it right away.

Agone is everything the girlies want (or is it just me?), a 7 foot demon with horns, a tail and ahem a rigged peen. Which we saw him use very efficiently in a scene.

The plot is really good, it got me intrigued and I read the book in one seating.

I’m more on the fence about Seren, but I think that’s the whole point, the hot and cold attitude and what happens at the end, I can’t wait to see what comes next on the second book. Going to read it right now!

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

[Diana Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful first book in a series. It's a fast and good read.
A why choose/MFM, medium to fast burn with some triggers (a little dark) and lots of hotness. "Hold on and enjoy the ride. And what a ride!".
It ends on a cliffhanger.
The FMC is a wonderful badass. So funny. "Yay! Let's play musical chairs.".
The MMC's are very hot but they have switched personalities: "Good demon. Bad angel.".
Supposedly their task is to protect her, but somehow in the most important moments was like "where are they?".
Our badass ends up saving herself and gladly she is gaining powers.
I need the next book! :).

I received an arc of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, and dang, that cliffhanger ending!!

Twenty years ago, a Prince of Hell and a Seraphim of Heaven made a pact to seed eleven infants with both demon ichor and angelic grace. Eden was one of those infants, and after being attacked, she is now trying to understand what that means for her.

She's now being protected by the angel Seren, and the demon Agone, both being far too handsome for their own good! It's going to be difficult for Eden to keep her hands off her guardians.

There's some twists, turns and spice, and it's fun to see heaven and hell getting along...kinda.

I received an ARC of this ebook from BookSprout, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read anything by Tmonique Stephens, but I am always looking for a "new to me" authors. The beginning had me struggling to get into the book, it may have served the story better to have a prequel for all this background info. But stick with it, there is a good story here. You have an angel, a demon and a chosen who come together for a common goal. There is drama, sizzle, steam, action, and more. Overall a good read.

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

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of the Masters of Purgatory series. From the author: 'A Reverse Harem romance with angels and demons finding and fighting to keep the woman they both love.'

The characters were so very interesting and complex and well matched. The plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Thea Kubicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden, Agone, and Seren

A Chosen, a demon, and an angel equals a great beginning to a new series by Ms Stephens. Already one of my very favorite authors, she has done it again with her strong female character and strong handsome alpha males. There are twists and surprises in this first book and I can't wait to read more.

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

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. Loved the action, suspense, drama, mystery, twists, confusion, and sizzling hot steam. The storyline was really good and the characters were wonderful. Then the end gets you with the hated cliffhanger. I'm not good at wanting to read more books just to get the the finish line. Read at your own discretion. I don't like cliffhangers.

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

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

One night, Eden is attacked and killed on her way home from work. Eden is pronounced dead at the hospital. Then 10 minutes later, she comes back to life. Things get stranger from there when a demon and an angel show up at Eden's apartment. This story is full of action, romance, and steam, ending with a cliffhanger. I highly recommend the book.

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

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden is struggling with life in general, but one night everything changes and she's in between Agone and Seren, a demon that's watched over her entire life from afar, and an angel that doesn't care for the human race. What starts as constant fighting and trying to survive turns into steaminess mixed with a story that simply captured me from beginning to end. All the different subplots going on kept me engaged and has me only fishing what could possibly go wrong from here.

[Lilium · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book.
I really liked the "good" demon and "bad" angel vibe.
It was really entertaining, a bit hard with all the pov's (it was not always clear from the beginning who's pov it was)
I liked the chemistry between Agone and Eden and the fact that Eden doesn't automatically trust Seren.
And the cliffhanger ooh. I am looking forward for the next book.


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

[Pernilla Samuelsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have an angel, a demon and a chosen who come together for a common goal. There is drama, sizzle, steam, action.

Eden is struggling with life in general, but one night everything changes and she's in between Agone and Seren, a demon that's watched over her entire life from afar, and an angel that doesn't care for the human race. What starts as constant fighting and trying to survive turns into steaminess mixed with a story that simply captured me from beginning to end

[Shell Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes one's Fate can be a bitter pill to swallow. 3 supernatural beings were brought together to save the world but they bicker all the time. Eden has a lot of work to accomplish right along with keeping sexy thoughts and hands off of the demon and angel. Will the consence bicking of two supernaturals be a turn off for Eden??? Enjoy 😜.

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

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a whole new world with this Author. I Love Angels and Demons, as they are many of my favorite stories. The characters were good as well as the story. I did like this book quite a bit. There were a few did not get this moments. I still feel that it is a good read and I liked it!!! No Spoilers!.

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

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters and an intriguing storyline. The author pulls you in and kept me reading with all the suspense and mystery along with the steamy hot scenes. The story moves fluidly and is a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seducing Darkness is the first book in the Masters of Purgatory series and it has an interesting storyline. The characters and the world the author has created made this a page turning read and held my attention from beginning to end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Glorymar · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. WTF. This book was great and had me enthralled from the beginning. It was a page turner and the chemistry between the characters was great. I loved it even the cliffhanger ending. Can't wait to read the next book.

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

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told with multiple POVs, this is a good entertaining start to a series. Told with humor, drama, romance, and a bit of paranormal it's everything you are looking for in a book. An angel, a demon and a chosen who come together for a common goal. The chemistry between the characters was great. This is a very enjoyable read. I'm definitely curious to see what happens next.

[AmesChicReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was different than anything I’ve read before. It took a while for me to get into it. When Eden thought, “Humph. Angels. UnHallowed. Demons. Hell. Heaven. It was a lot for her poor little mortal brain to take in” I felt that. I sort of got lost in all of that info. Toward the end was better for me and held my interest.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This introduces Eden, Seren and Agone. Eden is strong and independent. This sets up this world and series very well and left me intrigued. There is tension, danger and good v. evil with and interesting take on angels and demons. I am very interested to read how this series/story continues.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic series starter. Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend.

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

[Leslie Twitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, deception, love, death. I cannot wait to find out what happens to Eden. This was gripping, action packed and full of heat. A great story that does continue.

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

[Jess Bohanick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this take on seraphim and demons. A spicy, action story with a badass FMC, a loving yet fierce demon and an emotionally tortured angel struggling with his heart... looking forward to dining into book 2!

[Little Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good at first, kind of confusing to me I don’t know why but yeah, then the cliffhanger happen, so yeah I am not the biggest fun of that.

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