The Evil Within

by E.R. Hendricks

Camazotz I’m drawn to the small town of Fort Gadsden, the blood calling to me like a beacon.
But it’s her that makes me stay.
Her light, her innocence, her blood.
She belongs to me, and soon… she will know it too. Cecylia I’m trapped in my home by my father, forced to participate in his sacrifices. A hopeless participant in his pursuit to serve his God.
I don’t know how much longer I can survive this, with each day that passes my hope dwindles.
Until the monster in my shadows saves me.
Now as I finally have my first taste of freedom, I’m forced to choose, do I escape his grasp or do I surrender to my fate? **This book is a dark Monster Romance Novella. Please check Trigger and content Warning! This book is recommended for 18+ due to violence, and explicit sexual details. If you like a monster who looks like a monster and also has a few kinks and a knot, this book is for you!**

Genres: Paranormal, Dark, Dark Romance

94 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2023

About the author

Also writes under K.C. Gray.

E.R. Hendricks Is originally from Connecticut but now lives in Missouri with her husband and kids. She is a hot mess mom, to five kids and two fur babies. If she isn't reading books, she’s writing them. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and COFFEE. She is new-ish to writing but truly loves it. She writes spicy romance and is even venturing into Horror. The tropes vary depending on her mood. She writes anything from fantasy/paranormal to contemporary, dark romance, and even horror. The only limit is her twisted imagination. With a soft spot for psychotic men and strong, badass MFCs, you won't find any meek, frail women in her books. She hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoys writing them.

Reviews

[j a y d e p r a v e d · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick little novella read but it hit all the right spots. Loved the characters in it. Descriptions are on point and i always love the “touch her and die” vibes.
Can’t wait to read more books by ER!!

[Haribo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beast. This right here is why I love monster romance. He’s a monster but he’s her monster and he will fight the evil in her life. Read the TW carefully before reading (I loved how detailed this was but without any real spoilers) . Such a sweet and hot read with well balanced smut/plot.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cinnamon roll monster with touch her and die vibes! Yes!!

I enjoyed this novella. It was a super super fast read!

I love an FMC that gets rescued and started to find her power. And monster who helps her gain independence whil also wanting to own her.

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Evil Within by E.R. Hendricks is a dark monster romance novella.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Camazotz and Cecylia. I loved the soft protective side to Camazotz. I liked that we got both of their points of views throughout the book.

I would recommend this book if you like monster romances.

[Laci Steimel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella! Cinnamon roll monster, who will kill everyone for hurting his girl. And an innocent girl who finds her way to enjoying some super spicy moments! Sooo much spice. Definitely check trigger warnings, but I loved this story and cannot wait to read more!

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Spicy
A steamy monster read. Told in dual POV.
Cecylia is an innocent young women that has been abused a large portion of her life and then we have her demon protector, Camazotz. Cam and Cece are perfect for one another.
Overall, I really enjoyed it!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Hot

Monster/Demon Dark Romace/ Insta-Love/ Fated Mates/Breeding/ Praise

Check your trigger warnings ⚠️

"My heart warms at the thought that this beast, this powerful being, thinks of me as something special enough to care for, to protect and covet."

Cecylia is a woman that has been abused her whole life. Camazotz is a demon made from the Devil himself. This is a novella, it is short, and sweet, but hits all the right points. Their is just enough story/background, and spice to make this a very well rounded book. He's a monster but he's her monster.

[JackaayReadsallday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I’m looking for in a dark supernatural novella! Tons of spice & the cinnamon roll monster is just perfect 🤩 Can’t wait to dive into more from this author.

[hc · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wasn’t expecting much, so it was eh. definitely something

[Christy Davisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book brings the perfect mix of dark cult and monster vibes that has you flipping the pages as fast as you can.

This author weaved a dark tale with some spicy moments mixed in that makes it a unputdownable book. If you have triggers make sure you check the TW beforehand.

It's a dark read with a religious type cult that uses poor Cecylia as there excuse to do horrible things to her as if she's possessed by demons or calls to them. Her father is the leader and the worst offender of them all. As she ages her body is used in many ways and her shadow monster as she refers to him has watched her over the years and finally decides to make a move to show himself.

Camazotz has been plagued by feelings as he watches Cecylia over the years, but when he finally smells her blood it becomes apparent he needs/wants her. Since he can only visit her at night he's not privy to all the horrible things she's put through and as he witness her father's finally act against her he makes his move. We watch as this creature comes to exact revenge for all the wrongs done against his "beloved little lamb." He's the only one to show love and kindness to her and knows she's his mate and he needs to claim her soon.

So yes you have a lot of dark content mixed in with some spicy monster moments that give you the perfect dark read. I loved the monster aspect and how Cecylia evolves throughout her time with Camazotz. It's a fast paced easy to follow read that draws you into this dark and tabooish world. The author gives a lot of details that make the pages come to life. I'm excited to read more from this author. I had the pleasure of reading this early and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves dark, taboo, and monster reads!

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short novella about Cecylia and abhorrent living conditions living at home with her father. Cecylia's father was a religious fanatic who twisted the teachings of the bible to his own agenda. He was a vile and disgusting individual who let the men of his church use Cecylia's body through the act of sodomy in an attempt to keep her virginity intact.... something he planned to take later.

8 years ago, when Cecylia witnessed her mother's death at the hands of her father, she began to receive nightly visits from a monster of the shadows.

Camazotz was a demon lurking in the shadows. He was drawn to the town in which Cecylia lived. He was drawn by her blood but later realized he stayed for her. Camazotz was a creature of the shadows who didn't travel via light but each night he kept watch over Cecylia never making contact.

It wasn't until one fateful night when Cecylia's father decided it was time to offer her up as a sacrifice for his and his follower's sins. Camazotz normally remained in the shadows until he realized her father intended to not only rape Cecylia but sacrifice her as well. It was that moment when Cecylia, her father and his followers realized that Monters were real, and one has come to claim his own.

Cecylia originally was scared of Camazotz until she saw him take revenge against everyone who ever hurt her. Camazotz wasn't used to the feeling and amotions he was feeling but he soon realized that Cecylia was his mate and vowed to do everything in his power to give her the love, protection and provision she never received while in her father's care.

Through unconventional circumstances Cecylia found a safe place with a monster of the night and she never felt happier than she was in his presence.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A monster romance novella between Camazotz and Cecylia. Cecylia has seen the ugly side of the cult her father runs. In his attempt to cleanse his cult members and himself they part take in rituals that sometimes focus on Cecylia. Camazotz is one of the demons one of the rituals summoned but he is the only one that has stayed. Over the years he returns at night to watch Cecylia. The night Cecylia's father is going to kill her in a ritual Camazotz makes himself seen physically and rescues her.

Please check the triggers before reading!

My rating:☕️☕️☕️☕️(4/5)

This was such a quick read! I will repeat it again! Please check the triggers before reading!! While the triggers are mostly (in my opinion so take it with a grain of salt!) suggested and not graphic you need to be comfortable with the subjects discussed. Honestly though once you get past the triggers it's an insta love novella! Cecylia had it so rough you don't feel bad for the cult members and what happens to them! Camazotz is a possessive monster indeed! The moment he realizes what her father is going to do to her he realizes why he kept coming to see her and honestly did it just in time. Cecylia is so confused by his kindness its heartbreaking to see her struggle with the fact he doesn't want anything in exchange for her having her basic needs met. But once she as well realizes that she has feelings for him she realizes how sheltered she has been and is aware of her short comings. And that bit of banter they had going on for a sec!!

[Ashley Nicole Trevino · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️Please check your triggers before reading!‼️

E.R. Hendricks seems to amaze me more and more with each book she writes and brings out to us readers. She is bringing all the goods! Especially with this dark monster quick read novella!

You have your MFC Cecylia who is a sweet and innocent character who has had a troubling upbringing by her father after her mother was horribly killed. Which is when our MMC Camazotz our very sexy vampire bat, starts to appear to her in shadow form until her 18th birthday when he presents himself to her when she begs for his help!.... which he ends up doing! Her unknowingly knowing she eventually falls in love with our monster! 🦇🧛

🌶🌶The steamy smutty sexy scenes for these 2 are unbelievable and filled with so much wonder! Hendricks really did amazing in writing these scenes you don't wanna miss out! 🔥🔥

This book will give you hate and love feelings all into one!🖤

[reader. kore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Evil Within
E. R. Hendricks

H is a real monster/demon. Big monster under
the bed vibes. Camazotz is the guy without compunction, who would such his mate's wrongdoers dry (literally) to exact revenge.

Cecylia has been through hell. Stuck in a cult, with a deranged father and his equally crazy followers, she asks for Cam's help at the very last minute.

This book ticks off so many things I like in my dark books- a doting hero, calls her little lamb and a heroine with a undiscovered likeness for depraved things. As if the disclaimer list in the beginning wasn't enough, there's an unique phallus attached to Cam.

The author does a good job of tying the story up, and the questions that came up in my head were all answered satisfactorily. If you are looking for a dark read itch to scratch, Cam surely will take his talons down your back ;)

Definitely will be reading more from this author.

5 stars

[LadyOfTheLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Evil Within 3⭐ 2🔥 6/10🖤

The premise for this story was intriguing. There were a lot of possibilities to explore with everything going on but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me. There is a lot of promise here but I feel like this story needed to be longer because it held no depth. Everything was very on the surface level and with so much going on there was no time to explore the characters and their inner struggle or how they came to terms with certain things. And while this is fine for some stories I do feel like this one would have benefitted from a bit more depth and from being a bit longer so that there was more time between the meeting and the boink to look into the characters more and really connect with them.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a captivating dark one. It surrounds Cecylia (Cece) and how her father and his cult torture and torment her. The older she becomes, the more she looks like her mother. Her father wants to use her for a sacrifice and even allows his followers to sodomize Cece. Camazotz (Cam) is the demon/monster who watches from the shadows. He has been watching Cece from the shadows and never intervenes until one night when Cece was about to be raped and sacrificed that he shows up and intervenes. It is later reveled that Cece and Cam are MATES. This story was a dark story that I couldn't put down. I was invested with the story and its characters. I do recommend this book. I will say to check the trigger warnings before you dive deep into the story.

[Kendel Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and fast read. It’s exactly what the author describes: insta-love, dark themes, monster love. There’s very little character development or plot since it’s a novella but it gets spicy fast. The monster has watched the main female character from the shadows for years (but somehow misses her constant abuse and torture) and decides he wants her so saves her from death at the hands of a cult. It’s a quick, easy read. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading! They are no joke.

[Briana Booker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forewarning this is in no way a religious good book. Synopsis: Madman married beautiful af woman, they have a child (her cloneu). Child gets older and starts looking more and more like mom. Dad goes crazy and says the devil is tempting him. Dad is one psycho dude.

Fast forward: Demon Daddy! Yes that is what he is going to be called. Cam is the demon we all wished would save us when home life started to suck.

Cecylia (love the way that is spelled) is broken and needs to be shown love again. It’s so small but so much happens in this small book. Loved the story

[Maz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was about a monster finding his mate in an innocent being.
He may have been the monster lurking in the shadow, the true monster was her father and his cult followers.
Their love was instant for him as she was his mate, she got to know him and fell in love once she saw the real him. There was action, gore and hot spicy moments.

Fast paced and easy read. There is quite a few triggers so please check those..

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A monstrous and dark novella. Read TW very carefully before reading. I loved Camazotz, yes he is a monster but he is Cecylia’s monster. He would do anything to protect her from her father. This is fast paced but the world building and the characters make the pages truly come to life, and it makes you keep turning the pages to see what happens next. Plenty of dark with some spice if you enjoy monster romance.

[Rosa Dunahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Evil Within is a dark taboo romance. Cecylia has been treated horrible by her father and his people for years. But for years Camazotz has been pulled to her for years. He is demon and isn’t supposed to get feelings for her but he discovered she was mate. Now he must save her from the true evil of her life. Well this is quick read it doesn’t miss a beat with all the twists and turns thrown at us.

[Chelsi Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish this book was longer or maybe a serial series because I was hooked from the very beginning. This book is dark. The FMC goes through quite a lot in the very beginning of the book and I definitely will say pay attention to the TW. It’s such a good book and I will definitely be reading more from this author!!

[Kirstie Close · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good short read I read it in one go. Good little fast paced storyline with good spice, some gore and a monster in love with a pure innocent woman who saves her from evil.

So if you like monsters and spice and some dark bits frone in for good measure then this is definitely for you.

Please read triggers before reading.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this little story hit the spot! The characters were well fleshed out, especially for being such a short story. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it and can't wait to read more from this author. Overall, great character development, just enough scary stuff to make it interesting, and the love scenes were very sweet yet sexy.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge Served Gory

This is a quick, smutty read with a good amount of violence and gore included. The plot hinges mostly around vengeance for how the FMC’s father treated her while she comes to terms with being in the presence of the shadow that has haunted the corner in her room nightly.

I only wish this were a little longer, I didn’t want it to end!

[Nicole Chavarria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but Sweet

This book was a quick read. Although short, it was adorable. Huge scary monster who is only sweet to his beloved. It does feel rushed, but of course, that is expected. I genuinely enjoyed this read. So satisfying, the vengeance the main female character gets from enduring so much abuse and hostility. I recommend 👌🏻

[Alma Rodríguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Cece and Cam. The story had me hooked and I finished reading it in no time! I don’t think I’ve met a gentler demon before (if that makes sense). Definitely worth reading, I enjoyed it very much.

[Samantha Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not normally a huge reader for “monster” romance, I did really enjoy this short read!
Camazotz and Cecylia are an unlikely pair brought together by some pretty horrific circumstances. Camazotz puts off literal “touch her and di3” vibes, and I’m here for it!

[Diane Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love story you didn't see coming...

I was a bit skeptical when I began the book. I was worried that the content would be triggering, but I was able to push through. I'm so glad I finished this. I ended up really enjoying it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Check Trigger Warnings*

I actually enjoyed this little novella.
Things I loved:
-Dual POV
-Cinnamon roll with touch her and die vibes
-Monster/human romance
-Knotty /breeding/ praise
-A good ratio of plot to spice in a novella