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A review by kfriend
Tales of Darkness and Sin by Natasha Knight, Lucia Franco, Ashley Jade, Lylah James, A. Zavarelli, Pepper Winters, Sam Mariano, Aleatha Romig, Skye Warren, Cora Reilly, Sierra Simone, S.M. Soto, Isabella Starling, Giana Darling, Jade West, Parker S. Huntington, K Webster
5.0
The dream-mafia co-writing team. This was such a delicious and sexy little morsel- but I wanted SO much more of this story- I would kill for a full length.
3.5 stars
Merged review:
Dark, delicious, and steamy, Tales of Darkness and Sin is a dark, hedonistic delight. Packed with dream-collaborations of some of my favorite dark romance authors, authors who consistently set the bar for twisted, devious, and sumptuously sensual romance stories. Some of these shorts I’d read when they appeared in the authors’ Queen of Darkness and Sin group- and others I got to read for the first time. This was an incredibly stacked deck of sexy stories- one of my favorite anthologies to date. I loved every single story in this book.
Stories included:
**Sold to the Highest Bidder by Aleatha Romig and Skye Warren
These two have such complimentary storytelling approaches, so I love when they collaborate- I knew it would be a sensual and debaucherous creation. I wished we had a bit more to Briana and Cameron’s story- but I loved the premise and the very sexy and alluring alpha Cameron.
**Stalker by A. Jade and A. Zavarelli
I was most excited for this one- not only because I love stalker stories but also because I am obsessed with both of these authors- A Zavarelli’s dark intensity and Ashley Jade’s unconventional and depraved stories. Both so compellingly explore flawed characters- so having them take on a stalker story was just a dream. This one really hit the spot- I loved Violet and Zander, had all that taboo/forbidden appeal, and was just the right amount of naughty. Definitely my favorite in the anthology.
** Poisoned Hearts by Giana Darling and Parker S. Huntington
These two authors have some of the most distinct and flowery prose I’ve read in romance- their novels really elevate the genre in their artistry, and they both have a wheelhouse that is one of my favorite sub-genre’s- MAFIA. I had actually already read this in Queens of Darkness and Sin group, and I loved it then, and I love it now. This is probably the most well written piece of the bunch- just really artfully constructed and packs quite a punch for a novella- steam, intimacy, emotional range, and explosive character connection. That chemistry- HOT. This one had me on my toes- and I loved Liliana, the mafia princess/ virgin who is a minx under it all, and Frankie, the anti-hero intent on revenge. This story is seductive and delicious.
**The Dirty Bargain by Cora Reilly and Lylah James
The dark mafia queens in a dream collaboration. I remember freaking out reading this when it first appeared in the QoDS group- these two are masters at the alpha-softer heroine dynamic that I love so much. The dark anti-hero who softens only for his lady. Fans of Cora’s series will remember Talia, Cara’s little sister from Bound by Vengeance. Talia is SO much more than we realized, and I love how she goes against Cora’s usual heroine type. Her with Killer is just the ultimate mafia assassin/anti-hero. He’s dark, twisted, ruthless. They strike a delicious and sexy bargain- and the twists had me gasping. THis one ended far too quickly- I needed a whole book!
**Mr. Foster by K Webster and Sam Mariano
My psychologically and emotionally taboo writing queens! AH- my heart was so happy. And age gap/father’s best friend? GIMME GIMME. These two authors are my go-tos for forbidden romance- not only because their stories are sexy, but because they so beautifully challenge and push our conceptions of love by the EMOTIONAL intensity they bring to the taboo. This isn’t overly taboo (especially for KW), we have just enough of the forbidden though, and it is so steamy and yummy. The chemistry is magnetic- yowzers, loved this one.
**Not A Dirty Little Secret by Sierra Simone and Giana Darling
Again, two deeply eloquent composers of prose and also two of the most emotionally sensual writers around. I knew this would be magic. But even better- MM (finally, Giana!!) And we’ve got a bit of the taboo with it being stepbrothers. These two bring SO much soul to their dark stories- an emotional intensity that just sings, it makes the sex even sexier. Truly a beautiful AND steamy story.
**Her Christmas Present by Jade West and Lucia Franco
No one writes kink like Jade West- so I expected this one to be on fire. And oh, it was. Teacher-student kinky magic. So taboo, so filthy, I’m overheating just thinking about it. Such a naughty little treat.
And, in addition to these stories, Pepper Winters, Natasha Knight, and Isabella Starling all feature previews of upcoming books. I’d already read Natasha Knight’s With This Ring (it just came out)- and I LOVED this forced marriage/mafia story. Isabella Starling’s Tyrant Stalker had me intrigued and builds on a book already out (that was so naughty), and I always love the dark sensuality that Pepper’s writing exudes- so the Forbidden Flaws previews was a great glimpse into a book that I’m sure I’ll devour.
All in all A GREAT anthology showcasing the dark and devious talents of some of the best dark romance writers out there. If only we could convince them to write full length novels together….but these stories are pretty incredible.
3.5 stars
Merged review:
Dark, delicious, and steamy, Tales of Darkness and Sin is a dark, hedonistic delight. Packed with dream-collaborations of some of my favorite dark romance authors, authors who consistently set the bar for twisted, devious, and sumptuously sensual romance stories. Some of these shorts I’d read when they appeared in the authors’ Queen of Darkness and Sin group- and others I got to read for the first time. This was an incredibly stacked deck of sexy stories- one of my favorite anthologies to date. I loved every single story in this book.
Stories included:
**Sold to the Highest Bidder by Aleatha Romig and Skye Warren
These two have such complimentary storytelling approaches, so I love when they collaborate- I knew it would be a sensual and debaucherous creation. I wished we had a bit more to Briana and Cameron’s story- but I loved the premise and the very sexy and alluring alpha Cameron.
**Stalker by A. Jade and A. Zavarelli
I was most excited for this one- not only because I love stalker stories but also because I am obsessed with both of these authors- A Zavarelli’s dark intensity and Ashley Jade’s unconventional and depraved stories. Both so compellingly explore flawed characters- so having them take on a stalker story was just a dream. This one really hit the spot- I loved Violet and Zander, had all that taboo/forbidden appeal, and was just the right amount of naughty. Definitely my favorite in the anthology.
** Poisoned Hearts by Giana Darling and Parker S. Huntington
These two authors have some of the most distinct and flowery prose I’ve read in romance- their novels really elevate the genre in their artistry, and they both have a wheelhouse that is one of my favorite sub-genre’s- MAFIA. I had actually already read this in Queens of Darkness and Sin group, and I loved it then, and I love it now. This is probably the most well written piece of the bunch- just really artfully constructed and packs quite a punch for a novella- steam, intimacy, emotional range, and explosive character connection. That chemistry- HOT. This one had me on my toes- and I loved Liliana, the mafia princess/ virgin who is a minx under it all, and Frankie, the anti-hero intent on revenge. This story is seductive and delicious.
**The Dirty Bargain by Cora Reilly and Lylah James
The dark mafia queens in a dream collaboration. I remember freaking out reading this when it first appeared in the QoDS group- these two are masters at the alpha-softer heroine dynamic that I love so much. The dark anti-hero who softens only for his lady. Fans of Cora’s series will remember Talia, Cara’s little sister from Bound by Vengeance. Talia is SO much more than we realized, and I love how she goes against Cora’s usual heroine type. Her with Killer is just the ultimate mafia assassin/anti-hero. He’s dark, twisted, ruthless. They strike a delicious and sexy bargain- and the twists had me gasping. THis one ended far too quickly- I needed a whole book!
**Mr. Foster by K Webster and Sam Mariano
My psychologically and emotionally taboo writing queens! AH- my heart was so happy. And age gap/father’s best friend? GIMME GIMME. These two authors are my go-tos for forbidden romance- not only because their stories are sexy, but because they so beautifully challenge and push our conceptions of love by the EMOTIONAL intensity they bring to the taboo. This isn’t overly taboo (especially for KW), we have just enough of the forbidden though, and it is so steamy and yummy. The chemistry is magnetic- yowzers, loved this one.
**Not A Dirty Little Secret by Sierra Simone and Giana Darling
Again, two deeply eloquent composers of prose and also two of the most emotionally sensual writers around. I knew this would be magic. But even better- MM (finally, Giana!!) And we’ve got a bit of the taboo with it being stepbrothers. These two bring SO much soul to their dark stories- an emotional intensity that just sings, it makes the sex even sexier. Truly a beautiful AND steamy story.
**Her Christmas Present by Jade West and Lucia Franco
No one writes kink like Jade West- so I expected this one to be on fire. And oh, it was. Teacher-student kinky magic. So taboo, so filthy, I’m overheating just thinking about it. Such a naughty little treat.
And, in addition to these stories, Pepper Winters, Natasha Knight, and Isabella Starling all feature previews of upcoming books. I’d already read Natasha Knight’s With This Ring (it just came out)- and I LOVED this forced marriage/mafia story. Isabella Starling’s Tyrant Stalker had me intrigued and builds on a book already out (that was so naughty), and I always love the dark sensuality that Pepper’s writing exudes- so the Forbidden Flaws previews was a great glimpse into a book that I’m sure I’ll devour.
All in all A GREAT anthology showcasing the dark and devious talents of some of the best dark romance writers out there. If only we could convince them to write full length novels together….but these stories are pretty incredible.