Dark Thoughts is a STAND-ALONE SciFi Romance. The hero might be tall, dark, and scarred but don’t be fooled by his appearance. He’s truly a monster. This story is not for readers with delicate sensibilities.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
Dark Thoughts by Cynthia Sax
Rating -
Book 1 of the Refuge series
Genre - Scifi Romance / assassin
POV - dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Amazon ebook
Length - 232 pages
The Refuge is home to some of the most violent beings in the universe. Kralj, its leader, reigns over the remote outpost with terrifying ease, ruthlessly squashing any rumors of rebellion, killing anyone who breaks his rules. Primitive, deadly, powerful, he’s a monster, scarred both on his face and his soul. He has never met a being he couldn’t control.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
This was such a great read! It was darker than I'm used to from this author, but I loved every moment I spent with Kralj and Dita.
Kralj was a unique being, possibly the most deadly being in the universe, and he thought he was destined to live his long life alone, protecting those in his refuge with a code of honor and deadly intent. Then Dita makes her presence known, constantly crawling up the wall of his oasis, a human assassin determined to keep her word and take revenge against three men who reside in the refuge. She's immune to his most lethal power and suddenly his life doesn't seem so lonely.
I enjoyed both the dark and light elements of their relationship. The author did a wonderful job of capturing their lethal beauty and their vulnerabilities. My only real complaint was that I wanted to spend more time with these two.
Knowing Zip
dual pov, explicit heat, 42 pages
Knowing Zip is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Seeking Vector. It is also a BBW Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Surrounded by his brethren, their females, and their offspring, all Zip wanted was a female of his own. A future like the ones he had to bear witness to. When he finally finds her after diligently searching every database he had access to, he immediately sets off to find her. Lucky for him, Ryssa had always dreamed of being kidnapped by a cyborg. This book definitely had tons of instalove vibes and with an edge of danger, it was very entertaining.
___________________________________
Dark Arsenal
dual pov, explicit heat, 65 pages
Dark Arsenal is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Taking Vengeance. It is also a Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Arsenal has seen himself as disposable. He's got no female, no offspring, no future. He signs up for dangerous missions, taking risks that those with families should avoid, and almost invites death. His future starts looking up when his latest mission brings him in close contact with the one woman meant for him. Vicuska is beautiful and determined and the perfect match for him. Their adventure together was scary and fun. I wonder if the Nora A.I. will feature in any other books?
Hello and Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is off to a great start!
I'm sharing three books I read and quite enjoyed and maybe you'll find something here to read too!
Traded by Rebecca Brooke
dual pov, contemporary, abuse trigger
I’m a pawn, a piece of chattel, a toy--used and forgotten.
When you’re done with me, you can walk away with no regrets. That’s how my husband sees me. I try to be the best wife possible for him. After all, he took me on when no one else would. Now--he’s in debt and owes more money to the loan shark than we can possibly repay.
But, don’t worry, he’s come up with a solution, it’s just not one I was expecting.
...I’ve been TRADED.
Rating -
I liked this book. I did. Any time a broken woman can rise above and triumph, I applaud. However, I wasn't quite sold by this story.
Elena was verbally and emotionally abused by her husband for the entire 5 years of their marriage. How she allowed herself to be convinced by him that she was worthless is neither here nor there because this does happen. How she believed that through it all he really loved her was beside the point. What frustrated me was how fast she got past this (not even a month bro!)
She went from meek and submissive to sassy and borderline rude in a hot minute. I get that this is fiction but there was no real internal struggle.
She kept mentioning how serious she took those wedding vows. That when she said them she meant them. Ummmmmm... weren't you blackout drunk during your wedding in Vegas and didn't even know you were married until you woke up with a ring on your finger???
Then she kept saying that for 5 years she tried to be a good wife. But yet she grew up with both of her parents, who were still happily married it seemed. She already had an example of a good wife and it seemed nothing like the subservient slave she turned herself into. Her abuse was unfortunate, yes, but not completely understood by me.
This book annoyed me as well because it failed to fact check its info. Isn't Off Broadway the term used for a small theater in New York? Then how was Elena in an Off Broadway production in Colorado? Was this a travelling Broadway?
The only saving grace for this story was Ashton. I love an Alpha thug in glasses!! I loved how he quickly saw her situation and made moves to help her escape it. The way he helped her break out of her shell and become her own person was a beautiful thing. I really liked how he loved her.
The ending was pretty abrupt but some people like short and sweet HFN's I guess. Aside from some editing mishaps, the story was well written.
If you like a book that speaks on overcoming and moving past abuse and opening your heart to try again, this book might be right up your alley.
I liked this book. I did. Any time a broken woman can rise above and triumph, I applaud. However, I wasn't quite sold by this story.
Elena was verbally and emotionally abused by her husband for the entire 5 years of their marriage. How she allowed herself to be convinced by him that she was worthless is neither here nor there because this does happen. How she believed that through it all he really loved her was beside the point. What frustrated me was how fast she got past this (not even a month bro!)
She went from meek and submissive to sassy and borderline rude in a hot minute. I get that this is fiction but there was no real internal struggle.
She kept mentioning how serious she took those wedding vows. That when she said them she meant them. Ummmmmm... weren't you blackout drunk during your wedding in Vegas and didn't even know you were married until you woke up with a ring on your finger???
Then she kept saying that for 5 years she tried to be a good wife. But yet she grew up with both of her parents, who were still happily married it seemed. She already had an example of a good wife and it seemed nothing like the subservient slave she turned herself into. Her abuse was unfortunate, yes, but not completely understood by me.
This book annoyed me as well because it failed to fact check its info. Isn't Off Broadway the term used for a small theater in New York? Then how was Elena in an Off Broadway production in Colorado? Was this a travelling Broadway?
The only saving grace for this story was Ashton. I love an Alpha thug in glasses!! I loved how he quickly saw her situation and made moves to help her escape it. The way he helped her break out of her shell and become her own person was a beautiful thing. I really liked how he loved her.
The ending was pretty abrupt but some people like short and sweet HFN's I guess. Aside from some editing mishaps, the story was well written.
If you like a book that speaks on overcoming and moving past abuse and opening your heart to try again, this book might be right up your alley.
Lost by Ker Dukey
dark romance, multiple pov
We came from nothing and were given a second chance at life, and life was pretty good until it tipped on its axis and my world came tumbling down around me.
My Baby Sister is missing…
Stolen…
Lost…
I’ve never felt this helpless before now, the vacant hole inside me expanding with each passing second of not knowing where she is.
What’s she going through?
Is she hurt?
Suffering?
Alive?
The more I learn of her disappearance the more fear implants itself inside my heart, hardening - darkening.
The world is a depraved place, full of evil lurking behind normality.
Behind smiles.
Behind deception and facades.
She needs me and I will do whatever it takes to find her.
Whatever.
Whatever.
Rating -
For the first time ever, I struggled with a Ker Dukey story :(
Winter's little sister, Summer, is missing. There's a serial killer who targets teenage girls on the loose. Winter is taking courses at school to become a cop and believes she's equipped to handle the case all on her own, despite the man she loves, a high-ranking detective, working it already. Sounds like magic in the making, right?
I'm always pissed when the heroine thinks she's too big for her britches. Having a hard-knock life doesn't mean you're prepared to take on serial killers, pedophiles, virgin auctioneers, slave traders, etc. And when the cops are already on it, you're just getting in the way.
The entire story is Winter rushing headlong into danger and Cole coming to the rescue. Winter waving a gun around and being overcome. Winter constantly putting herself in dangerous situations and wondering how she got there. Winter just never used her damn head.
I'm sad because this story had so much potential. Unfortunately the little glimmers that shone weren't enough for me to fall in love with it. Will it stop me from trying again? Absolutely not!
For the first time ever, I struggled with a Ker Dukey story :(
Winter's little sister, Summer, is missing. There's a serial killer who targets teenage girls on the loose. Winter is taking courses at school to become a cop and believes she's equipped to handle the case all on her own, despite the man she loves, a high-ranking detective, working it already. Sounds like magic in the making, right?
I'm always pissed when the heroine thinks she's too big for her britches. Having a hard-knock life doesn't mean you're prepared to take on serial killers, pedophiles, virgin auctioneers, slave traders, etc. And when the cops are already on it, you're just getting in the way.
The entire story is Winter rushing headlong into danger and Cole coming to the rescue. Winter waving a gun around and being overcome. Winter constantly putting herself in dangerous situations and wondering how she got there. Winter just never used her damn head.
I'm sad because this story had so much potential. Unfortunately the little glimmers that shone weren't enough for me to fall in love with it. Will it stop me from trying again? Absolutely not!
Royal Savage by Victoria Ashley
dual pov, contemporary romance, abuse trigger
I CAN’T CLOSE MY EYES… I refuse to. Every time I do, all I see is blood, death, and pain. I can feel it - almost taste it, bringing me back to that night.
It doesn't matter that I'm still breathing; I no longer need it, I no longer want it. I despise it along with everything else around me.
The only thing I long for is to fucking fade away. I've given up. Until her at least…
AVALON.
She comes into my world, knocking me on my ass.
It turns me on to have her around me. Makes me want to wrap my hand around her tight little throat and fuck her until she feels my pain, feels the monster in me, but also makes me want to protect her from the very thing that she should be afraid of... me.
Once she sees the damage that I’m capable of; she’ll look at me like everyone else around me does: with fear.
AVALON KNIGHT
HIS EYES... THE DARKNESS IN them draws me to him, making me want to taste him, feel him… and save him. I shouldn't have gotten on the back of his motorcycle that day. I know that now. Colton warned me. I was told it was dangerous. I was told that nothing would be the same. He was right.
ROYAL is dangerous, dark, and seductive; the very thing that keeps me hanging on, willing to give my last breath just to touch him… breathe him in.
He’s savage, inked, and highly captivating. So different from his brother…
He's hazardous to my health, mind, and body, yet the only thing that I crave. I want to free him. I want to change his mind, but I'm afraid that he’s already too faded…
Rating -
Even the blurb is a hot mess.
This wasn't the greatest book of all time, but it was entertaining.
Royal was crazy hot. Emphasis on crazy. He was a tortured hero. He was seen as a bad guy (by the small-minded people in his small town), but he wasn't a criminal. He was protective and loyal to a fault. Tragic circumstances changed his perspective on life and it took the love of a good woman, enter Avalon, to help him find a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The story was a bit rushed and I found that details were given sparingly. Random characters were introduced with no explanation. Examples include Cole, who was the brother of another random character named Riley, and Baxton, who was someone Royal grew up with. No history was really given of Royal other than the tragedy that took place almost two years ago. So while that incident helped to shape his character and give it some much needed depth, both he and Avalon came off as one-dimensional people.
Overall, a fast and intense read.
Even the blurb is a hot mess.
This wasn't the greatest book of all time, but it was entertaining.
Royal was crazy hot. Emphasis on crazy. He was a tortured hero. He was seen as a bad guy (by the small-minded people in his small town), but he wasn't a criminal. He was protective and loyal to a fault. Tragic circumstances changed his perspective on life and it took the love of a good woman, enter Avalon, to help him find a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The story was a bit rushed and I found that details were given sparingly. Random characters were introduced with no explanation. Examples include Cole, who was the brother of another random character named Riley, and Baxton, who was someone Royal grew up with. No history was really given of Royal other than the tragedy that took place almost two years ago. So while that incident helped to shape his character and give it some much needed depth, both he and Avalon came off as one-dimensional people.
Overall, a fast and intense read.
Hello and Happy Friday!
I've been gone for awhile, but I'm back (hopefully to stay). I've been reading, but for some reason, I keep forgetting to blog about the books I've loved (or not). I'll do better, I promise.
Today I'm sharing a week's worth of what I'm currently reading, what I want to read, and several romance book bargains.
Hopefully you find something to enjoy here too. Have an amazing weekend!!
What I'm Reading Now
What I'm Hoping to Read Next
Added to My TBR
I'm still working on what I already have on there and the books I own, so I've added nothing new. I'm doing really well, I think!
Romance Book Bargains
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: fantasy |
 $1.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: paranormal |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $1.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $1.99Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
 $2.49Standalone
Genre: contemporary |
Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! This is the kind of post where I'll be sharing my book recommendations within a specific romantic trope or theme.
Today I'm sharing five Emotional Reads that tried their hardest to wreck me. I'm not an emotional person (although I've been known to cry like a baby during certain Disney movies), but these books touched me. And if they can have an effect on me, I can only imagine how they will ruin someone else.
If you've got a recommendation, please send it my way!
Dear Life by Meghan Quinn
I think what touched me the most in this book was what happened at the very end. The author wrote her own letter and it really pulled at my heartstrings. This book tore me apart. Seriously, it's like the author knew exactly which buttons to push to make me a sobbing mess and pushed them all at the same time. If you're in need of a good cry, you should give this story a try.
Levi's Blue by M. Leighton
This story was chock full of feels. So many feels. The author gave me a couple to really fall in love with and they put me through the emotional wringer. The hits kept coming, but my love never waned. Such incredible writing!
The Debt by Karina Halle
Jessica finds herself scared and alone, losing faith in herself and humanity with each agonizing moment that passes. That is until a stranger enters her life. A stranger who makes her live again. I didn't exactly fall in love with this story (the heroine wasn't for me), but it was full of angst and so for readers who love that, look no further. This story will bring you high and then low and then high again. It's messy and I enjoyed it.
Torrid Affair by Callie Anderson
Usually I try my best to avoid these types of stories because not only are they painful, but I can never figure out how cheating can result in a HEA. This book gave me a good ending for the characters I cared about. As you can guess, it's about an affair, but it was about so much more than that. And if you like your feelings being messed with, in a good way, you'll like this story too.
27 Truths by M.J. Fields
Heartbroken. I'm literally trying not to cry while writing this review. This book taught me how ugly angst could be and how great it could feel. Having my stomach tied into knots, trying to swallow over the lump in my throat, covering my eyes and still trying to read the words... freaking brilliant.
Find my review HERE
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