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The Collector Trilogy #1
Dark Reign
Wealthy. Reclusive. Dangerous. Emerson LeBlanc doesn’t enter society much. He only ventures out in pursuit of new art for his collection. It starts with a haunting painting. Then he meets the artist...
Innocent Daphne Morelli is more exquisite than anything he’s ever seen. He becomes obsessed with her. It doesn’t matter that she’s a living, breathing person with her own hopes and dreams.
She’ll be the perfect addition to his collection.
Innocent Daphne Morelli is more exquisite than anything he’s ever seen. He becomes obsessed with her. It doesn’t matter that she’s a living, breathing person with her own hopes and dreams.
She’ll be the perfect addition to his collection.
ebook
Published November 9, 2021
About the author
Amelia Wilde
118 books3,405 followersAmelia Wilde is a USA TODAY and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.
Amelia does not negotiate with targeted harassment campaigns, but she appreciates the valuable time spent thinking about her books.
Subscribe to Amelia’s private mailing list for updates, giveaways, and regular chats by heading to readerlinks.com/l/525541.
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Don’t forget BookBub! Follow Amelia at readerlinks.com/l/525543.
Amelia does not negotiate with targeted harassment campaigns, but she appreciates the valuable time spent thinking about her books.
Subscribe to Amelia’s private mailing list for updates, giveaways, and regular chats by heading to readerlinks.com/l/525541.
Follow her on Facebook at readerlinks.com/l/525539 for all the latest giveaways, announcements, and funny jokes.
Follow Amelia on Instagram for photographic goodness at readerlinks.com/l/525542!
Click the big yellow button and follow Amelia on Amazon for new release updates at readerlinks.com/l/525544.
Want to see Amelia live? Join her exclusive reader group! Consider this your personal invitation. Here’s where to go: readerlinks.com/l/525538!
Don’t forget BookBub! Follow Amelia at readerlinks.com/l/525543.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
November 10, 2021
“Don’t turn your head.”
“I want to. Please. I want—”
He reaches in front of me and knocks the canvas off the easel. It falls sideways and tips onto the floor, paint up. Emerson pulls out and wrenches me down. Puts me on my knees. I catch myself on the canvas. Both hands in the ocean now. For three heartbeats I’m scared, but then his fingers are at work. He pushes back inside. All my dangerous desires return. This is wrong. This is filthy. To be fucked on a painting like this. On the floor. It’s good.
I should have known better than to doubt him. He watches me so carefully. He wouldn’t do this unless I could take it.
He pulls out, leaving his tip inside, and pauses. Emerson’s fingers dig into my ass, rough and unforgiving. I think each fingertip might leave a bruise, that’s how hard he squeezes. He’s pulling me apart around the head of him, still impaling me. “Your blood is on my cock.” His voice is choked. “It’s so fucking hot. I’ve never seen a more beautiful red. Hold on tight, little painter.”
I swear to fuck Amelia Wilde writes THE BEST dirty, possessive, anti-hero book boyfriends I've ever read. I can NEVER get enough of them!
The slow burn romance between Daphne and Emerson had me turning the pages because I needed to find out what was going to happen next! I love this man so much! There is just something about his mysterious ways. And the way he sees Daphne is just beautiful and swoon worthy!
If you love dark, intense, sexy as fuck anti heroes who stalk and steal the heroine they're obsessed with, then you need to meet Emerson!
DARK REIGN is a sexy, intense, dark romance with an obsessive alpha anti-hero by USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde! Now live!
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3iGEqj7
Amazon INTL: https://bit.ly/3wRaK77
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2VVHZJX
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2UhnU0k
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Google: https://bit.ly/3ksO7DL
April 11, 2023
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,9 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Emerson LeBlanc is the famous "Collector", well known in the art world.
Daphne Morelli is a painter, and she's about to become the newest Emerson's obsession.
Daphne is different from the other Morellis.
She doesn't need much, she just wants to paint.
Leo is the one who always takes care of his brothers and sisters, and Daphne is no exception.
She might live in a modest flat, but Leo's men are always around.
Emerson sees the world as art, like it's a painting.
Until he sees Daphne...
At a first glance and he's hooked.
She's different, so he follows her.
He's caught by her paintings.
So he'll do anything to have her.
For those who have read the
, there are some parts that will be repeated.These are the same situations, but by Daphne perspective.
Emerson has a lot of secrets, but nothing will stop him to get what he wants, not even Leo Morelli.
I love the chemistry between Daphne and Emerson.
He's so dark, and she's so innocent, but she can't help herself to be drawn to him.
And, against all common sense, she goes to him, she enters his car, she goes to his house, and she does all this, hiding from Leo's security...
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January 18, 2022
EDIT: 1* UPDATE SECOND BOOK HAS SHARING.
HERO SHARES THE HEROINE WITH HIS BROTHERS
Congratulations, Miss Wilde. I hope you're proud of tricking your readers into thinking this would be a MF romance with a possessive hero. Does it feel good to fall so low for a few extra coins?
------------------------------
4.5*
Am I dreaming? I'm so glad I gave the author another chance because this surprised the hell out of me. I still had some issues with the writing style, at times, but it was miles better than before.
And what do you know? IT WASN'T THE SAME SCENARIO AS THE OTHER BOOKS.
Actually, I really enjoyed this even though it was short and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD
I enjoyed the heroine. She's a little scared because of her past with her family, but she's decided to give it a try with art and make it on her own. She was sweet without being annoying and too sugary.
Now the hero? I can only describe him as mysterious and with a classy obsession.
When you read about obsessed heroes nowadays, sometimes it can get a little crass with their actions and their words. Not the case with Emerson.
He was an art collector, but it's implied that his obsession with acquiring art is rooted in some past trauma.
He sees one of the heroine's pieces and he falls at first sight. Then it's just a matter of hounding her until she gives in, but even his hounding was classy.
He was stalkerish, but never creepy, which was a nice change.
Now, the most interesting part of the book was that he didn't like her. He saw her as another form of art. Not as a human. And the slow reveal of his weird predilections was really well done. In the end, he only acquired an art piece, nothing more, so I'm curious how that's going to play out in the next installments.
The minuses I have for this:
-it was a little too short.
-too much time spent on secondary characters from the Morelli family. I get that they are important in the scope of the universe, but it took time away from the hero. And I just wanted more of the hero.
-the editing wasn't top notch. Chopped sentences and misplaced commas. Not a lot, but enough that I noticed.
This isn't a minus for me, but it might be for some. It's not very steamy. They only share one kiss, he goes down on her once, and one time they fuck. That's it. It's a short book, so there will be more coming, but don't go in expecting anything super hot.
I'm curious about the next book, though. And I do hope that when
Safety:
HERO SHARES THE HEROINE WITH HIS BROTHERS
Congratulations, Miss Wilde. I hope you're proud of tricking your readers into thinking this would be a MF romance with a possessive hero. Does it feel good to fall so low for a few extra coins?
------------------------------
4.5*
Am I dreaming? I'm so glad I gave the author another chance because this surprised the hell out of me. I still had some issues with the writing style, at times, but it was miles better than before.
And what do you know? IT WASN'T THE SAME SCENARIO AS THE OTHER BOOKS.
Actually, I really enjoyed this even though it was short and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD
I enjoyed the heroine. She's a little scared because of her past with her family, but she's decided to give it a try with art and make it on her own. She was sweet without being annoying and too sugary.
Now the hero? I can only describe him as mysterious and with a classy obsession.
When you read about obsessed heroes nowadays, sometimes it can get a little crass with their actions and their words. Not the case with Emerson.
He was an art collector, but it's implied that his obsession with acquiring art is rooted in some past trauma.
He sees one of the heroine's pieces and he falls at first sight. Then it's just a matter of hounding her until she gives in, but even his hounding was classy.
He was stalkerish, but never creepy, which was a nice change.
Now, the most interesting part of the book was that he didn't like her. He saw her as another form of art. Not as a human. And the slow reveal of his weird predilections was really well done. In the end, he only acquired an art piece, nothing more, so I'm curious how that's going to play out in the next installments.
The minuses I have for this:
-it was a little too short.
-too much time spent on secondary characters from the Morelli family. I get that they are important in the scope of the universe, but it took time away from the hero. And I just wanted more of the hero.
-the editing wasn't top notch. Chopped sentences and misplaced commas. Not a lot, but enough that I noticed.
This isn't a minus for me, but it might be for some. It's not very steamy. They only share one kiss, he goes down on her once, and one time they fuck. That's it. It's a short book, so there will be more coming, but don't go in expecting anything super hot.
I'm curious about the next book, though. And I do hope that when
Safety:
November 9, 2021
Ameli Wilde curves her alpha heroes straight out of readers' dreams. There is no other way to explain how she delivers such swoonworthy, overtly dominating, possessive to the point of obsession and overall pantymelting hot hero like Emerson Leblanc every single time. And she also created the sweetest yet most fierce heroine like Daphne to upheaval the alpha's careful world. Dark Reign was twisted with dark desires, stormy emotions and jaw dropping secrets. And I am addicted.
Daphne Morelli comes from one of the most notorious and rich and powerful family of New York. But she doesn't want to use her family connection to become a successful artist. Her life changes the day Billionaire and art world tycoon Emerson Leblanc follows her to the gallery where she displays her art. Emerson is instantly obsessed with her art and he has to acquire not only the paintings...but the artists too. So begins a chase and a game of stalking, manipulating and stealing.. Will Daphne win?
.
Omg why just why I love the antiheroes by Amelia Wilde so much? Because let's face it..Emerson has deep deep issues. I mean he is super rich and insanely gorgeous with mouthwatering hot dominance. He can have any woman but he wants Daphne and he will have her by any means. ANY MEANS. And that's why I love him. Who won't love a hero who stalks, chases and binds his obsession in rules and traps? Who won't fall for a hero who sends outrageous( and gruesome and morbid yet meaningful )gifts? Daphne has been brought up in a broken violent and twisted family. And she has a platinum backbone with contrasting softness in her heart. Fierce. Stubborn. Loving. Beautiful. Smart. Talented. And drowning in her own issues. Her life is in shambles and Emerson extends an escaping hand. Their chemistry is dirty and filthy and kinky. And their pull is undeniable and unavoidable. Daphne doesn't know she is making a deal with the devil..or may be she is obsessed with his darkness as much as Emerson is with her light. The next book cannot be here soon enough!
.
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ LEO MORELLI'S STORY I HOPE THIS STORY WILL BE THAT FINAL PUSH BECAUSE THAT MAN IS A LEGEND. HE MADE ME CRY AGAIN AND IT'S NOT EVEN HIS OWN STORY!
.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Daphne Morelli comes from one of the most notorious and rich and powerful family of New York. But she doesn't want to use her family connection to become a successful artist. Her life changes the day Billionaire and art world tycoon Emerson Leblanc follows her to the gallery where she displays her art. Emerson is instantly obsessed with her art and he has to acquire not only the paintings...but the artists too. So begins a chase and a game of stalking, manipulating and stealing.. Will Daphne win?
.
Omg why just why I love the antiheroes by Amelia Wilde so much? Because let's face it..Emerson has deep deep issues. I mean he is super rich and insanely gorgeous with mouthwatering hot dominance. He can have any woman but he wants Daphne and he will have her by any means. ANY MEANS. And that's why I love him. Who won't love a hero who stalks, chases and binds his obsession in rules and traps? Who won't fall for a hero who sends outrageous( and gruesome and morbid yet meaningful )gifts? Daphne has been brought up in a broken violent and twisted family. And she has a platinum backbone with contrasting softness in her heart. Fierce. Stubborn. Loving. Beautiful. Smart. Talented. And drowning in her own issues. Her life is in shambles and Emerson extends an escaping hand. Their chemistry is dirty and filthy and kinky. And their pull is undeniable and unavoidable. Daphne doesn't know she is making a deal with the devil..or may be she is obsessed with his darkness as much as Emerson is with her light. The next book cannot be here soon enough!
.
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ LEO MORELLI'S STORY I HOPE THIS STORY WILL BE THAT FINAL PUSH BECAUSE THAT MAN IS A LEGEND. HE MADE ME CRY AGAIN AND IT'S NOT EVEN HIS OWN STORY!
.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
November 12, 2021
4 STARS
Do I love toxic fictional men? Absolutely.
Do I love dangerous toxic fictional men? Hell yes, I do.
Do I love Amelia Wilde's particular brand of toxic alphas? GOD YES.
Now the woman upped her level of dangerous to stalker level, and I am SO HERE FOR IT.
Emerson is an enigma. He's known in the art world as The Collector. He's a connoisseur of fine art. He's obsessed with the acquisition of it almost as much as his ownership. But his current obsession is a female whose name he doesn't yet known. He's fixated on her, and on a scale of 1 to 10, he's at You level.
So basically somewhere at 175.
Daphne is the younger Morelli sibling and the sister of Leo from Secret Beast. She's highly protected, sheltered, but not entirely naive. SHe's also an up and coming artist. And when Emerson discovers that the woman behind the art he's been admiring is also the beautiful stranger that captivated him when he saw her on the street? Well, all bets are off. He will do anything to get her away from her overprotective brother and have her in every sense.
These two were such dynamic characters. Emerson with his secret demons and stalker ways, and Daphne with her sheltered ingenue vibes. Admittedly this is not the sort of heroine I gravitate towards. She's a bit too innocent, but you see her rose colored glasses come off with time. And slowly but surely she began to grow on me.
In typical Amelia fashion she closes on a killer cliff that leaves you desperate for the next book and I cannot FREAKING wait.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
Stop me,” he mutters. “What?” He takes my face in his hand and tilts it up. Those blue-green eyes are all shadows now. “Stop me,” he says again.
Do I love toxic fictional men? Absolutely.
Do I love dangerous toxic fictional men? Hell yes, I do.
Do I love Amelia Wilde's particular brand of toxic alphas? GOD YES.
Now the woman upped her level of dangerous to stalker level, and I am SO HERE FOR IT.
Emerson is an enigma. He's known in the art world as The Collector. He's a connoisseur of fine art. He's obsessed with the acquisition of it almost as much as his ownership. But his current obsession is a female whose name he doesn't yet known. He's fixated on her, and on a scale of 1 to 10, he's at You level.
So basically somewhere at 175.
Daphne is the younger Morelli sibling and the sister of Leo from Secret Beast. She's highly protected, sheltered, but not entirely naive. SHe's also an up and coming artist. And when Emerson discovers that the woman behind the art he's been admiring is also the beautiful stranger that captivated him when he saw her on the street? Well, all bets are off. He will do anything to get her away from her overprotective brother and have her in every sense.
These two were such dynamic characters. Emerson with his secret demons and stalker ways, and Daphne with her sheltered ingenue vibes. Admittedly this is not the sort of heroine I gravitate towards. She's a bit too innocent, but you see her rose colored glasses come off with time. And slowly but surely she began to grow on me.
In typical Amelia fashion she closes on a killer cliff that leaves you desperate for the next book and I cannot FREAKING wait.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
March 23, 2022
Wow, this series intrigued me and I decided I would wait for the whole series to come out before purchasing all three books.Book one kind of had me somewhat hooked, until I read reviews of book two.
AM I GLAD I DID. This needed some kind of warning that the second book goes into m/m/m/f. And brothers no less. Just NO, NO, NO!!! Sooo glad I waited as I will not read the series at all.
And what is this, the new trend. I'm seeing it more prevalent than ever, menage everywhere in romance land. I'm becoming discouraged in the direction that authors are trending in their writing of romance. Menage and historical's being written more like a contemporary book disguised as historicals.
I am seeing my TBR pile shrink and interest in romance land waning.
This is totally worth the tag of "YUCK"!!!!!!
AM I GLAD I DID. This needed some kind of warning that the second book goes into m/m/m/f. And brothers no less. Just NO, NO, NO!!! Sooo glad I waited as I will not read the series at all.
And what is this, the new trend. I'm seeing it more prevalent than ever, menage everywhere in romance land. I'm becoming discouraged in the direction that authors are trending in their writing of romance. Menage and historical's being written more like a contemporary book disguised as historicals.
I am seeing my TBR pile shrink and interest in romance land waning.
This is totally worth the tag of "YUCK"!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 7, 2021
Dark Reign sucked me in. I couldn’t put this book down. I got lost in the story and the suspense and the mystery kept me turning the page and on the edge of my seat.
Despite being a Morelli, Daphne is different from the rest of her family. She doesn’t care about her family’s money or the family business. She wants to make a name for herself and she wants to do art. Emerson is a collector. He loves art. He is known in the art world. Daphne’s art catches his eye, but so does Daphne. There is some mystery and a darkness surrounding him.
I loved the connection between Daphne and Emerson from the start. There is chemistry between them and you can feel it simmering beneath the surface. I love their shared passion for art. Emerson is obsessive and possessive, especially over Daphne. I loved the slow burn of their relationship and the mystery of it all.
This does end on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see where things go with Daphne and Emerson.
If you’re looking for a dark, slow burn, romantic suspense story this is one to check out!
Despite being a Morelli, Daphne is different from the rest of her family. She doesn’t care about her family’s money or the family business. She wants to make a name for herself and she wants to do art. Emerson is a collector. He loves art. He is known in the art world. Daphne’s art catches his eye, but so does Daphne. There is some mystery and a darkness surrounding him.
I loved the connection between Daphne and Emerson from the start. There is chemistry between them and you can feel it simmering beneath the surface. I love their shared passion for art. Emerson is obsessive and possessive, especially over Daphne. I loved the slow burn of their relationship and the mystery of it all.
This does end on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see where things go with Daphne and Emerson.
If you’re looking for a dark, slow burn, romantic suspense story this is one to check out!
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January 25, 2022
I was excited about reading a dark stalker romance and kept picturing getting "You" vibes. And up to a point it was, but the author didn't push the envelope enough in my opinion. It was more romantic than stalkerish. I liked that it was less of an atmospheric read than other books by this author. The story is slow paced and felt more authentic.
I would recommend it to people who want to read something dark but not too dark.
Safety: 18+, with 3 sexually explicit scenes, the last one a bit disturbing.
I would recommend it to people who want to read something dark but not too dark.
Safety: 18+, with 3 sexually explicit scenes, the last one a bit disturbing.
January 22, 2022
2.25⭐️
i was so excited for this book because this is a stalker romance pls that's literally right up my alley. i do have to admit that this book had potential, just wasn't executed properly.
it was so boring, especially the parts that crossed over with leo's book. they were copy-paste scenes. i was legit snoozing because i already knew what was happening. anyway, i feel like this book just didn't have enough tropes. like ok he's stalking her... do something more??? i wanted something crazy and instead, she spent more time stuck in a house with her bro?? come on.
anyways, i know everyone is hating on the second book bc of the sharing... but i don't think i even mind it because emerson and daph are just way too boring together. they need to spice up this relationship big time.
“I can’t shove this emotion, this want, away from me. It won’t go. She’s so near. So warm. So alive. The air between us feels like an insult. The fact that I’m not touching her is a grave mistake.”
i was so excited for this book because this is a stalker romance pls that's literally right up my alley. i do have to admit that this book had potential, just wasn't executed properly.
it was so boring, especially the parts that crossed over with leo's book. they were copy-paste scenes. i was legit snoozing because i already knew what was happening. anyway, i feel like this book just didn't have enough tropes. like ok he's stalking her... do something more??? i wanted something crazy and instead, she spent more time stuck in a house with her bro?? come on.
anyways, i know everyone is hating on the second book bc of the sharing... but i don't think i even mind it because emerson and daph are just way too boring together. they need to spice up this relationship big time.
Read
January 27, 2022Haha this JP asshole is fooling you.
DO NOT BELIEVE HIM.
There are MORE than one tongues in that vajayjay in Book#2.
So...........there you go.
I am so angry that i am VERY calm ryt now.
The days that i wasted on this book? I wud have learned to make a perfect pasta in that time.
DO NOT BELIEVE HIM.
There are MORE than one tongues in that vajayjay in Book#2.
So...........there you go.
I am so angry that i am VERY calm ryt now.
The days that i wasted on this book? I wud have learned to make a perfect pasta in that time.
November 9, 2021
What an enticing beginning! Dark Reign sizzles with Amelia Wilde's addicting sensual finesse- and it possessed me completely from start to finish. Daphne and Emerson's story is intoxicating and mesmerizing- an aching slow burn brimming with sexual tension, magnetic chemistry, and psychological intensity. Amelia brings such a creative approach to this story- a romantic progression that feel fresh and exciting, intriguing and mysterious. Prepare to be captivated- and desperate for more!
An enigmatic, possessive anti-hero and the innocent Morelli princess turned artist- these two are beyond yummy, and so intensely matched. I was captivated by both of them, and I need more!
Daphne is such an unexpected and compelling heroine. She’s radically different from the other Morelli’s we’ve met- and she’s been able to, more successfully than the others, distance herself a bit from her family's name and business. On the surface, she seems like your typical starving artist- young, consumed by her art, tied to her principles, and working tirelessly to find space for her art in the world. Unlike the other Morellis, she lives humbly, unassumingly, and quietly- until her path crosses with the enigmatic and domineering Emerson, the notorious Collector- who not only wants to collect her art, he sets his eyes on the artist. And what ensues is one of the most interesting games of cat and mouse I’ve ever read. Their connection, their chemistry mirrors the alluring nature of Daphne’s art. Fierce, emotionally consuming, delicate, vulnerable yet powerful. A veiled mystery that is somehow unsettling but familiar, mesmerizing and hopeful. They connect in a way that is so soulful, so compellingly - but their distance makes it all the more consuming yet perplexing. They desire each other- awaken one another, call to each other.
I just ADORED Daphne. She has the perfect Amelia Wilde combination of worldliness and innocence. She’s not naive or overly docile- she’s strong, thoughtful, optimistic, and sweet. I feel like Amelia gave her a lot of substance, and we can already see her character journey evolving. Amelia also brilliantly gave us a lot of Morelli family moments to help accentuate Daphne’s nature, to help give shape to just how she’s become who she is. And it’s also great fun for fans of the other books in this world. And Emerson is SO magnetic- a dangerous but charismatic puzzle. He’s not as fully realized as a character just yet- we know less about him, which makes him all the more intriguing. He has a lot of compelling contrasts as a character- he seems sincere and swoony at times, manipulative and ruthless in others. He certainly has the makings of a delicious anti-hero- but he feels far less transparent than other Amelia heroes. Less dangerously edgy and more emotionally threatening- and I can’t wait to unpack him more.
Narratively, this story was just so interesting- and felt quite different than the normal Midnight Dynasty or Amelia Wilde story. Because our couple spends very little time together- their chemistry evolution (as well as the physical nature of their relationship) is an intensely slow burn. Much of our story is spent with our characters circling each other from afar- transfixed by each other, trying to figure the other out, obsessing over the small but meaningful interactions they have. It makes for such a dynamic and enigmatic tone- it just builds and builds and builds. Amelia has clearly mastered the art of literary edging- because we become increasingly desperate to figure out just how their connection is going to play out. What is obsession and what is chemistry? What is fate and what is manipulation? And just what will it mean to be collected by the Collector?
IN some ways much of this story feels like a long prequel- we have a lot of immersive stage setting that hooks and compels, a slow and steady crescendo. We have a ton of emotional and romantic action that culminates in a cliffhanger. It’s consuming, it’s sweepingly sensual, and it is addictive. If the last few chapters of this book are a preview of what’s to come, this may be a new favorite from the always mesmerizing Amelia Wilde. I am DESPERATELY longing for the next book - for the artist and her collector’s story to continue.
An enigmatic, possessive anti-hero and the innocent Morelli princess turned artist- these two are beyond yummy, and so intensely matched. I was captivated by both of them, and I need more!
Daphne is such an unexpected and compelling heroine. She’s radically different from the other Morelli’s we’ve met- and she’s been able to, more successfully than the others, distance herself a bit from her family's name and business. On the surface, she seems like your typical starving artist- young, consumed by her art, tied to her principles, and working tirelessly to find space for her art in the world. Unlike the other Morellis, she lives humbly, unassumingly, and quietly- until her path crosses with the enigmatic and domineering Emerson, the notorious Collector- who not only wants to collect her art, he sets his eyes on the artist. And what ensues is one of the most interesting games of cat and mouse I’ve ever read. Their connection, their chemistry mirrors the alluring nature of Daphne’s art. Fierce, emotionally consuming, delicate, vulnerable yet powerful. A veiled mystery that is somehow unsettling but familiar, mesmerizing and hopeful. They connect in a way that is so soulful, so compellingly - but their distance makes it all the more consuming yet perplexing. They desire each other- awaken one another, call to each other.
I just ADORED Daphne. She has the perfect Amelia Wilde combination of worldliness and innocence. She’s not naive or overly docile- she’s strong, thoughtful, optimistic, and sweet. I feel like Amelia gave her a lot of substance, and we can already see her character journey evolving. Amelia also brilliantly gave us a lot of Morelli family moments to help accentuate Daphne’s nature, to help give shape to just how she’s become who she is. And it’s also great fun for fans of the other books in this world. And Emerson is SO magnetic- a dangerous but charismatic puzzle. He’s not as fully realized as a character just yet- we know less about him, which makes him all the more intriguing. He has a lot of compelling contrasts as a character- he seems sincere and swoony at times, manipulative and ruthless in others. He certainly has the makings of a delicious anti-hero- but he feels far less transparent than other Amelia heroes. Less dangerously edgy and more emotionally threatening- and I can’t wait to unpack him more.
Narratively, this story was just so interesting- and felt quite different than the normal Midnight Dynasty or Amelia Wilde story. Because our couple spends very little time together- their chemistry evolution (as well as the physical nature of their relationship) is an intensely slow burn. Much of our story is spent with our characters circling each other from afar- transfixed by each other, trying to figure the other out, obsessing over the small but meaningful interactions they have. It makes for such a dynamic and enigmatic tone- it just builds and builds and builds. Amelia has clearly mastered the art of literary edging- because we become increasingly desperate to figure out just how their connection is going to play out. What is obsession and what is chemistry? What is fate and what is manipulation? And just what will it mean to be collected by the Collector?
IN some ways much of this story feels like a long prequel- we have a lot of immersive stage setting that hooks and compels, a slow and steady crescendo. We have a ton of emotional and romantic action that culminates in a cliffhanger. It’s consuming, it’s sweepingly sensual, and it is addictive. If the last few chapters of this book are a preview of what’s to come, this may be a new favorite from the always mesmerizing Amelia Wilde. I am DESPERATELY longing for the next book - for the artist and her collector’s story to continue.
Shelved as 'will-not-read'
January 19, 2022I’m Sad that I have to take this off my tbr because of the author throwing in a sharing scene with the hero’s brothers in the next book with no warning. Very misleading to make an MF trilogy with a random and unexpected sharing scene in the SECOND book absolutely asinine in my opinion but of course all the ARC readers just love it and are living for it 🙄
Put that shit in the first book so readers know what they’re signing up for with your trilogy. Throwing it in the second book after readers have already read and connected with the characters in the first book, without any inkling that there would be sharing later on in the trilogy is just disrespectful imo no matter how much ass kissing ARC readers claim they love it
Put that shit in the first book so readers know what they’re signing up for with your trilogy. Throwing it in the second book after readers have already read and connected with the characters in the first book, without any inkling that there would be sharing later on in the trilogy is just disrespectful imo no matter how much ass kissing ARC readers claim they love it
November 18, 2021
4.25 Stars!
Well, it's official. I have a type, and it's dirty, possessive, pissed off, horny, alpha men! ;-) And color me happy, because that's EXACTLY what we had here in Emerson Leblanc.
I love the way this story unfolded. It comes across as one thing but slowly, as the reader, we begin to see there's a whole lot more at play here.
Emerson sees Daphne walking down the street one day and is instantly taken with her. He follows her only to find her walk into a low rent art gallery. As a very high-end art collector, Emerson is intrigued and decides to check out the art gallery. Inside, he is floored by a painting that speaks to him more than any other piece of art ever has.
So when he later learns that the woman he saw walking is also the artist of that same painting, he is determined to meet her.
Daphne is a member of the powerful Morelli family. Being one of the younger, more innocent siblings, she is massively protected by her older brother. I loved watching her innocence at play with Emerson's obsessive nature. She was equal parts afraid and curious about him. I loved watching the progression of her feelings throughout the book.
This was my first read by this author and I loved her powerful writing style and all the art parallels in the book.
As the second half of the book ensues, a lot of revelations begin to unfold about Emerson that had me questioning everything...probably much like Daphne is doing. Is he a reclusive, wealthy art collector or is there more to the story? There were many little nuggets that entice the reader and give us insight to what may be a WHOLE lot more than simply what's on the surface.
And that final scene in his home when he asked her to paint for him was...
The only minor things that kept this book from being a 5-star read for me was one, it was insta-lovey for me on Emerson's side, though, this might be part of his character so I really didn't subtract any stars for that. Really, it was the amount of page time spent on Leo's backstory. I get that some of it relates to the story here, but it took up a huge chunk of the book and detracted from the main couple for me. Don't get me wrong, I one-clicked the first book in his series, Secret Beast, immediately upon finishing this book. I am definitely intrigued. But I thought it was too much of that character's story in this book, which is supposed to be Daphne's story.
Dark Reign is a story that takes place in the Midnight Dynasty world which is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. (I LOVED the F*ck out of Dangerous Temptation.) This is an interwoven story of two rival families, their children, and their legacy of lies and betrayal.
I got the overall vibe that this book was laying a lot of the framework for book 2, Sweet Mercy. It does have a helluva cliffy ending. I still don't know how I feel about that ending actually. Like, Emerson?!?!?! What the frack!?!?!
This was a dark, sensual romance filled with intrigue, and a complex cast of characters. I cannot wait to see where this story goes!
I was provided with an e-ARC of this book by Valentine PR & Literary Management in exchange for an honest review.
“Show me your art.”
This tone, a confident demand, has an effect on Daphne. A glimmer catches the gold in her eyes. She won’t be able to resist my authority. She wants me to see.
“Show me what you painted for me.”
Well, it's official. I have a type, and it's dirty, possessive, pissed off, horny, alpha men! ;-) And color me happy, because that's EXACTLY what we had here in Emerson Leblanc.
I love the way this story unfolded. It comes across as one thing but slowly, as the reader, we begin to see there's a whole lot more at play here.
Emerson sees Daphne walking down the street one day and is instantly taken with her. He follows her only to find her walk into a low rent art gallery. As a very high-end art collector, Emerson is intrigued and decides to check out the art gallery. Inside, he is floored by a painting that speaks to him more than any other piece of art ever has.
So when he later learns that the woman he saw walking is also the artist of that same painting, he is determined to meet her.
"Daphne Morelli is a thousand delicate details. I thought the impression might have less impact here in the gallery. I was fucking wrong."
Daphne is a member of the powerful Morelli family. Being one of the younger, more innocent siblings, she is massively protected by her older brother. I loved watching her innocence at play with Emerson's obsessive nature. She was equal parts afraid and curious about him. I loved watching the progression of her feelings throughout the book.
"I want to see her fear and her desire and her darkness on her. Not in a representation. On her skin. On her face. Between her legs. I want to let my feelings for her loose on her."
This was my first read by this author and I loved her powerful writing style and all the art parallels in the book.
As the second half of the book ensues, a lot of revelations begin to unfold about Emerson that had me questioning everything...probably much like Daphne is doing. Is he a reclusive, wealthy art collector or is there more to the story? There were many little nuggets that entice the reader and give us insight to what may be a WHOLE lot more than simply what's on the surface.
And that final scene in his home when he asked her to paint for him was...
"I need to touch her, and I need to push her away. I need to fuck her but I need to put her in a frame and bolt her to the wall before I lose myself completely."
The only minor things that kept this book from being a 5-star read for me was one, it was insta-lovey for me on Emerson's side, though, this might be part of his character so I really didn't subtract any stars for that. Really, it was the amount of page time spent on Leo's backstory. I get that some of it relates to the story here, but it took up a huge chunk of the book and detracted from the main couple for me. Don't get me wrong, I one-clicked the first book in his series, Secret Beast, immediately upon finishing this book. I am definitely intrigued. But I thought it was too much of that character's story in this book, which is supposed to be Daphne's story.
Dark Reign is a story that takes place in the Midnight Dynasty world which is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. (I LOVED the F*ck out of Dangerous Temptation.) This is an interwoven story of two rival families, their children, and their legacy of lies and betrayal.
I got the overall vibe that this book was laying a lot of the framework for book 2, Sweet Mercy. It does have a helluva cliffy ending. I still don't know how I feel about that ending actually. Like, Emerson?!?!?! What the frack!?!?!
This was a dark, sensual romance filled with intrigue, and a complex cast of characters. I cannot wait to see where this story goes!
I was provided with an e-ARC of this book by Valentine PR & Literary Management in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2021
Omg, I am just completely hooked into this world. All the books, no matter standalones or series , I will read them 🤣. This is Daphne and Emerson's story. When I first had a glimpse of these two in the past books of the midnight dynasty world, I just knew they would be explosive. The raw darkness and the innocent themes made this book another much more anticipated read of mine.
I love it when the hero is unhinged and completely obsessed with the heroine. That was the case with Emerson here. He was crazy about Daphne and that was the best part to see. He might be cold at times but yeah, there was no denying the fast that the man was crazy about her and will do anything to have her.
This one was a start to Daphne and Emerson's story and I can already tell that there is more to come. There are so many characters in this midnight dynasty world and all of their voices need to be heard. They are that good and amazing! Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!
I love it when the hero is unhinged and completely obsessed with the heroine. That was the case with Emerson here. He was crazy about Daphne and that was the best part to see. He might be cold at times but yeah, there was no denying the fast that the man was crazy about her and will do anything to have her.
This one was a start to Daphne and Emerson's story and I can already tell that there is more to come. There are so many characters in this midnight dynasty world and all of their voices need to be heard. They are that good and amazing! Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!
December 11, 2022
𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 is a captivating, standalone stalker read that will leave you unable to put it down once you begin reading it. This is my first book by Amelia Wilde and it won’t be my last, especially because it ends on a huge cliffhanger which is so unexpected.
The author’s writing is so captivating. 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 is a part of the 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘆 collection. 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 n can be read as a complete standalone. I didn’t read any of Daphne’s sibling’s books and felt as though I missed anything.
Daphne Morelli is an artist determined to make it on her own. Because of her last name, she’s forever in danger and leads a somewhat reclusive life because she doesn’t know who she can trust. Her older siblings (who have their own books you can read) are extremely protective of her. Daphne is unique in that she doesn’t use her family name or money to gain any favors. She lives a humble life and feeds her passion by painting beautiful pieces of art. Lately she can’t seem to stop painting the ocean. She’s still a starving artist and works at a local gallery.
Emerson LeBlanc is a reclusive art collector who is world renown and known simply as The Collector. His reputation provides access to the best and most exclusive pieces of art money can buy. When Emerson sees Daphne’s art, he becomes obsessed with it as well as obsessed with the artist.
Emerson’s point of view is so interesting. The way he equates paintings to his own feelings was very well done. The nuance of a piece of art that I wouldn’t notice was described perfectly by Emerson and made me look at art in a different way. The author did a brilliant job at describing the emotions he felt when he looks at art.
Emerson pursues Daphne. Although she’s cautious, she also wants to live her life and be young. She loves her siblings tremendously and appreciates them. still, she does want more freedom. Reading this of course made me yearn for her to get that freedom. The more you read the more you love Daphne.
We are able to get perspective on this mysterious man because this book is told in dual POV. I was on edge the entire time waiting for something huge and then it came!
I definitely recommend this book if you like a wealthy broody, sexy, mysterious anti-hero with major stalker tendencies.
I am so grateful to have received an ARC and am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 28, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
Want to read
May 22, 2023
Part of The Collector Series and must be read in order:
Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty... The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.
January 27, 2022
Seriously need to process this one. Emerson is different from what I expected - scary yet enticing.
This story runs concurrently with the Beast of Bishops Landing trilogy. Beginning close to ch 14 of Hidden Beauty (bk2) and extending to the final chapter of Fallen Rose (bk3). Don’t fret if you haven’t read the trilogy yet, this story can be read first. Though I will note there are spoilers. Reading Dark Reign gives away some of the more impactful events that happen to both Leo Morelli and Haley Constantine in their trilogy.
🔥 stalker romance
🔥 slow burn, cat & mouse games with sexual tension
🔥 Emerson LeBlanc is known as ‘The Collector’
🔥 H with a good guy facade that’s actually a psycho
🔥 Daphne Morelli is a budding artist
🔥 innocent, moderately naive, virgin h
🔥 b&e for gift giving purposes
🔥 beautiful first time until it shifts to borderline noncon
🖤 soft cliffhanger
Follow me to stay up-to-date on all things Midnight Dynasty!!
𝓋𝓍𝒽𝑒𝓍𝓃_𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓈
Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub
The Midnight Dynasty world (in publication order; each set has their own symbol):
🏰 CONSTANTINE family tree.
🖤 MORELLI family tree.
🏰 Dark Fairy Tales: A Midnight Dynasty Anthology • stories surrounding Tinsley Constantine’s 16th Birthday Party
💫 Heartless: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Lucian Morelli & Elaine Constantine
👑 Stroke of Midnight: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Winston Constantine & Ash Elliott
🔥 Wicked Idol: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #1 • Keaton Constantine & Iris Briggs
💫 Soulless: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • Lucian & Elaine continued
🖤 Ruined: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Ronan Byrne (Caroline Constantine’s personal assassin) & Poppy Waverly Maywell *previously titled Stolen Hearts
👑 Prince Charming: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • Winston & Ash continued
🔥 Callous Prince: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #2 • Prince Lennox Lincoln-Ward & Sloan Lauder
🥀 Secret Beast: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Leo Morelli & Haley Constantine
💫 Relentless: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion to Lucian & Elaine’s story
👑 Glass Slipper: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion to Winston & Ash’s story
👑 Happily Ever After: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚, bonus scene
🖤 Broken: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • Ronan & Poppy continued *previously titled Broken Hearts
🥀 Hidden Beauty: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • continuation of Leo & Haley’s story
🔥 Brutal Blueblood: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #3 • Owen Montgomery & Tanith Bradford
✝️ Lessons in Sin • 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 • Tinsley Constantine & Father Magnus Falke
🥀 Fallen Rose: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion of Leo & Haley’s story
🖤 Untamed: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion of Ronan & Poppy’s story
🔥 Ruined Sinner: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #4 • Phineas Yates & Princess Aurora Lincoln-Ward
🎄 Meet Me Under the Mistletoe: a Holiday Anthology • stories surrounding the Morelli Family’s annual holiday party
🦁 Dangerous Temptation: 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑫𝒖𝒆𝒕 #1 • Tiernan Morelli & Bianca Belcante (Constantine)
🎨 Dark Reign: 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Daphne Morelli & Emerson LeBlanc
🔥 Sweet Devil: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #5 • Harlow Constantine
🦁 Beautiful Nightmare: 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑫𝒖𝒆𝒕 #2 • conclusion of Tiernan & Bianca's story
💙 Triple Threat : 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆𝒕 #1 • Terror Triplets & Landry Croft
🎨Sweet Mercy: 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟐 • continuation of Daphne & Emerson
🎨Last Resort: 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟑 • conclusion of Daphne & Emerson • coming 3.22.2022
💙 Death Wish: 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆𝒕 #𝟐 • conclusion of Terror Triplets & Landry • 3.29.2022
🃏 King of Spades: 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟏 • Nick Hudson & Lyriope Bailey • coming 4.05.2022
💍 The Reluctant Bride: 𝑾𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Perry Constantine’s story by Monica Murphy • coming 4.19.2022
💰 One for the Money by Skye Warren • Eva Morelli’s story • coming soon
🃏 Queen of Hearts: 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟐 • continuation of Nick & Lyriope • coming 7.05.2022
🃏 Ace of Diamonds: 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟑 • conclusion of Nick & Lyriope • coming 10.04.2022
BOXSET:
👑 Skyscraper Cinderella: the complete 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚
🔥 Pembroke Prep: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #1-3
This story runs concurrently with the Beast of Bishops Landing trilogy. Beginning close to ch 14 of Hidden Beauty (bk2) and extending to the final chapter of Fallen Rose (bk3). Don’t fret if you haven’t read the trilogy yet, this story can be read first. Though I will note there are spoilers. Reading Dark Reign gives away some of the more impactful events that happen to both Leo Morelli and Haley Constantine in their trilogy.
🔥 stalker romance
🔥 slow burn, cat & mouse games with sexual tension
🔥 Emerson LeBlanc is known as ‘The Collector’
🔥 H with a good guy facade that’s actually a psycho
🔥 Daphne Morelli is a budding artist
🔥 innocent, moderately naive, virgin h
🔥 b&e for gift giving purposes
🔥 beautiful first time until it shifts to borderline noncon
🖤 soft cliffhanger
Follow me to stay up-to-date on all things Midnight Dynasty!!
𝓋𝓍𝒽𝑒𝓍𝓃_𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓈
Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub
The Midnight Dynasty world (in publication order; each set has their own symbol):
🏰 CONSTANTINE family tree.
🖤 MORELLI family tree.
🏰 Dark Fairy Tales: A Midnight Dynasty Anthology • stories surrounding Tinsley Constantine’s 16th Birthday Party
💫 Heartless: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Lucian Morelli & Elaine Constantine
👑 Stroke of Midnight: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Winston Constantine & Ash Elliott
🔥 Wicked Idol: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #1 • Keaton Constantine & Iris Briggs
💫 Soulless: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • Lucian & Elaine continued
🖤 Ruined: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Ronan Byrne (Caroline Constantine’s personal assassin) & Poppy Waverly Maywell *previously titled Stolen Hearts
👑 Prince Charming: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • Winston & Ash continued
🔥 Callous Prince: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #2 • Prince Lennox Lincoln-Ward & Sloan Lauder
🥀 Secret Beast: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Leo Morelli & Haley Constantine
💫 Relentless: 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion to Lucian & Elaine’s story
👑 Glass Slipper: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion to Winston & Ash’s story
👑 Happily Ever After: 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚, bonus scene
🖤 Broken: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • Ronan & Poppy continued *previously titled Broken Hearts
🥀 Hidden Beauty: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #2 • continuation of Leo & Haley’s story
🔥 Brutal Blueblood: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #3 • Owen Montgomery & Tanith Bradford
✝️ Lessons in Sin • 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 • Tinsley Constantine & Father Magnus Falke
🥀 Fallen Rose: 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion of Leo & Haley’s story
🖤 Untamed: 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #3 • conclusion of Ronan & Poppy’s story
🔥 Ruined Sinner: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #4 • Phineas Yates & Princess Aurora Lincoln-Ward
🎄 Meet Me Under the Mistletoe: a Holiday Anthology • stories surrounding the Morelli Family’s annual holiday party
🦁 Dangerous Temptation: 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑫𝒖𝒆𝒕 #1 • Tiernan Morelli & Bianca Belcante (Constantine)
🎨 Dark Reign: 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Daphne Morelli & Emerson LeBlanc
🔥 Sweet Devil: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #5 • Harlow Constantine
🦁 Beautiful Nightmare: 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑫𝒖𝒆𝒕 #2 • conclusion of Tiernan & Bianca's story
💙 Triple Threat : 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆𝒕 #1 • Terror Triplets & Landry Croft
🎨Sweet Mercy: 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟐 • continuation of Daphne & Emerson
🎨Last Resort: 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟑 • conclusion of Daphne & Emerson • coming 3.22.2022
💙 Death Wish: 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆𝒕 #𝟐 • conclusion of Terror Triplets & Landry • 3.29.2022
🃏 King of Spades: 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟏 • Nick Hudson & Lyriope Bailey • coming 4.05.2022
💍 The Reluctant Bride: 𝑾𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #1 • Perry Constantine’s story by Monica Murphy • coming 4.19.2022
💰 One for the Money by Skye Warren • Eva Morelli’s story • coming soon
🃏 Queen of Hearts: 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟐 • continuation of Nick & Lyriope • coming 7.05.2022
🃏 Ace of Diamonds: 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 #𝟑 • conclusion of Nick & Lyriope • coming 10.04.2022
BOXSET:
👑 Skyscraper Cinderella: the complete 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚
🔥 Pembroke Prep: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 #1-3
November 8, 2021
This is a sensational and intense tale with a twist. Dark pasts and shadowy intent gave us an explosive story, gripping until the end.
Emerson, an art expert, also known as The Collector, has focused his attention on Daphne Morelli. This obsessive and precise man sets his sights on her, his focus driven by her art and a desire to collect.
Poor Daphne, sheltered by the men in her family, afraid to worry and disappoint them, shoves her attraction for Emerson aside and allows them to control her life.
Dark Reign was filled with passion and obsession, it was a powerful and potent story. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
Emerson, an art expert, also known as The Collector, has focused his attention on Daphne Morelli. This obsessive and precise man sets his sights on her, his focus driven by her art and a desire to collect.
Poor Daphne, sheltered by the men in her family, afraid to worry and disappoint them, shoves her attraction for Emerson aside and allows them to control her life.
Dark Reign was filled with passion and obsession, it was a powerful and potent story. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
November 29, 2021
Dear God Almighty...
So, I'm going to be frank here, as I always am, and say how I never thought it would happen to me while reading an entertainment book, a book of romance, a book of dark intentions woven inside the storyline and be BORED.
I realised it's book 1 in what, series, a duet...whatever, and I keep thinking, would I survive it...LOL
I'm not trying to be mean, not at all...
I'm being unpleasantly stunned by the fact that I wanted something more from the title alone...
Dark Reign has a ring to it, right?! Yet, all I got from it was the lingering atmosphere, which was the only thing that kept me going, since there was no actual plot...
it's just a stalkerish vibe floating above the heroine until she gets caught by the very dark man, a man who has his own dark world of capturing possessions and keeping them locked and secured in his own darkness, where he alone can peruse their inner beauty and discover secrets of their layers until he's own soul is fulfilled...
and of course, his newest acquisition is her...
so, you see, I was so intrigued by the potential of the story, I kept going, I wanted to be immeresed in it, but the surrounding background story (heroine's brother Leo and the rest of her family were awkwardly giving the wrong pace to the story, I was annoyed...*sigh*)
And the heroine was a bit on the weaker side of the spectrum, I would thought her insightful and artsy, but she felt weak to me instead, and thus an easy pray...
gah, I guess it's me, no, it's definitely me that has an issues with the performing deliverance of this book...*shrugs*
So, I'm going to be frank here, as I always am, and say how I never thought it would happen to me while reading an entertainment book, a book of romance, a book of dark intentions woven inside the storyline and be BORED.
I realised it's book 1 in what, series, a duet...whatever, and I keep thinking, would I survive it...LOL
I'm not trying to be mean, not at all...
I'm being unpleasantly stunned by the fact that I wanted something more from the title alone...
Dark Reign has a ring to it, right?! Yet, all I got from it was the lingering atmosphere, which was the only thing that kept me going, since there was no actual plot...
it's just a stalkerish vibe floating above the heroine until she gets caught by the very dark man, a man who has his own dark world of capturing possessions and keeping them locked and secured in his own darkness, where he alone can peruse their inner beauty and discover secrets of their layers until he's own soul is fulfilled...
and of course, his newest acquisition is her...
so, you see, I was so intrigued by the potential of the story, I kept going, I wanted to be immeresed in it, but the surrounding background story (heroine's brother Leo and the rest of her family were awkwardly giving the wrong pace to the story, I was annoyed...*sigh*)
And the heroine was a bit on the weaker side of the spectrum, I would thought her insightful and artsy, but she felt weak to me instead, and thus an easy pray...
gah, I guess it's me, no, it's definitely me that has an issues with the performing deliverance of this book...*shrugs*
Shelved as 'wishlist'
June 28, 2023I'm reading Will's book right now and JUST FOUND OUT his brother has a book too
HAHAHAHA GOODBYE PRODUCTIVITY
HAHAHAHA GOODBYE PRODUCTIVITY
July 10, 2022
4 stars for this book
Contains Spoilers for my safety gang:
If you have pet peeves regarding sharing don't pick this series up. While this book was good and developed an MF relationship, the next one isn't safe.
The next book has the H sharing the h with his brothers. As I said before sharing is caring when everyone is doing the caring. I don't like being blind sighted with a threesome. And I'm gonna be honest, as hot as it was I didn't understand how either character got to that stage. Heroine was a virgin for crying out loud and the third time she has sex he shares her... I can see how future family diners are gonna go..
Contains Spoilers for my safety gang:
If you have pet peeves regarding sharing don't pick this series up. While this book was good and developed an MF relationship, the next one isn't safe.
The next book has the H sharing the h with his brothers. As I said before sharing is caring when everyone is doing the caring. I don't like being blind sighted with a threesome. And I'm gonna be honest, as hot as it was I didn't understand how either character got to that stage. Heroine was a virgin for crying out loud and the third time she has sex he shares her... I can see how future family diners are gonna go..
November 9, 2021
Dark Reign book 1
4 ⭐️
“Daphne is a thousand delicate details.”
Being back in this world is everything. Dark Reign is another great addition to this collection of these amazing stories. I found this one to be different to Amelia's other books in this world. I found the writing to be so smooth, mysterious and very captivating for a slow burn romance. I absolutely loved it.
This is Emerson and Daphne Morelli book. She is Leo’s little sister. She’s a painter. She doesn’t want to live the life like her brothers and sister Eva do. She’s very independent but also very innocent. Leo has protected her all her life. When she finaly gets to sell her art and live on her own, this is when a very secretive, beautiful rich art collector Emerson becomes obsessed with her. He’s not only a bit if a stalker the man has secret, I need to know them.! He is something else, Emerson keeps you on your toes. Like I said before this is a slow burn, its. Very very slow burn but with he way he is, he is so tense you feel him from the moment you meet him in the book and the feeling consumes you, even with his actions and the way he talks. He is everything. I can't wait for book 2 to get answers and more of him.
“She doesn’t know I’m not going to give her back. I’m not going to let her go.”
I couldn’t recommend this book enough. I would also recommend reading Beauty and the Beast trilogy by Amelia Wilde as Leo and Hayley are in Dark Reign a lot. And it was great to see their relationship from a different POV.
IG ef_reads
4 ⭐️
“Daphne is a thousand delicate details.”
Being back in this world is everything. Dark Reign is another great addition to this collection of these amazing stories. I found this one to be different to Amelia's other books in this world. I found the writing to be so smooth, mysterious and very captivating for a slow burn romance. I absolutely loved it.
This is Emerson and Daphne Morelli book. She is Leo’s little sister. She’s a painter. She doesn’t want to live the life like her brothers and sister Eva do. She’s very independent but also very innocent. Leo has protected her all her life. When she finaly gets to sell her art and live on her own, this is when a very secretive, beautiful rich art collector Emerson becomes obsessed with her. He’s not only a bit if a stalker the man has secret, I need to know them.! He is something else, Emerson keeps you on your toes. Like I said before this is a slow burn, its. Very very slow burn but with he way he is, he is so tense you feel him from the moment you meet him in the book and the feeling consumes you, even with his actions and the way he talks. He is everything. I can't wait for book 2 to get answers and more of him.
“She doesn’t know I’m not going to give her back. I’m not going to let her go.”
I couldn’t recommend this book enough. I would also recommend reading Beauty and the Beast trilogy by Amelia Wilde as Leo and Hayley are in Dark Reign a lot. And it was great to see their relationship from a different POV.
IG ef_reads
August 8, 2022
In this book the suspense is incredible. It's impossible to trust the hero 100%, there's something wrong there for sure. Emerson gives Joe (YOU, Netflix) vibes the whole time.
It's a slow-burn that ends in an unpredictable way for the heroine. I didn't see romance on any page of the book. Little steamy. I enjoyed it but found the story too drawn out for my preferences, I get that it's important for building the Emerson character and all his obsession. But what about the heroine? I thought she was neglected, I think I like her because I've read about her in another series and because she's a potential victim. 😶
If you want to read the Midnight Dynasty Collection I advise reading this series after the Beast of Bishop's Landing series (by the same author), there are interconnected events and in my opinion that's how it makes more sense to read.
It's a slow-burn that ends in an unpredictable way for the heroine. I didn't see romance on any page of the book. Little steamy. I enjoyed it but found the story too drawn out for my preferences, I get that it's important for building the Emerson character and all his obsession. But what about the heroine? I thought she was neglected, I think I like her because I've read about her in another series and because she's a potential victim. 😶
If you want to read the Midnight Dynasty Collection I advise reading this series after the Beast of Bishop's Landing series (by the same author), there are interconnected events and in my opinion that's how it makes more sense to read.
November 6, 2021
I have chills. Amelia Wilde can take all the stars for Daphne and Emerson’s first book. Daphne may be a Morelli but there is some sort of innocence that works for her character. She isn’t naive to the world her family comes from but she likes her independence from their money, their power. Emerson is mysterious and seems a little…dare I say, broken. There is this air of mystery and intrigue that has me wanting to know more about how his mind works. We are left on a cliffy… not throw me off the edge if I don’t get the 2nd book now kind of cliffy but a slow simmer that is going to quickly boil over if we have to wait long. I absolutely adore the painting aspect of their connection and their chemistry is off the charts. Bring on book 2!
November 14, 2021
Dark Reign is a dark, suspenseful read that had me intrigued page after page of this intense story and I didn't want to put it down.
This book gives us the story of Daphne Morelli and Emerson leBlanc. Daphne wants to be independent and make a name for herself in the art world away from her family. Emerson LeBlanc also known as "The Collector" because he loves collecting beautiful pieces of art and now he found something else he wants to add to his collection......Daphne Morelli. Emerson is mysterious, obsessive and will stop at nothing until he has Daphne.
This book had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation of what was to come and that ending holy hell......it left me speechless!!
This book gives us the story of Daphne Morelli and Emerson leBlanc. Daphne wants to be independent and make a name for herself in the art world away from her family. Emerson LeBlanc also known as "The Collector" because he loves collecting beautiful pieces of art and now he found something else he wants to add to his collection......Daphne Morelli. Emerson is mysterious, obsessive and will stop at nothing until he has Daphne.
This book had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation of what was to come and that ending holy hell......it left me speechless!!
November 9, 2021
I CAN'T EVEN RIGHT NOW!! I'VE BEEN COMPLETELY MIND FUCKED WITH THIS BOOK AND YES I AM SCREAMING RIGHT NOW!!
Dark Reign has left me clutching my heart with one hand, gasping, mouth all opened, like I'm about to hyperventilate. I swear I am all clammy and sweaty with anxiety and a desire I don't even understand. I have read every single book in the Midnight Dynasty World that has released so far and I have come to love the crazy, deprive motherfuckers like Lucia, Leo, Winston, and more. These guys are insanely possessive and obsessive - but...and this is a huge BUT - there is obsessive and then there is a special kind of sociopathic obsessive and that's the only way I can describe Emerson LeBlanc right now.
Emerson LeBlanc is the ultimate anti-hero. I have chills right now writing this review. Emerson a/k/a The Collector is poetically delusional. He is the king of darkness that even when he is hidden int he shadows his presence is strong, demanding and seductive. You cannot help be drawn to him. You cannot help but know he was there - watching you. The way Emerson obsesses over things or people is insanely enticing. He doesn't interpret art like others do. Life imitates art and his perception of art (paintings) is different than that of others. When his obsessive behavior has him following a young woman into an art gallery, Emerson finds himself standing in front of a painting that was completely captivated him. A painting that consumed him and ignited his desire for more, especially a desire for the artist, the woman he followed into the gallery - Daphne Morelli.
Dark Reign takes place at the same time as the last two books in the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy, which is Leo Morelli's story, and where we got to know a little more of Daphne. I loved seeing and really feeling what Daphne was going through during that time. Her relationship with Leo is heartwarming yet confining. I understand his protective nature, but sometimes protecting someone so strongly can really make a person feel unworthy of trust and love. Daphne is beautiful and strong. She is loyal to her family, but that loyalty comes with a price. Daphne's emotional outlet is through her art/her paintings. Just like Emerson, Daphne interpretation/perception of art is different than most - Emerson recognizes the darkness in Daphne's paintings because they mirror the darkness in him. As his obsession with Daphne becomes stronger each day, Emerson will stop at nothing until he has acquired his most precious work of art.
Listen, the way art plays a role in this book gives it this really dark, mysterious type of whimsical feel. Almost like I needed a creepy music box sound in the background. That ending was like OH FUCKING SHIT - it left me anxious and scared of Emerson, but so intrigued by him. His sociopath tendencies were pretty apparent in his self control while he mentally designed his plan to seduce and acquire Daphne.
Daphne - those red flags were slapping her all over the place, but hell I would've ignored every single one of them too and would have left with Emerson the very first time he asked me to. Consequences be damned.
I need the second book right now.
Dark Reign has left me clutching my heart with one hand, gasping, mouth all opened, like I'm about to hyperventilate. I swear I am all clammy and sweaty with anxiety and a desire I don't even understand. I have read every single book in the Midnight Dynasty World that has released so far and I have come to love the crazy, deprive motherfuckers like Lucia, Leo, Winston, and more. These guys are insanely possessive and obsessive - but...and this is a huge BUT - there is obsessive and then there is a special kind of sociopathic obsessive and that's the only way I can describe Emerson LeBlanc right now.
Emerson LeBlanc is the ultimate anti-hero. I have chills right now writing this review. Emerson a/k/a The Collector is poetically delusional. He is the king of darkness that even when he is hidden int he shadows his presence is strong, demanding and seductive. You cannot help be drawn to him. You cannot help but know he was there - watching you. The way Emerson obsesses over things or people is insanely enticing. He doesn't interpret art like others do. Life imitates art and his perception of art (paintings) is different than that of others. When his obsessive behavior has him following a young woman into an art gallery, Emerson finds himself standing in front of a painting that was completely captivated him. A painting that consumed him and ignited his desire for more, especially a desire for the artist, the woman he followed into the gallery - Daphne Morelli.
Dark Reign takes place at the same time as the last two books in the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy, which is Leo Morelli's story, and where we got to know a little more of Daphne. I loved seeing and really feeling what Daphne was going through during that time. Her relationship with Leo is heartwarming yet confining. I understand his protective nature, but sometimes protecting someone so strongly can really make a person feel unworthy of trust and love. Daphne is beautiful and strong. She is loyal to her family, but that loyalty comes with a price. Daphne's emotional outlet is through her art/her paintings. Just like Emerson, Daphne interpretation/perception of art is different than most - Emerson recognizes the darkness in Daphne's paintings because they mirror the darkness in him. As his obsession with Daphne becomes stronger each day, Emerson will stop at nothing until he has acquired his most precious work of art.
Listen, the way art plays a role in this book gives it this really dark, mysterious type of whimsical feel. Almost like I needed a creepy music box sound in the background. That ending was like OH FUCKING SHIT - it left me anxious and scared of Emerson, but so intrigued by him. His sociopath tendencies were pretty apparent in his self control while he mentally designed his plan to seduce and acquire Daphne.
Daphne - those red flags were slapping her all over the place, but hell I would've ignored every single one of them too and would have left with Emerson the very first time he asked me to. Consequences be damned.
I need the second book right now.
November 9, 2021
MY RATING: 3.5*
RELEASE DATE: 09 November 2021
CLIFFHANGER: Yes
ARC was kindly provided for an honest review
Who has a love-hate relationship with Midnight Dynasty Word?
There are times when either the Constantine or Morelli stories are written in a way that leaves me thinking “what the fuck was that”? I am pleased to say this is a great addition to the midnight dynasty world.
I feel like I’ve been waiting for Daphne’s story forever. When a bit of it was revealed in the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Daphne is a Morelli. The different type though. Since her brother shielded her from all things gruesome and dark about their life, she has managed to retain her innocence to a point of naivety. Leo shields her fiercely. She lives for her art, she loves her brother, she has everything she could ever want…except perhaps freedom. When she meets a man who highlights just how much she has been missing out, she starts to ask questions, wonder and desire things she’s never contemplated before. Perhaps this man is what she has been waiting for. Perhaps this is the beginning of the life she was always meant to live. Or is it the end?
Emerson is multi-billionaire art collector who is obsessed with Daphne. For some reasons, he is drawn to her and her work in a way he can’t explain. He wants her and is determined to get her. At whatever costs.
This is a slow burn with a dash of stalker and splash of psycho hero romance. I have to say I struggle with the poetic style of writing in this book. I just couldn’t get used to it. The story was in some places a bit slow, especially when it started to reference bits of Leo’s book and story in it, it didn’t do it for me.
I really really hope Daphne grows up in the next book. She was really immature and naïve in this book. She didn’t know herself, what she wanted, how to get it and sometimes It felt like apart from art, she didn’t know much. Not that its her fault, but I hope she grows up.
As for Emerson. I don’t really feel like we knew him. While we know Daphne’s childhood, (not from this book either though) we know nothing about him. Apart from his issues with his dad, which was mentioned in passing, even then we don’t know why they even have an issue, or why he has issues with his brothers. The thing that trips me up with the Midnight Dynasty books is that different authors write the stories of different characters. And then you don’t get everything in one book. Does Emerson and his brothers have their story in more detail in another book or something? Who knows? I wish that story was fleshed out a bit considering it was a big reason why he is how he is. There’s a darkness in him that is not explained, and I feel cheated by that. I really wish the stalker element could have been played out a bit more. Darkened a bit more, you know?
Anyway, I look forward to book 2. The way that cliffhanger is set up
November 14, 2021
⭐️4 little painter stars ⭐️
A new chapter in the Midnight Dynasty world. It’s no secret I’m hopelessly siding with the Morelli family, after whetting my appetite with a dashing handful of men, I was finally happy to sample a woman.
~𝘿𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 - 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠,𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 - 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨. 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙮 ~
Daphne is one of the younger women in the family, she has grown in her little cocoon, her older brother Leo (ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʜɪs ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴀʀᴋ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴅᴏ ɪᴛ ɴᴏᴡ🔥) has always kept her away from danger and has done his best to protect her. However his overbearing nature hasn’t allowed Daphne to grow, she has reached a point where freedom to fly and leave her safe nest has become imperative. When that opportunity becomes a reality, thanks to an enigmatic mysteriously attractive art Collector, our little painter seizes the moment.
Emerson isn’t only passionate about art, he’s obsessed, insanely so, his quest is an unhealthy search, his desire to possess and collect borders what is considered legitimate, he’ll stop at nothing to grow his priceless collection. When he sets his eyes on Daphne he sees that behind her demure demeanour lies something darker, her clam appearance may fool everyone but not the clinical eye of a seasoned expert.
Emerson doesn’t simply want Daphne’s art he wants the artist, he wants to uncover what lies beneath all that clam beauty. Daphne finds hard to resist Emerson’s charm, his allure stirs desires she didn’t even know existed, she suddenly becomes alive under his touch, her plunge into the unknown a long awaited reprieve.
Told in dual POV this is a very slow burn story, so much so the beginning paled compared to the second part where the story finally picks up, growing into a crescendo and culminating in such an explosive cliffhanger which left me wanting book two ardently.
~𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙈𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙈𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙈𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 ~
Albeit the clipping sentences slow down the narrative pace they make sense when it comes to Emerson and his visual of the word surrounding him, it took some adjustment but eventually I got used to it and could appreciate the peculiarity of this narrative. I still wish the rhythm would have been more fast paced and with longer sentences when it focused on others than Emerson, I believe it would have made him stand out even more.
November 18, 2021
Art and eroticism. This was an intense read with layers and layers of nuance, mystery and, yes, even a little creepiness! The writing was compelling and lyrical, and full of riveting imagery.
"When his eyes meet mine again, a shock goes through me. I've never seen this in a man's eyes before. Desire like this. It's dark, and terrifying, and I want it."
Daphne Morelli is striving for independence from her wealthy, protective family but, in essence, it's pretty much an illusion, as she can't seem to move without eyes on her. When the mysterious Collector takes an interest in one of her paintings, she finds herself taking risks and stealing away from safety along a path that is simultaneously frightening, as well as alluring.
"It's like being hit with an ocean swell. The inverse of a swell. She's not force and salt. She's sweetness. Warmth. But then - yes. A dark mystery, too."
Emerson LeBlanc likes to acquire beautiful things and from the moment he sees Daphne, he's determined to have her. He's never been so affected by someone before and he finds his iron control severely tested by his compulsion to seek her out and take ownership of her. Softly, softly, he's luring her into his life, into his home and into his possession.
"I want to see her fear and her desire and her darkness on her. Not in a representation. On her skin. On her face. Between her legs. I want to let my feelings for her loose on her. Scrawl them on her skin."
This was a such an enthralling, erotic and visceral read. Emerson's obsession was a living, breathing entity. His desire was her and his need to possess her was palpable. I felt his yearning for her - he was almost like an addict needing his next hit, yet his will was strong as he held his patience, so he could gently reel her in. Daphne was sweet, loyal and emotional. I loved her innocence and her naivete. She grew up with wealth and the type of people associate with it, but Emerson was a different kettle of fish completely. I loved her fearful fascination with him. It was thrilling that her instincts told her to keep away, yet her lust and attraction drew her to him like a moth to flame. I felt like this story had shades of Hitchcock with the mystery of Emerson and his secretive, devious ways! Such a fab read and can't wait to see what happens next!
Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1CT3HN...
"When his eyes meet mine again, a shock goes through me. I've never seen this in a man's eyes before. Desire like this. It's dark, and terrifying, and I want it."
Daphne Morelli is striving for independence from her wealthy, protective family but, in essence, it's pretty much an illusion, as she can't seem to move without eyes on her. When the mysterious Collector takes an interest in one of her paintings, she finds herself taking risks and stealing away from safety along a path that is simultaneously frightening, as well as alluring.
"It's like being hit with an ocean swell. The inverse of a swell. She's not force and salt. She's sweetness. Warmth. But then - yes. A dark mystery, too."
Emerson LeBlanc likes to acquire beautiful things and from the moment he sees Daphne, he's determined to have her. He's never been so affected by someone before and he finds his iron control severely tested by his compulsion to seek her out and take ownership of her. Softly, softly, he's luring her into his life, into his home and into his possession.
"I want to see her fear and her desire and her darkness on her. Not in a representation. On her skin. On her face. Between her legs. I want to let my feelings for her loose on her. Scrawl them on her skin."
This was a such an enthralling, erotic and visceral read. Emerson's obsession was a living, breathing entity. His desire was her and his need to possess her was palpable. I felt his yearning for her - he was almost like an addict needing his next hit, yet his will was strong as he held his patience, so he could gently reel her in. Daphne was sweet, loyal and emotional. I loved her innocence and her naivete. She grew up with wealth and the type of people associate with it, but Emerson was a different kettle of fish completely. I loved her fearful fascination with him. It was thrilling that her instincts told her to keep away, yet her lust and attraction drew her to him like a moth to flame. I felt like this story had shades of Hitchcock with the mystery of Emerson and his secretive, devious ways! Such a fab read and can't wait to see what happens next!
Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1CT3HN...
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