Tempt Me with Darkness (Doomsday Brethren, #1)

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Tempt Me with Darkness (Doomsday Brethren #1)

by Shayla Black (Goodreads Author)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 2,646 ratings · 176 reviews

He's an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction....

As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray's dark windswept hair and burning violet eyes, he's sure they've met in eons past. He's felt her soft gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own hard powerful body...Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur's warriors, has endured a terrible c...more

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 26th 2008 by Pocket Books

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May 30, 2011 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: pnr, wizards, curses, starts-with-q-thru-t, series-doomsday-brethren, first-in-series, format-paperback, pnr-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, reviewed-by-me, author-shayla-black, 0-stars, sex-sex-sex-and-more-sex

0 stars - DNF shelved.

I’m not going to rate this book because I simply couldn’t bring myself to finish it and maybe it would have gotten better, but by about 1/3-1/2 of the way through, I couldn’t take anymore.

What was it that didn’t work, you ask? Well, I love tormented heroes. Cursed, scarred, broken hearted, so defeated, they’ve given up… I can’t get enough of them! And Marrok was definitely all those things, so this story should have been right up my alley. The problem for me was in the sto...more
0 stars - DNF shelved.

I’m not going to rate this book because I simply couldn’t bring myself to finish it and maybe it would have gotten better, but by about 1/3-1/2 of the way through, I couldn’t take anymore.

What was it that didn’t work, you ask? Well, I love tormented heroes. Cursed, scarred, broken hearted, so defeated, they’ve given up… I can’t get enough of them! And Marrok was definitely all those things, so this story should have been right up my alley. The problem for me was in the story itself. Here’s the blurb –

He's an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction....

As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray's dark windswept hair and burning violet eyes, he's sure they've met in eons past. He's felt her soft gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own hard powerful body...Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur's warriors, has endured a terrible curse cast upon him when he spurned the witch.

She's a modern woman about to discover ancient magic....

Olivia shares a mystical — and irresistible — connection with brooding Marrok. Soon after the sexy warrior appears in her erotic dreams, he abducts her, demanding she uncurse him. Their intense passion is more powerful — and intimate — than either of them has ever known. Olivia may be the key to unlocking the diary that will break Morganna's hold on his life. But in the wrong hands, the book also holds the power to destroy all magickind. As they search for answers, a ruthless wizard returned from exile is building an army of evil. When he discovers Marrok and Olivia have the diary, only their love — with the help of a powerful group of magical Brethren — can save them.

Now, I love a good steamy book as much as the next person, the steamier the better, in fact. That said, I need a believable plot to go with said steam, otherwise it’s just a sticky, humid mess. And yes, that’s what it felt like to me. It didn’t grab me, it didn’t even give me a gentle nudge, and I wasn’t at all invested in the characters.

I freely admit that it might have just been bad timing, or maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for this type of story, because based on overall ratings, this should have been a winner. Someday I’ll give it another try, and hopefully finish it.
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Sep 20, 2008 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008-reads

A dark and sexy immortal knight from the time of King Arthur!! "Tempt Me with Darkness" is the first novel in Shayla Black's new 'Doomsday Brethren' series and if her next one is as good as this one, I can't wait!

Cursed by Morganna le Fay for spurning her, Marrok has been unable to achieve orgasm for over a thousand years. He can tup all night long, but never quite 'get there'. After 1500 years, he thought all anger, grief and emotion were burned out of him until he meets Morganna's only survivi...more

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Sep 13, 2008 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Angela Knight, Witch Fire by Anya Bast and Lynsay Sands

Shelves: erotica, paranormal-romance, kindle

This is the first "paranormal romance" from Shayla Black/ Shelley Bradley... who writes notoriously HOT erotica books! This book was really sweet and sexy, and its definitely a romance, not an erotica. Plus it sets us up for LOTS more characters...

Marrok is a warrior. One who was cursed 15 centuries ago by Morgana le Fay... she curses him to an eternity of want and lust, without ever being able to...umm... complete...

Olivia is an American girl living in London. She opened her own art shop tryi...more

9 likes · like · see review

Mar 17, 2009 ♡KarLynP♡ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2009, genre-paranromal, steam-hot

Great world building and characters. Think Harry Potter's magical world mixed with the dark mind of Clive Barker. The Brethen is a crazy mix of interesting characters fighting a pure evil warlock. The romance part of this book was only OK, but I'd read more in this series without a doubt. There is a plot device that requires sex to energize ones powers which was about the only thing in the world building that I thought was over the top silly, but this is not an erotic book. I'd rate the sensuali...more

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May 05, 2010 Zeek rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr

Marrok just wants to die already. Cursed by the evil Morganna Le Fey to live an eternity without companionship and sexual satisfaction, he's lived a long lonely fifteen centuries. When he stumbles across Olivia Gray at her art gallery in London, he's sure it's the witch Morganna in another form come to torment him further.

He isn't far off. Though not Morganna, she has in fact descended from the line of Le Fey but Olivia, in England to find the father who abandoned her years ago, has no clue abou...more Marrok just wants to die already. Cursed by the evil Morganna Le Fey to live an eternity without companionship and sexual satisfaction, he's lived a long lonely fifteen centuries. When he stumbles across Olivia Gray at her art gallery in London, he's sure it's the witch Morganna in another form come to torment him further.

He isn't far off. Though not Morganna, she has in fact descended from the line of Le Fey but Olivia, in England to find the father who abandoned her years ago, has no clue about her magical roots. Of course, she's about to find out!

Marrok kidnaps her to his secluded house in the woods, determined to break his curse once and for all, but things turn on a dime when he discovers that though she is the key to releasing him- she's also his mate!

Naturally, an evil faction led by a psychopathic wizard are out to capture her too- because if she can release Marrok from his curse then she can will also release the untold power in the diary which Morganna used to curse Marrok. (You get the key, you get the power!)

In this the first book of Shayla Black's Doomsday Brethren series we get a mixed bag of myth's and magic. Par for the course any more, there are magical creatures, ancient magic and bonded mates to be had, unfortunately it didn't work for me here. I sensed elements of Ward, Moning, & Whedonverse throughout it- (A group of Brethren out to save the world- including one eerily like Ward's Zhadist and Kenyon's Zarek, An eternally cursed Highlander & one character obviously based on the uber sexy Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel tv shows. OH and the diary? A total knock off of Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets!). Though I love all these authors and their work- in this book, it felt like a pale imitation and simply became decidedly annoying.

Olivia and Marrok are a romantic couple to be sure, but through much of the book they fought their attraction, each holding back because of trust issues, and after awhile- it just got old. (Especially Olivia- indecisive and whiny she got on my nerves.)

2 out of 5- it didn't completely suck, but it's all together average as far as I'm concerned and I'm afraid, not good enough to hold a place on my keeper shelf.
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Jan 20, 2009 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

The premise of the story started out fairly well. The immortal warrior cursed...the relocated American seeking a father she never knew. He hard, crusty, and looking for a way out. She totally unaware of the mess she's about to get tossed in to....really great beginning. Unfortunately, it sort of fizzled out about 1/3 of the way through it. The action was there and all, but the romance between the two of them was ridiculous. I mean, the hero spends an incredible amount of time declaring his love...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 27, 2011 Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~ by: Yz the Whyz

Shelves: series-doomsday-brethren, books-read-2010, genre-paranormal-romance

This review was posted at Under The Covers

Marrock. One of King Arthur’s knights. Maybe used to be the “love them and leave them” type. Until the day he slept with, and left, the wrong woman. Or witch, in his case, Morganna. Obviously none to happy about it, Morganna curses him to immortality.

Now fast forward to present day. He has lived in isolation, after having everything taken from him, being kicked out of court, and watching his loved ones die, he lives in solitude, does not form bonds with...more This review was posted at Under The Covers

Marrock. One of King Arthur’s knights. Maybe used to be the “love them and leave them” type. Until the day he slept with, and left, the wrong woman. Or witch, in his case, Morganna. Obviously none to happy about it, Morganna curses him to immortality.

Now fast forward to present day. He has lived in isolation, after having everything taken from him, being kicked out of court, and watching his loved ones die, he lives in solitude, does not form bonds with anyone as he knows he will eventually lose them. But one day, he sees Olivia, and her eyes are the same eyes he’s been remembering for the past 15 centuries. Morganna’s. He believes her to be the witch who cursed him. However Olivia is just an American human, who has moved to London in search of her heritage. After the death of her mother she finds out who her father is and goes to London to find him. And she does find out where she came from, as she is descendant of Morganna Le Fay.

I really like the premises of this whole new world. There’s magic, there’s fae. I enjoyed the fact that the book had a mystery feel to it, with a lot of twists and turns, and I didn't expect how things would turn out and unfold, which was great! The one scene in the hallway with Bram walking up the stairs (great!). And towards the end where there’s more action it got really good.

I thought Marrock was a bit of a brute, I understand why he’s bitter, I understand why he doesn’t have any personal relations skills, so in a way I thought he was cute in his big brute ways. He does have issues with trusting Olivia, and although understandable, I thought they went on too long. The lack of communication and mistrust was getting a bit frustrating at times, but I could see Marrocks point completely.

I liked Olivia just fine. She struggles with believing that Marrock can love her, even after they perform the mating ritual. This also felt a bit repetitive. Onto the other characters: I LOVED Bram! Sabelle and Ice, I could see some sparks maybe in the future. Shock, he's hot and I'm still confused (and that's all I'm going to say). Caden, sounds very promising ;)

I loved the ending and how things fell into place and I'm looking forward to book 2. (less)

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Jul 14, 2011 MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-paranormal, books-to-swap-to-lisa-sizzlers

I finally finished this after a few months of struggling through it. I am sure I have the review written in a journal somewhere. My problem with this is an overload of characters. Giving bits and pieces of information that the main characters could have handled. I would have been happy if the hero had a flashback for a couple chapters and interacted with his friends. The problem with bringing everyone into the first book is trying to fully flesh them out. It screams, "Oh! Pick me! Pick me! I'm i...more

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Jan 30, 2009 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, 2009, urban-fantasy, romance

Marrok of Cadbury was one of Arthur's most ferocious knights and a hungry but careless lover. After spending a night with Arthur's half-sister, the powerful witch, Morganna, he spurns her and is cursed by her to an immortal life with no satisfaction. The curse she writes in her Doomsday Book, which Marrok manages to steal, but it is locked and he is doomed to an eternity of life with no sexual relief. Now living outside London, he is tormented by dreams of Morganna in a new form, luring him and...more Marrok of Cadbury was one of Arthur's most ferocious knights and a hungry but careless lover. After spending a night with Arthur's half-sister, the powerful witch, Morganna, he spurns her and is cursed by her to an immortal life with no satisfaction. The curse she writes in her Doomsday Book, which Marrok manages to steal, but it is locked and he is doomed to an eternity of life with no sexual relief. Now living outside London, he is tormented by dreams of Morganna in a new form, luring him and seducing him before vanishing. But the dream gives him a clue, and he's set on finding her in her new look.

Olivia Gray has come to London to open a new art gallery and look for her long-lost father, Richard, whom she's never met. A chance meeting with the amazing wood carver, Marrok, through their mutual friend Bram, leads to Marrok believing she's someone called Morganna and abducting her. Locked up in his cottage in the woods, Olivia can find no way to convince Marrok she's who she says she is. She also thinks he's insane for believing he's immortal, but that doesn't stop her from being drawn to him, seducing him and offering an ancient Mating Call that binds them together forever.

Marrok believes Olivia, a descendant of Morganna, is the key to unlocking the Book, but can he trust her? Doesn't duplicity run in her veins? As Olivia falls in love with him, she's sure he's only with her because he believes she can help him be free of his curse and finally die.

Shayla Black's new series promises to be a juicy, thrilling ride through steamy sex, supernatural politics, a war started anew, an evil wizard a la Voldemort but with a perverse liking for sexual torture, and the reforming of a new Brethren, a group of warriors to protect the world from falling into the hands of the evil Mathias. It's fast-paced, exciting, a mix of pleasing originality and tried-and-true formula, a few Harry Potter jokes and some powerful-looking, hulking wizards who suck at fighting and don't know how to fire a gun. Until Marrok trains them. A very promising start to the Doomsday Brethren.

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Jun 03, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nook, paranormal-romance, magic, revamp-2012

*REVAMPED MAY 2012* Fantastic~~ sucked in immediately....AGAIN!!

Marrock is 1500 yr. old man cursed with immortality. Olivia is a decendant of the witch that cursed him. When they meet, neither can admit their true feelings to one another because both have trust issues.

Marrock is a dreamy kind of guy....He treats Olivia with such tenderness..*sigh* Olivia has felt unwanted and unloved her entire life, she falls pretty fast for this warrior.

He ends up training a group of wizards to fight against a...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-fun

Not bad. Not great but not bad. Shayla Black of erotica fame dips her toe into the paranormal romance genre and sets the stage for a new series. I will not recap the plot as you have probably already read it in other reviews or the book blurb. But I will tell you what I thought...

What was good: I love that the Arthurian legend was part of the story and Morgan LaFey is the driver for the heros predicament. The magic-kind background was rich enough to make me want to know more. I liked that Olivia...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Seduced By Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shayla Black’s Doomsday Brethren series kicks off with a bang – Tempt me with Darkness is the first in the series.

Immediate gripping read – I couldn’t let it go. Marrok hits you hard with his vengeance and his passion. Be it for the arts or his sexy leading lady, Marrok warms you right to the core. Black doesn’t hold back with any of the erotic yums. Olivia is thrust into the magic world and is one lucky girl to get her age old warrior.

Pulling the series for mostly the magical world, Black kee...more

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May 09, 2011 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-for-night-owl-romance

Review: Tempt Me with Darkness is a thrilling start to a new series by Shayla Black with magic, witches and warriors linked to the King Arthur legend. Marrok was one of Arthur's greatest warriors. Cursed by the evil Morganna, he has searched throughout the centuries for a way to break it and free himself from his immortality. Olivia Gray came to England set up an art gallery. Unknown to her, she is from the le Fay line and key to freeing Marrok from his eternity of life. When they meet sparks fl...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

So, at first I was very unsure about this series. One of my biggest passions is Arthurian Legend, I love it, and don't deal well seeing it totally tore up. I started reading this book and I instantly felt better, Ms. Black wrote a romance in the present that has some Arthurian Legend elements, but she doesn't completely disfigure it, thank goodness. The plot was engrossing, and I enjoyed the characters, I really like Bram, he reminds me of Morganen from Jean Johnson's Destiny series, which is aw...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Ilovetoread rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-magic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 07, 2009 Natasja rated it 4 of 5 stars

After her mother’s death, American art dealer Olivia Gray packs up her things and move to England to find the father she never known. Olivia is determined to stay in England and opens an art shop. She hires a detective to look for her father, but her case reaches a dead end. But Oliva gets help from her new friend Bram, who happens to be part of a long line of magical wizards with huge powers. But Bram has his own reasons for helping Olivia, so he introduces her to Marrok of Cadbury and his beau...more After her mother’s death, American art dealer Olivia Gray packs up her things and move to England to find the father she never known. Olivia is determined to stay in England and opens an art shop. She hires a detective to look for her father, but her case reaches a dead end. But Oliva gets help from her new friend Bram, who happens to be part of a long line of magical wizards with huge powers. But Bram has his own reasons for helping Olivia, so he introduces her to Marrok of Cadbury and his beautiful carvings, in the hope to get something from Marrok.

Marrok of Cadbury was one of the most skilled warriors of King Arthur, but falling in love with witch Morganna wasn’t a good idea. Centuries ago Morganna placed a curse on Marrok and he is still trying desperately to break the curse. He knows the answer lies in the magical book he possesses; the only thing is how to open the book. To pass his time through the centuries Marrok carves wood figures and caught the eye of Olivia, an American art dealer.

When Olivia and Marrok meet for the first time, sparkles are flying, but Marrok cannot believe his eyes, because Olivia looks a lot like Morganna. Marrok is convince that Olivia can break the curse and lures her to his home, not knowing that will change his life forever and becoming involved in a magical war.

Tempt me with darkness by Shayla Black is the first novel in her Doomsday Brethren series. I have to say it surprise me, I like this new world with connection to Merlin, Arthur and Morganna.

Main-characters Marrok and Olivia have a connection from the first moment they meet. Marrok is shocked to see the resembling between Morganna and Olivia; he is convinced she is Morganna. So he lures Olivia to his home with all the wrong reasons, but he cannot ignore the huge attraction between them. When he finally discovers Olivia is not Morganna, but one of her descendant he will do anything to get her help with breaking the curse, so he can died peacefully. But he didn’t expect to fall in love with her.
Olivia left America after her mother died, she found some papers about her father and she is desperate to find him. So moving to England was the first thing on her list and opening up an Art shop the second, after all a girl got to eat and art was her life. The moment Marrok of Cadbury walks into her shop, her whole world is turning upside down. Olivia not only falls in love with this gorgeous artist, but discovers she maybe has some magic in her.

Every book I’ve read by Shayla Black swept me of my feet and this novel isn’t exception. She really knows how to create a world full of magic, legends and steamy love scenes. I’ve said this before she is definitely one of the best erotica authors I’ve read and after reading this novel she is also very good with magical legends connecting this to Merlin & Arthur.

Magic, legends and great love scenes, this is a novel that takes your mind of the daily routine and lures you right into its fabulous world.
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Jun 27, 2011 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Well, first off i tend to only like supernatural books that involve, vampires werewolves etc, so when i started this book and realised it was not i was a little dishearted. I must say straight away that, that feeling did not last for long. The book was amazing.

Not the most original storyline in the world, but definitely a storyline that flows so easily its hard to put the book down.

I loved Marrock, this brooding man who had been cursed to live life as an immortal, forgive me, but i love a broodi...more

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Dec 10, 2010 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

This book is fluff guys. Pure and simple. Fluff. But it's hellaciously entertaining fluff with magic and hot guys who can fight like the devil himself is at his heels. There are curses and a bad guy who has a sadistic streak a mile wide wrapped up in a wickedly appealing body. There are good magic users who are learning how to fight and who have to put aside their differences with one another to figure out how to stop the bad guy. Oh, and there might be some hot sex. Maybe. No, wait. That's defi...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: doomsday-brethren

Almost a 5, but not quite. (I rarely give 5's!). First of all, why had I NOT heard of this author in PNR circles??? I found her through erotic fiction (her Wicked Series), and found this first book in the Doomsday Brethen series on a discount book site.

There are many things I loved about this book: the romantic tension between Marrock and Olivia seemed to flow with the nature of characters. It didn't feel forced (sometimes, in PNR fiction, you are wondering why they resist falling love!). The s...more

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Mar 06, 2013 ☂ ℬrandi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporaries, french-novels, pnr, read-2013, special-powers, zombies, witch-wizard

❤❤❤ (a generous rating based more on the other books)

I began this series with book #3 and if I weren't the type who is compelled to finish a series once she begins, then after reading this book I might not have made much effort to finish this series at all. Beginning with book #3 and then #4 however has made me want to read on so if you didn't enjoy this one maybe try the next. I'm off to read book #2 and will post a review about it as well. If all else fails start with #3 like I did.

This book s...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aad-2012, 2012-reads

This is the first book in the Doomsday Brethren series. We are introduced to Marrok and Olivia, whose story starts with a bang, plus a world filled with witches and wizards that date back to Merlin. Marrok, a former Knight of King Arthur, crossed paths a long time ago with the famous Morganna La Fey. She cursed him to walk the earth as an immortal that cannot enjoy sex to the fullest potential. He meets Olivia, an American who is unknowingly linked to the magical world. He hates magic, she is ma...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Kim To rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I love Shayla Black's Wicked Lovers Series and I love paranormal romance, so the Doomesday Brethern is right up my alley.

The first book starts off with the immortal Arthurian Knight Marook and his curse that was cast by his former lover, none other than Morganna le Fey, King Arthur's half-sister. Marook was once one of the King Arthur's Knights until he slept with Morganna and earned her wrath which she then curses him to live forever and never find sexual gratification. Wow ... could you imagin...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Dondominiquo rated it 2 of 5 stars

I can highly recommend this book if you have a case of insomnia. Major yawnage may occur while reading it lol. It took me almost a couple of weeks to finish and on the days that I didn’t get to read, I didn’t miss it or wonder about it. In fact, I had to force myself to just finish it. (I don’t like not finishing a book…well unless it’s really, really bad).

I think the concept is good; I’m just not sold on the execution of it. I didn’t feel any connection to any of the characters and all of them...more I can highly recommend this book if you have a case of insomnia. Major yawnage may occur while reading it lol. It took me almost a couple of weeks to finish and on the days that I didn’t get to read, I didn’t miss it or wonder about it. In fact, I had to force myself to just finish it. (I don’t like not finishing a book…well unless it’s really, really bad).

I think the concept is good; I’m just not sold on the execution of it. I didn’t feel any connection to any of the characters and all of them unfortunately lacked depth for me. It was if they were trying to get to a certain level but didn’t quite reach it. The background info wasn’t confusing but it could have been described in a more exciting way I feel. The coming together of the Brethren was just average for me, it felt like there was meant to be this great tension between characters that don’t get along for various reasons but again, it was like the situation had to potential to be volatile but it just didn’t reach that boiling point for me.

Personally, Olivia Gray will only be noted as being one of the most annoying female characters. Her CONSTANT going on and on (and on) about how she wasn’t given any love or affection has a child started working on my nerves really early on and after one night with Marrock her craving his “affection” (that word was overused somewhat lol) didn’t seem believable to me. And OMG her attitude with her father, geez woman!! I know she wanted to find him but to just trust him straight off just because he showed her some affection (gaaaaah) was just so damn annoying!

Marrock wasn’t much better I’m afraid. I know he’s a Dark Ages guy but geeez his speech was just a bit too much for me. All the “nays” and “naughts” were just irritating. The guy’s been around for 1500 years, he should’ve picked up some more modern lingo in my opinion. I know that sort of speech adds a more realism to his situation and the whole magical thing but in all honestly I find it really hard to take any of the characters seriously as bad asses if that’s how they talk….wow I sound like a right bitch moaning about this lol…can you tell I don’t really read historicals? ;-)

Nothing about their relationship stood out for me. It was a generic love story that didn’t grab me and I was rolling my eyes and the whole standard virgin being able to take the huge guy all the way to the hilt, no problem thing that happens in these books. The sex was okay but not very memorable except for that point mentioned previously. And it was mostly predictable; you just KNOW that after YEARS of wanting to die, he’s just going to want to live for her blah blah…that was really forced.

Some of the side characters also had potential but once again…*shrug* none of them made me go wow I MUST know more about him/her etc etc.

One thing that really was WTF to me was you have all these HULKING guys, like seriously ripped, huge tanks and they can’t fight for shit?! I didn’t know whether to laugh or not. I mean what’s the point of looking like a brick shithouse if you can’t do anything with it? Just the image of these guys prancing around like a bunch of pansies and having to depend on their wands was just comical for me…random I know lol.

Before reading this, I had high expectations and I was seriously disappointed by it all. I won’t be continuing with the series because I see no reason to. I wasn’t left wanting to know anything more about the world or the people in it. So this one is chalked up to an average reading experience. I may have enjoyed it at some other point but unfortunately I read it now and now tells me that it’s not worth carrying on with it.
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Jan 14, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: doomsday-brethren, pararnormal-romance

"Tempt Me With Darkness" is the first book in Shayla Black's Doomsday Brethren story. It features Marrok, who was a knight for King Arthur, when he slept with the witch Morganna. After he loved her, he left her. And in her rage, she cursed him to an immortality without the ability to ever find satisfaction.

15 centuries later, he sees a woman in a dream that reminds him of Morganna. The very next day, he meets Olivia, the woman from that dream. He thinks she is Morganna in disguise, but she is a...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Emma rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped that I would. For one thing, the hero (who is 1500 years old due to a curse) walks around in jeans, carries a Glock, has a microwave, a radio, all the mod-cons, etc. yet talks like he's stepped out of Elizabethan England (eg., verily). At one point, the hero and heroine have the exchange [Him] :"You can take the man out of the Dark Ages, but-" [Her]: "Yeah, yeah, you can't take the Dark Ages out of the man." Well, considering he's lived far longer...more

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May 01, 2010 Kathleen Burket rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love the mythos in this book of magical families with incredible life spans who live amongst humans. I thought the battle between the factions of magickind interesting and will enjoy watching the social evolution between the Privileged and the Deprived in future books in this series. Unfortunately both the hero and heroine were flawed to the point of being annoying rather than sympathic characters with whom readers could identify. Marrok of Cadbury was stubborn, arrogant, and in the first half...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Darla Stokes rated it 2 of 5 stars

Too self-consciously "steamy." The romance was way too repetitive: he's all "I lurve her but I can't trust her" over and over again, and she's all "I lurve him but he can't really love me because I wasn't loved as a child" over and over again. There's no progress or development in the relationship at all, despite the frequent and lengthy sex scenes. Don't get me started on the fact that she needs the hero's semen to stay alive. The paranormal plot was nothing special, with the added perplexing d...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Claire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: absolute-faves, action, fantasy, paranormal-romance

it took me a while to actually get into this book and this was the first time I had read anything by Shayla Black. However, once I got into it, I REALLY got into it and am eager to get started on to the 2nd book in the Doomsday Brethren series, but at the same time I really dont want to! This is because one of the characters has been taken by the evil and I fear that the 2 characters who this affects directly will not come out of it in one piece and I believe that the other one will be killed in...more

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Dec 22, 2008 L8blmr rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have tried to write this review twice already, only to have it disapear rather than post! I just can't rewrite it another time, so I'll tell you I'd give it 4.5 and leave it at that! Now you're free to read someone else's fine review!

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Oct 19, 2009 Alicia rated it 5 of 5 stars

#1 Doomsday Brethren Novel

This book had my attention from page one. I couldnt put it down. It is very well written. Ms. Black has created a world that is equally sexy, dangerous and fun.

Marrok is a former knight of King Arthurs who was cursed to live out enternity never to be able to achive orgasm. He was cursed by King Arthurs sister Morganna with a magical book that everyone in modern times wants to possess. He stole the book and has been unable to unlock it for fiftenn hundred years.

Olivia is...more

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About Shayla Black

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the national bestselling author of 25+ sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances for multiple print and electronic publishers. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

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Tempt Me with Darkness (Doomsday Brethren #1)

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