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There Was a House #2
House of Pain
There Was a House saga is a gripping story about a very real crime taking place all around us.
Set in the dark, depraved world of sex-trafficking, this gritty, continuing psychological thriller and drama tells the story of six victims and their hope for revenge and redemption.
Book Two: House of Pain
DECEIT
Two years. Two years of living a lie, pretending love and loyalty to Antoine, the pimp who owns the house named Rêve. The need for revenge boils in Phoenix’s veins. She lives to find a way to destroy Antoine, his brothel, and the men who frequent the hellish place.
DESPERATION
Jamie has arrived along with his own issues. Dumped at Rêve by his homophobic father, he’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Antoine allows him to stay—even if he has to play the role of flaming pretty boy for sale. It’s better than being sold off and forced to whore on the streets.
DEVASTATION
But he’s the wildcard. He’ll be integral in taking Antoine down, and Phoenix senses it. With his sweet looking face and her cunning hatred, they will be unstoppable. At least they should be.
If only opportunity would present itself.
Set in the dark, depraved world of sex-trafficking, this gritty, continuing psychological thriller and drama tells the story of six victims and their hope for revenge and redemption.
Book Two: House of Pain
DECEIT
Two years. Two years of living a lie, pretending love and loyalty to Antoine, the pimp who owns the house named Rêve. The need for revenge boils in Phoenix’s veins. She lives to find a way to destroy Antoine, his brothel, and the men who frequent the hellish place.
DESPERATION
Jamie has arrived along with his own issues. Dumped at Rêve by his homophobic father, he’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Antoine allows him to stay—even if he has to play the role of flaming pretty boy for sale. It’s better than being sold off and forced to whore on the streets.
DEVASTATION
But he’s the wildcard. He’ll be integral in taking Antoine down, and Phoenix senses it. With his sweet looking face and her cunning hatred, they will be unstoppable. At least they should be.
If only opportunity would present itself.
219 pages, ebook
First published February 25, 2014
34 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Caddy Rowland
29 books87 followersSign up for new Caddy Rowland book release information by copying and pasting this in your browser: http://eepurl.com/rfjaX
NOTE: Caddy also writes gay m/m romance under the pen name Sibley Jackson. To be notified of new gay m/m romances by email, sing up here: http://tinyurl.com/kwzlad8
The drama of humanity. We live, die, love, hate, win and lose in a never-ending variety of ways. Often those ways are heart-wrenching. Other times they are not.
Why do people make the choices they do? Why do some abuse power? How do the powerless learn to survive? Why do a few dare to be different, while others conform—and why are so many disturbed by those who don't? These are the questions that have always haunted author Caddy Rowland. Those questions keep her pounding away at her keyboard, creating novels for adults who color outside the lines.
Caddy has always been a nonconformist. She likes to push the proverbial envelope when it comes to characterization and world building. Heroes have warts; villains have soft spots. Main characters don't always learn their lessons because all too often we don't, either. There isn't always a happy ending, but sometimes there is. Otherwise she'd be predictable.
She writes for readers who like to think and feel; who like their stories to be raw, graphic, unpredictable, "real" and sometimes brutal. For readers who like their boundaries challenged; to be shown how rarely life decisions are truly black and white, but instead shades of grey.
Think of a carnival midway with books instead of rides. She asks you make sure you're the minimum height if you plan on riding alone. You must also leave prejudices and inhibitions behind the entry gate. If you can’t, Rowland's reads might be a tad much for you. Don't worry. There are plenty of safer reads out there. Just step out of the line and find a more appropriate book for your reading enjoyment.
No, Caddy Rowland's novels aren't for everyone. But then again, they just might be for you.
NOTE: Caddy also writes gay m/m romance under the pen name Sibley Jackson. To be notified of new gay m/m romances by email, sing up here: http://tinyurl.com/kwzlad8
The drama of humanity. We live, die, love, hate, win and lose in a never-ending variety of ways. Often those ways are heart-wrenching. Other times they are not.
Why do people make the choices they do? Why do some abuse power? How do the powerless learn to survive? Why do a few dare to be different, while others conform—and why are so many disturbed by those who don't? These are the questions that have always haunted author Caddy Rowland. Those questions keep her pounding away at her keyboard, creating novels for adults who color outside the lines.
Caddy has always been a nonconformist. She likes to push the proverbial envelope when it comes to characterization and world building. Heroes have warts; villains have soft spots. Main characters don't always learn their lessons because all too often we don't, either. There isn't always a happy ending, but sometimes there is. Otherwise she'd be predictable.
She writes for readers who like to think and feel; who like their stories to be raw, graphic, unpredictable, "real" and sometimes brutal. For readers who like their boundaries challenged; to be shown how rarely life decisions are truly black and white, but instead shades of grey.
Think of a carnival midway with books instead of rides. She asks you make sure you're the minimum height if you plan on riding alone. You must also leave prejudices and inhibitions behind the entry gate. If you can’t, Rowland's reads might be a tad much for you. Don't worry. There are plenty of safer reads out there. Just step out of the line and find a more appropriate book for your reading enjoyment.
No, Caddy Rowland's novels aren't for everyone. But then again, they just might be for you.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 19, 2018
Ugh I hate getting sucked into a series but I need to know what happens to Jamie , Phoenix and the other girls! The second book kept me just as captivated as the first. The men are vile the women are strong and trying to break free. Then theres little jaimie hes sweet and cute. Maybe looks like bieber lol what horrible life he has. You heart just breaks for them all.
March 28, 2022
Plot Thickens
This series is a page turner! You have to read and pay attention to the characters to understand why they act the way they do! Read the books in chronological order, it's very important. I won't give away any spoilers but this series is worth reading! I will be checking out her " Stilleto series too!
This series is a page turner! You have to read and pay attention to the characters to understand why they act the way they do! Read the books in chronological order, it's very important. I won't give away any spoilers but this series is worth reading! I will be checking out her " Stilleto series too!
July 10, 2014
This novel is the second in a series by Caddy Rowland, featuring a story on the sex trade industry and human trafficking. To say it’s a heavy topic is an understatement. Caddy takes this discussion and turns it into a gripping story.
I read the first book in this series for review as well. The character introduced at the very end, Jamie, becomes crucial in the next in this series. Jamie becomes close to a main character in House of Pain. This book allows the initial thoughts and desires of revenge from book one to fester and grow. Those needs for revenge finally come to a point where plans can begin to be made and action taken.
This novel is very well-written with minor (and I mean minor) grammatical issues. My biggest complaint is that on occasion I was drawn out of the story by the narration. It seemed there were times when the narrators voice would take over and we would lose the point of view of the character and thus became outside observers. I was jarred out of the story in these instances, but it wasn’t difficult to get back into it.
Phoenix and Jamie make an interesting duo. There are character POV shifts throughout this book, and the only ones I had issues with were when we were taken out of the six main characters (those working at Reve). There were times when the POV would shift into that of a john who frequented Reve, and those were the POVs I did not enjoy reading. It wasn’t just because I’m reading a character who I’m supposed to dislike; it was because I was reading a character who I knew nothing about and didn’t care to get to know. Their parts were so minor that it didn’t seem necessary when the information was then repeated with the main six point of views.
My biggest dislike of this novel (other than the topic itself and that sex trafficking still happens, which is not anything about this novel itself) is the large amount of point of views we get as a reader. I don’t mind a limited number so long as we still get to know the characters well enough, but in this series it seemed overwhelming to have upward of ten to twelve point of views.
Overall this was an excellent read, and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. House of Trickery, here I come!
I read the first book in this series for review as well. The character introduced at the very end, Jamie, becomes crucial in the next in this series. Jamie becomes close to a main character in House of Pain. This book allows the initial thoughts and desires of revenge from book one to fester and grow. Those needs for revenge finally come to a point where plans can begin to be made and action taken.
This novel is very well-written with minor (and I mean minor) grammatical issues. My biggest complaint is that on occasion I was drawn out of the story by the narration. It seemed there were times when the narrators voice would take over and we would lose the point of view of the character and thus became outside observers. I was jarred out of the story in these instances, but it wasn’t difficult to get back into it.
Phoenix and Jamie make an interesting duo. There are character POV shifts throughout this book, and the only ones I had issues with were when we were taken out of the six main characters (those working at Reve). There were times when the POV would shift into that of a john who frequented Reve, and those were the POVs I did not enjoy reading. It wasn’t just because I’m reading a character who I’m supposed to dislike; it was because I was reading a character who I knew nothing about and didn’t care to get to know. Their parts were so minor that it didn’t seem necessary when the information was then repeated with the main six point of views.
My biggest dislike of this novel (other than the topic itself and that sex trafficking still happens, which is not anything about this novel itself) is the large amount of point of views we get as a reader. I don’t mind a limited number so long as we still get to know the characters well enough, but in this series it seemed overwhelming to have upward of ten to twelve point of views.
Overall this was an excellent read, and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. House of Trickery, here I come!
January 9, 2015
I was hoping that this book would be the escape for Phoenix since that was the main focus of book one... sadly, it wasn't.
There is still no plan in the work, however, the saving grace for me is that we do find out that someone isn't all that they appear. Although we don't find out until the end, it bumped the book up almost a full star for me. Plus, it makes me eager to read the next installation to see where things are going to go now that we know this little tidbit.
There is some harder situations that we have to see the kids go through in this one than we did in the first book, but I was still disappointed that we are still mainly focused on their escape for another full novel, yet not any closer (for the majority of the book).
I also didn't care for how the book jumped from third person to first person at random times. Sometimes it was thoughts, but others were not. There is also an odd chapter number system where we would go from one person's POV for a couple chapters to another for a few to everyone for a few. I'd much rather have gotten just one person's POV the entire way even if it was third person.
As I said, because of the new fact we find out literally the last few paragraphs, I can't wait to see where the next book goes.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Renee
There is still no plan in the work, however, the saving grace for me is that we do find out that someone isn't all that they appear. Although we don't find out until the end, it bumped the book up almost a full star for me. Plus, it makes me eager to read the next installation to see where things are going to go now that we know this little tidbit.
There is some harder situations that we have to see the kids go through in this one than we did in the first book, but I was still disappointed that we are still mainly focused on their escape for another full novel, yet not any closer (for the majority of the book).
I also didn't care for how the book jumped from third person to first person at random times. Sometimes it was thoughts, but others were not. There is also an odd chapter number system where we would go from one person's POV for a couple chapters to another for a few to everyone for a few. I'd much rather have gotten just one person's POV the entire way even if it was third person.
As I said, because of the new fact we find out literally the last few paragraphs, I can't wait to see where the next book goes.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Renee
March 2, 2014
House of Pain
This second book of the series is a page turner from the gitgo. It brings you deeper into the story. Perhaps deeper than you care to be. Introducing Jamie into the story was pure genius of Caddy Rowland. Another take on how sick sadistic humans can be. You're taken further into the very house of pain and discover its secrets that were unknown to everyone. What else will Ms Rowland reveal in the, much anticipated 3rd book. If its like this one, its a guaranteed page turner not to be put down. Can hardly wait. If you haven't read the first, There Was A House-Book 1(House of Pleasure), by all means rush out and pick up a copy. Well worth the minuscule price. As is this one. You're a sly one, Caddy Rowland.
Available on Amazon
This second book of the series is a page turner from the gitgo. It brings you deeper into the story. Perhaps deeper than you care to be. Introducing Jamie into the story was pure genius of Caddy Rowland. Another take on how sick sadistic humans can be. You're taken further into the very house of pain and discover its secrets that were unknown to everyone. What else will Ms Rowland reveal in the, much anticipated 3rd book. If its like this one, its a guaranteed page turner not to be put down. Can hardly wait. If you haven't read the first, There Was A House-Book 1(House of Pleasure), by all means rush out and pick up a copy. Well worth the minuscule price. As is this one. You're a sly one, Caddy Rowland.
Available on Amazon
February 12, 2016
There Was A House 2, House Of Pain by Caddy Rowland is a smart story that is suspenseful and captured my attention. A well told narrative that feels vivid and entertaining.
Phoenix's need for revenge continues and we get to know more about Jamie in this book. I knew he would make an interesting character from book 1.
Though I am enjoying this series, I do look forward to a reward at the end of it. I feel it's coming but not close enough.
Quote ~
"Brushing the tears away, he began to tell his story yet again on canvas. It was a story he kept hidden, even on canvas, to everyone but him and the few that had been unfortunate enough to witness it. As he painted, he eventually let himself dream of the day when people would know his name as an artist who mattered. They would love him, and life would be happy. He would have freedom and no fear of pain."
Phoenix's need for revenge continues and we get to know more about Jamie in this book. I knew he would make an interesting character from book 1.
Though I am enjoying this series, I do look forward to a reward at the end of it. I feel it's coming but not close enough.
Quote ~
"Brushing the tears away, he began to tell his story yet again on canvas. It was a story he kept hidden, even on canvas, to everyone but him and the few that had been unfortunate enough to witness it. As he painted, he eventually let himself dream of the day when people would know his name as an artist who mattered. They would love him, and life would be happy. He would have freedom and no fear of pain."
March 24, 2014
Again an incredible read, one filled with pain and a million emotions! A very unique and compelling story about human relationships and survival. Human trafficking is a tough subject, but a very real one that Caddy Rowland addresses very well. Learning about Jamie in the second story of the series, brings to light that not just young girls are brought into human trafficking, but young boys can also be victims. I am looking forward to finding how the plan of delivering destruction to those causing the pain.
September 7, 2016
An amazing in depth look at the reality of human trafficking and the horrors faced when parents just don't care about their children. You will not put this book down until it is finished. Caddy's character development is such that I fell I personally w every one. Inpatient to have book 3 released!
March 7, 2014
Ms Rowland has done it again....this is a must read....so need the next book out..i have fallen in love with "jamie"....he is by far the most exciting character to me right now....you just want to hug him and let him know all will be good....thank you Ms. Rowland..you seriously rock as an author!!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews