I don't like the shadows or the darkness that they hide though it's all I've ever known. Fear resides there—lurking and consuming what little is left of me. I’m intimate with my demons. I know their game, but I cannot master it. I've been running for a long time but there's only so far to go before they catch me and force me into a devious dance so dark that there’ll be no turning back. And that's why I need him. That’s why I came home. My brother’s my salvation from this malevolence. He's taken inventory of my skeletons and knows how to calm the rage when it washes over me like a typhoon, drowning me in pain and regret. But August doesn't know the monster that I've become. I’m afraid of what he’ll do if he finds out. He's my salvation and I refuse to lose him. Not because I got carried away. And certainly not to her. Because my older brother has plenty of demons too. And one of them is sleeping in his bed.
Raised in small town Iowa, Michelle Pace is an international best-selling, multi-genre author. After studying theater and vocal music and directing and performing in numerous productions, Michelle went on to earn degrees in both liberal arts and nursing. Determined to avoid shoveling snow, she relocated to the Lone Star State with her husband, author L.G. Pace III. Michelle is a mother of three, and she enjoys traveling, live music, and is an enthusiastic amateur beer connoisseur. Still most at home while entertaining an audience, her mission is to write gripping fiction, not fairy tales.
This is one of those reads where you are never quite sure what will happen next, and even expecting the unexpected won't do you any good because nothing can prepare you for what actually does happen.
The three main characters in this book are misfits in the truest sense; outcasts that society has never really accepted...and with good reason.
They each have their demons and this book let's you see first hand when personal hell's collide what damage can occur.
I'm a HUGE fan of Michelle Pace's writing so purchasing Invictus was a no-brainer. I really enjoyed this ROYALLY messed up book. It's crazy to think that this could actually be going on. My only complaint about the book is that I wish there were more. I did feel like the ending was rushed. The resolution feels rushed and that all the loose ends aren't tied up. If I could change anything, that would be it!
So this book is about 2 brothers and a girl. Robbie and Auggie are a bit strange. Tasha also has her issues. Auggie sees something in Tasha and wants to help her be her true self. Robbie just wants to watch the world burn! He wants things his way or no way. The only person who can calm him is his brother. So many twists and turns in this story. This one will definitely make you reread what you just read. No spoilers so I won’t go into any details but these two authors definitely clicked together when writing this. I really want to see more of this story.
This was such an amazing book. The story pulls you in from the first page and holds you there til the very end. The characters are so complex and I loved reading about these psychotic people.
The story is about 4 people who lives are intertwined 2 are brothers, 1 woman happens to be in the wrong profession, and the other woman is a broken but strong will survivor. This is a twisted, psychotic roller coaster ride that left me satisfied but wanting more all at the same time. It is told in all 4 characters point of views and is a fast paced read. I would love another book with some of these characters. I especially loved being in Robbie's head but August was my main man😍😍 Thank you Michelle and Yolanda for writing about these psychos, the book was exactly what I wanted and more.
Brotherly love-Robbie and Auggie. They are opposites, but still need each other to survive and they share a mutual interest so to speak and everything was good and then came along Atasha. It seems Atasha stirred up a conflict cocktail within the brother's lives. Secrets, confessions, jealousy, twist and turns and a little dab of something special you will find stuffed within these pages that will keep you going all the way to the end. These two authors wrote well with each other and created a 5 star read.
I couldn't wait to read this book. I mean just look at this cover it is gorgeous.
I was hooked from the start I really enjoyed the story the writing and the characters.
The characters are crazy but August, Atasha, and Robbie, each has their own demons to face. But you can't help but like them even when you might hate them. I not going to go into details of the story. But if you love a book that makes you think that is it going one way then it goes another then this is the book for you. very well written and couldn't put it down, dark and twisted and I enjoyed every minute of it.
What an amazing story! Bringing these two authors together was like a stroke of genius! I have loved each of their stories separately, but when they combined their efforts, it was a whole other level. The characters of Atasha, August and Robbie are wild, and they're just crazy enough where you don't know what their next thought will be. And the secrets they're keeping have you wanting to tear through the book. Definitely one of my favorites this year!
This trio of characters are bizarre and crazy with their antics and actions and I would expect nothing less from Yolanda. Auggie, Atasha, and Robbie are characters your momma warned you to stay away from. Together they are 3 sticks of dynamite with their fuses lit, waiting for them to explode. August is the calmest of the group but definitely has psychological issues. This story was so well written and I highly recommend this book to anyone who lives Yolandas stories.
When I one-clicked this book, I had no clue what it was about. All I knew is that it looked dark and delicious. I knew I needed to read it. Boy was I right about the dark and deliciousness!
I need to warn you, if you have a weak stomach, you probably shouldn't read this book. If you like sweet and sappy, you definitely should not read this. If you are looking for unicorns and a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, do NOT read this. This book is none of the above. It is dark. It is gruesome. It is the exact opposite of everything that is good in this world.
Let me tell you, my stomach did a few nauseated flips by the end of chapter two. This book definitely jumped right into the nitty gritty from the get go. I knew that I was in for a dark ride, and I couldn't wait.
The plot of this book is unique and delivered from four different point of views. If you are not a fan of that, have no fear. Each of them are vitally important and easy to follow. Each of them has their own part in the story to tell.
The characters in this book are demented in a way I hadn't imagined. Out of the four, I am still unsure of the reasoning behind one of them. The authors set it up that she was an essential part of something big, but that something big didn't come. That was the only real disappointment for me.
Overall, I devoured this book. I was determined to read it in as little time as possible so I could get to the end. My only wish is that it had been longer. I needed more experiments resulting in that animalistic connection with August and Atasha. Just a little more. I needed to feel that bond that these characters shared just a little bit more.
What the hell did I just read and why did it intrigue me so? I have so many questions so there better be more coming. Intense, suspenseful, and quite gruesome. Not sure what I was thinking it was going to be about but this wasn't it. Nor did I plan to relish and savor this horror.
This is a dark and twisty ride. Buckle up because you'll need it.
Wowzers! I went into this book thinking it was going to be something different than what it was and I was surprised in the best possible way. I loved that I could never guess the direction it was going to go, leaving me turning the pages as fast as I could. I also adore stories that make me love and root for the villain. Although in this case it was villains and there wasn’t actually a “good guy”.
Robbie was my favorite character. He was all sorts of whackadoo while simultaneously being freaking adorable. He had this little kid likeness to him that was charming, yet he’ll slit your throat for blinking at him the wrong way.
August was soooo freaking sexy and I loved the calm and almost gentle nature to him that complimented Robbie’s insanity. He kind of made me want someone to stalk me like that LOL.
Atasha (love her name) was a nice medium between the two. There were times that I could relate to her and others where I didn’t get her at all, but the whole time I enjoyed her perspective. Omg and there was this boat scene…. I really wish that would have been longer. SO HOT. The book is fast paced and the titles were clever and one in particular had me laughing because it was so Robbie: The Wh*re Behind Door #1 Lol. I am familiar with the amazing books Yolanda Olson writes, but this is my first Michelle Pace book and certainly not my last. I love the slight grimy feeling that horror gives me and this was no exception. This was as dark as Atasha’s nail polish. It was depraved, twisted, demented and I adored every page. Stars: 5 Genre: Horror Sexual Content: Explicit
I don't remember reading the blurb. I just remembering one clicking and diving in. Throughout the day, I was reading Invictus and wondering when crap was going to hit the fan. The characters were utterly crazy. I mean their crazy had no limit. It was absolutely infinite. There were two characters that I loved throughout the story. It didn't matter the change in their mood or the situations they were thrown in... I still loved August and Atasha. They weren't a couple. They were partners which made it even better. Tash was a strong willed. She didn't allow people to boss her around. The only person she was followed was August.
August had a purpose. There was a method to his madness. And trust me, the man had some madness. The character I loved the least was Robbie. My god... I felt Tash's pain. I wanted to strangle him and thrown in the nearest river. August didn't seem to have a life. His brother was his life. The ending... I loved it but it left me with questions. I wanted more of Tash. I wanted to know what happened to the bleeping Scarecrow.
A crazy rollercoaster ride that will leave you wanting more. That's how I would describe this book; just when you get use to the direction you're headed you get dropped off a blind cliff and before you know it it's over. I must admit that the relationship between the two brothers is one that I really did love, and admire. I don't want to give anything away but OMG those brothers.....🔥🔥
I've read books by Yolanda Olson before but this is my first introduction to Michelle Pace's writing, but I will surely be looking into reading other books by her as well. These two writers together make a formidable duo. The only thing that I didn't like was the ending, and I'll just leave it at that. Stil I loved the main characters, the story line, and I am officially claiming Robbie and August as mine. #DibsOnTheGrantBros
Heartbreaking with a hint of psychotic in it. That's how I'll describe this story. I love how much August loves his brother Robbie. He would go to hell and back for him. Even if it ment corrupting and damaging people on his path. But all the love in the world can't change death. August has a secret and needs the help of Tash, even if she doesn't know it. But everyone has secrets....secrets that can get them killed.... Overall the story was amazing...but honestly I missed Yolanda's way of writing her stories. This is mild compare to her other books. That's the only reason I gave it 4 stars. I miss the gore and sadistic characters that she writes. I still highly reccomend this book to everyone. I truly enjoyed reading the copy I received as a gift. Love waiting to find all the secrets. I really hope there's more story...I need more
This story is good. I thought the ending was going to be different, but it's still good. The characters, storyline all fit together and It's a page turner.
Invictus, is about three individuals who likes the demented side of things. They get into and do some strange, things that are creepy. While they are living the life of craziness, one of the has a secret that will put a new light on things.
Yolanda is the queen of all things horror and this is the first time I'm reading words by Michelle,but with these two together, it's a dynamite punch.
There are almost no words for this book. A complete 180 for Pace, I'm excited to see her take a new direction and explore this gritty style. I requested an early copy to review because I'm a big fan but had no idea what to expect. It took me a bit to appreciate the crazy and go for the ride that is Auggie and Atasha. I wanted to be repulsed by their behavior but I couldn't stop reading, I was captivated by their personalities and gripping storytelling.
Awee yeah this is one of those books you will love to hate. It's fantastic, I couldn't put it down.. These two authors have delivered a mind blowing read. All i can say is expect the unexpected in this book. Nothing and I mean NOTHING is what it seems. Get ready to have your head messes with. The characters are well let's just say.... outcasts Seriously you need to read this book.
Let’s talk about Invictus by Yolanda Olson and Michelle Pace a book so underrated it’s practically a crime. This deliciously twisted tale had one burning question: How far are you willing to go to protect a secret? (Spoiler: probably not as far as these characters, and thank goodness for that.)
August, Robbie, and Atasha? Oh honey, they’re a whole mess of secrets, tension, and unholy chemistry. They need each other in ways that are deeply complicated and honestly, I lived for the chaos. This book grabbed me by the throat and said, “We’re doing this,” and I said, “Yes ma’am.”
Heads up: it dives into some dark territory, so check your emotional baggage before boarding this ride. We read responsibly in this haunted little household.
And may I never, ever get caught between Robbie and Auggie, because baby... the drama? The danger? The sheeesh? I’d simply perish.
A thrilling horror that makes my toes curl and moral conscience wince while guiltily basking in the depravity.
“The sight of blood.” August smiles down at me, like I’m the loveliest thing he’s ever seen. “It’s her aphrodisiac.” August is awesome. A terrible, screwed up human being, but the kind of villain I can relish. And while the story sort of evolves around Atasha, it’s August’s story, and he who’s presence dominates. I adore the ambiguity of the ending; I certainly have my thoughts on how I’d like the story to go, and it’s kinda perfect how the authors left it. If you enjoy psychopaths, killers, and a bit of horror, you can’t pass this one up.
Please don’t tell me that is how this ends! Is Robbie and Atasha going to get along? Is she going to run away from them? What is going to happen to Magna??
“I got here at this very moment, playing nursemaid and fucktoy to some rich serial killer, taking abuse from his bitch brother who I’d just as soon push off of a bridge as talk to, and now, playing waitress to some crazy captive hidden under the stairs.”
Invictus was DEFINITELY an interesting read. I loved the multiple POVs and I felt for all of the characters involved. I actually would've loved it if it was a bit longer. I wanted to find out what would happen next for their futures. It ended kind of suddenly and had me craving for more.
I knew this book would be seriously dark and depraved. I wasn't disappointed! August and Robbie had such an extremely protective and almost obsessive relationship for Brothers, add in Tash and a secret in the basement and OMG this book was crazy good!!
What in the actual eff did I just read? I was drawn in by the initial description and normally I like a good dark read but this was more creepy and weird then dark. I’m still sitting here like wtf was that.
This is not my normal genre, but I thought I’d give it a go. It was very well written, but too graphic for me. The ending was also too open-ended for closure, in my opinion.