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The Trials of Tamara
“I’m going to tear apart heaven and hell to find her.”
My Tamara is gone. Taken. Kidnapped to be tortured and killed. In my search for her, I won’t leave a stone unturned. I’m going to find her. And then I’m going to destroy the man who took her away from me… family or not.
It’s time to train Tamara. When I’m not around, she needs to know how to protect herself. The world is filled with many monsters. I am just one of them. Tamara needs to learn to keep herself safe, and I’m going to make sure that she’s as dangerous as I am.
My pretty toy is hiding a secret… and I’m going to get it out of her. We’re meant to be together, and I’ll kill to have her. My work in this world isn’t over, and Tamara is meant to be by my side. I’m going to make her my own again, and I’m going to pry that secret out of her and save her—not just from the world, I’m going to save her from herself. She belongs with me. Now and forever.
This is a dark romance, which contains scenes that some may find disturbing. It is part two of a duet. Both parts are live now!
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2018
536 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
January 20, 2019
I have found my new favourite dark romance author.
Having read Tamara, Taken yesterday, I jumped straight into reading The Trials of Tamara today. I loved every single word and page of this story. It is just so deliciously dark, so twisted, so nasty and dirty and everything bad.
The plot twists, it turns and it weaves a tale of a love so dark it lives in the blackest of shadows. From the prologue to the epilogue this is perfect in its tale of everything imperfect. It's difficult to say much without spoiling the duet but I can tell you that Tamara is a heroine who you will relish. She is forged from steel, tempered in the fires of pain and suffering. I wouldn't change a single thing about her.
Joshua remains a complex man, so astray from his emotions that, at times, he struggles to function. At times you will want to smack him around the back of the head, he is so obtuse. That is how wonderfully the author crafted him.
If you love truly dark reads, not just those pretend slightly grey ones, then I totally recommend this dark duet. Its amazing and will be remain one of my favourite reads of the year.
Having read Tamara, Taken yesterday, I jumped straight into reading The Trials of Tamara today. I loved every single word and page of this story. It is just so deliciously dark, so twisted, so nasty and dirty and everything bad.
The plot twists, it turns and it weaves a tale of a love so dark it lives in the blackest of shadows. From the prologue to the epilogue this is perfect in its tale of everything imperfect. It's difficult to say much without spoiling the duet but I can tell you that Tamara is a heroine who you will relish. She is forged from steel, tempered in the fires of pain and suffering. I wouldn't change a single thing about her.
Joshua remains a complex man, so astray from his emotions that, at times, he struggles to function. At times you will want to smack him around the back of the head, he is so obtuse. That is how wonderfully the author crafted him.
If you love truly dark reads, not just those pretend slightly grey ones, then I totally recommend this dark duet. Its amazing and will be remain one of my favourite reads of the year.
April 26, 2022
What is it about serial killer MCs? This is another trope that surprises me by how much I enjoy it. Nothing can compare to the Mindfck series but Blue-Eyed Monsters comes close! While the Mindfck series operated like a sweet romance on one level, it was also a mystery about a small town cover-up and a feminist revenge. Blue-Eyed Monsters is, on one level, a hero introducing the art of mixing pleasure with pain to a heroine, but it's also a tragic story about abuse in a survivalist family, and again, revenge against sexual abusers.
As soon as I finished Tamara, Taken, I started The Trials of Tamara. I'm giving it 5 stars because I inhaled it!
***Some spoilers***
The first half continues the romantic suspense before becoming a reprieve of sorts - Tamara and Joshua separate and go their "separate" ways. The threat of Charlemagne necessitates them to bunker down together.
First, let's get the elephant out the room. Joshua does a complete 180 degree. Well, he isn't the nicest man ever, and no he's not going to stop killing but I was surprised by how he communicates with Tamara. Not just in revealing his feelings for her but also his banter - that was a big surprise. It was lighter and it was nice, but it was a big shift. In Book 1, I wasn't sure if he was capable of being funny but in Book 2, there's more of a sense that his threats and his less PC words are dirty talk, come from an affectionate place, at least how it's received by Tamara.
"We're going to spend some time together doing normal couple things if it kills us. Normal couples take walks outside when it's nice, don't they?"
I can't help it; I actually start to laugh as we head through the foyer into an enormous living room with views of the mountains in the distance, and the dark cloud that was clinging to me blows clean away.
"How did this even occur to you? Did you look it up online or something?"
"Where else? I went to the website datingforserialkillers.com and picked one from the list."
(This is like the lightest banter in the book. It was funny but really gave me romcom vibes).
When the first book is a hero being a completely vile abuser, the second book must have the hero make concessions. It's either too subtle and not enough or too much. It's a tricky balance for the author because the reader may have enjoyed how diabolical the hero was or at least understood how the hero operated. For the hero to change in the second book, it must be believable. Otherwise, the hero is a completely different character, and it feels unearned. Unsatisfying.
While I am Team HEA/HFN (I don't care about ring or baby but they need to be together lol), I don't mind a darker or more ambiguous ending now and then. In The Trials of Tamara, the hero's shift from psychopath serial killer to a redeemable psychopath serial killer was good. I'll have to say this. Like with Tamara, Taken, I like how Ginger Talbot surprises me.
I predicted a few things that never happened:
I like how Ginger Talbot surprises me in the last act. I'm going to read her other works.
As soon as I finished Tamara, Taken, I started The Trials of Tamara. I'm giving it 5 stars because I inhaled it!
***Some spoilers***
The first half continues the romantic suspense before becoming a reprieve of sorts - Tamara and Joshua separate and go their "separate" ways. The threat of Charlemagne necessitates them to bunker down together.
First, let's get the elephant out the room. Joshua does a complete 180 degree. Well, he isn't the nicest man ever, and no he's not going to stop killing but I was surprised by how he communicates with Tamara. Not just in revealing his feelings for her but also his banter - that was a big surprise. It was lighter and it was nice, but it was a big shift. In Book 1, I wasn't sure if he was capable of being funny but in Book 2, there's more of a sense that his threats and his less PC words are dirty talk, come from an affectionate place, at least how it's received by Tamara.
"We're going to spend some time together doing normal couple things if it kills us. Normal couples take walks outside when it's nice, don't they?"
I can't help it; I actually start to laugh as we head through the foyer into an enormous living room with views of the mountains in the distance, and the dark cloud that was clinging to me blows clean away.
"How did this even occur to you? Did you look it up online or something?"
"Where else? I went to the website datingforserialkillers.com and picked one from the list."
(This is like the lightest banter in the book. It was funny but really gave me romcom vibes).
When the first book is a hero being a completely vile abuser, the second book must have the hero make concessions. It's either too subtle and not enough or too much. It's a tricky balance for the author because the reader may have enjoyed how diabolical the hero was or at least understood how the hero operated. For the hero to change in the second book, it must be believable. Otherwise, the hero is a completely different character, and it feels unearned. Unsatisfying.
While I am Team HEA/HFN (I don't care about ring or baby but they need to be together lol), I don't mind a darker or more ambiguous ending now and then. In The Trials of Tamara, the hero's shift from psychopath serial killer to a redeemable psychopath serial killer was good. I'll have to say this. Like with Tamara, Taken, I like how Ginger Talbot surprises me.
I predicted a few things that never happened:
I like how Ginger Talbot surprises me in the last act. I'm going to read her other works.
November 27, 2023
WOW!
This was so good. I wasn’t a fan of the first book of the duet but now it was all worth it.
The character development of Joshua was amazing, I’m so impressed.
I absolutely loveee Joshua and Tamara’s chemistry. ❤️ both the characters are commendable. 💕
Also loved the man, Alfredo. ❤️
This was so good. I wasn’t a fan of the first book of the duet but now it was all worth it.
The character development of Joshua was amazing, I’m so impressed.
I absolutely loveee Joshua and Tamara’s chemistry. ❤️ both the characters are commendable. 💕
Also loved the man, Alfredo. ❤️
dnf
February 22, 2021I started reading this book ,found it boring ,I read ending ,I found it dramatic and so.....I DNFed this book.
February 3, 2019
This was book 2 in the
Blue Eyed Monsters"
series. OMG this book was crazy! This book picked up where book 1 left off Tamara was kidnapped by Joshua's twin brother Charlamagne aka Micah and he is crazier than his brother. Charlamagne wants to make Joshua pay for leaving him and locking him up in a psych ward and what he did to the doctor was just wrong. Tamara knows that she has to hold on she knows that Joshua is coming for her. Joshua is going out of his mind with worry he is not use to having feelings but he knows that Tamara is his and he wants her back she is tortured at the hands of Charlamagne along with her former neighbor Heather. Joshua turns to someone who wants to put him in jail for help finding her. When she is rescued she is beaten so bad that she is hospitalized and although Joshua is arrested they can't prove that he did anything and when he goes to see Tam she does want to go back with him. When she goes to stay with her friend Sarah she realizes that Joshua has helped her by giving her money. While on her own she begins to miss him and realize that she is in love with Joshua and always has been. When Charlamagne escapes from jail Joshua shows up to get her he wants to protect her and she is happy about it. While they are together again they try to have a normal relationship but Joshua doesn't know how and he is having nightmares he is afraid that Tam will be hurt again. When Joshua lets her go Tam loses her mind and so does Joshua he sells his company and fires all of his employees and is in his apartment drinking when Ruiz finds him. When Tam ends up in a mental hospital for the criminally insane she gets a big surprise. This was a really good read and the ending was a surprise and I loved the epilogue. These two continued to have hot sex this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I have found my new fav. for dark erotic reads. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series Joshua and Tam son.
Joshua
Joshua
March 31, 2020
5 deliciously dark stars!
What a fantastic ending to the series! I just loved this, it was perfect!
I'm so glad Joshua and Tamara got their happy ending, I couldn't have hoped for better.
I'll definitely read more books by Ginger Talbot!
What a fantastic ending to the series! I just loved this, it was perfect!
I'm so glad Joshua and Tamara got their happy ending, I couldn't have hoped for better.
I'll definitely read more books by Ginger Talbot!
May 6, 2020
What a roller coaster love all the ups and downs.
June 6, 2020
What an awesome story! And unlike what I struggled with in book #1, there wasn’t a single dull moment!!!
May 3, 2022
Aug 25, 2021 5 stars
I loved this duet. I especially loved Joshua and how his brain works. His preparation for the worst case scenario and his loyalty to Tamara and even his screwed up values were awesome. He was amazing and made the book for me. I also liked Tamara and found she balanced him out with her craziness as well. It was a raw read and went many dark places but it hit all the right buttons for me and I can't wait to read more of this author (or maybe just reread these two). More, please!
May 2,2022 5 stars
Still loving this duet. Joshua is hilarious. I find his psychopath tendencies endearing. For example: at the beginning, when he’s describing how he checks all the boxes for being a psychopath there’s a line: “I don’t even understand why they ask some of the questions. “I manipulate others to get what I want.” Well, obviously. How else would you get what you want? By saying pretty please?”
The story is full of fun observations like this, seen from Joshua’s POV. They were so funny, I highlighted those instead of his declarations of love (or maybe in addition too cause I’m a sucker for those). Tamara was a good character. Just nuts enough to get his attention when she wanted it. It was a perfect match.
I will definitely be reading more of this author’s writing. It’s a rare day when I laugh through a book about a psychopath with serial killer tendencies mixed with captivity and BDSM. It was delightful. I’m not kidding.
I loved this duet. I especially loved Joshua and how his brain works. His preparation for the worst case scenario and his loyalty to Tamara and even his screwed up values were awesome. He was amazing and made the book for me. I also liked Tamara and found she balanced him out with her craziness as well. It was a raw read and went many dark places but it hit all the right buttons for me and I can't wait to read more of this author (or maybe just reread these two). More, please!
May 2,2022 5 stars
Still loving this duet. Joshua is hilarious. I find his psychopath tendencies endearing. For example: at the beginning, when he’s describing how he checks all the boxes for being a psychopath there’s a line: “I don’t even understand why they ask some of the questions. “I manipulate others to get what I want.” Well, obviously. How else would you get what you want? By saying pretty please?”
The story is full of fun observations like this, seen from Joshua’s POV. They were so funny, I highlighted those instead of his declarations of love (or maybe in addition too cause I’m a sucker for those). Tamara was a good character. Just nuts enough to get his attention when she wanted it. It was a perfect match.
I will definitely be reading more of this author’s writing. It’s a rare day when I laugh through a book about a psychopath with serial killer tendencies mixed with captivity and BDSM. It was delightful. I’m not kidding.
May 13, 2018
The second and final part of this dark duet picks up where Tamara,Taken ends. And grabs you by the throat from the start. You think Joshua was bad? Meet Micah/Charlemagne,his twin brother. He takes Tamara from Joshua and what he does to her is beyond belief. Really. Trust me. To think i hated Joshua at first. Knowing how bad he could have been.....and the way Tamara changed him before his brother took him,makes him look....human? What happens when he finds her? Is he in time to save her? You really need to read this,trust me! I loved it!
December 29, 2020
It’s dark, it’s a romance, it’s well-written, what’s not to love? A great read for those into the darker shades of love.
I might’ve wanted to know more about Micah’s demise, but at the same time I’m grateful I didn’t have to plunder through 1000 pages for a HEA.
I might’ve wanted to know more about Micah’s demise, but at the same time I’m grateful I didn’t have to plunder through 1000 pages for a HEA.
May 13, 2018
4.4 stars
This duet was a roller coaster of my games at its best. This book, while great, lacked something that the first book in this series didn't. There was extreme suspense that had you on the edge of your seat. This book started out with a bang but quickly seemed to try and wrap things up with a pretty bow. That is not to say that it wasn't still good because it was, it just was not as messy or sinister as I had wanted.
I would still recommend this book/duet.
This duet was a roller coaster of my games at its best. This book, while great, lacked something that the first book in this series didn't. There was extreme suspense that had you on the edge of your seat. This book started out with a bang but quickly seemed to try and wrap things up with a pretty bow. That is not to say that it wasn't still good because it was, it just was not as messy or sinister as I had wanted.
I would still recommend this book/duet.
May 17, 2018
Disappointed
The author attempted to cram so much into this one book that the series went from enjoyable to downright flat. Could have been written way better if they author would have taken the time to pick a few characters that had bigger stories instead of a bunch of characters with brief synopsis.
The author attempted to cram so much into this one book that the series went from enjoyable to downright flat. Could have been written way better if they author would have taken the time to pick a few characters that had bigger stories instead of a bunch of characters with brief synopsis.
August 21, 2018
I didn't like this one as much as the first, maybe because Joshua was going through his own struggles in this one; the tables were turned. Tamara was a much stronger character, even though she went through so much with Charlemagne. I liked the ending though. I am looking forward to reading the third book; now that I've read books 1 and 2, I know who Bastien is.
August 6, 2021
A much needed HEA.
This duet is crazy dark. Still a mountain of triggers. It didn’t have the edge if the first one after Joshua rescued Tamara. It felt like it floated around trying to figure out how to wrap itself up.
This duet is crazy dark. Still a mountain of triggers. It didn’t have the edge if the first one after Joshua rescued Tamara. It felt like it floated around trying to figure out how to wrap itself up.
May 16, 2018
Highest possible recommendation.
I want to write a long and detailed review of both books combined but I don't want to give away any spoilers to readers so I am going to do so on goodreads.com. I want to make a strong point of saying that reading the first book is an absolute necessity to understand this one so don't skip it!
I am currently two credits away from a bachelors degree in psychology with my main focus on criminal psychology more specifically, the effects of narcissistic personality disorder in adults and how it affects their children. There is no official diagnosis and treatment for adult children of narcissistic parents, and I will spend my lifetime trying to rectify that.
During my twenty years of studying the phenomenon i have come across many MANY adult children of functioning psychopaths and sociopaths who went completely undiagnosed because they are masters of conformity with the only ones who are usually the ones to see all facets of the person's true nature being the child. This is a devastating secret to keep especially when you know that no one would believe you anyway.
Reading this book and how the author details with exemplary scholastic detail, the psychological impact of nature vs nurture and the resounding echoes of an abusers control long after the victim has been removed from the situation, well let's just say that it could have been used as a case study.
Whilst much fantasy and artistic license is given to make the story more enticing to readers, the bones of the story are richly textured impressions of the real life mental evolution of a potential serial killer. I strongly applaud the author who's research must have been exhaustive. If you're looking for something that is tangible and not a lazy romance read you feel you have read a thousand times before, then you owe it to yourself to sit down and read this. I would go beyond the scope of suggesting it to just dark romance fans and give a heartfelt recommended read to all abnormal psych students and those interested in the subject matter. I
Only after reading the books of you would like to check out my highlight and notes please do, but don't spoil it for yourself by reading those first.
I also ask other people writing reviews not to mention the spoilers in your post. This is such a fantastic read and the surprise elements are greatly to credit with much of that, so don't take that away from the next reader.
I want to write a long and detailed review of both books combined but I don't want to give away any spoilers to readers so I am going to do so on goodreads.com. I want to make a strong point of saying that reading the first book is an absolute necessity to understand this one so don't skip it!
I am currently two credits away from a bachelors degree in psychology with my main focus on criminal psychology more specifically, the effects of narcissistic personality disorder in adults and how it affects their children. There is no official diagnosis and treatment for adult children of narcissistic parents, and I will spend my lifetime trying to rectify that.
During my twenty years of studying the phenomenon i have come across many MANY adult children of functioning psychopaths and sociopaths who went completely undiagnosed because they are masters of conformity with the only ones who are usually the ones to see all facets of the person's true nature being the child. This is a devastating secret to keep especially when you know that no one would believe you anyway.
Reading this book and how the author details with exemplary scholastic detail, the psychological impact of nature vs nurture and the resounding echoes of an abusers control long after the victim has been removed from the situation, well let's just say that it could have been used as a case study.
Whilst much fantasy and artistic license is given to make the story more enticing to readers, the bones of the story are richly textured impressions of the real life mental evolution of a potential serial killer. I strongly applaud the author who's research must have been exhaustive. If you're looking for something that is tangible and not a lazy romance read you feel you have read a thousand times before, then you owe it to yourself to sit down and read this. I would go beyond the scope of suggesting it to just dark romance fans and give a heartfelt recommended read to all abnormal psych students and those interested in the subject matter. I
Only after reading the books of you would like to check out my highlight and notes please do, but don't spoil it for yourself by reading those first.
I also ask other people writing reviews not to mention the spoilers in your post. This is such a fantastic read and the surprise elements are greatly to credit with much of that, so don't take that away from the next reader.
June 9, 2020
Loved this book... however, not as much as the first book Tamara, Taken.
Book #2 The Trials of Tamara was a continuation of Joshua and Tamara's story. The book started amazing... but quickly became less intense. Especially towards the end, the story felt way too rushed {afgeraffeld!} and things were left unspoken. Like the capture of Charlemagne; why was this dismissed with a simple "Micah has been captured"?? I'd hoped and expected the brothers to be face to face again. How could Joshua live with all the things Micah-slash-Charlemagne had done to Tamara? It were not 'minor things' he did to her, right? While Joshua could kill a guy for only talking to Tamara, he never confronted Charlemagne. That part made no sense and was disappointing. It was still a good book, but IMO it could have been even better! Hence the 4 stars.
Gonna continue right away with book #3 Camille, Claimed, which is about Bastien, a son of Joshua and Tamara.
Book #2 The Trials of Tamara was a continuation of Joshua and Tamara's story. The book started amazing... but quickly became less intense. Especially towards the end, the story felt way too rushed {afgeraffeld!} and things were left unspoken. Like the capture of Charlemagne; why was this dismissed with a simple "Micah has been captured"?? I'd hoped and expected the brothers to be face to face again. How could Joshua live with all the things Micah-slash-Charlemagne had done to Tamara? It were not 'minor things' he did to her, right? While Joshua could kill a guy for only talking to Tamara, he never confronted Charlemagne. That part made no sense and was disappointing. It was still a good book, but IMO it could have been even better! Hence the 4 stars.
Gonna continue right away with book #3 Camille, Claimed, which is about Bastien, a son of Joshua and Tamara.
September 6, 2019
Tamara es secuestrada por el hermano de Joshua y es sometida a tortura una semana antes de ser encontrada.Junto a ella tb están siendo retenidos la familia del doctor que ayudó a Joshua a mantener a su hermano encerrado en una institución psiquiátrica durante casi 6 años.
Con la ayuda de un policía rebelde,consiguen rescatarlos.Tamara es llevada al hospital para curar sus heridas y le pide a Joshua tiempo para asimilar todo lo que ha pasado(tanto su cautiverio durante 6 meses con Joshua y la semana infernal que pasó con el hermano de este),y se va a visitar a su antigua amiga Sarah.
Una noche deciden salir a tomar algo y un chico flirtea con ella aunque ella lo rechaza,es entonces cuando se da cuenta que un hombre sigue al chico a la calle y allí lo encuentra dándole una paliza y se da cuenta que es un hombre de Joshua,quien no tarda en aparecer.
Joshua le dice que su hermano ha vuelto a escapar de su encierro y lo más seguro para ella es estar a su lado así que se la lleva otra vez,pero esta vez es diferente:ya no la trata mal,no la encierra y además se ha llevado tb a la familia del doctor de su hermano por miedo a que este quiera vengarse.
Pero todo esto le está pasando factura a Joshua,quien empieza a tener pesadillas,dormir cada vez menos,y hacer cosas sin estar plenamente consciente,hasta que una noche ataca a Tamara y decide poner tierra de x medio.
Pasan meses y los 2 son infelices estando separados y lo único que los saca de la cama es ir matando a abusadores de niños,pero eso si cada uno caza x separado hasta que ella decide matar a uno a plena luz del día y es encerrada en una institución mental.
Pero su retorcido❤️no se dará por vencido.
Con la ayuda de un policía rebelde,consiguen rescatarlos.Tamara es llevada al hospital para curar sus heridas y le pide a Joshua tiempo para asimilar todo lo que ha pasado(tanto su cautiverio durante 6 meses con Joshua y la semana infernal que pasó con el hermano de este),y se va a visitar a su antigua amiga Sarah.
Una noche deciden salir a tomar algo y un chico flirtea con ella aunque ella lo rechaza,es entonces cuando se da cuenta que un hombre sigue al chico a la calle y allí lo encuentra dándole una paliza y se da cuenta que es un hombre de Joshua,quien no tarda en aparecer.
Joshua le dice que su hermano ha vuelto a escapar de su encierro y lo más seguro para ella es estar a su lado así que se la lleva otra vez,pero esta vez es diferente:ya no la trata mal,no la encierra y además se ha llevado tb a la familia del doctor de su hermano por miedo a que este quiera vengarse.
Pero todo esto le está pasando factura a Joshua,quien empieza a tener pesadillas,dormir cada vez menos,y hacer cosas sin estar plenamente consciente,hasta que una noche ataca a Tamara y decide poner tierra de x medio.
Pasan meses y los 2 son infelices estando separados y lo único que los saca de la cama es ir matando a abusadores de niños,pero eso si cada uno caza x separado hasta que ella decide matar a uno a plena luz del día y es encerrada en una institución mental.
Pero su retorcido❤️no se dará por vencido.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2018
Nobody's perfect, but who wants perfection
The first book set up the rage that Joshua feels when Tamara defies him. She starts out as an innocent girl who can't understand why she was abducted and held prisoner in his home. She defies him at every opportunity but is viciously punished by Joshua as a result. Yet, after being punished he comforts her and brings her to a newfound sexual awaking. However she is still a captive and denied any chance of ever leaving his house.
Unwilling to accept a life time of imprisonment, despite her mixed feelings for Joshua, she is determined to escape. When fate intervenes and she escapes she is captured by Micah, his brother and used as an by Micah to avenge himself against his brother. Joshua spends every waking intent on rescuing her.
He succeeds but sends her away when his nightmares endanger her life. But by this times a deep love has developed between them and neither can survive emotionally without the other. In the end there is an HEA ending when a chance for a somewhat normal family life allows their love to endure.
There is torture and deep sorrow in their lives so parts of the two books can be difficult to read but it is so well written that I felt compelled keep reading well into the night and then lay awake musing on what would happen next. I would recommend this book to and one who enjoys a very moving story and don't give up at the end of the first book. The best is yet to come.
The first book set up the rage that Joshua feels when Tamara defies him. She starts out as an innocent girl who can't understand why she was abducted and held prisoner in his home. She defies him at every opportunity but is viciously punished by Joshua as a result. Yet, after being punished he comforts her and brings her to a newfound sexual awaking. However she is still a captive and denied any chance of ever leaving his house.
Unwilling to accept a life time of imprisonment, despite her mixed feelings for Joshua, she is determined to escape. When fate intervenes and she escapes she is captured by Micah, his brother and used as an by Micah to avenge himself against his brother. Joshua spends every waking intent on rescuing her.
He succeeds but sends her away when his nightmares endanger her life. But by this times a deep love has developed between them and neither can survive emotionally without the other. In the end there is an HEA ending when a chance for a somewhat normal family life allows their love to endure.
There is torture and deep sorrow in their lives so parts of the two books can be difficult to read but it is so well written that I felt compelled keep reading well into the night and then lay awake musing on what would happen next. I would recommend this book to and one who enjoys a very moving story and don't give up at the end of the first book. The best is yet to come.
May 8, 2018
The Very Best of Dark Romance
The inimitable Ginger Talbot has done it again with this magnificent end to the Blue Eyed Monsters Duet. The writer of the best, of the very best in Dark Romance. I was so tense while reading this superb, thrilling, gripping book that my jaws ached. I hated Micah (Charlemagne) with a passion, a psycopathic killer with no conscience or moral values at all! Is Joshua beyond redemption or can Tamara show him that he can escape from his father hold on his mind! The goodness in Tamara and the evil in Joshua can fit together like a perfect puzzle, if only His Beautiful Girl’s spirit is not broken forever by his evil brother. I rejoiced in the revenge of Alfredo Ruiz against his wife and daughters demise, even to the fact that he enjoyed it. I suppose immersion in hate,fear and terror daily has its consequences. I adored the characters of Astrid Barnard, and Ginger’s wonderful description of all Astrid’s five children. Tamara still not sure if she loves Joshua or is she going mad as he invades her mind, yet all she wants is Freedom. Her world has forever been changed, will she ever be free of him? Will Joshua ever be able to Claim her? Will Micah get his ultimate revenge on Joshua through Tamara? I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
The inimitable Ginger Talbot has done it again with this magnificent end to the Blue Eyed Monsters Duet. The writer of the best, of the very best in Dark Romance. I was so tense while reading this superb, thrilling, gripping book that my jaws ached. I hated Micah (Charlemagne) with a passion, a psycopathic killer with no conscience or moral values at all! Is Joshua beyond redemption or can Tamara show him that he can escape from his father hold on his mind! The goodness in Tamara and the evil in Joshua can fit together like a perfect puzzle, if only His Beautiful Girl’s spirit is not broken forever by his evil brother. I rejoiced in the revenge of Alfredo Ruiz against his wife and daughters demise, even to the fact that he enjoyed it. I suppose immersion in hate,fear and terror daily has its consequences. I adored the characters of Astrid Barnard, and Ginger’s wonderful description of all Astrid’s five children. Tamara still not sure if she loves Joshua or is she going mad as he invades her mind, yet all she wants is Freedom. Her world has forever been changed, will she ever be free of him? Will Joshua ever be able to Claim her? Will Micah get his ultimate revenge on Joshua through Tamara? I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
June 17, 2019
Devastating Intrigue
Whoa! This was dark and depraved. But, somehow, it was also extremely intriguing and, for the most part, morally ethical. And, as I said after finishing the first volume, if you're able to separate your normal human emotional responses and view the truly heinous acts clinically, it was, in certain respects, even uplifting.
Joshua Smith, it turns out, is not truly the psychopath he believes himself to be. Although, he is never fully able to function as a 'normal' person would under similar circumstances, he does begin to experience several more normal human emotions after becoming involved with Tamara, especially those that don't result from selfish bases. Things such as regret, loneliness, loss, and empathy don't come easily or naturally to a true psychopathic personality. And, on the other hand, Tamara gets to realize some of the darkness that resides in her soul.
Finally, in its own weird and somewhat illegal way, this story has its HEA, which I loved for its perfection. This storyline remained true to its characters from beginning to end. So, if you can avoid the effects of having hot buttons pushed, you really should read this story.
Whoa! This was dark and depraved. But, somehow, it was also extremely intriguing and, for the most part, morally ethical. And, as I said after finishing the first volume, if you're able to separate your normal human emotional responses and view the truly heinous acts clinically, it was, in certain respects, even uplifting.
Joshua Smith, it turns out, is not truly the psychopath he believes himself to be. Although, he is never fully able to function as a 'normal' person would under similar circumstances, he does begin to experience several more normal human emotions after becoming involved with Tamara, especially those that don't result from selfish bases. Things such as regret, loneliness, loss, and empathy don't come easily or naturally to a true psychopathic personality. And, on the other hand, Tamara gets to realize some of the darkness that resides in her soul.
Finally, in its own weird and somewhat illegal way, this story has its HEA, which I loved for its perfection. This storyline remained true to its characters from beginning to end. So, if you can avoid the effects of having hot buttons pushed, you really should read this story.
May 6, 2018
This book is beyond 5 stars, which I rarely say. Ginger Talbot surpassed my expectations once again. Her story flowed flawlessly and she's a genius at unfolding a plot and adding plenty of unexpected moments.
One of the best parts about this book is the extensive character development. Both books of this duet have really strong character development but this one in particular took my breath away. I can't imagine the research that she must have done on psychopaths, killers, psychology and more because she makes everything so realistic. Her world building is incredibly detailed. I felt like I could walk right into the pages because it was incredibly lifelike.
Moreover, the author excels at eliciting every emotion possible and creating a journey that unravels in an absolute thrilling way. I was kept on the edge of my seat, could not put it down and was fully invested in the story. At times I cried and even surprisingly laughed periodically but no matter what I was fully engrossed with the entire book.
Please note it is a dark romance so read the triggers.
5+ Stars for a captivating read. Highly recommend!
One of the best parts about this book is the extensive character development. Both books of this duet have really strong character development but this one in particular took my breath away. I can't imagine the research that she must have done on psychopaths, killers, psychology and more because she makes everything so realistic. Her world building is incredibly detailed. I felt like I could walk right into the pages because it was incredibly lifelike.
Moreover, the author excels at eliciting every emotion possible and creating a journey that unravels in an absolute thrilling way. I was kept on the edge of my seat, could not put it down and was fully invested in the story. At times I cried and even surprisingly laughed periodically but no matter what I was fully engrossed with the entire book.
Please note it is a dark romance so read the triggers.
5+ Stars for a captivating read. Highly recommend!
May 7, 2018
Psychopath Joshua Smith wakes up in pain and naked in the middle of the woods with a cell phone next to him. Joshua's twin brother Charlemagne has sent him a photo of an unconscious Tamara with the message "If you tell the police, I will find out immediately, and I will start mailing you body parts." Tamara wakes up with her brain in a fog and fear floods her body because it's Charlemagne — or Micah as he calls himself now — not Joshua who's looming over Tamara. Looking around, everywhere Tamara's eyes land reveals fresh horrors. Micah is far more frightening than Joshua. Micah tells Tamara "I’m going to hurt you very badly, every day, and I’m going to videotape it. And I’ll send him the videos. And then I’ll kill you, and I’ll send him that video too." Will Joshua be able to find Tamara before it's too late?
Ginger Talbot delivers a dark, intriguing and suspenseful story full of twists that will have you turning the pages at breakneck speed
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book
Ginger Talbot delivers a dark, intriguing and suspenseful story full of twists that will have you turning the pages at breakneck speed
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book
November 27, 2020
I think I’m in love with a serial killer....ya I think I’m mad for saying that but I’m telling you the truth.....I’m In Love with Joshua.
The second book in this series was only fan-fucking-tastic....absolutely brilliant. I devoured this book, enjoyed every page and I couldn’t turn them fast enough.
I had my doubts about Heather in this first book and I was right to doubt her friendship to Tamara, she turned out to be a bitch and got what was coming to her. I liked Astrid and her children. It was a bit of a surprise when she ended up with the cop, didn’t see that coming. I also liked Ruiz a lot and what he did was surprising but understandable. I loved how he stood up to Joshua and just didn’t give a fuck along as the right people suffered.
I must admit my heart broke for the two main characters, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them when they parted. I’m so happy that they got their HEA and the epilogue was so so sweet.
Loving this author and going to read more of her writing.
Onto the third and final book in this series....can’t wait.
The second book in this series was only fan-fucking-tastic....absolutely brilliant. I devoured this book, enjoyed every page and I couldn’t turn them fast enough.
I had my doubts about Heather in this first book and I was right to doubt her friendship to Tamara, she turned out to be a bitch and got what was coming to her. I liked Astrid and her children. It was a bit of a surprise when she ended up with the cop, didn’t see that coming. I also liked Ruiz a lot and what he did was surprising but understandable. I loved how he stood up to Joshua and just didn’t give a fuck along as the right people suffered.
I must admit my heart broke for the two main characters, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them when they parted. I’m so happy that they got their HEA and the epilogue was so so sweet.
Loving this author and going to read more of her writing.
Onto the third and final book in this series....can’t wait.
June 17, 2023
Este segundo libro ha sido una montaña rusa de emociones. El final del primer libro nos deja desesperados por comenzar este.
El comienzo de esta segunda entrega me ha recordado a Haunting Adeline (solo el principio, porque no se parecen en nada), ya que tiene varias escenas que definitivamente me rompen porque Tamara ya ha sufrido demasiado y me acordé de como me sentía cuando estaba leyendo ese libro.
En fin, este libro me ha gustado y sigue siendo igual de adictivo y ligero, pero creo que la autora metió tantos nudos que muchas cosas se resolvieron porque sí y no se supo qué pasó ahí.
También parece como si la autora ya quisiera acabar el libro porque el final si ha sido lo más sacado del c*lo que haya puesto en la trama. Hubiera preferido un libro más extenso, pero más centrado en todo lo que le está pasando a Joshua y qué fue lo que pasó con Tamara.
Fue un gran libro, pero le faltó mucho para superar el primero, entonces estoy algo decepcionada. Sin embargo, me ha gustado el libro y me ha atrapado mucho.
Recuerden buscar los TW ⚠️ que este libro tiene muchísimos.
El comienzo de esta segunda entrega me ha recordado a Haunting Adeline (solo el principio, porque no se parecen en nada), ya que tiene varias escenas que definitivamente me rompen porque Tamara ya ha sufrido demasiado y me acordé de como me sentía cuando estaba leyendo ese libro.
En fin, este libro me ha gustado y sigue siendo igual de adictivo y ligero, pero creo que la autora metió tantos nudos que muchas cosas se resolvieron porque sí y no se supo qué pasó ahí.
También parece como si la autora ya quisiera acabar el libro porque el final si ha sido lo más sacado del c*lo que haya puesto en la trama. Hubiera preferido un libro más extenso, pero más centrado en todo lo que le está pasando a Joshua y qué fue lo que pasó con Tamara.
Fue un gran libro, pero le faltó mucho para superar el primero, entonces estoy algo decepcionada. Sin embargo, me ha gustado el libro y me ha atrapado mucho.
Recuerden buscar los TW ⚠️ que este libro tiene muchísimos.
May 7, 2018
This is book 2 of this dark romance duet and is a fantastic read!!!!
I absolutely love the story of Tamara and Joshua. This is the second book in the duet and it picks up right where the first one left off. Tamara has once again been kidnapped, only it's not Joshua who has her. The evil man that took her this time did so to hurt Joshua by hurting Tamara. This duet is dark and has many twists throughout and keeps you on the edge of sanity holding your breath hoping everything will turn out right in the end. I enjoyed this story so much and if you are into dark romances then this is one duet you do not want to miss. Grab these books today to find out what happens to Joshua and Tamara in the end. It is a dark and pleasurable ride.
I absolutely love the story of Tamara and Joshua. This is the second book in the duet and it picks up right where the first one left off. Tamara has once again been kidnapped, only it's not Joshua who has her. The evil man that took her this time did so to hurt Joshua by hurting Tamara. This duet is dark and has many twists throughout and keeps you on the edge of sanity holding your breath hoping everything will turn out right in the end. I enjoyed this story so much and if you are into dark romances then this is one duet you do not want to miss. Grab these books today to find out what happens to Joshua and Tamara in the end. It is a dark and pleasurable ride.
April 13, 2024
oookay so this was a lot of crazy
the torture was gross and horrible. poor tamara. i also don’t get the point of the brother because then after that he disappeared from the story. also what was the point if heather. confusing
also it was interesting how she kinda broke joshua down in this book. the man lost his mind. now i really hate when there’s a break up or someone pushes the other one way for their protection or they think they deserve better. but i liked it in this because she did deserve better and also he would 100% have killed her at some point by accident. and then she was just as crazy as him. the thing is he broke her and made her into that. so it’s all his fault
and then they got a hea
the torture was gross and horrible. poor tamara. i also don’t get the point of the brother because then after that he disappeared from the story. also what was the point if heather. confusing
also it was interesting how she kinda broke joshua down in this book. the man lost his mind. now i really hate when there’s a break up or someone pushes the other one way for their protection or they think they deserve better. but i liked it in this because she did deserve better and also he would 100% have killed her at some point by accident. and then she was just as crazy as him. the thing is he broke her and made her into that. so it’s all his fault
and then they got a hea
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
Absolutely loved the conclusion to this series. Tamara is such a strong character. I think what I loved most is that you get to see just how her experiences have affected her. In so many books in this genre, the victim seems to just blindly accept her situation and comes out none the worse for wear but Tamara is very different. You can see the mental wear and tear yet she remains strong throughout. And learning about what makes Joshua tick really brings the story full circle. Unlike many books, there were absolutely no points where I felt it dragged or was repetitive. Every part of the story flowed perfectly. Quickly became one of my most favorite series.
July 28, 2018
Warning, this book is dark, has many triggers, is not for the lighthearted. You will also need to read the first half of this duet in order to understand what is going on.
This was incredibly intense, with a lot of things going on in this one. The "relationship" between Tamara and Joshua comes crashing down just to come rushing back up again. Micah makes his appearance unforgettable. Joshua loses his mind for a while.
There is some twists and turns and surprises at the end I had not seen coming. There were hints and if i wasn't so caught up in everything going on I would of caught on quicker! The epilogue was sweet....well as sweet as it can be with two crazy people in love.
This was incredibly intense, with a lot of things going on in this one. The "relationship" between Tamara and Joshua comes crashing down just to come rushing back up again. Micah makes his appearance unforgettable. Joshua loses his mind for a while.
There is some twists and turns and surprises at the end I had not seen coming. There were hints and if i wasn't so caught up in everything going on I would of caught on quicker! The epilogue was sweet....well as sweet as it can be with two crazy people in love.
December 12, 2018
So this 2nd book starts right at the end of the first book where Tamara has been kidnapped by Joshua's twin brother (who we were led to believe in 1st book) isn't actually dead, but very much alive and determined to get revenge on his twin brother. To cause the most amount of damage and pain to Joshua, from one psychotic serial killer to another, would be to torment and torture the thing that Joshua most cares about in this world - Tamara. This book is a complex of emotions from the psychopath Joshua's point of view - as he's discovering emotions for the 1st time, things he doesn't like or allow to creep into his psyche. Can't read as a standalone, must read in sequence in series
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