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Nightlong #1
The Contract
A taut, erotic thriller from the pen of Sarah Michelle Lynch, author of the thrilling Sub Rosa Trilogy.
Cleo wasn’t my real name.
The way I met Dante wasn’t ordinary.
What I was employed to do for him wasn’t romantic.
His job was even more strange.
I fell for a man I hated…
With a passion.
I became someone I hated in the process…
A Mistress.
Only with guts, patience and determination did I survive.
Cleo wasn’t my real name.
The way I met Dante wasn’t ordinary.
What I was employed to do for him wasn’t romantic.
His job was even more strange.
I fell for a man I hated…
With a passion.
I became someone I hated in the process…
A Mistress.
Only with guts, patience and determination did I survive.
Unknown Binding
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233 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Michelle Lynch
91 books227 followersSome readers run at Sarah with hugs and kisses, while others shoot daggers at her for killing their favourite character off. Sarah can only apologise and say, "The story made me do it..."
Sarah Michelle Lynch is a former journalist who wrote a trilogy of science fiction novels while on maternity leave. In 2012 she took a deep breath and published the "Ravage Trilogy" which was later re-edited and became the UNITY novels. Sarah is lucky that some readers have been with her since the very beginning and have read all the different books she’s written.
It quickly became clear from reader response that Sarah has a flair for penning erotic scenes and so, Sarah took inspiration from real-life people around her and wrote "A Fine Profession", a compelling and compassionate read. At book signings readers often confess in a whisper that they’ve read this book – Sarah’s first erotic novel – and sometimes, readers have even admitted it’s their personal favourite.
Sarah loves nothing more than to put her feet up with a book and be consumed by a story, so in turn, she endeavours to give you all this and more.
Sarah Michelle Lynch is a former journalist who wrote a trilogy of science fiction novels while on maternity leave. In 2012 she took a deep breath and published the "Ravage Trilogy" which was later re-edited and became the UNITY novels. Sarah is lucky that some readers have been with her since the very beginning and have read all the different books she’s written.
It quickly became clear from reader response that Sarah has a flair for penning erotic scenes and so, Sarah took inspiration from real-life people around her and wrote "A Fine Profession", a compelling and compassionate read. At book signings readers often confess in a whisper that they’ve read this book – Sarah’s first erotic novel – and sometimes, readers have even admitted it’s their personal favourite.
Sarah loves nothing more than to put her feet up with a book and be consumed by a story, so in turn, she endeavours to give you all this and more.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews
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July 26, 2018
Sex-negative. Kink-shaming. Awful.
... and I can't be bothered to spend money on learning whether this ends up being less of all that.
December 28, 2017
WHOA!!! So, this is under the genre of EroticThriller and That IT. IS. I was instantly pulled into this intriguing, crazy, intense odd world that Sarah created and she didn't disappoint! To be honest, at first I was a little hesitant, this isn't my usual type of read and I wondered if it would hold my attention and it DEFINITELY did! Sarah is a new to me author and I really enjoyed her writing style.
This story follows Dante and Cleo in a world that is both luxurious and disturbing. I can't say I ever really warmed up to Dante but I loved Cleo immediately and some how they just.......worked. I'm immediately jumping into the next book, The Fix!!
This story follows Dante and Cleo in a world that is both luxurious and disturbing. I can't say I ever really warmed up to Dante but I loved Cleo immediately and some how they just.......worked. I'm immediately jumping into the next book, The Fix!!
July 19, 2017
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
**Carla's Five Star Review
Sometimes I like to read a book that is 100% fluff, while there are times when I crave a story line that requires a lot of thought and attention, and, let me just say, The Contract delivered in the latter department BIG time! It is an erotic thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end!
Cleo aka "Ciara" is a young woman who finds herself in a terrible situation. You know the old saying that says "Desperate times call for desperate measures?" Well, that pretty much sums up Ciara's predicament. In order to survive, she signs a unique contract with a mysterious man named Dante, and, by doing so, she is drawn into a world she knows nothing about. What will happen when boundaries are pushed and secrets are revealed?
I liken this story to what it might feel like trapped in a maze. There are many twists and turns and only one way out. I must admit that I had a love and hate relationship with Ciara and Dante meaning I loved her and hated him (well maybe hate is too strong of a word). As the story progresses, we see a lot of growth in Ciara. She grows from a naive girl into a feisty as hell woman. And Dante? He is an arrogant, domineering jerk. However, when it comes to Ciara, we begin to see some chinks form in his once impenetrable armor. It is obvious that he and Ciara love each other something fierce, but there are outside forces working to destroy any future they might share. In the end, they must be able to discern just who is a friend and who is a foe.
Awesome book that ends with one heck of a cliffhanger. I need book two asap!
**Carla's Five Star Review
Sometimes I like to read a book that is 100% fluff, while there are times when I crave a story line that requires a lot of thought and attention, and, let me just say, The Contract delivered in the latter department BIG time! It is an erotic thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end!
Cleo aka "Ciara" is a young woman who finds herself in a terrible situation. You know the old saying that says "Desperate times call for desperate measures?" Well, that pretty much sums up Ciara's predicament. In order to survive, she signs a unique contract with a mysterious man named Dante, and, by doing so, she is drawn into a world she knows nothing about. What will happen when boundaries are pushed and secrets are revealed?
I liken this story to what it might feel like trapped in a maze. There are many twists and turns and only one way out. I must admit that I had a love and hate relationship with Ciara and Dante meaning I loved her and hated him (well maybe hate is too strong of a word). As the story progresses, we see a lot of growth in Ciara. She grows from a naive girl into a feisty as hell woman. And Dante? He is an arrogant, domineering jerk. However, when it comes to Ciara, we begin to see some chinks form in his once impenetrable armor. It is obvious that he and Ciara love each other something fierce, but there are outside forces working to destroy any future they might share. In the end, they must be able to discern just who is a friend and who is a foe.
Awesome book that ends with one heck of a cliffhanger. I need book two asap!
December 4, 2017
Review Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
A multilayered riveting and intriguing erotic thriller - I’m hooked!
I received an Advance Reader Copy for The Contract (Nightlong series, Book #1) written by Sarah Michelle Lynch and voluntarily reviewed this book. Ciara O’Donoghue was given the golden opportunity to do a little role playing for good money at a establishment which catered to men’s more particular needs as Mistress Cleo Patrick. This eventually puts her into the sights of “Saint Clair,” a man she thought was beautiful, but she didn’t really understand him or his needs. When he proposes an exclusive arrangement, revealing himself to be Dante Sinclair, she willingly signs, not knowing she was literally going to be signing herself away over to him, though that was exactly where she wanted to be. However, all her naive and romantic 18-year-old notions were firmly dashed after perpetually playing the role of his Domme for over six long and predictable years. Finally, Ciara tires of the whole arrangement and tires of waiting for him to return any of her sentiments, and everything changes when she devises a desperate stunt to rattle her cage and escape from him for good. As a consequence, Ciara finds the relationship forever changed between them, but she doesn’t care, as she is finally getting what she has desired all along from Dante. But Dante slowly opening himself up to her brings to their door the exact danger he had been trying to avoid all along.
A lot of time has gone by during the development their relationship, and much of the pertinent developments are recounted via very detailed flashbacks, filling in their histories perfectly. They each had suffered an experience which became pivotal to their subsequent behaviors, allowing them to meet, therefore paving the way for them to need each other. Ciara gradually unearths the many secrets which he seems to be zealously guarding one at a time, and each one becomes a revelation into Dante’s complex life. But someone else seems hellbent on doing the same, and Dante and Ciara are merely treading water when it comes to tracking down whoever’s responsible for turning whole his life upside down. Looking forward to reading the next installment of the Nightlong Series and seeing what twists turn up here!
A multilayered riveting and intriguing erotic thriller - I’m hooked!
I received an Advance Reader Copy for The Contract (Nightlong series, Book #1) written by Sarah Michelle Lynch and voluntarily reviewed this book. Ciara O’Donoghue was given the golden opportunity to do a little role playing for good money at a establishment which catered to men’s more particular needs as Mistress Cleo Patrick. This eventually puts her into the sights of “Saint Clair,” a man she thought was beautiful, but she didn’t really understand him or his needs. When he proposes an exclusive arrangement, revealing himself to be Dante Sinclair, she willingly signs, not knowing she was literally going to be signing herself away over to him, though that was exactly where she wanted to be. However, all her naive and romantic 18-year-old notions were firmly dashed after perpetually playing the role of his Domme for over six long and predictable years. Finally, Ciara tires of the whole arrangement and tires of waiting for him to return any of her sentiments, and everything changes when she devises a desperate stunt to rattle her cage and escape from him for good. As a consequence, Ciara finds the relationship forever changed between them, but she doesn’t care, as she is finally getting what she has desired all along from Dante. But Dante slowly opening himself up to her brings to their door the exact danger he had been trying to avoid all along.
A lot of time has gone by during the development their relationship, and much of the pertinent developments are recounted via very detailed flashbacks, filling in their histories perfectly. They each had suffered an experience which became pivotal to their subsequent behaviors, allowing them to meet, therefore paving the way for them to need each other. Ciara gradually unearths the many secrets which he seems to be zealously guarding one at a time, and each one becomes a revelation into Dante’s complex life. But someone else seems hellbent on doing the same, and Dante and Ciara are merely treading water when it comes to tracking down whoever’s responsible for turning whole his life upside down. Looking forward to reading the next installment of the Nightlong Series and seeing what twists turn up here!
April 20, 2018
I’m the type of person that when I love something, I REALLY love it and it goes without saying that I REALLY loved this book. I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely author at a book event in March and bought the book based on its cover. (I know, I know...don’t Judge a book by its cover). But with shoes that sexy, what’s a girl to do? Anyway, suspense is not usually my preferred genre but I found once I started, I couldn’t stop. Sarah’s main characters; Cleo and Dante (drop dead gorgeous name for a man if you ask me) were so perfectly imperfect that I couldn’t help but fall for them! Their character development is out of this world and the whole ‘who did it?” thing has got me itching to read book 2 & 3. Needless to say, I’ll be reading the remainder of this series, as well as Sarah’s other books. I’m a fan for life!! 5 STARS!!
July 14, 2017
3.5/5 🌟
The Contract is packed full of drama, sexiness, and leaves you feeling confused but makes you want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next. Ciara starts out as a naive girl and transforms into a woman that doesn't want to settle in life. Dante is domineering, overbearing, OCD, perfectionist that you will love to hate! I fell in love with Ciara and just wanted her to be happy! This story is intriguing and you have to really pay attention when you read or you will be confused later on. I also really enjoyed the moments when Dante let his walls down and actually showed how much he cares and loves Ciara!
**Review by Christiann**
The Contract is packed full of drama, sexiness, and leaves you feeling confused but makes you want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next. Ciara starts out as a naive girl and transforms into a woman that doesn't want to settle in life. Dante is domineering, overbearing, OCD, perfectionist that you will love to hate! I fell in love with Ciara and just wanted her to be happy! This story is intriguing and you have to really pay attention when you read or you will be confused later on. I also really enjoyed the moments when Dante let his walls down and actually showed how much he cares and loves Ciara!
**Review by Christiann**
April 21, 2021
Fantastic Love story
A fantastic love story, lots of twists and turns, full of surprises. It always keeps you wanting to know what happens next. Makes your heart melt as the story unfolds
A fantastic love story, lots of twists and turns, full of surprises. It always keeps you wanting to know what happens next. Makes your heart melt as the story unfolds
July 6, 2017
Now an erotic thriller.....that had me intrigued and to be honest, I'm still a bit baffled as to whether I enjoyed the book or not, but I guess with me being eager to read the next in the series, I guess you could say I enjoyed it!
Cleo is a young, lonely woman under 'contract' to Dante who is certainly a mysterious and not so likeable character. But as the feisty Cleo learns more about Dante and the secrets her keeps, she is thrown into a world of confusion, just as the reader is. But this is actually all in a good way. Did I like Dante - hell no! I loved Cleo though and actually the two together simply work.
It's not often an author has me all in a muddle but Sarah has with this one and I have to say, I only want to read more!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reading Copy of this book.
Cleo is a young, lonely woman under 'contract' to Dante who is certainly a mysterious and not so likeable character. But as the feisty Cleo learns more about Dante and the secrets her keeps, she is thrown into a world of confusion, just as the reader is. But this is actually all in a good way. Did I like Dante - hell no! I loved Cleo though and actually the two together simply work.
It's not often an author has me all in a muddle but Sarah has with this one and I have to say, I only want to read more!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reading Copy of this book.
July 21, 2018
No
Yes, I got caught up in this story but with no warning it had a cliffhanger. I will not continue wit it. Yes it's good but I don't do sudden stops. Won't feed them.
Yes, I got caught up in this story but with no warning it had a cliffhanger. I will not continue wit it. Yes it's good but I don't do sudden stops. Won't feed them.
August 16, 2017
This is a great start to a new series. The story is fast paced with lots of drama and suspense. I really liked Ciara she is a really strong character, Dante on the other hand is a character you love to hate. The chemistry is steamy and the story held my interest throughout.
June 24, 2018
Not my type of story
The storyline was good and that is the only reason I gave it two stars. I don’t mind an occasional sex scene, but this way over the top. When over two thirds of book is nothing but sex, it is boring. Even though I would like to know the real killer, I won’t buy another book by this author.
The storyline was good and that is the only reason I gave it two stars. I don’t mind an occasional sex scene, but this way over the top. When over two thirds of book is nothing but sex, it is boring. Even though I would like to know the real killer, I won’t buy another book by this author.
September 28, 2016
I love Sarah's style of writing. Be it a devastating dark romance that ruins your heart, an erotic love story or an erotic thriller she never disappoints. I loved this book. I hated Dante though. Still do. (mutters stupid Dante type words). I actually though 'how dare he!!!' a few times as well. Dante is such a complicated character and I look forward to maybe changing my mind about him in the next book, but he'll have to do a lot to change my mind.
I do believe I read this book in one sitting. It was riveting and had me sucked in from the start. The synopsis does nothing to warn you of the delights this book gives you, and give you it does, in bucket loads.
Being an SML book i had high expectations and she totally smashed them. I'm waiting with baited breath for the next book.
I do believe I read this book in one sitting. It was riveting and had me sucked in from the start. The synopsis does nothing to warn you of the delights this book gives you, and give you it does, in bucket loads.
Being an SML book i had high expectations and she totally smashed them. I'm waiting with baited breath for the next book.
October 22, 2017
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Cleo and Dante didn't meet in an ordinary way. Plus her name isn't Cleo. She became his employee and there was nothing romantic about what she was hired to do. Dante had a even stranger job. Cleo though falls for a man she hated with a passion and became a mistress and now she hates herself. Only with guts, patience and determination did Cleo survive.
Holy cow what a book!!! I was sucked so deep into The Contract that I think I lost a day or two of "real life" along the way. If you are looking for a male character to fall in love with your not going to find that in this book. Since this is a series it possibly could happen in the other books but in this one I was not a fan of Dante at all. How in the world he and Cleo aka "Ciara" work as a couple I don't think I have figured out yet, much like many things in this book.I did however love Cleo. I felt for her as she was in a desperate situation when she signed the contract with Dante. It is her chance at survival. Signing that contract though throws her into a world she knows nothing about and we as readers get to try to navigate her journey with her. I love a good psych thriller. The Contract has so many twists and turns that there is no way your not going to be confused at times. I love how books of this genre make me feel like I have traveled though some major stuff with the character. When you shut the book and your worn out you know you have read something amazing.
This was my first book by Sarah Michelle Lynch and I loved it. Since this is a series you might has well go ahead and expect a cliffhanger but all the books are available so you do not have to wait to continue the journey.
Cleo and Dante didn't meet in an ordinary way. Plus her name isn't Cleo. She became his employee and there was nothing romantic about what she was hired to do. Dante had a even stranger job. Cleo though falls for a man she hated with a passion and became a mistress and now she hates herself. Only with guts, patience and determination did Cleo survive.
Holy cow what a book!!! I was sucked so deep into The Contract that I think I lost a day or two of "real life" along the way. If you are looking for a male character to fall in love with your not going to find that in this book. Since this is a series it possibly could happen in the other books but in this one I was not a fan of Dante at all. How in the world he and Cleo aka "Ciara" work as a couple I don't think I have figured out yet, much like many things in this book.I did however love Cleo. I felt for her as she was in a desperate situation when she signed the contract with Dante. It is her chance at survival. Signing that contract though throws her into a world she knows nothing about and we as readers get to try to navigate her journey with her. I love a good psych thriller. The Contract has so many twists and turns that there is no way your not going to be confused at times. I love how books of this genre make me feel like I have traveled though some major stuff with the character. When you shut the book and your worn out you know you have read something amazing.
This was my first book by Sarah Michelle Lynch and I loved it. Since this is a series you might has well go ahead and expect a cliffhanger but all the books are available so you do not have to wait to continue the journey.
June 29, 2017
I honestly don't know what to say about this book. I hate giving bad reviews but on the other hand I have to be truthful. This book wasn't for me. From the description and reading the prologue, I thought for sure this book was going to be great; I was sadly disappointed. This book seemed like it was all over the place. At times, I had a hard time following along with the scene's because it would often skip ahead with no warning. Plus, the moment when Cleo and Dante dropped all pretense, it seemed a bit surreal for me. One minute she despises him soo mcuh and now she's fallen hard for him; I couldn't understand it. Then Dante and his "preference", umm....... that left me scratching my head. I know she was paid to provide a "service" but his likes were bizarre for me. I think the only things I enjoyed in this book were the love scenes and when the book went to the "thriller" part. Its the only reason why I finished the book, I had to find out "whodunit".
February 5, 2023
Dante 🥵
Book 1 in the Nightlong Series
Dante a submissive for the ‘right’ domme
A contract between the too sees a whole lotta feelings coming to the surface
Ciara a domme who can’t help falling for her submissive
Mix that up a chauffeur Sexton and some killings and this is one hell of a book
A definite must read
Book 1 in the Nightlong Series
Dante a submissive for the ‘right’ domme
A contract between the too sees a whole lotta feelings coming to the surface
Ciara a domme who can’t help falling for her submissive
Mix that up a chauffeur Sexton and some killings and this is one hell of a book
A definite must read
July 4, 2021
Three stars
This is a hard one for me. I enjoyed the writing style and I love a good sex scene but this was a little to much for me and the female lead bigger me a little bit and struggled with the character as a whole
This is a hard one for me. I enjoyed the writing style and I love a good sex scene but this was a little to much for me and the female lead bigger me a little bit and struggled with the character as a whole
May 28, 2023
DNF
I’m begging authors to stop advertising their books as Femdom, when the fmc turns submissive not even a 1/4 through the book.
MMC was psychotic and without his backstory, I grew bored and uncaring about the outcome of this series.
I’m begging authors to stop advertising their books as Femdom, when the fmc turns submissive not even a 1/4 through the book.
MMC was psychotic and without his backstory, I grew bored and uncaring about the outcome of this series.
July 1, 2018
I had a problem with this book, I couldn’t stop reading because it kept me on the edge of my phone.
October 7, 2019
Enjoy Ed the twists and turns of Cleo and Dante’s life. Can’t wait to read the Fix
October 12, 2021
Awesome loved it,great book
December 22, 2024
Great
Suspense, love, obsession. All is surrounded by a wall of smoke. Steamy hot scenes all through the book
It ends in a cliffhanger.
Suspense, love, obsession. All is surrounded by a wall of smoke. Steamy hot scenes all through the book
It ends in a cliffhanger.
September 10, 2016
Cleo wasn’t my real name.
The way I met Dante wasn’t ordinary.
What I was employed to do for him wasn’t romantic.
His job was even more strange.
I fell for a man I hated…
With a passion.
I became someone I hated in the process…
A Mistress.
Only with guts, patience and determination did I survive.
This book has me very confused, I didn't love it but at the same time I didn't hate it. I had some expectations, knowing this was erotica, and with a title such as The Contract I had preconceived ideas of what the story line was going to be. However I was wrong, there was a lot more to the story than I thought. There were a lot of elements and the story took a turn that I was not expecting and I struggled to connect with the story.
Dante is a mysterious character and I wasn't sure if I liked him at first, hiring Cleo at a young age and putting her up in a house with a copy of the contract pinned to the wall. He comes and goes as he pleases. As much as Cleo has a life of luxury, being pampered, being sent out to make purchases in exclusive shops and being taken away to Paris for weekends of debauchery, she is lonely. She tries many times to escape but to no avail. Its here where the story takes a turn and we learn about who Dante truly is and what his job entails. Cleo learns about Dante as the reader does, she is feisty and gutsy and takes on all challenges thrown at her.
The story is listed as Erotic Thriller and it certainly meets that criteria. It is part of a series and as much as I am confused about whether I like the story or not, I will read the rest of the series as curiosity has got the better of me.
The way I met Dante wasn’t ordinary.
What I was employed to do for him wasn’t romantic.
His job was even more strange.
I fell for a man I hated…
With a passion.
I became someone I hated in the process…
A Mistress.
Only with guts, patience and determination did I survive.
This book has me very confused, I didn't love it but at the same time I didn't hate it. I had some expectations, knowing this was erotica, and with a title such as The Contract I had preconceived ideas of what the story line was going to be. However I was wrong, there was a lot more to the story than I thought. There were a lot of elements and the story took a turn that I was not expecting and I struggled to connect with the story.
Dante is a mysterious character and I wasn't sure if I liked him at first, hiring Cleo at a young age and putting her up in a house with a copy of the contract pinned to the wall. He comes and goes as he pleases. As much as Cleo has a life of luxury, being pampered, being sent out to make purchases in exclusive shops and being taken away to Paris for weekends of debauchery, she is lonely. She tries many times to escape but to no avail. Its here where the story takes a turn and we learn about who Dante truly is and what his job entails. Cleo learns about Dante as the reader does, she is feisty and gutsy and takes on all challenges thrown at her.
The story is listed as Erotic Thriller and it certainly meets that criteria. It is part of a series and as much as I am confused about whether I like the story or not, I will read the rest of the series as curiosity has got the better of me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews