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Dark Ruler
(The Bennett Duet #1)
by
I was raised to be a ruler of two worlds.
One with a pen.
One with a knife.
Be the king of the concrete jungle at all costs.
I should've simply taken a queen, not courted one.
I should've forced her submission, not earned it.
I should've let respect be enough, not fall in love.
Someone has made a grave mistake in coming for my company.
For my throne.
For my Mia Bella.
And for that, ...more
One with a pen.
One with a knife.
Be the king of the concrete jungle at all costs.
I should've simply taken a queen, not courted one.
I should've forced her submission, not earned it.
I should've let respect be enough, not fall in love.
Someone has made a grave mistake in coming for my company.
For my throne.
For my Mia Bella.
And for that, ...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
October 16th 2020
by Independently published
(first published October 12th 2020)
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Start your review of Dark Ruler (The Bennett Duet #1)

I love everything about this book. I haven't been able to stop reading since I started it and now that I've finished it, I already want more. This book is dark but it's not so dark that it's unreadable. Mafia romance is one of my favorite genres and I can't tell you how much I'm excited to read what's next.
...more

I absolutely loved this book! Mafia romance is one of my favorites! Chantal is a spicy, sassy women with a backbone of steal! Benicio is head of the Bennet family and was raised a certain way to have women be seen but not heard. When Chantal barges into Benicio’s meeting with his men with some very important information and refuses to not be seen OR heard, Beni is stung by the attraction bug.
Benicio and Chantals story isn’t like a typical Mafia Romance. I felt it had more of a softer feel to it ...more
Benicio and Chantals story isn’t like a typical Mafia Romance. I felt it had more of a softer feel to it ...more

Sinfully sexy with electrifying chemistry. Fascinating storyline. One of the most charismatic, dominating and gorgeous alpha hero I have ever read. One of the most fierce, sassy and witty heroine I have ever read to match my alpha hero. Dark Ruler by Xavier Neal was a brilliant treat wrapped in her amazing writing.
Benicio Antonio Bennett runs one of the most powerful and dangerous organization and as the new Capo he has lots of responsibilities and liabilities. And one of them is to select a sui ...more
Benicio Antonio Bennett runs one of the most powerful and dangerous organization and as the new Capo he has lots of responsibilities and liabilities. And one of them is to select a sui ...more

Dark Ruler
(The Bennett Duet #1)
Written by: Xavier Neal
This is my first experience reading a Xavier Neal and she did not disappoint.
Benicio Bennett has recently taken over the running of his legacy, the Bennett family! He was raised to take over from his father. He knows what is expected of him. He has a plan and he is sticking to his timeline! Life is good, or at least he thinks life is good.
Chantal Brooks is his chief accountant at his accounting office. She is a number whiz! She always has a ...more
(The Bennett Duet #1)
Written by: Xavier Neal
This is my first experience reading a Xavier Neal and she did not disappoint.
Benicio Bennett has recently taken over the running of his legacy, the Bennett family! He was raised to take over from his father. He knows what is expected of him. He has a plan and he is sticking to his timeline! Life is good, or at least he thinks life is good.
Chantal Brooks is his chief accountant at his accounting office. She is a number whiz! She always has a ...more

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and most definitely won’t be the last!!!
This book is about Benicio, head of the Benett family and Chantal
I loved all the characters names they are so unique and beautiful!!
This is not a typical mafia romance wherein the hero kidnaps or forces the heroine, that’s something I really liked!
I also loved the way the heroine is portrayed in this book! She’s not a timid, submissive woman
It does contain elements of bdsm but is not a dark romance. Loved ...more
This book is about Benicio, head of the Benett family and Chantal
I loved all the characters names they are so unique and beautiful!!
This is not a typical mafia romance wherein the hero kidnaps or forces the heroine, that’s something I really liked!
I also loved the way the heroine is portrayed in this book! She’s not a timid, submissive woman
It does contain elements of bdsm but is not a dark romance. Loved ...more

This is my first book by Xavier Neal and I’m happy to say, I thoroughly enjoy her writing. To me her writing style was different from what I typically read. It was like a breath of fresh air.
Dark Ruler was intriguing. The story instantly draw you in with the commanding billionaire Benicio. He is set in his ways of how things have fun for his personal and professional life. So when a beautiful Chantal stumbles into his office, those ways start to quickly change. There is so much mystery they have ...more
Dark Ruler was intriguing. The story instantly draw you in with the commanding billionaire Benicio. He is set in his ways of how things have fun for his personal and professional life. So when a beautiful Chantal stumbles into his office, those ways start to quickly change. There is so much mystery they have ...more

I really enjoyed this book; the characters were well developed. Chantel Brooks is a boss with a writing code superpower that Benicio Bennett wasn't ready for but had to have in his life. She barged her way into his life, and he refused to let her go. This story had all the elements of an alpha male who loves a woman but doesn't realize he can't put her on the backburner or make her feel like an afterthought. She just isn't going to take it.
...more

Chantal and Benicio are sexy, steamy, and oh so good!!!!! Miko is absolutely phenomenal!!!!! I always love the way Xavier Neal gives us strong, beautiful heroines!!!! I absolutely love this!!!! It makes the characters storylines that much better!!!! It’s what makes me dig into their journey, and the journey of all of Xavier’s characters with fervor!!!!! She gives us the best characters and the most amazing reads!!!! What a phenomenal author!!!!!

Excited!!!! What a great new take on a mafia romance. I loved it! I know there are already a lot of exclamation marks in just these few sentences but damn this book was uber good! (ok, I couldn’t resist that last one) Dark Ruler by Xavier Neal is book one in The Bennett Duet and there was just no way this book could be singular. Dear Lawd, the dynamics between Chantal and Benicio is over the top hot, hot hot. Chantal is snarky and sassy and Benicio is a heavy handed “Sir” that loves to be in
...more

“I didn’t plan for you to barge into my office. I didn’t plan to be so painfully attracted to you or for the attraction to continue to grow every time you open your beautiful bocca. I didn’t plan for our date to be…a date or for that date to leave me so desperate for another. I didn’t plan to have you come into my life, capture my every free thought, and make me incapable of caring about anything other than the next time I’m going to see you.”
I was initially hesitant about this book because I pr ...more
I was initially hesitant about this book because I pr ...more

Dark Ruler is the first book that I’ve read by Xavier Neal and while it was good, I just couldn’t connect with Benicio and Chantal or the story until midway through. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary dialogue between them in the beginning and some parts of the story dragged. However, the story did get better, it was engaging and I grew to like these two characters a lot. I loved the mafioso aspect, the edginess, twists and turns and Benicio and Chantal sexy times were quite dark and deliciou
...more

Benicio!! Where have you been hiding my man?!?! I need to re-read because I never want to let you go.
Guys. I devoured this book.
It’s such a different take on mafia. But, oh so fulfilling.
I’m in love with Chantal and Beni. Jealous of her in a bad way.
This book is scorching hot. It’s packed with everything I love in a book. I can’t stop thinking about it and I finished two nights ago. I can’t wait to read more, because let me tell you, Xavier has weaved a remarkable, hook, line and sinker story ...more
Guys. I devoured this book.
It’s such a different take on mafia. But, oh so fulfilling.
I’m in love with Chantal and Beni. Jealous of her in a bad way.
This book is scorching hot. It’s packed with everything I love in a book. I can’t stop thinking about it and I finished two nights ago. I can’t wait to read more, because let me tell you, Xavier has weaved a remarkable, hook, line and sinker story ...more

Dark Ruler by Xavier Neal
Loved this dark mafia romance!! Benicio and Chantal are great characters and I loved how stubborn & sassy Chantal is! Well written, dark and definitely steamy! The back and forth dialogue between characters, especially Beni & his 2nd, Miko had me laughing out loud several times.
Beni & Chantal make an amazing couple!! But ugh, the ending...I cannot wait for the last part of this duet!!!
Loved this dark mafia romance!! Benicio and Chantal are great characters and I loved how stubborn & sassy Chantal is! Well written, dark and definitely steamy! The back and forth dialogue between characters, especially Beni & his 2nd, Miko had me laughing out loud several times.
Beni & Chantal make an amazing couple!! But ugh, the ending...I cannot wait for the last part of this duet!!!

My first time reading this author, definitely going to be reading the rest of her books 😁
I loved Chantal's character, so fiery, takes no shit!
And Beni 😍
Wouldn't mind a bit of Beni myself 😂
That endings though 🤬
I definitely need the next book!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 ...more
I loved Chantal's character, so fiery, takes no shit!
And Beni 😍
Wouldn't mind a bit of Beni myself 😂
That endings though 🤬
I definitely need the next book!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 ...more


What an exciting ride this story is! The romance is one for the books and I loved the confidence and strength of Chantal, she is definitely not one to sit back and be told what to do, especially by a man, yet is quick to see when perhaps they might be right too. The way she schooled Benicio in manners and common curtesy is fantastic and works well. There is a good balance in their relationship that gradually builds over time.
Beni is one very arrogant, self-assured, workaholic boss, literally! He ...more

This is the first part of the duet series.
Benicio is a king of the business and the underground world. His life was monotonous until he met Chantel. But someone is threatening to take her away from him. He will protect her at all costs.
This a Mafia Romance novel with a lot of drama, romance, comedy with a lot of steamy scenes and a quirky FC that makes this book a great read. It is a little dark, which is expected. There are a lot of dialogs in Italian and some without its translation below, wh ...more
Benicio is a king of the business and the underground world. His life was monotonous until he met Chantel. But someone is threatening to take her away from him. He will protect her at all costs.
This a Mafia Romance novel with a lot of drama, romance, comedy with a lot of steamy scenes and a quirky FC that makes this book a great read. It is a little dark, which is expected. There are a lot of dialogs in Italian and some without its translation below, wh ...more

Benicio has been raised to rule his kingdoms with an iron fist. Chantal has been raised to be a strong, take no crap woman. And when their two worlds collide, watch out!
Xavier never disappoints with her books. Yes, it is dark mafia but the romance seems to be more important than the dark and the mafia parts. I loved that Beni and Chantal met in a "normal" way, rather than her being sold to him or blackmailed into being with him.
I will warn that there is a cliffhanger, and what a CLIFFHANGER, so ...more
Xavier never disappoints with her books. Yes, it is dark mafia but the romance seems to be more important than the dark and the mafia parts. I loved that Beni and Chantal met in a "normal" way, rather than her being sold to him or blackmailed into being with him.
I will warn that there is a cliffhanger, and what a CLIFFHANGER, so ...more

I’m loving this book so hard!! This story is one of my favorites by XAVIER and I couldn’t get enough of them.
Benicio Bennett is a Alpha male that will make you swoon, and want to slap him at the same time. He was thought that is family legacy was going to be his at an early age, and he has stepped into that roll without batting an eye. I adore his dark side so much!
Chantal Brooks is this smart and sassy woman that knows how to take care of herself. She can be a woman on a mission, and knows ho ...more

This book began in a “Coming to America,” Cosa Nostra (Italian Mafia) kind of style. So fun, so sexy, so dangerous. The D/s aspect did my heart good. I loved every bit of it, but the end. I can’t say why because it will spoil it for everyone else, but my heart hurts for it. Definitely have tissues. I thoroughly enjoyed all the funny back talk and banter. It softened the dark and dangerous edges and complimented them perfectly. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Holy smoking OMG! When I can't put down a book, when I am up half the night because I can't make myself stop reading... I have an amazing book in my hands. Let's start with Chantal. I adore her. She's amazingly strong, she's so smart, fierce, loyal and I love the quirks that have helped her navigate life. Now for Beni. Just WOW! He's intense, he demands loyalty, he's full of fire and grit. The two of them have such a great back and forth, I had so many smiles and giggles, and just as many gasps
...more

5 Dangerously, Powerful Stars!!!
I was given this book in turn for an honest review.
Benico is not destined to find a Queen to love and be by his side. In his world, he chooses a betrothed who is to act as required. Then Chantal walked into his office, and everything destined for him, for them, changed.
Xavier Neal has written a captivating and enticing story, with an edge of darkness, she has written in a way that we use our imagination to picture the darkness, which I absolutely love. Sometimes ...more
I was given this book in turn for an honest review.
Benico is not destined to find a Queen to love and be by his side. In his world, he chooses a betrothed who is to act as required. Then Chantal walked into his office, and everything destined for him, for them, changed.
Xavier Neal has written a captivating and enticing story, with an edge of darkness, she has written in a way that we use our imagination to picture the darkness, which I absolutely love. Sometimes ...more

Beni Bennett is a mafioso. He doesn’t take no for a answer when he wants something and he wants Chantal. Alpha male,Possessive and ruthless.
I didn’t plan to be so painfully attracted to you or for the attraction to continue to grow every time you open your beautiful bocca.
Chantal Brooks is a strong and outspoken woman. She can hold her own against Beni.
I love this book the characters are snarky and hilarious. There are dark parts but they tie right into the story line.
His curt recalling of how t ...more
I didn’t plan to be so painfully attracted to you or for the attraction to continue to grow every time you open your beautiful bocca.
Chantal Brooks is a strong and outspoken woman. She can hold her own against Beni.
I love this book the characters are snarky and hilarious. There are dark parts but they tie right into the story line.
His curt recalling of how t ...more

What it is it with books giving me book hangovers lately?.... This is my first book by this author and it definitely will not be my last, and not because this books ending leaves you hanging. No its because this author has written a world that I completely fell in love with. Fyi
Beni was raised to to believe women should behave and just be a certain way. When he lays eyes on the oh so sassy and beautiful Chantel all of that gets thrown out the window. Their initial meeting has his eyes opening in ...more
Beni was raised to to believe women should behave and just be a certain way. When he lays eyes on the oh so sassy and beautiful Chantel all of that gets thrown out the window. Their initial meeting has his eyes opening in ...more

Let’s just start this by saying you’re not ready. I sure wasn’t. And I’m still not okay. This book ruined me in the most beautiful ways. The book hangover is real for this one. I’m still trying to put my heart back together. Benicio is used to not being questioned. He’s confident and unapologetically him. Chantel challenges him at every turn with a sharp tongue and sass that doesn’t quit. These two fit so well together it’s undeniable. They butt heads in such delicious ways. Their passion is vol
...more


Reviewed by PussnBooks.net
Review by Puss’n’Books. Reviewing the darkest, most erotic and taboo books we can find. Click HERE for your next disturbingly sexy read.
This is my first read of Xavier Neal’s and it was well written. The characters were actually hilarious and interesting.
CHANTAL
This woman is super sassy and intelligent...and not to be fucked with.
She tells it like it is and gives zero fucks as to what you think of her.
The more I read about her, the surer I was that she’s on the spectrum ...more


This book got me out of my "bloqueo lector" (I couldn't read anything and now I can, yey!) So, is an amazing book. I enjoy a lot reading it, made me laugh because of the argument between Benicio and Chantal and the end, OMG that end had me trying to swipe the page like for five minutes because I couldn't believe I finished it.
"Dark ruler" is a mafia book a little bit different, since Benicio has two business, a legal one, and an illegal, but the author doesn't describe much about neither. Ch ...more
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WAITING a brand-new, smoking hot, age-gap romance is coming AUGUST 26TH!
Pre-Order is now available for a DISCOUNTED PRICE: https://amzn.to/3zA7ReB
BLOG/BOOKSTAGRAM/BOOKTOK Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/FeRW2QikoQz42fNT6
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KAOA4z
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2K2UfBe
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2L3eP ...more
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The Bennett Duet
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