Stolen Lust

Wow! This book was fabulous. I am so hooked on Ian and Cas. I can’t wait to read book two. I loved every part. Cas was great. She wasn’t too strong and not too weak. She had the perfect balance. Ian, well he was over the top but in a good way. I love how much he cares for Cas. He thinks of everything she needs, and more. The chemistry between them was obvious right from the start. This was a great beginning to the series and yes I definitely recommend you read it.

Charmaine Pauls hits a home run with Stolen Lust, book 1 of Beauty in the Stolen trilogy. I absolutely could not put down!!! This book is full of twists and so much hot steaminess. The chemistry between Ian and Cas is off the charts. I was left dying to get my hands on the next book and will be counting the days until it is released! This book does end on a cliffy, so be prepared! 😁

Holy Smokes! I fell in love with Cas and Ian. They have a chemistry that is out of this world. I loved this from beginning to the end. Yes, it does end in a cliffhanger and lord I need the second book now. But, I will wait patiently for it. This story is jammed packed from cover to cover with action, drama, suspense, and some sexy scenes that add so much heat to the story. It is stunningly written with magnificently beautiful characters. It is a story that draws you in and doesn’t let go. It has you addicted to it and craving more. This story is an absolute must read and it most certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Stolen Lust creates a mesmerizing, lush, and dangerous atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. The heat in Stolen Lust definitely helps this book live up to its title. It’s a sexy, thrilling, and beautifully written novel told in dual POV. Be warned, Stolen Lust is the first book in a trilogy so it ends on a cliffy (a great one- not an infuriating, how could you end it right there? one). Luckily, the next two books are due out very soon so we won’t have to wait long to read the story in its entirety. Stolen Lust is set in South Africa, and it starts out with Cas, an overworked and pretty bank teller, finishing up a pity date with a man who is a total shmuck (he charges her for her half of the gas AND wear and tear on his vehicle!). On their way home from the underwhelming date, they are accosted by a handsome, gun wielding stranger who steals Cas away to a destination unknown. What follows is a fast paced journey which includes seduction, fear, police detectives, threats, criminal schemes, hot hot heat, and an all out chase. Buckle. Up. Charmaine Pauls writes the most amazing male characters! Ian is masculine, possessive, dangerous, and head over heels for the object of his affection. While he is a walking red flag in many respects, it’s very endearing how enamored Ian is with Cas. (He totally wants to have a million of her babies.) She brings him to his knees, and he doesn’t mind showing it. This quality humanizes him and adds a depth to the story. While he is dark, he’s also genuinely in (insta)love. We know quite a bit about Ian’s childhood from the other Diamond Magnate novels. Here we learn the road he took to escape his awful father and the cost of his choices. Cas is a complex character. She is struggling, surprising, and strong. Her life takes a serious turn when Ian crashes into it. We watch her experience hurdle after hurdle as life continues to get harder for her. But we learn that she has been through a lot of difficult things in her past and has a large capacity for adapting to life as it comes. When she becomes caught in a no-win situation, her choices are so awesome and unexpected that I was cheering for her out loud. Pauls writing is so beautiful. She paints gorgeous, atmospheric detail whether she is writing about the setting, internal dilemmas, or heated exchanges between characters. “From where I’m sitting, the water and sky bleeds black into one. With the moon reflecting on the water, we have our own galaxy, our own world right here in the water. She makes a perfect picture, kneeling in front of me in the black pool of infinity.” This book is so good. I can’t wait to read more! I received an ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Content Rating: 18+ Genre: Dark Romance with a side of Suspense Published: April 13, 2021 Stolen Lust is the first book in the Beauty in the Stolen trilogy and part of the Diamond Magnate Collection (DMC). If you are new to the DMC, you can undoubtedly pick up Stolen Lust and enjoy it; but understand that you are truly missing out on a fantastic collection of books. Charmain Pauls again entices us and then entraps us with a seemingly impossible romance between two very different but sometimes surprisingly similar people. Ms. Pauls' female character Cas is strong, fiercely independent, and a bit impulsive but at the same time vulnerable. And boy, oh boy, has Cas meet her match with Ian Hart. Ms. Pauls is the queen of writing the anti-hero. Somehow, she has always made me fall just a bit (well, a lot) for her bad boys. Ian Hart is no exception; he is all you could ever want in an anti-hero. Ian is controlling, dark, sinfully sexy, and he exudes this crazy intensity from every part of his being. And no one in their right mind could resist him, not even Cas. "He looks devastatingly hot, my mind battles to separate ethics from admiration. Maybe admiration is the wrong word. Maybe it's just pure old lust, a biological female reaction to his male beauty and virility." Don't think that Ian is just another pretty face; he is one of the most notorious criminals in South Africa who happens to be wild, dangerous, and wickedly smart. He is a man who known what he wants and how to get it. And from the first time Ian saw Cas, he knew he had to have her, and he is willing to do anything and risk everything. "…When I saw her…I wanted her, all of her, to touch and smell and taste every inch of her skin." The story starts with Cas reluctantly agreeing to go on a date with Mint, who has been asking her out for over a year. Mint is a wealthy man who turns out to be a disgusting coward, and that's all I will say about him. They go on a date to the casino in Bophuthatswana, South Africa, and this is where Ian sets his sites on Cas. If Cas thought her life was tough before Ian noticed her, she has no clue as to how life is about to change with Hart in her life. There are steamy scenes, intense suspense, and tender moments throughout this entire book. And that's all I am willing to say about this story. I am willing to say that this book should come with a tall glass of ice water and a fan because Cas and Ian's attraction is explosive. Ms. Pauls writes her books with delightful darkness and pure lust. I found myself blushing and drooling at the same time, and I loved every word I read. I finished this book in one sitting, and it left me wanting more. Remember, this is a dark romance, with scenes that may make some people uncomfortable. Although Pauls' books may be a bit similar in the basic premise, she somehow comes up with distinctive and original storylines that always keep me coming back for more. Not only are the storylines incredibly unique Ms. Pauls fills her books with characters that are written with a thought-provoking intensity that will leave you breathless while working their way into your heart and mind. When I read a Charmain Pauls book, I have very high expectations, and she has never disappointed me. I highly recommend Stolen Lust. Please note there is a cliffhanger at the end of Stolen Lust, but it's a pretty great one and perfectly fits the story. I am looking forward to reading the second book, Stolen Life, which is scheduled to come out on May 19, 2021, and seeing where Ms. Pauls takes Cas & Ian.❣️ * Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * ** I kindly received an ARC of Stolen Lust by way of Charmaine Pauls. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

Charmaine does it again. Ian is the sibling that I knew, I would love. Actually love them all, but I knew that Ian would be my favorite. And he certainly did not disappoint. Another added treasure is his leading lady Cas. Cas sets the perfect tone to the book because she is the perfect answer or question to Ian. I love Charmaine’s heroines who actually are the ones that bring the books to life. Their actions, responses and their sheer will always keeps the leading man on his toes. If you’re looking for a dark and intriguing read filled with danger and heat, then this series is for you. Loved it.

I really enjoyed this first book of the Beauty in the Stolen series. The hero of this series is Ian, the brother of Damian and Zoe from previous series by this author but it is not at all necessary to read those books first, this stands alone completely. I loved Ian and his sort of low-key, quiet danger vibe. The story has a slow-and steady pace that I loved, really immersing me in the build-up from Cas and Ian's first meeting to the soft cliffhanger ending of book one. I liked the gradual reveal of Ian's motivations and seeing how Cas navigated the drastic changes to her life after meeting him. As usual with this author's books I loved the setting, the South African locales really coming to life for me and making me want to know and experience more. Really looking forward to book two to see what happens next.

Well this was a fantastic start to a new trilogy! It grabs you right at the beginning and before you know it, you've read the whole darn book in one sitting! Ian was fascinating to me. He's that dark, intense guy who you would never want to mess with, and that goes for the heroine as well, and yet you know he would protect her with his life. His obsession with her, the life he leads, the things he does, it was all very enthralling. It's the best of both worlds when you like a little bit of darkness to your story. Cas (Casandra) was another appealing part to the story. I rarely like the heroine as much as the hero but this time Cas was just as interesting. She's a very beautiful woman who has not used that beauty to further herself. She on the verge of homelessness when things go bad very quickly. And yet, I really liked her spirit. She had self respect and integrety. While she may not agree to the things Ian does, you can tell she has just enough wildness in her that she can handle him and what may come. I loved this first book and I'm excited to read the rest.

I was intrigued at the beginning of this book and wondering where this story would go. It took me on wild ride of attraction, emotions and turns that stole my heart! Right away, I loved Ian and wanted to know everything about him. Attraction, passion and need quickly bloomed between Ian and Cassandra (or Cas as she liked to be called), and it was hot! They had “this once-in-a-lifetime connection,” and I felt it through the pages. Cas’s feelings for Ian were fear mixed with excitement, but mine was just excitement at the unfolding story! Ian’s thoughts about Cas made me swoon! My heart hurt for both of them and their circumstances. Later, this book took some turns I was not expecting that had me riveted to the pages. Then with that cliffhanger ending, I am left anxiously waiting for book 2! I highly recommend this book! I requested and received an advanced copy of this ebook for my honest review that I am voluntarily leaving.