by CJ Roberts
You have no idea what you’re asking, but the answer is no. If you’re into playing games, play them with someone less dangerous.
3. What are your plans with Olivia after she graduates from university? Are you getting married? Kids? If so, how many?
I hate this. None of this is up to me. Livvie can do whatever she wants after university. She’s beautiful, smart, driven, and a force to be reckoned with. I’d follow her anywhere. There, is that the sort of mushy confession you’ve been waiting on? It’s true.
We haven’t really discussed the future. All of this is new to both of us. We’re happy to take things one day and one step at a time. Besides, she’s too young and I’m far too…. You know what? I don’t like this; I’m going to move on.
4. With your childhood history of abuse, do you have worries about having children?
For fucks sake. Yes. I swear, if this leads to some horrible conversation between me and Livvie, I will hunt you.
5. If you could go back and change one thing from your past, what would it be and why?
I’d change all of it, for obvious reasons. I’m not one of these people who accepts my past because it made me who I am in the present. Yes, I’m amazing. Yes, I’m devastatingly handsome. Yes, I have Livvie. But with the exception of that final statement, it isn’t worth the price I’ve paid or the lives I’ve ruined. If I could take it all back – I would.
The worst part about finding someone to love you, is realizing all the reasons they shouldn’t. I’m lucky and nothing more.
6. What song best describes your relationship with Livvie?
I thought this book was for adults? This is the type of question an adolescent would ask. I don’t know, because I’m a grown ass man. I don’t sit around listening to sad music and using my tears as lube while I masturbate. In fact, I don’t masturbate, because as I previously mentioned – I’m devastatingly handsome.
Ask Livvie.
7. Have you met Agent Reed, if so what is your opinion of him?
No, and low. Do you know he kissed Livvie? In the hospital! The sick fuck better hope I don’t run into him. She says it was the other way around, but I don’t believe that. Why would she kiss him? I’m all she thinks about.
8. I wanted to know (if it’s not too painful for you Caleb, of course) whether or not you told Livvie the truth that you learned through Felipe about your past and what happened with Rafiq?
Yes. That’s more than I care to say.
9. Why Livvie? What was so different about her?
What’s so different about her? Let me ask you this: Could you have been half as strong in the face of such insurmountable odds? If so, then I suppose nothing is different about her. Maybe we just have chemistry. Never discount chemistry.
But to answer your question more fully, I suppose I admired her tenacity, her sadness, her bravery, but above everything, I saw her ability to love. Even someone like me. That takes a very special person indeed.
Caleb, first I just want to say how beautiful I think your relationship with Livvie was from the very beginning. I know that it was rocky, but I felt you had a heart from the moment I met you. My question is:
10. When was the moment you realized you were in over your head (love) with Livvie and how did you handle that realization? By the way, Thank you! for not making me hate you.
You’re welcome, but I didn’t do anything for you. Things just happen. A lot of shitty things ‘just happened’ to me. Finally, Livvie happened and whatever good I’ve done, it’s because I love her. It doesn’t mean I’m not who I’ve always been.
But, your words are kind, so I’ll be kind – I realized I was in love with Livvie the moment I realized I’d rather suffer without her, than see her in harm’s way. I’ve learned from Livvie that love is supposed to be selfless. In that moment, I was. But maybe love is selfish too, because I couldn’t stay away. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. The best I can do now, is try to keep her happy. Even when she makes me do shit like this.
11. Do you ever plan to look up relatives you may have from home?
No. Nothing good is waiting for me in the past.
12. I know you love her, but do you really see yourselves happy together for the rest of your lives?
Who posted this? The second she stops being happy with me – I’ll leave.
13. Livvie’s pretty young, she only knows one man intimately… You. Do you believe she deserves a chance at a different life?
She deserves a chance at whatever life she wants and right now, she wants that life to include ME. I don’t think fucking someone else will change that. She’s mine!
Sudden Death:
Favorite language
English. Although, when Livvie is angry she speaks Spanish and says a lot of colorful things. It’s almost worth pissing her off. Almost.
Vanilla or Kinky sex
I think we all know the answer to this one. Sometimes I like the vanilla too. In a way, vanilla is taboo for me, so it all comes back around to being kinky.
Rough and hard or sweet and slow
Why choose when you can have both?
Favorite saying or quote
I can’t say I have one, unless begging counts? In which case, it’s ‘Please, fuck me.’ – Livvie (I expect some Spanish cursing any minute)
Favorite book
Ars Armatoria by Ovid. Go on and Google it – I’ll wait.
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CJ’s Favorite Reviews
Review of Dark Duet Series by New Adult Addiction
So hopefully you’ve read the descriptions or maybe you haven’t been hiding under a literary rock for the past year and have heard of this series. It’s just a little bit popular, right? And hopefully if you decide to pick up this series you will read that WARNING and take it seriously. If you’re not into a very dark story about a girl who is sold into sexual slavery and fights to find a way out, and along the way begins to enjoy what’s happening to her, then seriously, do the author a favor and skip her books. She doesn’t need the sales or the review.
I read the first two books back to back last summer and I found this series totally by accident when I was trolling through Amazon on my Kindle just desperate for something to read. I picked up Captive in the Dark thinking it was gonna be good (there were already a ton of reviews) but I had no idea it would be addictive. I could not, seriously could not, put this book down. I think I might’ve stayed up all freaking night.
First of all, if you’re gonna be sold into sexual slavery you could do worse than getting nabbed by Caleb. He’s a handsome devil, even if he is evil. And he is evil. Let’s just get that straight right now. Caleb does some nasty things to Livvie even as he begins to fall for her because his life is one longed fucked up X-rated Movie of the Week docudrama. He’s a twenty-something white guy who was raised in the Middle East, also sold into sexual slavery, except he was a child— a MUCH younger child than eighteen year old Livvie—when all this happened.
Caleb was saved by another evil man and thus begins a bonded relationship with the Devil.
Livvie is one of many in her family, she’s got a pretty crappy home life, so this has tainted her view of the world. She’s still a virgin when Caleb kidnaps her and takes her to Mexico to begin “training”. Unknowingly, Livvie is an integral player on an international stage of revenge. Caleb is going to have her sold to an enemy so he can use her inside status to kill the man.
Meanwhile, lots of sexual debauchery ensues. Lots of violence ensues. But along the way, Caleb and Livvie begin to fall for each other.
It’s such a compelling story because of the way it’s written. Livvie is strong, but not in an “I’ll show you!” kind of way. She’s serious, she’s brave, she’s got a killer survival instinct, and she’s intelligent enough to know that she has to play along to a certain extent in order to live.
Caleb thought he was beyond falling for a girl, after all he’s trained lots of slaves, what’s Livvie but one more?
But she gets to him. S
he’s so sweet and innocent that she gets to him and all kinds of memories are floating to the surface. Memories that might help him unravel the truth of who he really is. The first two books deal with this journey the unlikely couple find themselves on. And don’t think it’s a sweet story because it isn’t. It’s raw, it’s violent, it’s got rape and torture.
But it’s also got love. And that’s why it’s so popular I think. It’s got so many emotions and the second book is plotted so well, you literally have no idea what to expect until the very end. It was brilliant.
The final book, Epilogue, is Caleb’s point of view of these events, or really, the events after the end of book two. There’s a big gap and he fills it in. I can’t say too much more about Epilogue other than it was very strange to be in this killer’s head after being Livvie for two books. He’s articulate and smart, and even though I realized that in the other books, it was strange to realize how refined he was intellectually. His vocabulary, especially.
This story is a mystery, a romance, a thriller, and a psychological mind-fuck.
Yup, that pretty much sums it up.
It’s a wild ride, but it was so freaking good I have to give each book five stars.
***
Review of Dark Duet Series by Maryse’s Book Blog
I read this… back in December of 2011! After reading and loving Christian Grey, I was adamantly looking for more “like him”. Back when I was fairly “new” to the darker side of books. Well, I mean… I’m quite familiar with horror novels. Love them even. But this is a different kind of scary. Has all of the elements of a thriller (secretly stalking a young woman, kidnapping her, emprisoning her, and training her to be a submissive. A slave, even, for eventual sale.) Scary right!!??
… this particular slave, the one he eyed from across the street – she was different. She was neither willing, nor coerced, nor sent to him. She was pure conquest.
And you go through her terror with her (Olivia), in her tiny cell of a room. In the dark.
My friend Tina messaged me this back on December 4th when I told her what I was reading:
“I’m here if you need to be talked down after finishing Captive…”
Let me tell you. I needed it.
And here’s the thing. It’s not just “scary”. ’Cause, what if I tell you that this “darker” book almost … hrmmm… no, mostly and unavoidably (and I say this with reluctance) makes you umm… sort of…. fall… for the bad guy? eek Yep. And when I say bad guy, I mean it. Sorta. No. Wait. Yes. I mean it.
Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.
What-What-Whaaaaaat??!?!! *nods* YES!!! Now what do you call THAT kind of book? What genre is it? BDSM? Well it has plenty of those *elements* but hrmmm no, not exactly. Erotica? Oh yes, there’s lots of that. But… not quite. Alternative romance? LOL!!! Well. There is that heart-wrenching point where, you know… the captor suddenly seems appealing. But romance? I dunno about that. Horror/thriller? *shakes head* no idea what this is. I call it a freaky, unputdowanable, mind-mess of a novel with a touch of whatever it is that makes our hearts… pull. You know what I mean. In that romance direction. Don’t make me say it. Eeeeeeeep!! *blush* (But! Wait!! But you see… “Caleb” has issues of his own… and well. You’ll see. neutral)
Maryse: … will still review Captive but I’m gonna need to be a in a proper mindset. It deserves a review – it was sure unputdownable, but what the heck do I say to THAT?!!
It’s not a hard book to love (well… for some aspects), but it’s a hard book to talk about. Oh yes, you want to recommend it to EVERYONE, but at the same time, there’s a sense of trepidation that recommending this might make you look all… Stockholm sydrome-y. You know… maybe having a propensity to it, or something?
Seduced in the Dark (The Dark Duet Volume 2) – expected release date September 2012
And with the exciting news of the sequel’s upcoming release (Seduced in the Dark – expected release date September 2012), and my friend Colleen’s enthusiastic reaction to it, I knew it was time to talk about it. After all… I’ve read other “hard/dark” stuff since then, so I’m all better now. ;)
Colleen: I’m being lazy…I could just go look at your blog, but have you read Captive in the dark?
Maryse: I sure have BUT I haven’t reviewed it yet. I read it last year I believe, but it freaked me out so bad I had no idea how to recommend it (back then). Although, I couldn’t put it down, it really messed with my head. Have you?
Colleen: Oh, I know what you mean! I just read it last night and…wow. You know, for an author to create such an evil, sadistic character like Caleb…then make the reader like him? Wow. I had to email her last night just to put it out there that I thought she was an amazing writer. The second book in the series she said will be released in Sept… just a couple months away. I have to know what the hell happens!
Maryse: I know! I read it for an entire day sitting on a bench at a state park in our area. LOL!!!! Husband strolled around on his own taking pics and I read about some crazy psycho that had me swooning at times. Eeeeeeep! Oh I liked it. I just didn’t know…. how to … say so. LOL!!!!!! Yes, you are right. I should review.
Colleen: Well, if you end up reviewing it and want a quote from me or anything, let me know. … I’m still a little warped from it. lol
I must admit. This author is a master at making the reader’s mind and heart battle. So I’m blaming her for my confused reading state (but in a good way). After all. Sometimes we need a really good, unusual “love” (or is it?) story to jolt us, right? It can’t always be flowers and fairytales, can it? Mind you. After you’re done this one, you’re gonna want flowers and fairytales and sweet bubblegum romance that’s easy on the heart, and soul for the next few reads.
But, if you’re “okay” with this sort of read, then I HIGHLY recommend it. This will be one of your favorites. For sure!!!
P.S. this is one is much darker then Christian Grey and his Fifty Shades of… issues ;) (and I’m STILL looking for more of him).
***
Review of Dark Duet Series by Aestas Book Blog
W.O.W. This series blew me away. I can barely process thought after reading this book.
CJ Roberts has written an outstanding novel with a twisted and yet beautiful love story, multi-layered, complex characters that will test the boundaries of your heart and mind, a plot that will captivate and disturb you but at the same time leave you unable to turn away, and a raw, gritty, brutal world of betrayal, revenge, honor, lust, and love. It seduced me and it sickened me. I felt emotionally drained, utterly mindfucked and yet, ultimately, somehow completely at peace. Definitely one of top favorite reads of the year.
This book is INTENSE!! It is raw, deeply disturbing and dark, and yet strangely heart warming despite my reading most of it with my heart lodged firmly in my throat. This book stripped my emotions bare. My heart ached to the point of physical pain, and my mind was toyed with to the point where I could barely trust anything I was thinking.
It is a sweeping, epic, emotional rollercoaster full of unexpected twists and turns. This is a book about the world of sex-trafficking – there are instances of abuse, rape, slavery, BDSM (for real though – no safe word, no consent, no way out). There is no way to sugar-coat that and the author never shies away from telling it exactly how it is. In many ways, I found what happened in this book more disturbing than the first one. Sometimes I would just sit there with my hand over my mouth after scenes going ‘Oh. My. God. Did I really just read that?!” …. and yet at the same time this book opened my heart and mind to things I never thought I could possibly accept.
This book starts off four months after the end of book 1, Captive in the Dark. I won’t say anything about the plot because honestly, anything I say would spoil WAY too much. Suffice it to say, that I LOVED the ending. That alone, should tell you all you need to know about it :) T
his book has lots of perspectives and lots of timelines but primarily, we have a dual story line told through a mix of memories that fill in the blanks of events in the past 4 months, as well as a present day story line. And, just like with book 1, we have both Livvie and Caleb’s POVs as well as a new one I’ll let you find out about on your own.
The story builds. And I mean, it BUILDS. Towards the final 75% I honestly felt like I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I just sat there with tears in my eyes watching all the pieces of this intricate, horrific, heart wrenching story come together. By the end, I was pretty much just sobbing uncontrollably. It was the perfect ending. My heart felt battered and bruised but I was just so incredibly happy.
