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Summary: AN EXCITING DEBUT NOVEL OF EROTIC SUSPENSE!
Review: DARKNESS BOUND, the first novel by author Larry Brooks, opens with the Dark Lady sitting in the bedroom of her home, drinking a glass of white wine as she calmly watches her husband die of poison. From that point on, the reader knows that they are in for a journey of dark, erotic suspense. The story continues when Dillon Masters, a stockbroker who has just separated from his wife, happens to encounter the Dark Lady in a department store. She is clad in leather from head to toe, and triggers just about every sexual button Dillon has to push. She's the woman of his darkest fantasies; and, from the first moment of seeing her, Dillon knows that he must have her. Like the Hindu Goddess Kali, the Dark Lady quickly seduces this young man and leads him down a path of deviant behavior and self-destruction. All, however, isn't what it seems. The Dark Lady has a hidden agenda, and Dillon is the perfect victim to help her fulfill it. Will he be able to overcome the alluring power she has over him, or will he succumb to the evil temptations placed before him by this deadly creature? DARKNESS BOUND is an exciting, edge-of-your-seat thriller, mixed with a sensuality of pure malice. Because of the numerous plot twists, the reader is never quite sure in what direction the story is headed. I found myself continuously surprised by the author's creativity and cleverness, wondering if Dillon Masters would be able to survive the manipulations of this intriguing female character. Larry Brooks certainly appears to have a deep insight into the workings of the female mind, and for the female readers out there, this is the perfect primer for learning how to screw with the minds of the men in your lives. Brooks has also done for leather-clad women what the movie, FATAL ATTRACTION, did for infidelity. In other words, the next time I see a leather-clad woman in the mall, I intend on running in the opposite direction as fast as I can. I think any man who reads this book will feel much the same way. Hey, Larry, thanks a lot!
Rating: 
Summary: Great first novel. A thriller with some good twists.
Review: Dillion's wife just asked him to move out claiming the need to find herself. So he moves into a hotel and begins contemplating their marriage. Dillion has dark fantasies his wife couldn't or wouldn't indulge him on and he wants a dream fantasy.He begins an affair with a dark lady who promises fantasies can come true but he never expected the consequences and actions that follows his dark lady encounters. There are twists and turns in this book and you will be surprised by a few of them in the end. Read the book a wonderful first book by Larry Brooks. He has a relaxed writing style that I enjoy reading and developes his characters nicely. His characters have some hidden depths that you discover along the way. Take note there is action in this book but I found it to be very psychological. He really does get into the main characters head. I gave this book a three because I enjoyed reading it but I can say the last few chapters dragged. All in all I will read the next book Pressure Points and already read Serpents Dance. This was a fast pace enjoyable read.
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Summary: Be careful what you wish for
Review: Dillon Masters is leading a relatively typical life until a chance (or is it?) encounter in a department store introduces him to a woman who holds the key to all his most secret fantasies. Dillon then has some choices to make: wait around for his estranged wife to decide the future of their relationship or chase after his newfound mystery woman? Dillon thinks he's hit the jackpot, but then his dark lady turns dangerous, and his entire life is on the line.
It's difficult to miss this book. The very cover captures the attention with the image of a woman, eyes concealed, wrists bound. The synopsis reads like a steamy sexual obsession murder mystery. It is that, but the focus isn't on individual acts of sex so much as it is on a story of how even the simplest of choices can have an enormous impact on our lives, and how each of us has a world that's hidden away from those around us.
Feminists be warned! The female characters here play to type: the madonna, the whore, the crone, etc. Overall, I liked the book; the ending was not disappointing which is so often the case with books that I love right up until the last few pages. I think my favorite character was Detective Tim Rubin who actually plays in the background for most of the book. This is an enjoyable read and should help to add a little warmth to a cold winter night!
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Summary: The clash of good and evil
Review: Dillon, a mega-successful stockbroker is jaded by life, and tormentedby dark sexual fantasies that find their outlet in a chance meetingwith the engimatic 'Dark Lady'. He is willing to risk everything,including his professional reputation and marriage to Karen for theshort sharp thrill of a night with this mysterious woman, who iscalled Veronica, in the process selling his soul to the devil. This isnot simply an exploration of what can go wrong when one attempts tomake fantasy reality, it is much more than that, a truly engrossingthriller, where no character is what they originally seem. Brooksexposes the different facets of each character, showing each one to bea mixture of good and evil. Besides being a compulsive read it alsotakes a sideways swipe at the life of the rich, and the hollow livesbehind the dazzling facade. Watch out - this book is destined to makea great Hollywood blockbuster!
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Summary: Psychological fiction blended with mystery
Review: Dillon, a stockbrocker obssessed with a rich Seattle socialite, the Dark Lady, experiences the sweet charms of hot kinky sex and at the same time the bitter taste of betrayal. He suddenly finds that he was the subject of a conspiracy to murder the rich husband of the object of his obssesion, he had been framed and is trapped in a web where is very difficult to figure out an alibi, there are as many possibilities as characters involved In the plot, the author was more prone to delve deeply into the study of the different psychological motivations of men and women in their relationships where love, erotism, sex, money and power get involved than on the criminal side of the story and many times you will start to question about yourself and your dark fantasies Mystery is well worked in some gripping chapters, it also displays a neat prose and the motivations for the key moves of all the characters are thoroughly explained Most of the times it is very difficult for authors to find a good ending to rich plots, in this case there is an exception, I do not agree with other reviewers who expressed that the ending was dissapointing, Brooks has found a suitable ending in line with the story, he did not wrap up the plot with a flimsy invention. Good for Brooks. this is an accomplished novel for a first time debut
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Summary: I wasn't that impressed
Review: For an erotic thriller, I found this book neither that erotic nor very suspenseful. The characters are flat and uninteresting, and the plot contains too many twists and too much exposition to be very interesting. What little sex there is struck me as hokey, and the exploration of kinky fetishes (other than sadistic hog-tying murders) didn't amount to much. For those interested in erotic literature, I'd recommend the outstanding Lofting by Alma Marceau...
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Summary: Great read, but leaves first time author room to grow...
Review: For the most part this book is an incredible emotional rollercoaster ride. For the first 300 pages I couldn't put it down. It was fast paced, exciting, somewhat dark, sexy, and just plain fun. This book will leave you asking questions about yourself you may not want to answer, and reveal answers your soul won't admit to. Part "Exit to Eden" (the great book not the pathetic movie), part "Fatal Attraction", with a touch of "Weekend at Bernie's" thrown in, the plot, the characters (especially the villainess) and the storyline had the potential to make this book really special. Unfortunately the ending just doesn't (or possibly couldn't)live up to the rest of the story. The truly great suspense novels leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The end of this one felt like the author was late for a deadline. Too neatly wrapped. Overall a great read. I look forward to his next book...and hope he'll get better with age.
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Summary: HOOKED HARD
Review: From the moment that I started reading DARKNESS BOUND I was hooked so hard my teeth rattled, even though it was a little racy at times it fit the story line perfectly. The story takes place in Seattle Washington. Dillon Masters is a stockbroker who seems to have everything, good looks, money, and a lot of friends, but he has one problem his wife Karen is not happy. She wants Dillon to move out so she can define who she is. Karen warns Dillon that he should not cross the line and cheat or the marriage will be over. Dillon is walking through the Nordstrom Department Store when he sees a beautiful lady all dressed in leather. For him it triggers every sexual emotion that Dillion has ever had. Veronica Wallace is her name and believe me when I tell you this character will scare you all the way to the bone, she is truly wicked. Poor Dillon I guess some one forgot to tell him be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it. This is only the start of an exhilarating, steamy, sexual obsession filled with mystery that will hold you so tight you will have trouble breathing. DARKNESS BOUND has more twists and turns than the roller coaster at Six-flags, Be careful you might get whiplash; but if you are like me you will hold on and keep reading until the very last word. The characters are well defined and Mr. Brooks does an excellent job at pulling you into their thoughts and lives as if they were your own. Even though Detective Tim Rubin is mostly in the background he is my personal favorite, a Colombo type, I never could resist Colombo. Look out for a breathless ending that will keep you wanting more books by Larry Brooks. Hurry up Mr. Brooks and write your next novel.
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Summary: Boredom Bound
Review: Give me a break. This book, billed as an erotic thriller, is clearly neither. The characters were shallow, the plot predictable, and the effort at eroticism just embarassing. Don't waste your time.
Rating:
Summary: Unexpected Twists
Review: High quality novel from Brooks. Sent you in a whirlwind downward until you finished it. I found myself reading every free moment I had. I'm looking forward to his next book!
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