Blackwood

I thought this was going to be a vanilla read and I'm pleased to say it wasn't. It wasn't super dark but dark enough. I loved the mystery aspect of it. I used to read mysteries until I figured out how good sexy books could be. It was nice to get both in one book.

Odd kinks. Not sure I understood the games the protagonists liked to play running through the wild boar infested woods.

Spoilers kinda! I did not take stars off because of the primal/grapey kink. So …with that said. I did take a star away because some parts of the story did not have a great flow. the mystery/thriller aspect of the story did though! Character building ok as well but lacking some on Reds side. She didn’t talk much about her previous sexcapaides? Not a word but hopefully you get the gist. Anyways …she seemed kinda vanilla but was like let’s to this intense stuff I may or may never have done before? Didn’t really have any trauma other than her dad’s disappearance either not all person need it for intense kinks but sometimes they do? Didn’t express any curiosity in primal/grapey kink either? Also, their relationship went from he hates me and he is being a creep and ogling my body to let’s get it on. 😜 Also, her knowing the brother was like huh? It was not mentioned before but then bam they are very friendly and Garrett even got jealous! All possessive alpha type too 😉 anyways the brother just being there out of the blue was weird and didn’t make sense. Ok! now let’s get to the spice. Disclaimer not a fan of the primal/grapey stuff. However!!! This author wrote it perfectly! Garret was 100% honest with what he liked and how it ‘played’ out. He also gave Red a safe word. He did not push her to try his kink. She accepted and enjoyed it. The scenes themselves did not make me want to vomit, the characters where completely honest throughout the scenes and as a reader you are aware they are both completely consensual. With that being said check your triggers because this can still possibly trigger someone. I think it a great read despite the small infractions mentioned above! The author is a very skilled writer! Not many can pull off the primal/grapey stuff! I actually enjoyed this book and recommend!

Couldn’t put it down- blew thru it in a single day, good story line with some spice thrown in and an excellent plot twist.

I read this book on KU. I found it as a recommendation based on my reading trends. I read a variety of spicy books and don’t usually stick to any type. This book was so good. I read about 1-2 books a week and I generally feel like each type of plot line follows a formula so I can pretty closely guess the plot twist, this book really kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew what was up some other detail would come up and make me question again. If you are looking for a really strong plot line with suspense, I think you will love this book. You know it’s a good plot when you don’t even care about the spicy scenes. If you are looking for a book with lots of spice….I would say are 🔥 🔥 🔥 where a book like Neon Gods was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 just for reference. There just was way more plot and build up than actual scenes, but the ones that are there are great. I would recommend this book to anyone even if they are not a romance reader. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

I absolutely love reading books with primal play in it, especially if it involves CNC (consent non-consent); That’s why I finished this book in less than a day.Elise is an archaeologist that is getting her PhD and needs to do some digging around, but there is also an ulterior motive for her to do this. Her dad disappeared a couple of years before and he was last seen in the surrounding areas in this small town, and she has the biggest feeling that he’s dead. So she wants to know what happened to him. In order for her to continue her PhD and get the funds needed, she needs to explore the lands of Blackwood. Garrett Blackwood is kind of a recluse, a hermit, who doesn’t get out of his house much. In fact, when she went to ask for his permission to dig around in his property, he told her to leave and not to come back. But Elise, being the persistent person that she is, forges his signature and starts investigating on her own. Unfortunately, this causes her to get bitten by a boar and rely on Garrett in order to get better.As soon as she comes to after her attack, she realizes that Garrett is trying to help her by stitching her up and cleaning her wounds. Of course, there is an instant attraction that ignites when they’re in the same room. He shows her how connected they are; however, he confesses to her that he has unique tastes and wants when it comes to his sexual desires- which is something she probably can’t give him. Elise, being the investigator that she is, questions and prods him until he tells her what he craves. He craves the fear that women feel, whether it’s by running from him or by the pain he inflicts on them, and it’s all consensual. He craves primal play, and it’s CNC. Oh dear Lord... when they finally get to this 🥵🔥😅 💦... my kindle surprisingly survived the raw sexiness and intensity that was going on in their scene. It was delicious and explosive, and I also found myself craving it! It was utterly amazing! Gah... I need more books like this!Behind the scenes, Elise is still determined and is investigating what happened to her father. However, she ends up finding out some craziness that is going on, and suddenly this book becomes suspenseful and thriller-like. Shoot, I found myself suspecting so many people LOL.I love Celia Aaron‘s writing; this one is the second book that I read by her (the first was The Bad Guy-which was amazing). I enjoy her writing style and storytelling, especially the intimate scenes between the main characters.I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!

I loved this book, it was my first by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.It was Like Misery meets a horror film.Elise is an archeology student. So when she uses her college PhD to get answers she plans on a dig on Blackwood estate and surrounding woods to get the truth, but when Garrett Blackwood denies her permission, she forges his signature and goes ahead with her plans.Everyone warns Elsie to stay away from the woods and Blackwood Estate, as you never who or what you might find, especially when it comes to Garrett Blackwood. Garrett is a bearded mysterious man surrounded by dark secrets of his broken soul. However when he comes to Elise rescue after she's attacked by wild boar, she finds herself drawn to Garrett and his secrets when he takes her in and cares for her, but will they be each other saviours or enemies?Garrett is the perfect man for to be trapped in a Stockholm syndrome situation with, while Elise is a brave Nancy Drew that will stop at nothing until she gets her answers no matter who or what stands in her way on her quest for the truth, or how far she has to run.This book was a dark mysterious thriller that will leave you running on a high.

So this is what it looks like when Celia Aaron and The Brothers Grimm collide. A fast paced dirty thriller that leaves you really wanting to be eaten up by the big bad wolf.Elise Vale (Red), an archeology student, needs access to Blackwood forest to look for artifacts possibly left behind from the Choctaw culture. She also has ulterior motives for being there in that we wants to find out what really happened in the disappearance of her father.Garrett Blackwood (The Big Bad Wolf) is an ex professor and now recluse. He's dark, dangerous and mysterious. The people in the town don't actually know him but still cast their judgement on him to Elise.Elise needs access to Blackwood forest and does what's needed to gain it. She has one aim and doesn't go off track to reach the end goal. Once they are in each others company, their relationship is a slow burn that then ignites into an inferno with nothing being held back.From start to finish Celia has you guessing at every turn. The story is so well written you won't want to put it down until you are finished and have all the answers. When you think you have it figured out, you really don't. There are so many twists and turns that leave you with so many questions that you need answered straight away. This book is most definitely going into my reread pile so I can experience the thrill again and again.

WOW WOW WOW!!!!What can I say I Bloody Loved this book.It's an all up in your face, keep you guessing all the way suspenseful thrilling mystery where you'll be wondering just who you can trust.Also it's was Hott as Hell too. Garrett Blackwood will become your new obsession. ;)Elise is on a mission she needs access to the Blackwood estate and knows Garrett will never allow it.There are two many secrets that neither one of them wants to share with the other.But the chemistry was off the charts between these two from the beginning. Garrett wants to stay away from her. But he finds himself unable to do so. No matter how hard he tries.Elise is a determined little thing and she won't rest until she finds out what she wants to know. No matter what.I loved her sassy little attitude too.This book was a brilliant read. I couldn't put it down.Do yourself a favour and give this one a go...you won't regret it.

I have read several of Celia Aaron's books and this latest certainly didn't disappoint! She can do fun and sassy romance well, but this was a dark romance full of suspense and unanswered questions.I must admit it took me a little while to get into the story and to warm to the characters and Garrett is a formidable alpha male which Elise is fearless enough not to cower away from. Once she is injured in a way that she is forced to stay in his house, then we begin to see a 'cat and mouse' situation developing. Their attraction builds and the anticipation that the Garrett will give in to his carnal desires is as exciting for the reader as for Elise herself!Although the sex was sizzling, I enjoyed the tension of what was going to happen with regard to the puzzle of Elise's father's death. I was on the edge of my seat with the twists and turns and there were some graphic scenes which were necessary but may be too much for some.A great conclusion which I didn't see coming and left me wondering what I can read to match up to that!

This book had me completely enthralled. It was the first I have read by Celia Aaron but it certainly won't be the last.Blackwood is crawling with dark and dangerous secrets and Elise wants to survey the sprawling grounds and investigate the disappearance of her father but is turned away by Garrett Blackwood, the seemingly gruff and brooding stranger who locks himself away from the world. Elise, however, decides to survey the land without permission and ends up being attacked by wild boars and is rescued and cared for by Garrett who slowly comes around and shows Elise that there is more to him that meets the eye. But with so many secrets and lies Elise has no idea who she can trust...5 stars for this brilliantly written story!