The Desire in Deception

The Desire in Deception is a prequel novella by M.L. Philpitt exclusive in the Heartless Heroes Anthology.

Anthology Synopsis

Some heroes want to save the world. Some will burn it down for the one they love.

Call them villains, anti-heroes, criminals, and monsters.

But these dark men love deeply and fiercely, and are ready to go to the ends of the earth to save their soulmate.

They will tempt you.

Captivate you.

Drag you into darkness, and leave you breathless.

They'll show you how good love can be in the dark.

There's a spark between these pages, and these Heartless Heroes will set your world on fire.

Morally grey is the favorite color of these twenty new and bestselling authors. Grab your copy now to read all the dark shades of love painted by these Heartless Heroes.

Authors in this set include:

J.L. Beck & C. Hallman, Sahara Roberts & Dori Pulitano, Sonya Jesus, H. D. Carlton, Lola West, D.S. Wrights, Elizabeth Miller, Lily Wildhart, Morgan James, A.R. Breck, Brynn Ford, Indie Black & Sienna Cousins, Isabella Phoenix & Victoria Pauley, Suki Williams, Ashley Gee, D.W. Marshall, and M.L. Philpitt

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Novella Synopsis

Lives are spent, sometimes wasted, chasing a dream -- a happily-ever-after -- only to end up living in reality.

Caterina Vosa knows, for a woman, life in the mafia means having her future picked out for her, but even on her wedding day, she continues to dream of a happy ending. Until he arrives and snatches her away, locking her inside his own gilded tower, making her a prisoner.

Lorenzo "Enzo" Corsetti is more than a villain though. He's a villain with a need to reclaim what was stolen from him, and Caterina might just be it. In the end, happyily -- ever -- after is a facade and the bad guys always win.

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Trigger/ Content Warnings

Explicit sexual content

Graphic violence

Kidnapping

Forced captivity/ marriage

Dubcon

Breeding

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Review

The Desire in Deception is the prequel novella in a dark fairy tale inspired mafia romance series, Fractured Ever Afters. This prequel tells the story of the parent's that will be seen featured throughout the main series.

Enzo is looking for revenge and Caterina is looking for a happily-ever-after. Unfortunately Caterina is a mafia princess who is promised by her family to marry someone who can't give her that. But it could be the villainous Enzo who can.

"You were always supposed to be here. You shouldn't still be a princess because you'd be the queen. My queen."

I adored Catalina and Enzo's story. Enzo is truly a villain but he's a villain for Catalina. This was a perfect short read and I'm so excited for the rest of the series to come up! M.L. Philpitt has the first book in the Fractured Ever After series, "The Hunt in Elusion" expected to release January 2023.

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Notable Highlights

"I will confirm, Kitty, you will not be sucking his cock tonight since your mouth will be filled with mine."

I'm not quite finished yet. It's what villains do, correct? I murdered the prince, so it's time to fuck the princess in her pretty dress and ivory tower."

"Caterina is not property. She's a fucking human, and a damned good one at that. You will treat her as such, or I will rip your heart from your chest."

"I'm not a prince," he continues. "But I want to give you a happily-ever-after."