Devil's Deal

4.25 stars-- DEAL is the first full-length instalment in Aleatha Romig’s contemporary, adult DEVIL’S DUET erotic, dark, romantic suspense series focusing on underworld businessman Everett ‘Rett’ Ramses, and twenty-six year old Emma O’Brien North. For back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the prequel novella Fate’s Demand.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Emma and Rett) DEVIL’S DEAL follows in the wake of Emma O’Brien’s arrival in New Orleans, where she believed she and her business partner Ross Underwood were negotiating a deal with Everett Ramses but the disappearance of her partner, and the imprisonment of our heroine finds Emma a hostage in a ‘gilded cage’ as Everett Ramses claims to be Emma’s guardian and protector from the people threatening to take her down. Four years earlier, Emma lost her entire family, including her brother Kyle as a result of an accident, and in the ensuing time struggled to move on from the past but our heroine quickly learns she is bequeathed by birthright, to be Everett Ramses’ fated wife and Queen. Emma is completely unaware of her true family heritage, and with it the reality that most of her life has been shrouded in secrets and lies, secrets that are about to reveal more than she could have ever imagined.

Everett Ramses is the self proclaimed underworld King of New Orleans by virtue of destroying those who came before but to insure his place at the top, he must claim his Queen, a woman who knows nothing about her birthright or the fight to remain in control. Emma O’Brien lost everything four years earlier but Everett’s revelations place Emma in the direct line of fire where a target on her back means she is unable to trust anyone including the man with whom she is quickly falling in love. Struggling to make sense of everything and more, our heroine battles between head and heart knowing that she is a captive, and Everett Ramses now controls everything in her life. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Everett’s right hand man Ian; his housekeeper Miss Ruth Guidry, as well as Emma’s business partner Ross Underwood.

DEVIL’S DEAL is a story of secrets and lies; power and control; manipulation, revelations, mistrust and domination. The premise is dark and gritty; the romance is aggressive and energetic; the characters are dynamic, charismatic and captivating. DEVIL’S DEAL ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Good pool

This is the first installment in the Devil's Series Duet. I recommend to read the free prequel, Fate's Demand, before this one. Everett (Rett) and Emma's story is intricate, and captivating, filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense. Rett is alpha, rich, dominant, and enigmatic. Emma is strong, and smart. They share a sizzling chemistry. The supporting characters are interesting. The world building is complex, and intriguing. I like the New Orleans's setting. The story ends with a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to read Angel's Promise, the conclusion of the Duet.