Double Review: The Dark Duet series (Captive in the Dark and Seduced in the Dark) By C.J. Roberts

Captive in the Dark

(The Dark Duet # 1)

By: C.J. Roberts

Pub. Date: July 20, 2011

Publisher: Self

Pages: 159

Source: Bought

Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.

Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. 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.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.

This is one of those books that is definitely hard to read, and even harder to review. Olivia wakes up and is blindfolded and tied up. Her kidnapper is Caleb. He tells her that he is her master, and she must do what he says. If she fights back, she will be punished. Caleb is training her to become a sex slave for a very powerful man, a man that Caleb is hell bent on murdering.

As the punishments and tortures continue, Livvie is trying to desperately to convince Caleb to let her leave, appealing to his sweet side. That's the thing about Caleb. He is a disgusting man on one hand, but on the other, he has these moments that make you think he really doesn't want to be doing what he is doing but he feels like he has no choice.

When Caleb was a young boy, he was taken from his home in America and sold to a man who raped him and pimped him out to other men who like young boys. Caleb doesn't even remember what his real name is, or where he came from. His childhood consisted of suffering, beatings, and rapes. That is until he was saved and he has pledged his allegiance to his rescuer.

The writing completely hooks you from the very first page. The story flowed nicely and while it was hard to get through because of the subject matter, it was an easy read. I purchased the second one as soon as I finished and started it right away. 

Seduced in the Dark

(The Dark Duet # 2)

By: C. J. Roberts

Pub. Date: August 30, 2012

Publisher: Neurotica Books

Pages: 416

Source: Bought

The exciting, titillating, and action-filled conclusion to Captive in the Dark.

What is the price of redemption?

Rescued from sexual slavery by a mysterious Pakistani officer, Caleb carries the weight of a debt that must be paid in blood.

The road has been long and fraught with uncertainty, but for Caleb and Livvie, it’s all coming to an end.

Can he surrender the woman he loves for the sake of vengeance?

Or will he make the ultimate sacrifice?

The second book was just as hard to get through as the first book. We dive deeper into the world of sex slavery, which is always a scary thing. Caleb is still training Livvie, but at the same time, the two of them are falling in love with each other. Caleb is still torturing her sexually, but at the same time, helping her, and not allowing any of the other masters to touch her. He is trying to protect her. Caleb is very conflicted. He knows that he gave his word to the Officer that saved him 12 years ago from his sex slave life, but he doesn't want to sell Livvie either.

We find out a lot more about Caleb's life after being rescued from slavery. Despite what he is doing, it is hard to not feel for him and what he went through. The sweet little blond hair, blue eye boy never stood a chance. While the adult Caleb might have turned into a ruthless man because of his past, there is a part of him who really wants to be a good person and help people. I enjoyed learning Caleb's secrets and about his past.

Since The Dark Duet is a two book series, I thought that Seduced in the Dark was the perfect ending. I really loved it! The subject matter might turn people off, especially the fact that a kidnapped girl falls in love with her capture, but these books really are worth the read. I am excited to see what C.J. Roberts comes up with next.