One Cursed Rose (Grimm Bargains 1) by Rebecca Zanetti-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2024

Information is power, and those who control it live like gods.
In my world, billionaires play deadly games of insult and influence where magic is the dirtiest weapon of all. Here, even a powerful princess can be swallowed by the darkest of shadows . . .

My name is Alana Beaumont, and due to a recent tragedy, I’m the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a family business being systematically dismantled by an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to give me in marriage and create a coalition with a competing family, so I’m torn between my thirst for revenge and my duty. Now I just have a week to finish my hunt before the wedding.

There’s nothing like an assassination attempt to cut short the best of plans—even worse is my unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the Beast whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under. The richest, most ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.

Adam may think he can lock me in his castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.

••••

REVIEW:ONE CURSED ROSE is the first instalment in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult GRIMM BARGAINS dark, erotic, urban fantasy, sci-fi series focusing on four powerful families with affinities to gemstones. This is Malice Media owner Thorn Beathach, and Aquarius Social media head Alana Rose Beaumont’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including violence and questionable consent, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

IMPORTANT: If you have not read ONE CURSED ROSE, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Thorn and Alana) ONE CURSED ROSE follows in the wake of the abduction of our story line heroine. There are four powerful families with affinities to gemstones, vying for control of social media. The more followers and likes, the more power and life force is gained by those in charge. Along with the social media and influencers, the lives of the four families are ‘powered’ by the gemstones, gemstones that are the life-force of the families and their heirs. Alana’s father Maurice has offered his daughter to one of the other social media families in an effort to prop up their numbers and gemstone powers but someone else is watching from the shadows, someone who is determined to claim Alana as his own. Enter Thorn Beathach, the scarred and dangerous owner of Malice Media, and the man with whom Alana will fall in love. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Alana and Thorn, and the fall-out as Thorn is targeted, and Alana must find a way to save the man that she loves.

The world building is complex and complicated. A Mafia-style control of power between the four ruling families, families with affinities to gemstones, families that are willing to bargain with the lives of their own in an effort to secure more influence, more potential, more likes and more gems…but…there is a large disconnect between the premise and a lack of information regarding the big six-who, what, where, when, why and how -as to the connection between the gemstones and social media- and the life force held within both. With a number of instalments planned for the future, some background information and history is needed to unravel the confusion. The premise focuses on priori knowledge-knowledge that is acquired independently of experience or prior knowledge to the reader, and in that, there are too many unanswered questions.

The relationship between Alana and Thorn begins as an abduction. Alana will be kept a virtual prisoner as Thorn struggles to uncover who or what has targeted Malice Media. There are a number of theories in play but Thorn needs to take control of our story line heroine as she is the one who can melt the ice that is taking hold. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative with some issues of questionable consent..

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including several members of competing media power houses. Everyone becomes suspect when Thorn’s life hangs in the balance but it is our heroine who will face the biggest challenge when the truth is revealed.

ONE CURSED ROSE is a dark, intricate and entangled story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, acceptance and love. The premise is haunting and raw; the romance is twisted and edgy; the characters are animated, determined and tragic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

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