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Claimed by the Minotaur Duke
A dark tale of imprisonment, force, bonding, escape, and healing…
Agnes Babbington, the Duchess of Evonshire, has no idea there’s a labyrinth built in the depths of the wood behind her estate until her husband locks her in there.
She’s not alone. There’s a bull-headed man with her.
Her husband Cyril has been trying to get an heir on her for over a year with no luck. Cyril says she can’t leave until she’s with child—the monster’s child, which he will claim as his own.
And it’s worse, because she knows the minotaur. He’s her husband’s brother Dorian, the man who would have been duke if it hadn’t been purported he was dead. She’s never liked Dorian, a rich rake of a man who takes delight in ridiculing her. Dorian’s not dead, though. Dorian is cursed with a bull’s head and bull’s hooves, and now she is locked up with him here in this labyrinth with no escape.
She won’t couple with that thing, of course.
And Dorian—for his part—claims he’s not interested in forcing her.
But then Cyril comes with a revolver and demands their participation.
Now, she and Dorian are bound in shared anguish. They will have revenge on Cyril. They will fight their way free. And they will travel together towards whatever happiness is left to broken things like them.
This forced-breeding monster romance is a dark journey to a destination of unshakable, everlasting love. It’s unflinching and intense, but it’s also lava-level hot. Non-consensual activity is depicted. There are also explorations of fantasies of bondage, power plays, and voyeurism. It’s ultimately a story about affirming and integrating the darkest aspects of ourselves and about healing the harm others do to us. HEA guaranteed.
Agnes Babbington, the Duchess of Evonshire, has no idea there’s a labyrinth built in the depths of the wood behind her estate until her husband locks her in there.
She’s not alone. There’s a bull-headed man with her.
Her husband Cyril has been trying to get an heir on her for over a year with no luck. Cyril says she can’t leave until she’s with child—the monster’s child, which he will claim as his own.
And it’s worse, because she knows the minotaur. He’s her husband’s brother Dorian, the man who would have been duke if it hadn’t been purported he was dead. She’s never liked Dorian, a rich rake of a man who takes delight in ridiculing her. Dorian’s not dead, though. Dorian is cursed with a bull’s head and bull’s hooves, and now she is locked up with him here in this labyrinth with no escape.
She won’t couple with that thing, of course.
And Dorian—for his part—claims he’s not interested in forcing her.
But then Cyril comes with a revolver and demands their participation.
Now, she and Dorian are bound in shared anguish. They will have revenge on Cyril. They will fight their way free. And they will travel together towards whatever happiness is left to broken things like them.
This forced-breeding monster romance is a dark journey to a destination of unshakable, everlasting love. It’s unflinching and intense, but it’s also lava-level hot. Non-consensual activity is depicted. There are also explorations of fantasies of bondage, power plays, and voyeurism. It’s ultimately a story about affirming and integrating the darkest aspects of ourselves and about healing the harm others do to us. HEA guaranteed.
- GenresMonsters
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2024
26 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Jove Chambers
32 books42 followersJove Chambers is the dark romance pen name for USA Today Bestselling author V.J. Chambers.
Under the name V.J. Chambers she writes mysteries, thrillers and horror.
Under the pen name Val St. Crowe she writes sci-fi and fantasy.
She lives outside Shepherdstown, WV with her husband, son, and their kitty cat.
Under the name V.J. Chambers she writes mysteries, thrillers and horror.
Under the pen name Val St. Crowe she writes sci-fi and fantasy.
She lives outside Shepherdstown, WV with her husband, son, and their kitty cat.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 9, 2024
I liked the hero and the heroine. They were forced to be intimate by the hero's brother (her husband) because the husband can't father kids. They are both traumatized by this forced intimacy. The husband put a revolver to the heroine's head and the hero's head and said if either one of them didn't have sex, he'd shoot the other person.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
MAJOR SPOILERS I SUMMARIZE THE BOOK
The hero and heroine try to attack the husband but he is too clever for them and escapes. Finally the heroine admits she prefers the minotaur over her husband so husband is angry and lets her return to the house instead of being locked up in the labyrinth with the minotaur.
Heroine kills the husband by putting a pillow over his head. She hides his body and the minotaur (the hero) takes his place. He tells everyone he was cursed. So now everyone thinks the hero is the heroine's husband, his younger brother.
The hero knows the heroine is upset over her pregnancy. She is upset she was raped and is pregnant. The hero wants to help her so he pays a witch to cast a spell to make the heroine miscarry the baby. He wanted to protect her and not have guilt over making that decision. The heroine finds out later and is very angry with him. He had no right to make that decision for her.
The hero and heroine fall in love. They like to act out "we're being forced" scenarios, basically consensual non-consent after the trauma of what happened to them. The hero and heroine are both ashamed but it is helping them heal each other. They know they have control in these fantasies.
Eventually they decide to try for a baby and they have a daughter. They are both in love and happy.
There is one scene where they go to an orgy with other monsters (nobody touches them, they just watch the hero and heroine together). The hero and heroine both enjoy being watched.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
MAJOR SPOILERS I SUMMARIZE THE BOOK
The hero and heroine try to attack the husband but he is too clever for them and escapes. Finally the heroine admits she prefers the minotaur over her husband so husband is angry and lets her return to the house instead of being locked up in the labyrinth with the minotaur.
Heroine kills the husband by putting a pillow over his head. She hides his body and the minotaur (the hero) takes his place. He tells everyone he was cursed. So now everyone thinks the hero is the heroine's husband, his younger brother.
The hero knows the heroine is upset over her pregnancy. She is upset she was raped and is pregnant. The hero wants to help her so he pays a witch to cast a spell to make the heroine miscarry the baby. He wanted to protect her and not have guilt over making that decision. The heroine finds out later and is very angry with him. He had no right to make that decision for her.
The hero and heroine fall in love. They like to act out "we're being forced" scenarios, basically consensual non-consent after the trauma of what happened to them. The hero and heroine are both ashamed but it is helping them heal each other. They know they have control in these fantasies.
Eventually they decide to try for a baby and they have a daughter. They are both in love and happy.
There is one scene where they go to an orgy with other monsters (nobody touches them, they just watch the hero and heroine together). The hero and heroine both enjoy being watched.
January 9, 2024
Agnes, the Duchess of Evonshire, is trapped in a labyrinth by her husband, Cyril, alongside Dorian, his cursed brother with a bull's head and hooves - a minotaur. Cyril's twisted plan involves forcing Agnes to conceive the next heir with Dorian, promising to claim the child as his own. Despite her disdain for Dorian, she refuses to comply, and Dorian claims he won't force her. However, Cyril's violent insistence changes everything. Trapped in an eerie situation, Agnes and Dorian navigate their shared anguish, they form an unexpected bond, and vow to seek revenge on Cyril while striving for freedom and a semblance of happiness. Their dark romance delves into bondage, power struggles, and overcoming the darkest parts of oneself, peppered with intense emotions. Despite the non-consensual aspects depicted, their relationship evolves into an unshakable, enduring love. Agnes and Dorian's labyrinthine journey through adversity and healing features an intense, steamy, and unconventional romance within a period piece setting. This unique take on regency romance with dark undertones, involving a labyrinth, false imprisonment, and societal struggles, offers an unconventional yet compelling tale.
January 9, 2024
First things first, if you have any triggers please do check them as this is a darker sort of book despite the fantasy. It was also rather an unexpected book and I honestly enjoyed it. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil it for others. Agnes has married an absolute git of a man and I’m certain he has several screws loose, let alone just the one. He has a plan to ensure the survival of the family but you’d never imagine the way he goes about it. Dorian is the unfortunate brother of said git, and is cut of a very different cloth. He has compassion, kindness and understanding things which he has seldom encountered himself. It is so well done that you cannot help but feel for them both and hope that it will all turn out ok.
June 20, 2024
I liked the first book with the centaur better.
The FMC is taken into a maze to get rutted by a Minotaur, who turns out to be her husband’s dead brother who was cursed by their father. They’re forced to do it multiple times until they kill the husband and finally escape the maze. The Minotaur takes the brother’s place in society and they try to figure out their relationship.
The sex was a lot of “I have these fantasies where we’re being forced to do it in front of an audience” and them overcoming their shame at this. There was a lot of self discovery going on for both characters. It was an exploration of kink but with very human emotions, which wasn’t necessarily what I was looking for in a monster romance.
The FMC is taken into a maze to get rutted by a Minotaur, who turns out to be her husband’s dead brother who was cursed by their father. They’re forced to do it multiple times until they kill the husband and finally escape the maze. The Minotaur takes the brother’s place in society and they try to figure out their relationship.
The sex was a lot of “I have these fantasies where we’re being forced to do it in front of an audience” and them overcoming their shame at this. There was a lot of self discovery going on for both characters. It was an exploration of kink but with very human emotions, which wasn’t necessarily what I was looking for in a monster romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
Dark, Darker… And Then Finally A Happy Ending
The start of this one is truly and completely messed up for Agnes and Dorian. Cyril is completely off his rocker, imprisoned his wife in with his cursed brother (Dorian) in order to get Agnes with child. This story stays dark for a long time, and there’s plenty of emotions and angst in dealing with the repercussions. The ending is fulfilling in a non-picture-perfect but completely on point way (with so delicious reclaimed spicy times in there as well), all of which I enjoyed. And, I liked the tie-ins with Hoofed and Fractured. All-in-all, a solid read.
January 12, 2024
I actually really loved this story!
I like the nuance of the characters and examinations they had about why and how this event really shaped and changed their lives (for good or ill and both sometimes). I also like the world they live in. It's fantastical with enough worldbuilding to give you a sense of what's going on but not to be burden by it or overexplaining everything.
I enjoyed a lot more than dislike (honestly I didn't dislike anything. I love dark stories and this one had the right amount of time/nuance to it that it's just simply good without any preachiness Plus I love The Duchess! She great.)
So yeah, I think JC is going into my favorite authors bin with Ruby D.
I like the nuance of the characters and examinations they had about why and how this event really shaped and changed their lives (for good or ill and both sometimes). I also like the world they live in. It's fantastical with enough worldbuilding to give you a sense of what's going on but not to be burden by it or overexplaining everything.
I enjoyed a lot more than dislike (honestly I didn't dislike anything. I love dark stories and this one had the right amount of time/nuance to it that it's just simply good without any preachiness Plus I love The Duchess! She great.)
So yeah, I think JC is going into my favorite authors bin with Ruby D.
January 8, 2024
This book has some dark themes, but they are dealt with well. It's not just dark and there are no consequences or feelings based on what has/is happening. Agnes and Dorian both have a lot to deal with internally. Then you through in the whole minotaur thing and it just makes everything feel even more intense. But I really like how everything comes together and how well the plot was crafted as well as the characters. It was a wild ride, but really well done.
January 8, 2024
I enjoyed this dark take on regency romance with its dark and steamy bent to the typical regency. In this story add one Duchess married to a cold hearted Duke and a maze with its own minotaur and get a dark romance where these two must survive the Duke and society. It made me laugh and groan and shake my head but it was fun to read it you like dark takes on romance.
September 4, 2024
I want to be with a Minotaur.
No but seriously, I really liked this book. I don't read much regency romance and especially ones with Minotaurs but since I'm on a big minotaur kick lately, I decided why not. And I'm glad I did. I really liked this one.
No but seriously, I really liked this book. I don't read much regency romance and especially ones with Minotaurs but since I'm on a big minotaur kick lately, I decided why not. And I'm glad I did. I really liked this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
This story was not the typical monster one that I expected. He was very human with all his flaws and she was typical of the Victorian era heroine. They faced traumas and dealt with them in unusual ways. There was plenty of steamy scenes and a HEA.
December 21, 2024
Gloriously scandalous
Definitely check the trigger warnings on this one! Overall I enjoyed the read-- it was heavy but very steamy and lots of introspection/working through trauma and SA.
The spicy scenes were great!
Definitely check the trigger warnings on this one! Overall I enjoyed the read-- it was heavy but very steamy and lots of introspection/working through trauma and SA.
The spicy scenes were great!
January 23, 2024
This book was a bit of a miss for me. This felt like it was trying or aiming to be a dark romance but just kind of missed the mark (at least in my opinion, ymmv). Once the duchess character was introduced the spice scenes from there on were much better.
November 10, 2024
Trigger warning: ‼️ Forced Miscarriage ‼️
Sorry, but let’s start there.
I have no problem with non-consent themes. In fact, I specifically came here because someone told me “they’re held at gunpoint and have to mate in front of the FMC’s husband.” If that’s also not your thing, you might want to reconsider reading this.
So I came here for all the non-con, the monster, and the forced breeding. What I didn’t sign up for nor find in any trigger warnings is the forced miscarriage (without the FMC’s knowledge that the MMC caused it!) followed by trouble conceiving for years afterwards.
I also felt like the combination of the various themes in this book with the regency era didn’t work well for me. I didn’t find either FMC nor MMC to be particularly likeable, the guilt they both experienced around what happened to them was awkward and they wallowed in it for what felt like a long time. Then there was an exploration into Kink and a variety of other side plots which I was convinced would turn into a book 2 but then most (but not all) got quickly tied up in the last 10 pages or so.
Sadly, I won’t be reading any other books in this series.
Sorry, but let’s start there.
I have no problem with non-consent themes. In fact, I specifically came here because someone told me “they’re held at gunpoint and have to mate in front of the FMC’s husband.” If that’s also not your thing, you might want to reconsider reading this.
So I came here for all the non-con, the monster, and the forced breeding. What I didn’t sign up for nor find in any trigger warnings is the forced miscarriage (without the FMC’s knowledge that the MMC caused it!) followed by trouble conceiving for years afterwards.
I also felt like the combination of the various themes in this book with the regency era didn’t work well for me. I didn’t find either FMC nor MMC to be particularly likeable, the guilt they both experienced around what happened to them was awkward and they wallowed in it for what felt like a long time. Then there was an exploration into Kink and a variety of other side plots which I was convinced would turn into a book 2 but then most (but not all) got quickly tied up in the last 10 pages or so.
Sadly, I won’t be reading any other books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews