Sea of Snakes

Blood and Sand, Book 1

By: Heidi Stark

Narrated by: Storylord

I've been kidnapped by a dangerous man, and am being used as collateral while my father comes up with the funds to pay off his debt (sadly not the worst thing he’s ever done although it’s up there), and if he doesn't come up with the cash soon I'll be auctioned off to the highest bidder. In the meantime, four gorgeous men are tasked with keeping me in their control and protecting me, and they take their role very seriously.

Zeke, Skyler, Dom and Rake—they grew up on this island and are in charge of protecting its various interests. They’re used to being in control of everything here. Including the surf.

But they’re not the only people to be concerned about. I'm tough in my own way. I can tell that they want all of me, to take me over like they do everything else. But five can play this game, and I'm not good at losing.

**Sea of Snakes is a full-length dark new adult romance containing themes of violence, love-hate, and enemies-to-lovers.

©2023 Heidi Stark (P)2023 Heidi Stark

Loved the storyline!

Great storyline and loved the narrator! Quick story and not too over complicated or too dark. Well done! Definitely recommend this one! 👏🏻

Sea of Snakes!

This is an interesting and intriguing reverse harem story. Why choose, right? Beware, this is a dark romance with definite triggers. This is the first story in the "Blood and Sand" series. The story is about Devon, Zeke, Skyler, Dom and Rake. The story is intense and captivating! I think the narrations helps bring the characters and their story to life; it was well done.

3.5 Stars

I want very much to love this story; I thought from the blurb that I would, but alas it's 3.5 at best for me. The writing is decent, but the story and the characters present problems which I hate to articulate. It's billed as a dark romance, and I suppose that there are a few dark elements (she is being held against her will), but the "dark" stuff is mild at best, and the characters are so wishy-washy about their "darker" sides and their morality that it feels almost like the author forgot what personality she'd given them, or more likely that she wanted them to be bad, but redeemable, so they just fell a bit flat. Also, all the characters are supposed to be in their mid-30s-mid-40s, but they are sooooo very clearly not that mature or truly experienced; they are written as quite juvenile and inconsistent which made me wonder if I'd accidentally switched stories a few times. It's not a bad story; not at all. It has so much potential to be great, and I wish it were, as-is, but it needs some tweaking to get there. Also, how exactly do these characters "protect and defend" their island, and from what? Because that's never really addressed, despite being a repeated "reason" for their behaviors. They seem to let a lot of bad things happen, and what "power" do they actually have--perhaps those things will be addressed in future stories. There's a LOT of telling in this story, and not a lot of allowing things to happen. The female character is tough and I mostly liked her; except, again, IF she were a 35 year old woman with a clear alcohol dependence, and her father had done and had allowed to be done all those awful things to her, and she was apparently independent and intelligent and capable, and could make her own way in the world, why was she still going on vacations with this man who had caused her so much trauma and grief; it's a convenient plot device to get her to the island, but logically, it doesn't make sense for it to be about a trust fund. So again, there is a lot of potential here, but it's a bit of a mess that could be tightened up and made great; and perhaps the characters ages should be moved down at least a decade to make sense with their personalities as they are written. I think I'd read the next story in the series, but I wouldn't rush out to devour it. I hope that these little issues will be resolved as it evolves because I really did want to love this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Naughty Surfers

This was my first book by Heidi Stark. The book starts off with clear warnings it contains triggers, reader beware. First couple of chapters in, and I was not certain if this book was for me. I am so glad I stuck with it. It was absolutely fantastic! I am hooked. I spent a while hunting for the next book in audio, before I found out this is the only one so far. I so wanted to start the next book immediately. Just WOW, excellent job! The story is not typical or predictive. It has an interesting plot, well developed characters, and a sensual dark side. It is intense. It is not one you listen to while doing other things. I found it took my whole attention, because I did not want to miss anything! If you like dark romances, this is a must read! The narration was great. The voices, cadence, and overall vocalization was perfect. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

That voice is amazing grab this book you won’t regret it

The Narrator (Storylord) did an amazing job narrating this book for the guys. He tried for the girls POV but I think a girl would have made it better and easier to keep up with but man he did an amazing job sounded just like what I picture a surfer to sound like and he really brought these characters to life.

The Author made these characters so real feeling that the narrator had such as easy time pulling you into this audiobook. You really get so lost you forget who is speaking (thus it would help to have the female voice but it so does not ruin the experience). This book I thought was very well written and I enjoyed the plot. I love how all the characters grow together to better not only themselves but the group. What starts out as a kidnapping / human trafficking quickly becomes so much more to the five main characters. You find yourself rooting for them and wanting them to make it and come up with a plan to save her and themselves. You will have to read the book to find out though. I highly recommend the audiobook and the book. I happened to have received her audiobook from booksprout but I got the ebook from amazon too because once I started the audiobook I was hooked and had to read it when I couldn't listen and vice versa. You will love this audiobook and book. So grab it and listen you won’t be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.