Shrouded in mystery and scandal Dark Descent into Desire has all the hallmarks of a genre classic with Sorel’s particular brand of erotic tension proving convincing, complicated and sensual.

A novel of this sort not only depends on the chemistry between its characters but risks making readers nervous if it doesn’t find the right balance between the plausible and the bizarre. Get it wrong and it becomes absurd but Sorel has it down to a fine art.

Her strategy is to never tell us too much whilst her more erotic scenes prove both visual and tactile.  A lot of this is down to Blake and Penelope being perfectly pitched along with Sorel’s ability to make their relationship convincing and as with her previous releases, Dark Descent into Desire proves much more than a soft-core escapade.

Sexual experimentation is one thing, but the real human personality is something else, something incomparably deeper and more valuable and it’s the humanistic element of eroticism that Sorel conveys so well. Yes, there’s a degree of erotic brinksmanship but one of the strengths of Sorel’s plot is how thoughtful it is and how clearly it reveals what really happens between her characters. How the secrets Blake and Penelope harbour gradually emerge and how they find the strengths in each other so that their story’s ending belongs completely to them.

A five-star racy read with never a dull moment fans of Sorel’s novels will love her latest release with Dark Descent into Desire being unreservedly recommended    Book Viral Reviews ★★★★★

J.J. Sorel has crafted a compelling, steamy read with a fantastic cast of supporting characters. The mixture of suspense, romance, and hot scenes rides along perfectly against the London backdrop. Both Penny and Blake are written perfectly. You fall for them in an instant, especially Penny--the starving artist--who has to deal with a drug addict mother and a pretty grim life. Blake offers up his secrets slowly, keeping you intrigued enough to tolerate his initial arrogance. Though the suspense combines fantastically with the development of Penny and Blake's relationship, it was their times together that kept me hooked the most. Each time they connected, the desire between them was patent, and I couldn't wait to read more. Blake develops into fantastic hero material and you can see why Penny would fall for him. Though their first time together happened quicker than I expected, it read perfectly. The chemistry and pure need for one another isn't something easily forgotten. If you're after a visceral, steamy, well-craft romance, I'd highly recommend this book. The addition of twists, turns, and suspense makes it far more than just your average billionaire romance, and I would imagine most romance readers would find this a fascinating and lingering read. ★★★★★

"Dark Descent into Desire", by J.J. Sorel, is aptly titled. There is a dark descent into desire here, and the author is the one to take you there.

This isn't your average billionaire romance story, and to call it chick lit would be a gross disservice, although there are some chick lit passages and phrases. One might be tempted to search for similarities that echo "50 Shades of Grey," but  "Dark Descent into Desire" is deeper and richer, thanks to Sorel's wording and character-building skills. The characters are credible and seem fully fleshed-out; not just caricatures tossed into a Gothic romance salad. Penny and Blake are people you could know in your own life, and live with issues that you can relate to--a parent with substance use issues? Co-dependency? Dysfunction? Secrets? A yearning to escape and be loved?

But besides the interesting elements of the characters, the novel uses multi-faceted plot lines that are solid enough, but--and here goes my slight criticism--there are a couple of scenes that are borderline creepy and violent, but I won't give spoilers here. Rather than the explicit sex scenes, I found myself more interested in how Blake and Penny slowly reveal themselves and their secrets to each other, and the thread of addiction in all its forms running through the fabric of the story. These frank scenes take nothing from Sorel's wonderful writing, however, and the build of the couple's relationship is suspenseful, the payoff well-earned.

The starving-artist-meets-damaged-billionaire aspect is appealing in its own right. After all, opposites do attract, and create conflict and drama, sometimes with devastating results. But it's the way Sorel writes the story that keeps the reader invested. She has a poet's way with words, a classical approach to language while using modern phrasing and situations, with stiletto attention to details and descriptions. Penny and Blake are so realized that you want to read more about them, and you aren't happy that the story has to end, even though it must. It's easy to get lost in this story. And isn't that what a good romance should be about?

If you think you aren't a fan of Gothic romance, you've been reading the wrong books for too long. Give "Dark Descent into Desire" a chance, and you will discover a new twist on an old genre hidden between the covers. ★★★★★

Loaded with passion and sizzling sex, this is a steamy romance done right…

Sorel’s latest is not only packed with scintillating love scenes but it is also hefty on plot and characterization. The handsome billionaire Blake Sinclair doesn’t do “relationships”, but the beautiful Penelope Green makes her way into his heart with her sheer honesty and feistiness. When the ghosts from Blake’s past resurface and threaten to destroy his present, he must do everything in his power to set things right. Though it’s sheer lust that makes Blake fall for Penelope, his journey to respecting and then loving her is genuinely sweet. Whereas the storyline is wholly engrossing, it’s the sizzling chemistry and the steamy sex scenes between Blake and Penelope that give this spicy romance its heart. Romance readers craving intelligent plotting and the passion hot enough to melt a snowbank will savor this pitch-perfect love story.

Note: This title is free on Kindle Unlimited.