Title: Cunning
Author: Aleatha Romig
First published January 19, 2016
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.38
Overview
She’s his pawn. Whatever he wants from her, she’ll give.
One job. No strings attached.
A past that haunts her every move. Lennox “Nox” Demetri is a man who always gets what he wants, even if it means playing with fire.
Was it coincidence that brought Alexandra “Lexi” Mills into his life and his bed? And what will happen when secrets are unveiled and the game changes?
Lexi finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and desire, and Nox is the only one who can save her. From bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a thrilling new tale of dominance and submission, where the line between love and lust is blurred, and the only way out is to keep playing.
With twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Cunning is a dark romance that will leave you breathless.
About the Author
Meet Aleatha Romig, an Indiana-based New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. She spent her early years in Mishawaka and earned her degree from Indiana University.
Aleatha lives with her husband, who is also her high school sweetheart, and they have raised three children together. Before she became a full-time writer, she worked as a dental hygienist during the day and wrote stories by night.
When she’s not busy crafting mind-bending plot twists, Aleatha enjoys spending time with her loved ones and reading. She also has a passion for creating complex heroes and anti-heroes that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Aleatha made her debut in August 2011 with CONSEQUENCES, which became a bestselling series with five novels and two companion books published between 2011 and 2015. The gripping and expansive story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has captivated more than 500,000 readers.
Her first stand-alone thriller, INSIDIOUS, was released in 2014 as part of her TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE series, which features standalone thrillers that showcase Aleatha’s signature twisted style with an added dose of heat.
In 2015, Aleatha embarked on a new journey into the world of dark romantic suspense with the publication of BETRAYAL, the first book in her INFIDELITY series. This five-novel series has taken the literary world by storm with its captivating storyline.
Aleatha also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer and published INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK, two gripping mystery/thriller novels in 2016.
In 2017, Aleatha released her first standalone novel, PLUS ONE, a fun and steamy romantic comedy. She followed it up with ONE NIGHT and ANOTHER ONE.
Her writing spans across various genres, including erotic romance novellas in her INDULGENCE series.
Aleatha returned to her dark roots in 2018 with WEB OF SIN, a dark romantic trilogy featuring a new anti-hero. The Sparrow Webs series continued with TANGLED WEB, WEB OF DESIRE, and the upcoming DANGEROUS WEB.
Aleatha is a proud member of NINC and PEN America and is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Wildfire Marketing represents her marketing efforts.
Editoral Review
Cunning by Aleatha Romig is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Published on January 19, 2016, the book is a prime example of the genre, with unexpected plot twists, complex characters, and a foreboding sense of danger that permeates every page.
Romig is a master of suspense, and her ability to create intricate webs of intrigue is on full display in Cunning. The book follows the story of Araneae McCrie, a young woman who is forced to enter a world of deception and danger when she is kidnapped and held captive by a mysterious man named Sterling Sparrow.
Araneae soon learns that Sparrow is not what he seems, and as she tries to unravel the secrets that he is keeping from her, she finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into a world of lies and deceit.
Romig’s writing style is elegant and engaging, and she expertly weaves together multiple plot threads to create a narrative that is both intricate and compelling. Her characters are complex and multifaceted, and she does an excellent job of exploring their motivations and desires.
Although the book is primarily a thriller, it also delves into deeper themes such as power, control, and the nature of human relationships.
One of the strengths of Cunning is Romig’s ability to keep readers guessing. There are numerous plot twists and surprises throughout the book, and just when readers think they have everything figured out, Romig throws another curveball their way.
The pacing is also spot-on, with the tension building steadily throughout the book until it reaches a satisfying and dramatic conclusion.
However, there are a few weaknesses in the book that are worth noting. Some readers may find the plot to be overly convoluted, with too many twists and turns that can be difficult to follow.
Additionally, some of the characters may come across as one-dimensional, with their motivations and actions feeling forced or contrived at times.
Despite these minor flaws, Cunning is an excellent book that will appeal to fans of the psychological thriller genre. Romig’s writing is top-notch, and her ability to create tension and suspense is truly impressive.
The book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery, and it is sure to keep readers guessing until the very end.
Overall, I would highly recommend Cunning to anyone who is looking for a thrilling and engaging read. The book is well-written, well-paced, and full of surprises, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers.
I would give it a score of 4 out of 5 stars, based on its strong character development, engaging plot, and expertly crafted suspense.
