Review: My Wicked Gladiators by Lauren Hawkeye

My Wicked Gladiators
by Lauren Hawkeye
ebook
Published by Avon Red 
Courtesy of author & Bewitching Book Tours

Alba has spent her entire life pleasing others.
As an upper-class plebeian woman in Ancient Rome, that is her place in life. But when her husband Lucius, the owner of aprestigious gladiatorial school, uses her body as a bargaining tool to increase his fortunes, she is faced with doing as he demands, or finding herself on the street.
Forced to lay with masked gladiators chosen by Lucius, Alba is surprised to discover pleasure in being powerless. Only in the forbidden arms of Caius and Marcus does she find comfort, however temporary it may be.
But with Lucius’ demands looming and the threat of death for her gladiators ever-present, will Alba’s fleeting pleasures be enough? Or will Alba finally grab hold of her happily ever after, no matter the consequences?

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Crystal’s Thoughts:

Travel back in time to ancient Rome and the time of Gladiators with Lauren Hawkeyes dark and delicious novel, My Wicked Gladiators!

Alba is wed to Lucius, owner of a school for champion Gladiators. A tolerant and dutiful wife she always does what is expected of her from her husband, even though he ignores her. A certain Gladiator has caught her eye though; dark, strong and handsome Alba can’t resist his allure. When her husband leaves for business she summons him to her bath chamber knowing that he cannot refuse her. Alba is blissfully sated afterwards but riddled with guilt…until her husband confides that they are in danger of losing everything unless she can bare a child. Formulating a heartless plan for her to breed with one of his Gladiators, Lucian forces Alba to submit. Hoping beyond hope that the Gladiator chosen to breed with her is her Gladiator, Alba is surprised by the pleasure she finds in the masked man’s arms. Disgusted by her husband’s greed and manipulations Alba’s only joy is her time with her Gladiators but when their happiness together is threaten will Alba find the courage to stand up to Lucian and leave all she has behind to save it?

What’s better than a sexy Gladiator willing to fulfill all your fantasies? Two sexy Gladiators of course!

Told in the first person from Alba, though maybe not happy with her lot she is content – a dutiful and docile wife. Soon into the story her attitude begins to change though, first when her husband refuses her which inspires her to seek out the Gladiator Marcus. Alba still believes that Lucian truly loves her though despite his lack of affections. When Lucian coerces her into having sex with a stranger though so that she can become pregnant for the sake of wealth Alba begins to see the truth of the man she married. Lucius, talk about a man that you wanted to strangle. I give Alba props for holding her tongue and it makes me appreciate living in the time we are in, because I couldn’t put up with what she did.

Dark, gritty and sometimes depressing readers journey with Alba as she discovers the strong sensual woman inside of her in a world of politics, greed, sexual depravity and bloodshed. Her story sucked me right in! As Alba sneaks in visits with Marcus she discovers a whole new side of her; one discovery is that she likes to be bound. *waggles eyebrows* But she also starts to develop feelings for the Gladiator that is forced to breed with her, Caius, who is fun and gentle. However, Marcus and Caius already have a loving relationship together and Alba suffers several doubts about herself because of it. Lauren Hawkeye weaves the four different relationships wonderfully and provides scorching scenes that will get your blood firing. And though I really (really, really, really) enjoyed the sexual chemistry and the pages sizzling in my hands I wish more emotion was sprinkled between the sex. There wasn’t a lot of communication between Alba, Caius and Marcus and though understandable with the times and having to steal moments together it affected my ability to connect with the trio until near the end. I really enjoyed watching Alba grow throughout the story though; the woman we meet at the beginning is drastically different than the one we say goodbye to at the end.

A unique and extremely hot erotic romance there are numerous sex scenes and in true Roman fashion they're conducted publicly and frequently in varying styles. With M/M, M/F and M/F/M relationships as well as some light BDSM, prostitution in a sense and anal My Wicked Gladiator definitely has enough to keep erotica fans entertained. Also a plus, there is a helpful glossary of terms at the end. With a seemingly impossible HEA the story will keep you turning the pages and on the edge hoping for just that. My Wicked Gladiators was an enjoyable read that I am glad I picked up. 

*A recommended Ménage read!     Rating: 3.5 but a close 4 - A really good read!