TITLE: Empire of Ache & Ruin
Trilogy: Empire of Ruin #1
AUTHOR: Diana A. Hicks
GENRE: Contemporary Dark Romance
TROPES: Forbidden/Virgin Auction/Billionaire
Revenge/Brother's Best Friend/He Falls First
RELEASE DATE: May 6, 2025
BLURB.
"Stay away from me, Little Dove. I'm exactly the monster you think I am." - Archer
The ballet performance of my life ends with a forbidden auction.
My older brother’s best friend is the highest bidder.
Now he’s here to claim his prize…me.
But the reclusive billionaire is no knight in shining armor.
Though I’m irrevocably drawn to him, I know something sinister lurks beneath those steely blue eyes.
I must protect my family, even if it means losing myself in the process.
A Note from Diana: Empire of Ache & Ruin is a 150k-word romance novel. It's book one in the Empire of Ruin Trilogy, featuring Archer/Tristan and Paloma. This Beauty and the Beast retelling is about never letting go. Check TW
PURCHASE LINKS.
Free in Kindle Unlimited.
COMING SOON.
AMAZON
MY REVIEW.
4.5 Stars from Tiffany!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Whew, What a Read!!
This first book in the Empire of Ruin Trilogy lays it all out in just about 500 pages—something I’ll admit I became a little obsessed with. I only get to read in my spare time (which isn’t much lately), so a book of this size can start to feel a bit heavy. That said, I really liked the story and had to keep going.
Tristan is on a revenge tour and decides Paloma is coming with him, whether she likes it or not. He has a tragic past that’s fueled his anger for years, and when his plan finally starts to unfold, he never expects the beautiful woman he met just a few nights ago to throw him off course. Paloma, a professional ballet dancer, has lived an extremely sheltered life. Her father, a senator, is a worthless human being, as he’s drowning in debt and living way beyond his means. He’s connected to Tristan’s past, and, unknowingly, sells Paloma to the very man out for revenge.
While I liked both characters right away, I had to keep reminding myself how sheltered and spoiled Paloma had been her whole life—because she acted much younger than twenty-five. The way she spoke to Tristan and her behavior at times came off as immature and naive.
The book is well-written and seriously sexy once it gets going. I’ll admit I did some skimming here and there, just wanting the pace to pick up. As the first in a series, it introduces a whole cast of supporting characters, with plenty of background and backstory. It’s a lot, but it adds depth—and overall, it’s a strong story. We’re left with one heck of a cliffhanger, and yep—I’ll definitely be back for more.
AUTHOR BIO.
DIANA A. HICKS is an award-winning author of steamy, new adult romance with a heavy dose of suspense.
When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.
Praise for Diana A. Hicks:
"Hicks' first installment of her Desert Monsoon series is confident and assured with strong storytelling, nuanced characters, and a dynamic blend of romance and suspense...A sexy and irresistible tale for fans of contemporary romance." - Kirkus Reviews
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