Bone Mother Chronicles, 1
Ella has spent her life buried in ash.
Trapped in a decaying manor ruled by a cruel stepmother and haunted by restless spirits, she survives by staying silent and invisible. But when the kingdom announces the Crescent Moon Ball, Ella makes a desperate bargain with the ancient entity known as the Bone Mother.
In exchange for a gown, a carriage, and three nights at the prince’s ball, Ella gives up pieces of herself … her reflection, her memories, and eventually her very identity.
Prince Robert carries a curse of his own. Born into a bloodline bound to darkness, the ball is his final chance to find a bride powerful enough to balance the monster growing inside him.
The moment Robert and Ella meet, their connection ignites.
But magic always demands payment.
And the Bone Mother never forgets a debt.
In this dark Cinderella retelling, a cursed prince meets the girl the kingdom tried to bury. Two monsters fall in love … and together they might burn the kingdom to the ground.
Be Warned: anal sex
Excerpt:
I lean in. “Will you come with me?”
She tilts her head and smiles like a hungry she-wolf. “And if I say yes?”
I return her smile. “I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.”
Once more she places her palm against mine. A tingle runs from my palm through the rest of my body as I lead her out of the ballroom and down a hallway. I push open the first door we reach and escort her inside. Behind me, I lock the door, needing to know we will not be interrupted.
Turning, I see that I have closed us in the library. Ella walks along the shelves, her fingers skimming along the titles, her beauty bathed in moonlight.
“Did you bring me here to read me a fairytale?” she asks, but I can hear the laughter she tries to hide.
“A fairytale is the furthest thing from my mind,” I reply, crossing the room to reach her. I turn her around to face me and back her against the bookshelf.
A gasp falls from her lips as she stares up at me with her azure-colored gaze. I don’t ask for permission or give her a chance to push me away before my lips descend on hers. I kiss her like I have been craving for years, like this moment is the only one I will ever have.
She melts in my grip, kissing me back. Her arms twine around my neck as her fingers sift through my hair. A shiver of pleasure works through my body as my hands glide down her sides to grip her hips, roughly. She moans loudly and I feel my darkness taking hold.
Slowly, I step away from her. Her face is flushed, her breasts heaving beneath the dark material of her gown.
“Take off your dress,” I demand.
She smiles demurely. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I want to fuck you in nothing but those fucking shoes.”
She blushes deeply but does as I ask. Slowly, she pushes the straps from her shoulders and allows the material to skim her body before pooling around her feet. My mouth dries as she steps away from her dress and toward me. She is beautifully naked, and I can’t help but lick my lips. I want to lay her on the carpet and feast on her body, but I know we don’t have the time for that tonight. Once I have chosen her as my bride, I can do whatever I want.
For now, I just need to feel her around me.
This is an amazing dark retelling of Cinderella. Jade Marshall outdid herself for sure. Loved the evil magic approach, including the curses, Fairy Godmother reinvented (Bone Mother), Robert and Ella trying to set their own future against all odds, Ella not being as innocent as the classic, etc. A pager turner full of action and suspense. An incredible first book for a new series.
I absolutely love retelling of fairy tales and like the originals this was written for a very adult audience. Jade Marshall ‘s writing is amazing. Every detail of this cursed story is fantastically haunted. These two monsters bound by blood lines and blood magic are drawn to each other and together find themselves unstoppable. I loved this book it was an excellent read and perfect way to start off this new series. I can’t wait for the next book.
This is a beautifully written dark Cinderella retelling. At nine, stepmother enters Ella's life (Ella never learned her actual name) with her porcelain monster daughters. Robert is the prince, cursed due to his father's desperation for power... Ella and Robert eventually come together and when they do- it's magical. Yes, there is an HEA, but it's not your typical one; it's one that fits with the melancholy feel of the book. Definitely give it a try.
This is indeed a dark retelling of Cinderella, so don't expect a fairytale ending though they did have their own happy ending.
This is not your Disney version of singing, dancing, and polite interchanges. Velvet & Venom is a darker, grittier, more dramatic tale of curses and mystical elements that create a sense of foreboding desires and revenge. Book 1 in a new, adults only, series.
Velvet & Venom by Jade Marshall is a dark, intoxicating start to the Bone Mother Chronicles. The world-building is rich and atmospheric, pulling you into a gritty, dangerous world where power and desire collide. The heroine is fierce and captivating, while the hero brings a magnetic, morally gray edge that keeps you guessing. Their chemistry is sharp, seductive, and layered with tension that simmers beneath every interaction. With twists, intrigue, and a hauntingly beautiful tone, this book is perfect for readers who love dark fantasy romance with bite.
The Ending that Begins A quick darkish read. A tale of magic and ancient things. A story we've heard before though written differently. The Prince and the girl of ash living a story they didnt write. Dreams, hopes and the need to been seen. Curses from the roots of darkness are eager for their due. Nicely done.
This was quite the dark retelling of Cinderella and a wild reading ride. With blood magic, curses and monsters, well, I was fully drawn into this new world. Robert and Ella both suffer curses, in their own ways, and are rather broken. Don't expect the 'norm' of the glass slipper - everything is unique and dark. Drama, danger, curses, magic and spicy romance abound in this intense read. I'm really looking forward to the next book :D
Robert and Ella A dark and twisted Cinderella retelling with a splash of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast I’m sure there were others in there, but it was an intriguing storyline, and even though I found myself confused at times, I enjoyed it.
Surprisingly good. I usually do not read fairytale retellings, but this one is by one of my favorite authors. It's Cinderella except dark. Ella and Robert have great chemistry and balance each other out. I liked this book.
![](\"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-21532/images/stencil/original/image-manager/epeditorseal91.png?t=1673389376\")