Her Cruel Empire

The Devil's Plaything, Book 1

Thirty days. One million dollars. A deal with the devil.

I think I've made a terrible mistake…

The auction was supposed to be simple—thirty days of my life for enough money to save my family. What did I get instead?

Eva Novak.

An arms dealer. A coldhearted criminal. The most dangerously beautiful woman I've ever seen.

She steals me away to a castle that belongs to nightmares, where the villagers in the town below cross themselves when she passes by and whisper warnings about women she's made disappear.

Eva's touch makes me forget I should fear her, but she doesn't just want my body. She wants my secrets, my smiles, my stubborn hope that refuses to break even in the darkest places.

And the worst part? I think I'm starting to want her, too.

I came here to save the people I love.

Now I'm not even sure I can save myself.

Her Cruel Empire is the first book in The Devil's Plaything dark Sapphic mafia romance series. For mature listeners.

©2025 Persephone Black (P)2026 Podium Audio

Iciest of the Mafia ice queens.

This book flows well with the mafia series. Has spice and a cliffhanger. Eva is the iciest of the mafia ice queens and there isn’t much about her to like. Robin on the other hand is innocent and sweet.

Possible Spoilers-
It’s not my favorite book from this author. I felt that Eva, though she said she was against human trafficking still bought Robin and “got what she paid for.” Robin was sweet and innocent claiming to not know what she really signed up for. The biggest reason this isn’t my favorite, is because there is no consent. She gets her home and demands sex. Eva claimed to have saved Robin from horrible men at an auction just to turn around and treat her no differently than the men would have. This book didn’t make me feel a connection between the MCs but maybe that’s what book two will bring.

Loved it!!!!

Can’t wait for the next one to come out on audio!!!! This might be one of my favorites she has wrote so far!

As soon as the ice starts to melt another frost forms

Persephone Black writes morally gray characters that pull you in, or purchase you, in this case, and make you want to surrender. This one might make your heart hurt a bit as it ends on a cliffhanger. I’m rooting for Robyn to catch a break and for Eva to let go of a ruthless legacy. Allie Shae and Quinn Riley give outstanding performances that make you feel all of the pleasure and pain.

similar to hades but more sub /dom dynamic

I love these series and how they all tie together and the suspense is real

my favorite from this author

I love, love, love the absolute ice queen, Eva. If you're into ice queens, give all this author's books a try, but Eva is truly the iciest. Loved and book and the audio makes it even better. Bravo, Quinn Riley and Allie Shae!