BROKEN ANGEL / DELICATE ANGEL (Umarova Crime Family 1 & 2) by Ivy Black and Elizabeth Knox-reviews

BROKEN ANGEL
Umarova Crime Family 1
by Ivy Black and Elizabeth Knox
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, Bratva, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 17, 2023

He’s gone without a trace, but I know his heart is still beating.

RUSLAN

The men who shackled me here were told not to kill me. They should have when they had the chance. Now, I’m going to take them out one by one.

Once I figure out who’s behind this, I won’t hold back my anger. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and I’ll make sure to hit them where it hurts the most.

But as soon as I’m free, I’m going to find her first.

The thief who may not be a thief… unless it’s matters of the heart. She clenches mine in her fist, and I don’t want her to let go.

AMELIA

The handsome Russian man I had a one-night stand with is gone. All I’m left with is the sickening realization he helped me make – that my ex-boyfriend stole my identity, and I’ve been paying off his debt.

Ruslan could have helped me out of this mess, but now that he’s disappeared, I have no one on my side. I have to find him.

Not just because I owe him… because I can’t be without him.

••••••

REVIEW: BROKEN ANGEL is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult UMAROVA CRIME FAMILY, dark, erotic, romance series-a spin off/interconnected series with Elizabeth Knox’s STEELE BROTHERS SERIES. This is Chechen Bratva leader, Ruslan Umarova, and Amelia’s story line. BROKEN ANGEL can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the Steele Brothers series where Amelia and Ruslan’s story begins.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ruslan and Amelia) BROKEN ANGEL follows in the wake of the abduction of Ruslan Umarova. Ruslan is missing, and Amelia is desperate for his return. Seven weeks without a word ends when Ruslan is rescued by his brother Lom, wherein he will reveal the betrayal at the hands of someone close. Vengeance is Ruslan’s to mete out but finding the person responsible may take a little more time. Meanwhile, Amelia continues to struggle with the accusations against her, and the theft of her identity that have left her broke but when Amelia’s ex boyfriend continues to circle our story line heroine, Ruslan takes control, ferreting out the truth, and the people involved. What ensues is the continuing romance and relationship between Ruslan and Amelia, and Ruslan’s ascension to the top of the Umarova family.

The relationship between Ruslan and Amelia began in the Steele Brothers series, a relationship predicated on betrayal and lies. Amelia was Ruslan’s target, a means to an end for a perceived betrayal by someone else. Amelia has fallen for the man who could destroy her heart but the abduction of Ruslan pushed Amelia to open her life to the man she would love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters including Amelia’s mother, and her cousin Emily; Ruslan’s brother Lom; his right hand man Danill, as well as Ruslan and Lom’s mother, their step-father, and half-siblings Nazyr and Eset. Lom and EMily’s story is next.The requisite evil has many faces.

BROKEN ANGEL is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, abuse and torture, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, gritty, dramatic and intense; the romance is seductive but not without some scenes of questionable conduct; the characters are powerful, energetic, broken but trying to heal.

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DELICATE ANGEL
Umarova Crime Family 2
by Ivy Black and Elizabeth Knox
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, Bratva, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 17, 2023

There are a million reasons not to date the Russian mobster… I forget all of them the moment he touches me.

LOM

Pretty Emily won’t leave my mind after our make out session. My brother might kill me if I try something with his girl’s cousin, but I don’t know if I can hold back.

Especially when she makes me so jealous, so possessive, it’s impossible to stay away from her.

I shouldn’t be focusing on her. I should be thinking about the family, the money, the blood I have to spill. But every thought revolves around sweet Emily.

I’m losing my mind…

EMILY

I want the happy ending my cousin has, but something tells me I won’t find it in the arms of a Russian mobster… But I’m happy to ignore that nagging voice, as long as Lom keeps touching me.

We’ve done things. Things I want to regret, but I don’t, because I only want more.

When someone close to me threatens me with blackmail, I know Lom could help me. But asking him means exposing our relationship. Is it strong enough to withstand this?

•••••

REVIEW: DELICATE ANGEL is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult UMAROVA CRIME FAMILY erotic, Bratva romance series focusing on the Umarova family-a spin off from Elizabeth Knox’s STEELE BROTHERS series. This is Lom Umarova, and twenty-six year old, real estate sales person/designer Emily Matherson’s story line. DELICATE ANGEL can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an ongoing premise throughout. Emily and Lom’s story begins in book one Broken Angel.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Emily and Lom) DELICATE ANGEL follows the continuing relationship between Lom Umarova and Emily Matherson. Emily Matherson is Lom’s brother Ruslan’s fiancé Amelia’s best friend, and as such Lom and Emily find themselves friends with benefits but Lom has been asked to return to Chechnya, to take his place alongside his brother Ruslan, controlling the Umarova Crime Family. As Lom and Emily’s relationship becomes more serious, work for Emily becomes complicated and dangerous, forcing Emily to make a decision, affecting her life going forward. Emily is being blackmailed forcing her to confront the past, revealing the truth to the man that she loves. Meanwhile the Umarova Crime Family is struggling to ferret out a betrayer, someone who had previously usurped control, threatening the family going forward. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Lom and Emily, as Emily battles between head and heart when her family destroys any hopes of a relationship with their only daughter.

The relationship between Lom and Emily begins as a friends with benefits affair but Lom knows his time in America comes with an expiry date, and Lom is hoping to return to Europe with Emily at his side.Emily’s career was finally taking off but threats at the office, and a proposition from Lom, offers Emily a choice she cannot refuse. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters: Ruslan and Amelia Umarova (Broken Angel), Ruslan and Lom’s half-siblings Nazyr and Eset; Emily’s bodyguard Ludvik; her co-worker Kim, and their boss Michael. The requisite evil has many faces.

DELICATE ANGEL is a story of betrayal and lies, power and control, family and friendships. The fast paced premise is intriguing and detailed but several scenarios/ plot points are improbable-the believability is questionable on many levels; the characters are charismatic and captivating; the romance is passionate and enthusiastic.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy