Gangsters and Dolls 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review & Giveaway Tour
Dirty Hearts
Gangsters and Dolls Book 1
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Mafia Romance
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Click HERE for Sandy’s review of DIRTY HEARTS
Claudius
Rule #1 of being mafia boss- Trust no one.
Rule # 2- Keep your friends and enemies damn close. In the underground world, friends and enemies could be the same thing. Don’t let them know who you love…
My story started out with a guy who liked a girl.
She looked like an angel to him.
I was the guy, Ava the angel.
But… my life turned into this world where I got married to her twin sister and Ava hated me.
Then I got caught in a game with the devil I didn’t want to play.
My enemies used my weaknesses against me, and killed my wife.
Ava could have died too so I stayed away.
The universe, however, had other ideas and threw her right back in my path.
An angel like her didn’t belong in the dark world of a Mafia boss.
I know that, except, I’m selfish.
I should leave her alone, but I can’t.
The problem is …history is repeating itself, and there’s an enemy in my circle.
It’s the same game as before and this time losing could get her killed.
Ava
Avoid him…
That was the most sensible thing to do.
Ten years ago, when I first met Claudius, I knew he was trouble.
He’d made me love’s fool and broke my heart in so many ways when he married my sister.
So, what was I doing running back into the arms of a man I shouldn’t be with?
Coincidence reunited us, but my heart did the rest.
My heart stifled the voice inside that told me to run away.
My heart made me selfish…
I wanted him for myself.
I knew I shouldn’t be with him, but I couldn’t leave him alone.
That very thing could be my downfall.
This isn’t like any other second chance romance you’ve read before…
Dirty Heartsis a standalone, full-length mafia romance and a part of the Gangsters and Dolls series.
Gangsters and Dolls series is a spin off from The Accidental Mafia Queen series. Continue the adventure with these sizzling hot, drool-worthy Alpha males.
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Stolen Kisses
Gangsters and Dolls Book 2
by Khardine Gras
Release Date:August 10, 2019
Genre: Mafia Romance
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Dante
Everyone knows who I am: Dante Giordano, capo to the new Chicago Mafia boss and member of the infamous Four.
Ruthless and bad to the bone. That’s me.
Don’t be fooled by my good looks and charm.
I’m a dangerous man and I get what I want.
Women, money, power. It all comes easy to me.
All of it… except her…
20% Angel, 80% devil…
The night Maria stormed back into my life, she reminded me I never had her.
Killing me softly with that body made for sin and her beautiful eyes, everything about her was temptation.
One taste and I wanted more. So much more.
The problem was, she knows I’m bad news and she’s already running from trouble.
Her ex-con ex wants her dead.
I don’t care who he is, he doesn’t know who he’s messing with.
Nothing’s going to stop me from protecting her.
I get what I want. And I want her to be mine.
Maria
I was the girl who had to pick the worst bad guy, and I never learned my lesson.
I witnessed my abusive ex murder a man in cold blood, and he knows I’m the one who told the cops it was him.
When he gets mysteriously cleared of all charges I know I’m as good as dead.
I’m fleeing for life and I have to protect my son.
It’s not a good idea to run from one bad guy to another.
Yet that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Being with Dante is exactly that.
Tall, dark and sinfully gorgeous.
That’s him.
The spark that sizzles between us draws me in.
His touch ignites something deep inside me I should deny.
He’s a mistake, yet everything I need…
The problem was, I know he’s bad news, but I also have a secret.
One that could make him turn from me.
I never meant for any of this to happen.
Stolen Kisses is a standalone, full-length mafia romance and a part of the Gangsters and Dolls series.
REVIEW: STOLEN KISSES is the second instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult GANGSTERS AND DOLLS erotic, mafia romance series. This is thirty-five year old, Chicago Mafia capo Dante Giordano, and thirty-one year old, Maria Ferrara’s story line. STOLEN KISSES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. The Gangsters and Dolls series is a spin off from the author’s Mafia Queen series.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Dante and Maria) using present day and memories from the past, STOLEN KISSES follows the best friend’s brother relationship between thirty-five year old, Chicago Mafia capo Dante Giordano, and thirty-one year old, Maria Ferrara. Ten years earlier Dante’s sister, and Maria’s best friend Christina Giordano was murdered by an unknown assailant. Five years later Maria would head to Florida in an effort to start anew. Fast forward to present day wherein Maria has returned to Chicago in an effort to protect her four year old son Flynn from her ex-husband whose recent release from prison has sent our heroine on the run. Enter Chicago Mafic capo Dante Giordano, the man whom Maria has never stopped loving. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Maria and Dante; the ongoing search for Christina’s killer as Maria struggles with secrets from the past.
Maria Ferrera is in trouble. With the recent releae of her ex-husband from prison Maria is desperate to find shelter and security for their four year old son. Never expecting to face Dante Giordano, old feelings resurface when Dante proclaims Maria as his own. Dante Giordano blames himself for his sister’s murder, a murder he was unable to prevent. For the past ten years Dante has searched for his sister’s killer but recent events will bring new information to light.
The relationship between Dante and Maria is a best friend’s brother romance. Dante had lusted after Maria Ferrara but Marie had eyes for someone else. Christina’s death drove a wedge between Dante and Maria, a wedge that would push deeper when secrets are revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of energetic and colorful characters including Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, and his wife Ava; Claudius brother Lucian; former Mafia Don Marcus Morientz; Gio, and Alex; as well as Maria’s son Flynn; her aunt Vira, and cousin Sophia. The requisite evil has many faces.
STOLEN KISSES is a fast paced story of family, friendship, betrayal, and love; a story of power and control; of murder, lust and greed. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are dynamic and edgy.
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Remember When We
Gangsters and Dolls Book 3
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Mafia Romance
Release Date: August 10, 2019
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Gio
She was my best friend’s little sister.
That meant she was forbidden to me.
Women like her didn’t belong in our dark world.
Didn’t stop me though…
She’s the good girl I never should have touched.
I went where I shouldn’t and lost track of the dangers that lurked around us.
My irresponsibility cost my best friend, her brother, his life.
I left home to keep her safe… and I knew leaving would break her heart.
Guilt made me stay away, and I found peace in knowing she was better without me.
I never planned to return, but guilt brought me back for my uncles’ funeral.
I knew better than to tempt fate. I’m one of the capo’s to the new Chicago Mafia boss and a member of the infamous Four.
But ,when I saw her again I forgot all the reasons why I was bad for her.
All the reasons why I left.
Leaving her once was hard.
Leaving her twice feels like a mistake I don’t want to make.
Especially when I think she’s in trouble…
Lyssa
I was innocent before him.
The same way I knew not to get involved with a man like him, I knew it was wrong to hide the child he never knew he had.
When I saw Gio again I caved and gave into the temptation of him.
God forbid if he finds out my secrets.
Yes, secrets.
He has a son he didn’t know about and I made a deal with a devil who wants my body as payment if my father can’t pay his debts.
It’s all a nightmare I want to escape.
When I’m with Gio I want him to save me, but I don’t want him to break me like he did last time.
I want to be his like I was before, and remember when we belonged to each other.
Remember when we made love under the stars and I thought that was our forever.
Remember when we laughed together and I felt I had everything.
Remember when we… were us.
It feels like a dream my heart wants, but the nightmare is far from over.
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REVIEW:REMEMBER WHEN WE is the third instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult GANGSTERS AND DOLLS erotic, mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s Accidental Mafia Queen series. This is thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia capo Gio Bianchi, and twenty-eight year old, Lyssa Carson’s story line. REMEMBER WHEN WE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Gio and Lyssa) using present day and memories from the past, following two intersecting paths, REMEMBER WHEN WE follows the rebuilding romance between thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia capo Gio Bianchi, and twenty-eight year old, Lyssa Carson. Eight years earlier Gio’s best friend and Lyssa’s brother Marshall Carson was killed. Angry with himself, and his inability to prevent the death of his friend, Gio leaves Philadelphia walking out of Lyssa’s life leaving heartbreak, pain and words said in anger in the wake. Fast forward to present day, Gio is now a capo in the Chicago mob, but must return to Philadelphia when information comes to light that Marshall’s murder was more than anyone could have imagined. Seeing the woman he betrayed came with memories of the past, but a woman whose secrets were about to destroy them all. What ensues is the second chance romance between Gio and Lyssa, and the potential fall-out as past mistakes demand payment, and Gio battles between head and heart when the truth is revealed.
Gio Bianchi blamed himself for Marshall Carson’s death but a copy of the coroner’s report reveals something no one could ever have imagined. Searching for the truth Gio, along with the help of PI Gibbs, Dante and Claudius, will begin an investigation of his own that will bring Gio back to where it all began. Lyssa Carson was destroyed the day Gio pushed her out of his life. Words said in anger and guilt found Lyssa on the receiving end of Gio’s caustic diatribe meant to hurt and break. But Lyssa’s life was about to change, and Gio was no longer along for the ride.
The relationship between Gio and Lyssa is one of second chances: a best friend’s little sister; a rebuilding romance between two people pulled apart by death and destruction. Gio has never stopped loving our story line heroine but Lyssa struggles with the angry words and accusations years before. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, capo Dante Giordano, PI Gibbs, as well as Lyssa’s father Paul Carson. The requisite evil has many faces.
REMEMBER WHEN WE is a story of betrayal and vengeance; reflection, regret and forgiveness; love and happily ever after. The premise is fast paced, engaging and intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is provocative and hot. REMEMBER WHEN WE is a heart breaking story of second chances, loss and moving forward.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
Khardine Gray is a USA Today Bestselling author who loves writing sizzling hot contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance.
Her books have sexy, drool-worthy heroes who will make you melt, and sassy, fun loving, ambitious heroines.
She simply adores her readers and loves spoiling them.
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Wonderful reviews, thanks Sandy. Congratulations to Khardine on the new release.
Great review, Sandy. Looks very good.
Hmm, Mafia romances. A genre that I’m not familiar with. Thanks for the wonderful reviews,
Great book covers.
Q: Did Ms. Gray ever visited any of the cities that are mentioned in the books? What kind of research was used for said settings?
great reviews, sandy. sounds like very good stories to read.
Great reviews, thanks Sandy.
Great reviews, Sandy. Thanks.
Thanks for the wonderful reviews Sandy.
Very nice reviews, thanks Sandy.
Great review, thanks SAndy. Looks like a wonderful series.
Wonderful review, thanks Sandy.
Great review, Sandy. Thanks.