Tag Archives: Khardine Gray

Out of Bounds (Sinful Bachelors 2) by Khardine Gray-Review Tour

Posted on by
10

Out of Bounds (Sinful Bachelors 2) by Khardine Gray-Review Tour

ebook only 99¢ USD Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2021.

How did I end up marrying my high school bully?
I first met Ethan Carson when I was ten.
One look and I knew he was trouble.

He could charm you with his striking blue eyes, his killer smile, and a face that was made for Hollywood. But look closer and you’ll see the devil incarnate who was always a breath away from juvie.

To say we were mortal enemies growing up is an understatement.
I avoided him then, and I continue to do so now, even though he’s a cop—who would have thought. My avoidance tactics worked until the day I needed him. I took one tiny trip to Vegas, where we ended up drinking far too much. Big mistake-as in the mother of all mistakes.

We woke up the next morning in bed!
And neither of us can remember what happened.
But wait, it gets worse. So much worse.
That’s not the only thing we did.

The come-to-Jesus moment hits when I see the wedding ring on my finger.
We got married!
I married the devil.

Of course, I want this craziness fixed—ended—returned to the world where I’m not his Mrs.
But he wants us to stay together because he has other ideas.
When he makes me an offer I can’t refuse, I might be desperate enough to accept.
I just hope I don’t lose more than I bargained for in this outlandish scheme.

Like my heart.

••••••••

REVIEW:OUT OF BOUNDS is the second instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult SINFUL BACHELORS erotic, romance series. This is thirty-two year old, detective Ethan Carson, and thirty year old, Bree Dawson’s story line. OUT OF BOUNDS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Ethan and Bree were first introduced in books one SINS AND SECRETS.

Told from dual firsts person perspectives (Bree and Ethan) OUT OF BOUNDS follows the building enemies to lovers romance and relationship between detective Ethan Caron, and Bree Dawson. Bree’s current boyfriend of six months is a member of the Russian Bratva, and our heroine has been caught up in the police investigation but Bree never expected to come face to face with her childhood enemy, the man who bullied our heroine, and destroyed her self-esteem. Enter detective Ethan Carson. At a friend’s bachelor party in Vegas finds Ethan comes face to face with Bree Dawson who needs a favor but the morning after finds our couple married, and Ethan is willing to use the marriage to his advantage, making Bree an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Bree and Ethan, and the potential fall-out as Ethan is unable to let go of his past, a past mired in heart break and loss.

The relationship between Bree and Ethan is an enemies to lovers such that Ethan is aware of the pain he has caused our story line heroine, the humiliation and degradation at our heroine’s expense but there is more to the story than Bree had realized, a story that Ethan believed would protect the woman with whom he would fall in love. Bree is desperate to open her own day spa, and Ethan offers everything in return for a marriage of convenience, a convenience for our story line hero. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Quinn and Logan (Sins and Secrets), fellow police officer Bryce Taylor, as well as Ethan’s mother and grandfather; Bree’s mother, her cousin Lucy, her aunts Shelby and Denise.

OUT OF BOUNDS is a story of family and relationships, friendships and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, colorful and determined.

Click HERE for Sandys review of book one SINS OR SECRETS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“Maybe if we can remember where we got married we can go back there and tell them we were drunk and made a mistake, so they can fix it.” She’s flipping out. I can see it. “This is Vegas people must do this craziness all the time right?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I agree just to humor her.
“It could be done within the hour, and we could go home and laugh about it and tell everyone we were screwing with them.”
The quiver in her voice suggests she’s about to break. I might make her break faster because even though this is Vegas, you can’t get a marriage annulled within an hour.
“Bree. It’s not exactly as simple as that. It won’t happen that quickly.”
“Well, how long do you think it might take?”
Last I heard it might be a week and that’s if you can get through all the paperwork on time, but I won’t tell her that.
An idea forms in my mind as I stare at her and see how much she’s freaking out.
“It’s going to take a while, Bree. What if I get all the paperwork and take care of everything as best as I can while I put you on a flight home.”
“Home,” she mumbles.
“Yeah. Do you want to go home?”
“Yes, are you sure?”
“Yes.” It’s best if I’m not around her. I need to think.
I married Bree Dawson. Married the girl I used to pick on at school like I breathed air.
Her the goody-two-shoes southern belle and me the kid who was always in and out of juvie.
I married her and I can’t even remember saying I do.

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.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

Share

Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray-review tour

Posted on by
12

Great Pretender (Cocky Hero Club) by Khardine Gray-review tour

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 12 2021

He needs a wife so he can get his inheritance.
I’m up to my eyeballs in debt with a sick father who needs treatment.
When he offers me a million dollars to be his fake wife, am I supposed to say no?

Chad Holdsworth is one of the wealthiest football stars in the country.
We’ve been best friends since birth.
So his shenanigans are nothing new to me.
The idea of getting married should have been easy.

Until he kissed me.

We then forgot we were supposed to be pretending.
And broke all the rules.

I know better than to fall for a playboy.
Even if he is my friend.
But I’m so lost in him I can’t see my way back.
With that panty-melting smile and his bedroom baby blues, he could get a nun in trouble.
What chance do I have of resisting?

If you play with fire, you will get burned.
Loving this man might be a mistake I’m not prepared for

•••••••

REVIEW:GREAT PRETENDER by Khardine Gray is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line in the multi-authored Cocky Hero Club series inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. This is thirty year old, former professional football quarterback Chad Holdsworth, and twenty-eight year old physician Piper St. Claire’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Piper and Chad) GREAT PRETENDER follows in the aftermath of a social media nightmare wherein former professional football quarterback, and soon to be team owner, Chad Holdsworth finds himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Laying down the law, Chad’s father and current team owner, gives his son an ultimatum, stop the manwh*ring ways, settle down and find a wife. Enter Chad’s best friend, and recently single Dr. Piper St.Claire. Desperate to prove he is worthy of his father’s respect and ownership of the team, Chad makes Piper an offer she cannot refuse. What ensues is the fake relationship between Chad and Piper, and the fall-out when Chad’s past comes looking for a second chance.

Chad Holdsworth has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember but Piper had been in a relationship with another man, someone who doesn’t respect our story line heroine. When disaster strikes, Chad is desperate, and the only woman to save his life, is the woman with whom he has fallen in love. Piper St. Claire needs the money Chad has offered to ‘play his wife’ but Piper knows Chad’s reputation may be more than she can handle. Already making paparazzi headlines, Chad and Piper must play the loving couple, a fake relationship that begins to feel all too real.

The relationship between Chad and Piper is a friends to lovers, a fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that will quickly turn into something more. Chad and Piper have only ever shared one previous kiss, but Chad is about to make up for lost time with the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense. Saying that, the relationship does not get sexual until about the 80% mark.

We are introduced to Chad’s best friend and co-worker Murray, as well as Piper’s father, her co-worker Elodie; Piper’s former boyfriend Heath; Chad’s father Richard Holdsworth; his cousin Georgiou, and Chad’s ex Tiffany Carmichael.

GREAT PRETENDER is a predictable story of family, relationships, friendship and love. Chad had been a bit of a wild child, believed to be spoiled by his father’s standards but our hero has placed himself in the direct line of fire. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet and seductive; the characters are charismatic and impassioned.

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.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

Share

SINS OR SECRETS (Sinful Bachelors 1) by Khardine Gray-Review Tour

Posted on by
12

SINS OR SECRETS (Sinful Bachelors 1) by Khardine Gray-Review & Excerpt Tour

SINS OR SECRETS
Sinful Bachelors 1
by Khardine Gray
Release Date: March 10, 2021
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 10, 2021

The residue of my sins and secrets arise demanding repayment.
And they might destroy us all over again.
There’s a lot to know about me.
I could start with my sins or my secrets.
But they are one and the same: I’m a liar.

Ten years ago, I left Logan.
My lies destroyed us.
But… what he didn’t know was I lied because I had to.
It was the only way to protect him from my father’s cruel hand.

That last goodbye was supposed to be forever.
I left town and never expected to see him again.
Then Aunt Lily died, and I returned home.
Not knowing her will would open Pandora’s box.

Her will threw me right back in Logan’s path, and back in his bed.
But he’s not the boy I left behind.
He’s the irresistible, tempting ex-marine women put on their wish list.
And our attraction is incinerating.
All consuming.
Undeniable.
And, unlike the past, there’s no one standing in our way.
There’s nothing to stop us.
Except me.

••••••••

REVIEW:  SINS OR SECRETS is the first instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult SINFUL BACHELORS erotic, romance series. This is thirty year old, former-Marine turned PI Logan Savage, and twenty-eight year old divorcee and dance teacher, Quinn Cambray- Lanford’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Quinn and Logan) SINS OR SECRETS follows the second chance romance and relationship between thirty year old former Marine turned PI Logan Savage, and twenty eight year old divorcee and dance teacher Quinn Cambray-Lanford. Ten years earlier Quinn Cambray walked away from our story line hero, breaking both of their hearts in the process but Quinn had a secret, and her father’s run for political office found the family heading to California where life as she knew is about to implode. Fast forward to present day wherein, the soon-to-be divorced Quinn Cambray returns to her home town of Wilmington, North Carolina following the death her beloved Aunt Lilly, a return that comes with the trepidation of facing the man she has never stopped loving. Enter former Marine Logan Savage, and the man with whom Quinn is still in love. The reading of Aunt Lilly’s will forces our couple to work together for the next six months, six months in which Quinn becomes the target of a dangerous man.

Quinn Cambray has no plans to remain in Wilmington, North Carolina but the terms of Aunt Lilly’s will are about to push our couple together, time together that may or may not come with a termination date. Quinn Cambray has never stopped loving our story line hero but the sins of the father are about to come full circle leaving our heroine in a desperate situation. Logan Savage has struggled since Quinn Cambray walked out of his life but a near fatal attack in Afghanistan forces Logan back home, where following a year of physio-therapy Logan starts a PI firm, a firm that is called to help the local police and the FBI. Having battled between head and heart Logan knows that Quinn is the woman he will always love but convincing Quinn to remain in Wilmington is a losing battle.

The relationship between Quinn and Logan is a rekindling romance destroyed by secrets , betrayal, vengeance and control. Logan Savage was blindsided by the Quinn’s disappearance ten years earlier but even more so with her return and the secrets she revealed about the life they once shared. Rebuilding their romance and relationship is easy but Quinn has no plans to stay beyond the six month deadline. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Quinn’s childhood best friend Bree Dawson; Quinn’s father former governor of California Peter Cambray; Quinn’s soon to be ex husband Riley Langdon; Logan’s best friend and Detective Ethan Carson, officer Bryce Taylor; local bad boy Billy Fairchild; Logan’s ex Monica; Heather Vaughn. There is something developing between Ethan and Bree.

SINS OR SECRETS is a story of power and control; betrayal and revenge; family, friendships, secrets and lies. The premise is intriguing, captivating and heart breaking; the rekindling romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are energetic, dynamic, broken but moving forward. SINS OR SECRETS is a wonderful introduction to the Sinful Bachelors Series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Prologue
Quinn
Wilmington, ten years ago…Undiluted fear carries my trembling body through the night.
The charge of panic clouds my mind so heavily, I might as well be walking around in a thick fog.
I fled from my house, following my father’s orders. Heeding his threat.
That threat.
Oh God, that threat.
The thought brings tears to my eyes again, and I blink several times to stop myself from crying.
I can’t cry again. Not now. There will be the rest of my life to cry for my regrets. And this thing I’m about to do.
I have to focus. This is my one shot at making sure everything will be okay once I’m gone.
Dad was serious.
He’s always been strict with me, and I know any parent would go ape shit just like he did after discovering what happened to me. But his behavior was beyond belief.
I’d never seen him look so mad. Never, and something in my heart tells me I shouldn’t push my luck. After all, there were several times in the past when I suspected Dad of doing despicable things, but I never had proof.
Despicable things like people going missing…then turning up dead.
He works in the state’s attorney’s office, but he runs this town with his wealth and the Cambray oil fortune.
I might be young and I’ve done some foolish things, but it doesn’t mean I’m naïve to how the world works. I know money equals power.
People listen to you, and some keep silent for you.
I know enough to take anything my father says seriously, and that is the only reason why I’m doing this.
Logan’s house comes into view, and I stop in my tracks so abruptly my legs feel like they may snap.
I rushed all the way here, allowing the terror of what could happen to the boy I love to guide me. Now I’m looking at his house, and I can’t move.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this next part.
My father told me to break up with Logan.
But how can I do that?
This wasn’t what I saw in our future. What I saw was happiness and love. But if I fight for such a dream, what will happen?
I could lose everything.
I could lose Logan forever.
I would. 


 

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.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

Share

The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County-Review & Giveaway tour

Posted on by
12

The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County-Review & Giveaway tour

ONE LAST TIME
(The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County #1)
by Khardine Gray
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance

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

About the book: Release Date October 11, 2019

Dylan has a stare colder than the Arctic.
Even so, I can’t stop staring at him.
I should – the guy’s been a thorn in my side since my father hired him as a consultant. I’m supposed to be taking over the company but it feels like dad doesn’t trust me at all.

To impress him I have to impress Dylan.
Not an easy task when I’m pretty certain Dylan is the devil.

The devil with the kind of gorgeousness that should come with a warning.
One that says ‘look but don’t touch’.

I learned the hard way one late night, when we turned into something more.

A mistake?

Yes, it should be.
Until it happened one more time… and again and again.
Then we became a hot, sinful, secret that could cost us everything.

If you like hot, steamy, romance with gorgeous, drool-worthy bad boys you will love this book. Dive in now for some fun.

One Last Time is a complete standalone and a part of the Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County series.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ONE LAST TIME is the first instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County erotic, romance series focusing on the Cartwright sisters. This is twenty-eight year old, PR specialist Taylor Cartwright, and thirty-two year old, consultant Dylan Patterson’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dylan and Taylor) ONE LAST TIME follows the forbidden relationship between twenty-eight year old, PR specialist Taylor Cartwright, and thirty-two year old, consultant Dylan Patterson. Peter Cartwright had been considering handing over the reigns of Cartwright Enterprises to his daughter Taylor but first, Peter hired consultant Dylan Patterson of Patterson Inc, in an effort to clean up and trim down Taylor’s work spending. Taylor believing her father doesn’t have any faith in his second eldest daughter, struggles with the measure Dylan is about to undertake. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Dylan and Taylor, and the potential fall-out as Dylan is forced to make a decision regarding his relationship with Taylor Cartwright.

Dylan Patterson is the black sheep of the family believing himself not worthy of his father’s love and support. With a reputation as a bit of a manwh*re especially as it involves sleeping with clients, Dylan finds himself in another compromising position when he begins to develop feelings for Taylor Cartwright.

The relationship between Taylor and Dylan begins acrimoniously as Taylor struggles with her father’s ‘efforts’ to ensure Taylor is worthy of taking over the family business. Having met under less than ideal circumstances, Taylor and Dylan’s relationship is both personal and professional but their private relationship is about to be exposed. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Taylor’s sisters: Abby, Mia and Vanessa; Abby’s best friend Gilman Hawkins; their father Peter Cartwright; as well as Dylan’s father.

ONE LAST TIME is a story of family, acceptance and forgiveness. The premise is engaging and captivating; the characters are energetic and colorful; the romance is seductive and hot. ONE LAST TIME is a wonderful start to the author’s Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

________

PREGNANCY SCANDAL
(The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County #2)
by Khardine Gray
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 15, 2019

Abby wants to get pregnant.

The old fashioned way.
Without the issue of dating…
She just wants the baby.
No relationship, no fuss.

I’m her best friend, so I give her my opinion freely.
This is by far the craziest idea she’s ever come up with.

It all feels bad to me until she propositions me herself and opens my eyes to something I might not be able to resist.

I’d always wondered what it would be like to be with her.
Abby Cartwright, the girl who’d been my best friend since birth.
Her with her beautiful, sassy smile and that live for the moment daring personality.

I’d never been able to say no to her before.

Now would be a good time to start.
Except this idea of hers has unlocked my curiosity.
And temptation wants me to explore…her.

If you like hot, steamy, romance with gorgeous, drool-worthy bad boys you will love this book. Dive in now for some fun.

Pregnancy Scandal is a complete standalone and a part of the Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County series

••••••••

REVIEW: PREGNANCY SCANDAL is the second instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County erotic, romance series focusing on the Cartwright sisters. This is thirty year olds, Abby Cartwright, and professional football player, quarterback Gilman ‘Gilly’ Hawkins’ story line. PREGNANCY SCANDAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Abby and Gilly) PREGNANCY SCANDAL follows thirty year old Abby Cartwright, the eldest Cartwright sister as she considers getting pregnant, the old fashioned way. Abby Cartwright is not currently in a permanent relationship with anyone other than her best friend Gilman Hawkins but Abby considers a number of possibilities on her road to having a child. When all of the opportunities fail to realize, Abby makes an appointment with the local fertility clinic but Gilman Hawkins offers up himself as the possible father to be. What ensues is the best friends to lovers relationship between Abby and Gilly, and the potential fall-out when Gilman’s past comes demanding a second chance.

Gilman and Abby have been best friends most of their lives but both are oblivious to the possibility of a happily ever after-together. Everyone else sees the love and adoration they have for one another but never once did Abby consider Gilman as the father of her ‘future’ child. Having watched one another falter with other people, Gilman suggests they try taking their friendship to the next level in the hopes of one day having their own HEA.

The relationship between Abby and Gilly is a friends to lovers relationship but both fear losing one another if everything fails. Abby is desperate to start a family of her own having watched her friends and her sister fall in love, something she fears will never happen to her. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, the Cartwright sisters play secondary and supporting roles including Taylor, Mia and Vanessa. We are introduced to Gillman’s ex girlfriend Giselle; and lineman Eric Declan. Here’s hoping the author has plans for Eric and Mia’s story.

PREGNANCY SCANDAL is a story of friendship and love; family and happily ever after. The premise is entertaining; the characters are flirty and lively; the romance is provocative and hot. PREGNANCY SCANDAL is a great addition to the author’s The Bad Boy Bachelors of Orange County erotic, romance series.

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.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

Gangsters and Dolls 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review & Giveaway Tour

Posted on by
12

Gangsters and Dolls 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review & Giveaway Tour

 

Dirty Hearts
Gangsters and Dolls Book 1
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Mafia Romance

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

Goodreads

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.

___________

Stolen Kisses
Gangsters and Dolls Book 2
by Khardine Gras
Release Date:August 10, 2019
Genre: Mafia Romance

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

Goodreads*

 

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.

_____________________

Remember When We
Gangsters and Dolls Book 3
by Khardine Gray
Genre: Mafia Romance

Release Date: August 10, 2019

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

Goodreads*

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.

••••••••••••

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.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

Dirty Hearts by Khardine Gray-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Posted on by
11

DIRTY HEARTS (Gangsters and Dolls #1) by Khardine Gray-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway  Tour

DIRTY HEARTS
Gangsters and Dolls #1
by Khardine Gray
Release Date : May 14, 2019
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, Mafia, romance

 

ebook ONLY 99¢ or £0.99 Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 14, 2019

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.
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 I got caught in a game I didn’t want to play. A game with the devil that destroyed me. My life turned into this world where I got married to her twin sister and Ava hated me. The situation became my weakness when my enemies used it against me, and killed my wife. Ava could have died too so I stayed away from her. It was safer that way. Year in, year out I tell myself the same thing, and I stay away. But the universe had other ideas, and threw her right back in my path. I can’t have her. An angel like her doesn’t belong in the darkness of my world. I know this, 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. Besides, Claudius wasn’t any old guy. He was the don of the Chicago mafia. Ten years ago, when I’d first met him, I knew the man was trouble, but I didn’t listen. He’d made me love’s fool and broke my heart in so many ways when he married my sister. That was a lesson to learn. So, what was I doing running back into the arms of a man I shouldn’t be with? We were like darkness and light. Different. Too different. Coincidence reunited us, but my heart did the rest. My heart blinded me to sense and logic, and 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

••••••••••

REVIEW: DIRTY HEARTS is the first instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult GANGSTERS AND DOLLS erotic, Mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s THE ACCIDENTAL MAFIA QUEEN series. This is thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, and thirty-one year old, chef Ava De Luca’s story line. DIRTY HEARTS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous series is revealed where necessary. Caudius was first introduced in The Accidental Mafia Queen.

NOTE: DIRTY HEARTS contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Claudius and Ava) DIRTY HEARTS is a second chance story line focusing on thirty-eight year old, Chicago Mafia Don Claudius Morientz, and thirty-one year old, chef Ava De Luca. Ten years earlier Claudius Morientz fell in love with Ava De Luca; two years later their world fell apart; another year would pass wherein Ava’s twin sister would be murdered in retaliation against the Chicago mob leaving Claudius and Ava struggling to move beyond the who, how and why. Fast forward to present day, at which point, Claudius continues to protect the only woman he has ever loved, a woman who will once again become the target of Claudius’ enemies. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Claudius and Ava, and the potential fall-out as Ava becomes collateral damage in a world ruled by ruthless tactics, guns, murder and vengeance.

Claudius has never stopped loving Ava De Luca. Having married her twin sister for sins of the past, Claudius struggles with what happened and why. Ava never knew the real reason behind Claudius’ betrayal, a betrayal that would once again destroy Ava’s heart, only this time directed at her deceased twin. As Claudius’ enemies draw near, our ‘hero’ battles between head and heart in an effort to protect the woman he loves, protection that comes with betrayal and revenge.

The relationship between Claudius and Ava is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people destroyed by power, control, manipulation and jealousy. The sexual attraction is palpable; their chemistry is steamy and hot. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Ava’s best friend and business partner Kelly. We are reintroduced to Claudius’ protection detail known as The Four: Dante, Gio, and brothers Jude and Alex; Claudius brother Lucian and Amelia (The Accidental Mafia Queen), and their father, former Don, Marcus Morientz. The requisite evil has many faces.

DIRTY HEARTS is story of family, friendship, betrayal and loss; of vengeance, hatred, resentment and rage. The premise is gritty and raw; the romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are colorful, dynamic, charismatic and strong.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of THE ACCIDENTAL MAFIA QUEEN Series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

P R O L O G U E
Claudius
&
Ava

Claudius

I usually did what I wanted. As I damn well pleased, never caring what people thought.
After all, I was Claudius Morientz, now the new leader of the Chicago Mafia.
Proud owner of everything. A billion-dollar fortune inherited from the great Raphael Rossi. I got the business and everything that came with it.
Money and power.
Yes, I had it all.
I had everything… Except the girl.
This day was always bad. It always felt the same no matter how much time passed.
This day always got to me. It got to me because it was a yearly reminder of what I’d lost, and what I couldn’t have.
I stood in the bell tower of the church overlooking the grave site. My wife’s grave site. My wife, Marissa. Kneeling next to the grave was Ava. Her twin sister. And like every other year, I did the same thing. Cemetery first thing in the morning. Then stay in the shadows of the bell tower watching Ava and her family mourn. Stay in the shadows watching Ava spend those last few moments with her sister after her parents left. Allowing and respecting her time to be alone with the one person who’d
shared everything with her.
I must have been a hundred feet away, but I could see the sadness in her. I could feel it. I could almost touch it. Sadness and confusion. Sadness for her loss and confusion over what had really happened.
What had happened to us.
Mine was a story that I was certain would confuse the shit out of a lot of people.
It confused me sometimes. One thing was certain though.
My feelings for her had never changed.
The sun was low, and the place had that feel about it. That feeling of anticipation.
Ava stood up and looked around. I knew she could sense me. It was almost like magic. There was a time when I’d look at her and I didn’t have to say anything. She’d know what I was thinking. She was the only woman to truly tame the beast in me.
The only woman to reach that place in my soul and make me want to try to be anything other than I was. The standard mobster who was ruthless to the bone.
It was happening now. The lure of her. It grew stronger the more she looked around.

Ava
I was sure he was here. I could feel him.
Claudius.
He’d always leave a single white rose on Marissa’s grave.
Always before anybody else came. Ma and Pa would bring dahlias. I’d bring lilies. The pink Calla lilies Marissa had loved so much.
The minute I saw the rose, I knew he’d been here, and I knew he still was. My parents and I got here an hour ago. Like always, I’d asked for time alone. Time to grieve and talk to my sister. But admittedly, I wanted this time to feel him too. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that. I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t accept the truth of the matter.
His presence was so strong, he could have been standing before me.
And there was the confliction that would always fill my soul.
What was I supposed to think after the last time?
What was I supposed to feel?
Nothing?
It was simple. I knew the answer was simple. I needed to forget. That was it. Forget.
A person couldn’t keep living in the past. Worse when all the memories were just figments of what my heart wanted.
Forget everything and move on. Not just from four years ago when Claudius and I had last seen each other. It needed to be the whole thing. The whole damn thing from start to finish.
Us, before him and Marissa.
Forget it like it never happened.
I needed to forget him. It was making me feel like a hypocrite.
How was I supposed to grieve for my sister and at the same time fight the inner turmoil that roiled within me for her husband?
It sounded like a colossal mess.
One damn mess that no one could really fix. I looked around for him, and my stupid heart betrayed me as I thought of last time.

Last time was a mistake. I shouldn’t have…
I just shouldn’t have gone there again with her, but I did. I didn’t regret it. I just hated that I fell prey to my selfishness. It made the situation so much worse and confusing.
More confusing for her.
More painful for me.
I didn’t know how I stayed away for so long, but it was for the best. It was torture to see her, torture to be with her, torture to think that we could be more than we were right now.
She should hate me.
She should at the very least hate me because it was my fault her sister died. Everyone could tell me I shouldn’t blame myself, but it was my fault.
Four years ago, I was selfish. I changed things up and made the situation messier than it already was. I needed to stay away from her.

I hated what happened, and I should hate him for crushing my heart. But mostly, I wished he wouldn’t stay away.
“Claudius… why do you still do this to me?” I whispered against the cool breeze that rustled through the willow trees. It lifted the ends of my hair, pushing the white blonde strands to the black velvet sleeves of my dress.
I looked ahead to the old bell tower on the top of the church and brought my hands up to my heart.
My heart was breaking again, and I really needed to move on.

Some things were best left alone. Forever.
She was one of them.
As she looked ahead to where I was, we could have been staring right at each other.
I hoped she hated me. It would be easier. I’d put her in danger once before, and it nearly cost her, her
life.
It was better this way.
She’d be safer.
Better to hate me and live than for her to love me and die. I was a selfish man, but I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Not with her.
Once was enough.

Khardine Gray is a contemporary romance author who lives in England with her husband, two kids, and three crazy ferrets.

She is well traveled, cultured, and a woman with a passion for dancing and ice skating.

When not writing you can catch her shopping, indulging on pizza and hot chocolate, or hanging out with her family and friends.

No need to spend money on an airline ticket. Simply pick up one of Khardine’s books to become immersed in the fascinating stories and characters she creates.

Website* Newsletter* Facebook* Facebook Group* Twitter* Bookbub * Amazon* Goodreads

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share

The Accidental Mafia Queen Series 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Posted on by
10

The Accidental Mafia Queen Series 1-3 by Khardine Gray-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Mafia Boss/ Mafia Scars/ Mafia Love
The Accidental Mafia Queen 1-3
by Khardine Gray
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, mafia, romance

MAFIA BOSS
(The Accidental Mafia Queen #1)
by Khardine Gray
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, mafia, romance

ADD to Goodreads

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 19 ,2019

Better to be at the right hand of the devil than in his path…

When you come from a crime family, you have a name to live up to. My enemies know I’m a bastard who shows no mercy—exactly the cold-hearted Don my father would want me to be. Except we’re not the one’s in charge. Yet…

The Boss wants me to take over his billion dollar business, and the only way that’s happening is if I can win the heart of his cop daughter. I planned to treat her just like all the other women who meant nothing to me, but everything about her is tempting. Her beauty, her body, her soul. Money and Power. That’s all this was supposed to be about…

Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was finding out that her father has a hidden agenda, and I’m just a pawn in his game.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: MAFIA BOSS is the first instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult THE ACCIDENTAL MAFIA QUEEN mafia, erotic, romance trilogy focusing on twenty-eight year old, LAPD Detective Amelia ‘Taylor’ Rossi, and thirty-five year old, Rossi Family mobster Lucian ‘Smith’ Morientz.

Told from three first person perspectives (Raphael, Luc and Amelia) MAFIA BOSS follows the building relationship between Detective Amelia Rossi, and Luc Morientz. The head of the Chicago Crime Syndicate, Don Raphael Rossi is dying, and without a male heir, has appointed his best friend’s son, Lucian Morientz, as his successor. Before Lucian can take over the reigns of the Chicago mob, our hero must marry the Don’s daughter, a woman who does not want to be found, or have anything to do with her father’s life. Enter LAPD Detective Amelia Taylor ( aka Amelia Rossi), and the woman with whom Lucian will fall in love. What ensues is Lucian’s seduction of our story line heroine, and the fall-out as enemies from the past come looking for revenge.

MAFIA QUEEN is a story of secrets, lies, betrayal and revenge. Amelia has a life far away from her father’s control but little does she know she is about to be pulled back into the world of which she wanted no part. Lucian Morientz never imagined falling for Don Raphael’s daughter, a woman he is willing to protect from herself, from his enemies, and the compromised members of the LAPD. ‘Undercover’ with the police department as Detective Luc Smith, Lucian will discover that not everyone can be trusted or bought, and his tenure in LA may have been a set up all along.

The premise is engaging, and the characters are energetic. We are introduced to Raphael’s right hand man and Luc’s father Marcus Morientz, as well as Luc’s brother Claudius, and several members of the LAPD. The attraction between our couple is immediate and palpable; the romance is passionate but built upon a lie. MAFIA BOSS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

All Excerpts are intended for mature readers 18+ due to content and strong language

Forgiveness of sin…
My sins…
That was the part where I’d become stuck. The concept popped up several times as I’d read the Holy Bible.
Right from Genesis. Wow my parents, my mother in particular would have been proud.
The circumstances for which I’d read it however would have overshadowed the triumph. But still she would have been proud, both of them.
Even though I’d gotten nearly to the end and had now decided to park it. It wasn’t for me.
This… this me reading the bible was like a methaphor for my life. I was nearly at the end of it.
Nearly at the end and wondering what I could do to change things.
I still had the power, but with power came responsibility.
So, did I spend the rest of my days using what little time I had left to gain God’s forgiveness?
Is that what the Don of the Rossi family should do?
Forgiveness of sin… my sins.
Last night I think I’d hit a stumbling block when I realised that it was a little too late for me, and there was better use of my time.
Trying to get forgiveness was better reserved for those who had the standard normal family. Vanilla life.
I could imagine a man with a wife, two kids, a dog like the one from Peter Pan. They’d live in a neat little house that didn’t show indulgence. The garden would be immaculate because the wife would tend to it herself. The flowers and all that other shit. The husband would cut the lawn. They’d go to church on Sunday and be the goodly neighbours the Good Lord intended them to be.
Most of all they would be classed by all as good people.
I did not have that and sometimes it really was too late to change things.
The change had to start in the heart and mine had been filled with darkness years ago. Probably from birth.
I had a wife once. I think she loved me at some point before she died. And I had a kid. A daughter.
That child was the apple of my eye. She loved me at some point too, until the day when her eyes were opened to something else that was beyond my control. When truly loved someone you had to know when to let them go. To me though, you also had to know when it was time to bring them back to the fold.
Here lay the reason for my state of flux.
When a man was dying he had time to think about his life. Suddenly it was all he would think about. Did he change his ways so that he could go back to meet his maker with a clear conscience, so that his records would be white as snow? Like the bible put it. Or, would he do what he could to make sure his
family got taken care of?
That was the question on my mind last night as I closed my eyes and when I woke up this morning the answer came to me.
A knock sounded at the door.
I straightened up in my chair and rested back against the padded leather.
I couldn’t look as sick as felt in front of these people.
They’d known me forever but were like sharks and would turn on me at the first sign of weakness.
I was passing the torch but I still had to maintain the presence of power and control.
This was my choice, to take care of my family. To make sure the control and power passed in the way that I wanted it.
This was the only way that I knew she would be safe.
My daughter, my Amelia.
It was a nice thought to think I could change. But I had to sacrifice God’s grace for her.
It would be my last act as her father. A father that had to step outside of the relms of what was normal to do what he thought was best.
“Come in.” I called out, templing my fingers and holding my elbows at my side .
The door opened and Marcus came into my office with Lucian and Cladius, his two sons.
Marcus was my oldest friend, we went through life together and bore each other’s secrets. Too many secrets.
His sons were like my own. I’d known them from birth and they’d stepped in at a time when I needed to play father.
The brothers, however, could not have been more different if they tried. Both were leaders. That was a truth. They both had strong qualities. But there was only one that I had in mind for a number of reasons.
They sat in the three chairs before me.
Marcus smiled and nodded his head in reverence to me.
“This won’t take long.” I announced. “We don’t have time for any length of discussion.”
“As you wish Raphael,” Marcus replied.
Claudius straightened up with that smug attitude I’d grown used to for the last fifteen years. I liked the way he thought I was going to chose him, even though he’d given me no real reason to.
Lucian… Luc, as we called him, on the other hand sat in a similar fashion to me with his fingers templed and a contemplative look on his face.
He wanted this more than Claudius and so…
“Luc, I chose you.” I said that relly slow and purposefully.
While Marcus looked pleased, Claudius bolted up straight, anger filling his face and turning his pale skin red.
“Luc, how could you chose him?” Claudius challenged.
All I did was give him the look, and the man immeadiately knew his place. I watched the anger simmer as he tried to control himself in front of me. He knew that it didn’t matter who he was, but challenge me again and he’d end up with a limb missing, or dead.
I didn’t like those who had no respect, and I didn’t tolerate insolence either.
I focused my attention back to Luc who still had that contemplative look on his face.
“Luc, what say ye?” I asked.
“Thank you.” Came his simple reply. And that was the difference between Luc and Claudius. Luc could control himself for good or for bad.
I knew this choice would drive a wedge between them as brothers and they weren’t exactly close as it was.
They were like oil and water but did their best when Marcus was around.
Luc the oil and Claudius the water.
Oil stayed in control of itself and did not bend at the will of emotion. It only mixed itself out when the contions were right, and at the right moment. Water on the other hand flowed everywhere and tried to overpower everything in its wake. There was no control, just movemet.
I needed oil, not water. I needed Luc, not Claudius.
Because when it called for it he would only take care of himself. Jump ship and leave those who mattered to sink.
Luc on the other hand would be a true captain and go down with the ship if he needed to.
He knew how to handle a situation. He thought first before he acted. That was the person I needed here because this whole thing with me simply choosing who would take my place had become a lot bigger than me in the last twenty four hours.
I couldn’t even tell them that. Because I didn’t know the full extent of the situation at hand.
As leader of the most powerful family in Chicacgo I’d come to trust my instincts and feelings. That was how I still kept us going. That was how I kept us in power and out of the hands of those who would take it.
“Any questions before I continue?” I asked Luc.
In the corner of my eye I could see Claudius’ anger.
“No.” Luc shook his head.
I smiled. “Nothing whatsoever Lucian?”
Again he shook his head.
“I’m good. When do I start?”
At least that was one question.
“There are some terms I’d like you to meet, and you will only become leader once you’ve met them.” It was show time.
Marcus instantly looked thrown. He didn’t expect me to say that.
“What sort of terms?” Luc asked, his bright blue eyes staring into me with keen intrests.
“This has always been a family busoness. The Rossi’s go way back. I never had a son to carry on my name, and as you know my brother and his son died years ago. That left me in sole charge and I’m willing to pass the Rossi name, but not the tradition of keeping the business in the family.”
It was now that Luc looked unnerved. Marcus looked upset. I think he realised where I was going with this conversation.
“And how do you propose we do that?” Marcus asked.
It was a challenge but his tone was kept under control unlike when Claudius lost his temper.
“Amelia.”
“She wants nothing to do with us.” Marcus replied.
“She may have had a change of heart.” I nodded firmly knowing that my answer was bull shit.
Amelia wanted nothing to do with us indeed. Nothing to do with me.
But that didn’t change anything.
She needed to snap out of her hated, and disregard for our way of life.
“Amelia? What about her?” Luc asked.
Of course he would want to know that. I’d known Marcus for many years and his family but they were based in LA for a many years and came to Chicago a year after Amelia left. The need at the time called for it.
Luc was five years older than her and they’d never met.
They would have to get on though, or else I wasn’t passing anything.
I needed to make sure she would be safe. If what I thought was happening was indeed happening I needed to know that my girl was safe. I didn’t care by what means or that she hated me.
I needed to make sure that my last act in this world in my God given right as a father was making sure that my child was safe.
My girl was twenty eight years old now, not the little girl who used to run around in the garden with her mother, or see me as the best thing in the world. But, she was still my child.
Luc was the best man to take care of her and do what he saw fit with the business.
“Amelia, my daughter.”
“I thought she left years ago, never to return. What plans do you have Rapheal?” Luc said.
I really liked this guy and I wished this meeting was taking place under better circumstances.
I liked that he had the ability to adapt to my ever changing emotion and not piss me off like his brother always did.
“Luc, in order to be leader and take over our cherished family business, of which you have been a part of for the last fifteen years you will have to marry my daughter.”
That was the plan. My plan. My task.
Luc narrowed his eyes and pressed his thin lips togehther.
“I have to marry amelia in order to take over from you.”
I laughed and the winced at the same time as a bout of pain rushed through me making me double over. I opened my mouth to talk but started coughing.
Marcus moved over to the mini fridge and grabbed me a drink of water.
I sipped at it straight away and whipped my mouth with the back of my hand.
Something red dripped on the table.
Blood.
Shit.
That started yesterday. I thought I’d bit my tongue or the inside of my cheek but quickly realised that I hadn’t.
This was from the cancer and the weakness it was causing all over my body.
While Claudius watched me trying to find a piece of tissue, Luc got the box of tissues from the bookshelf and handed it to me.
He didn’t look like he relished in my demise. In fact he looked sad for me.
“I have to marry Amelia in order to take over from you?” It was a question this time.
“Yes, those are my terms. Do you accept?”
Luc held my gaze with those bright blue eyes and nodded. “I accept.”
Good.
It was time for action.

______________

MAFIA SCARS
(The Accidental Mafia Queen Book 2)
by Khardine Gray
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, mafia, romance

ADD to Goodreads

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: February 9, 2019

I was the devil. The worst kind of man for her.
I knew the truth would make her hate me. But, I still wanted her to be mine.
My goddess.
Damn, I’d never wanted a woman the way I wanted her.
One simple kiss could scorch my mind clean of everything I knew. That was what she did to me. She took me out of the real world, where I was a mobster and she was a cop.

I was the imposter who lied to her…

Her father gave me a task: marry his daughter and get everything.
Marry the daughter of the mafia king and get everything. The whole billion-dollar fortune.
Greed made me say yes, and love blinded me to the danger we were in.

The web of lies I got myself tangled in was the least of my worries because her life was in danger.
She had a target on her back.
Blood for blood, that’s the worst kind of mark you can get in my world.
It means death. Someone has to die…

I may be the devil and the worst kind of guy for this angel of a woman, but I’ll die trying to save her.
I will be her savior, and God help those who come for her.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: MAFIA SCARS is the second instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult THE ACCIDENTAL MAFIA QUEEN mafia, erotic, romance trilogy focusing on twenty-eight year old, LAPD Detective Amelia ‘Taylor’ Rossi, and thirty-five year old, Rossi Family mobster Lucian ‘Smith’ Morientz. MAFIA SCARS should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately following the events of book one MAFIA BOSS.

SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately eleven years earlier Amelia Rossi ran from Chicago after discovering the truth about her father Don Raphael Rossi. Now a dedicated police detective with the LAPD Amelia will come face to face with her future in the guise of Luc Smith aka Lucian Morientz, the new heir to her father’s crime family, and the man sent to bring the prodigal daughter, back home.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Luc and Amelia) MAFIA SCARS continues to follow the building relationship and romance between twenty-eight year old, LAPD Detective Amelia ‘Taylor’ Rossi, and thirty-five year old, Rossi Family mobster Lucian ‘Smith’ Morientz. Having discovered Luc’s real identity, and his connection to her father, Amelia finds herself battling between head and heart knowing her own life is about to spiral out of control. With a rat in the department, Amelia’s life hangs in the balance but our heroine is determined to remain on the force regardless of the possibility that someone has placed a target on her back. Unaware of the true nature of the threats against her life. Amelia is oblivious to the men assigned to protect her from harm. What ensues is Amelia’s struggle to remain separate from the business back home, and Lucian’s need to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

MAFIA SCARS focuses on the threats to our story line heroine: some of the background history and events leading to the present day, as well as the family connections to everyone involved. The relationship between Luc and Amelia takes a bit of hit but neither one can imagine life without the other. The premise is engaging and captivating: the romance is hot and heavy; the characters are numerous and energetic as the past comes full circle in its’ need for revenge. MAFIA SCARS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance; family, blood and forgiveness.

I became a cop because of what had happened to me, and what had happened to my mother.
I knew it must have killed my father to find that one out, but I didn’t care. The day I decided that was what I wanted to do was the day when it all felt right.
It felt right at the time. It felt like my way of doing something good in this world, for whatever part I could play. Even if deep down being a cop didn’t feel like the real me.
The only time when it didn’t feel like me was when I was with Luc. I didn’t know if the irony in that was down to the fact that Luc was a mobster and the universe was trying to give me some weird messed-up warning, or if maybe it was real.
The man brought out a side of me that I’d buried and didn’t want to acknowledge. He said things and knew how to reach me, but that could have been my father’s doing. He could have simply told him all he needed to know about me to charm me out of my dignity.
“It didn’t seem that way. It seemed like you lov—”
“No.” I cut her off before she could finish the word. “No.”
I didn’t want to even thing about that damn word. Love. No, not for me.
Love was an enemy emotion to someone like me who’d lived so much disappointment and had trust issues. Love opened me up for disaster, and weakness.
What I had to do now was move on, and as far as these people who were after me were concerned, I had to find some way to eliminate them before anyone else got hurt.
I’d have to look for them myself.
Gigi pressed her lips together in a thin line, then sighed.
“Okay.”
The doorbell rang, and I frowned knowing who it was. Gigi frowned too.
Sinclaire had been coming by every damn day since Luc left.
He was the one who’d found out about Luc and raised the alarms about him.
He knew I was pissed off about that. I wasn’t sure if his daily visits were attempts to gain my forgiveness, or if he was still trying to convince me that I should be with him.
“What are you going to do about him?” Gigi raised a sharp brow.
She didn’t like Sinclaire. Gigi thought he was an arrogant bastard who thought he owned the world.
“He’s just checking on me.”
“Right, I’m supposed to believe that. The man wants to get in your pants. It’s very obvious. And no doesn’t seem to be a strong enough word for him.” She twisted her jaw when the bell rang again and got up. “I’ll get it. Maybe I can fend him off with a curse. I’ll threaten to give him warts on his dick or something.”
I chuckled at that. Gigi was serious though. True to her Romani heritage, Gigi had followed her Wiccan traditions and believed in spells and curses.
Mostly, the whole thing annoyed the heck out of me, but sometimes it was entertaining. Sinclaire, however, didn’t deserve warts on his dick.
I knew he was just doing the right thing, something I couldn’t have done. I was mainly pissed at him for his motives in doing it.
He saw Luc as his competition and a threat.
Gigi went to answer the door but never came back into the breakfast room to finish off her food. Sinclaire came in instead with that hopeful look on his face.
“Hi, I came by to see if you needed anything before work,” he began.
Like every other day when I saw him, I felt hurt by what he had done. And my mind saw him as the person who made Luc go away.
“I don’t need anything. Thanks.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and looked away from him.
He came closer, pulled up Gigi’s chair, and sat down right in front of me. Our knees touched, and he reached out to take my hand.
I didn’t pull back.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed, holding my gaze.
“What are you sorry for?”
“About Luc.” It looked like it pained him to say that.
“What exactly are you sorry for in regard to Luc? The part where seconds after you found out that he wasn’t really Luc Smith, you went and told Roose? Or is it the part where you didn’t consider that I could be hurt by what happened? Hurt by the truth.” I pulled my hand away from his and moved to the kitchen window.
I looked outside to the back garden of my neighbors on the other street.
Sinclaire joined me and placed his hand on my waist, turning me to face him.
“All of it. I just want us to at the very least go back to how we used to be. Can we do that?”
I gazed up into his sea-green eyes. Seeing the wealth of his feelings for me, I didn’t know how I could agree to that. How we used to be was this.
We were friends, really good friends, but he wanted more.
More than I could give him even before I’d met Luc. And worse now that I had.
Months ago, when Luc first arrived, the day Luc arrived, Sinclaire had been shot. It nearly killed me when I thought I’d lost him. Another person I would have lost to gun violence.
To say that I felt nothing for him would be a lie, but what I felt was the depth of that friendship and the extent to which I cared for him.
When he looked at me like he was now, it made me wonder if I was completely crazy. We’d known each other forever, worked together on the same team for years, trusted each other. I knew him. Knew he wasn’t a bad person, knew he wasn’t a mobster and would always do the right thing, no matter what. So why didn’t I want him the way he wanted me?
His eyes dropped from mine to my lips, then to the exposed flesh of my chest, and to my breasts. That was when he looked back up quickly and planted a kiss on my forehead.
He released the light hold he had on me and backed away, turning to go.
“Yes,” I said just as he was about to go through the door.
He stopped, turned back to me and searched my eyes. “Yes?”
“Yes. I want to move forward.” I wanted to move forward and needed to. For my own sanity.
“Me too. I care about you a lot, and it kills me to have this tension between us. I miss …us. I miss the way we were before.”
That was one thing I completely agreed with. We had a different sort of friendship. Different to how I was with Max, my supposed ex-partner.
Max who was still in Florida with his family because my father arranged for him to be there so Luc could step in and get close to me. What a damn mess. All I knew was Max and his family were safe and would be staying where they were for the moment. Or perhaps a better way to put it was, they’d be there until they were told to come home.
It all made me crazy and the tension got worst every day.
Sinclaire was the guy that had kept me sane through all these years. Maybe because there was some element of us that had gone past friendship and that wasn’t something I shared with Max.
“I miss us too.” I confessed, bringing my hands together and knitting my fingers.
A gentle smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “So, that means I should have coffee ready when you get to the office?”
“Yeah.” I managed a smile, but that was all.
He tipped his head and left.
I released the breath I’d been holding and leaned down on the counter.
Images of Luc filled my mind, again. He was always there in my mind. Never far away.
Luc.
Luc, why can’t I get you out of my head and forget you?
He was so bad for me. A mobster, someone who worked for my father. Someone powerful enough to take over the family business from the mafia king.
He was someone I needed to forget.

______________

MAFIA LOVE
(The Accidental Mafia Queen #3)
by Khardine Gray
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, mafia, romance

ADD to Goodreads

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 16, 2019

Luc
The hour of reckoning was upon us…
Amelia’s life was in danger.
Amelia, my goddess.
The time to watch the situation had long passed.
Now, it was time to change things up.
Time for me to change.
Love made me go soft and allow the image and handle I had on things to slip out of my grasp.
I needed to find myself. Now more than ever.
All the secrets were jumping straight out of the closet. Right into the open for all to see.
We weren’t playing games anymore.
It was time for war. It was time to become the devil I was.

Amelia
No more games, no more lies.
No more running from the past.
No more running from who I used to be.
I knew I would lose my soul when I fell for Luc.
I was a cop, and he was a mobster. Love lured me to the dark side.
We could pretend to be whoever we wanted to be, but truth was truth.
The games were over and right now I couldn’t see past the darkness that waited for me.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: MAFIA LOVE is the third and final instalment in Khardine Gray’s contemporary, adult THE ACCODENTAL MAFIA QUEEN mafia, erotic romance trilogy focusing on twenty-eight year old, LAPD Detective Amelia ‘Taylor’ Rossi, and thirty-five year old, Rossi Family mobster Lucian Morientz. MAFIA LOVE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two MAFIA SCARS.

NOTE: MAFIA LOVE contains scenes of graphic and implied violence that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from three first person points of view (Raphael, Luc, Amelia) MAFIA LOVE follows Luc and Amelia as they find themselves in Chicago in an attempt to take down the people bent on revenge. Years earlier Don Raphael Rossi destroyed the life of a man he once trusted; a friend he once loved, and now his daughter is paying for sins of the past. With both Luc and Amelia targeted by a sick and psychotic mind, one-time co-workers, family and dedicated friends make it their mission to protect the people they love. What ensues is an action-packed, free for all between the baddest of the bad, a free for all where not everyone will survive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. Khardine Gray has plans for a new spin-off series GANGSTERS AND DOLLS focusing on Lucian’s brother Claudius, and his men, The Four, as well as a story featuring Brad Sinclaire, Amelia’s former LAPD partner. I am hoping for a more detailed account of Gigi (Amelia’s BFF) and Maurice’s romance.

MAFIA LOVE is a story of family, hatred, vengeance and betrayal. The requisite evil is unhinged and insane; the violence and brutality is psychotic and deranged. Don Raphael Rossi will hand over leadership of the Rossi Crime Syndicate; Lucian’s right hand man will find love; and it becomes difficult to separate the good from the bad. The fast paced premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are numerous, aggressive and powerful; the romance is spicy and moving. If you love mafia-style romance then give THE ACCIDENTAL MAFIA QUEEN a try-the building story line becomes more intriguing and entertaining with each successive instalment..

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

“I thought you were sleeping,” I moved to sit next to her on the bed. Amelia hugged her knees to her chest. The motion caused the delicate straps of her negligee to slip down her shoulders.
“I was,” she replied, voice faint and weary. “I just woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. There were voices in the house, strange people… just like before.”
“Before?” I didn’t know what she meant.
“The night my mother died. My father’s men came here. It was the first time I saw what we were… Not normal.” She looked troubled.
“Amelia—” She stopped me with a kiss. She moved so quickly to my lips that I didn’t even register what she was doing. I was about to launch into my strength pep talk from earlier, but the kiss robbed me of my thoughts.
She moved and shuffled so that she was in my lap, then those long golden legs wrapped around me as she straddled me.
I kissed her back with the same passion she fed me, indulging in her hot, wet mouth, indulging in the taste of her.
Indulging in her and all that made this woman mine.
“Luc, make love to me.” Her whisper was like a feather-soft caress on my lips. “I want it like how it was before, when we were just wild and free and indulged in each other.”
“Here?” I was very aware that this was her bedroom and Raphael was nearby. “You sure we won’t give your father a heart attack?” I didn’t know where the strength came from to chuckle, but I did.
She moved back and gave me a sassy look that oozed seduction. When she reached for the hem of that already sexyas- hell negligee and pulled the thing over her head to unveil her beautiful naked body, my heart stilled and my cock instantly hardened.
The vision of her sexiness was enhanced when she loosened the band holding her hair up in a ponytail and that gorgeous mass of hair tumbled down her shoulders and over her fully rounded breasts. My eyes zeroed in on her taut strawberry-pink nipples begging to be sucked.
“You can touch me if you want to Lucian. I swear my dad won’t come in here. His room’s several doors down.” She smiled as I continued to stare. “You’re looking at me like it’s the first time you’ve seen me naked.”
“It’s always like the first time, and yes, I will touch you.” I absolutely fucking would. “Lie down and open your legs. I want to make you feel good. Make you forget everything.”
She did as I asked, resting back against the stack of pillows and opening her legs.
She was a beautiful, sexy sight and all mine for the taking.
The pretty little pink thong she wore just enhanced the vision of her. Her wearing nothing but that, hair sprawled out around her and that golden skin stark against the pink lace.
I backed off my jacket and took hold of her tiny waist as I moved onto the bed. In that instant, I got sucked into the temptation of her, and I was the one who forgot everything. Damn, I forgot it all. Where we were, who we were, what we were.
I was just Luc, the man who wanted her to be mine, and I hoped like hell she just felt like Amelia. My goddess.

Khardine Gray is a contemporary romance author who lives in England with her husband, two kids, and three crazy ferrets.

She is well traveled, cultured, and a woman with a passion for dancing and ice skating.

When not writing you can catch her shopping, indulging on pizza and hot chocolate, or hanging out with her family and friends.

No need to spend money on an airline ticket. Simply pick up one of Khardine’s books to become immersed in the fascinating stories and characters she creates.

Website* Newsletter*Facebook*Facebook Group* Twitter*Amazon* Goodreads

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions,please contact the tour provider.

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share