Tag Archives: mafia

Hateful Promise (Costa Crime Family) by BB Hamel-a review

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Hateful Promise (Costa Crime Family) by BB Hamel-a review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2023

He’s a creature of black velvet and cold steel.And I’m his new obsession.When my father steals money from three powerful casino bosses, I’m taken captive by the worst of them Erick Costa, notorious gangster and vicious criminal with violent tastes and sickening delights.He cuts me a deal. Create forged paintings for him to sell on the black market, and he’ll let me work off my father’s debt.Except that’ll take forever, and in the meantime, I’m stuck at his pleasure.If I don’t do what he says, he’ll dump my body in the desert like all his other victims.Erick Costa’s big, gorgeous, reserved, and intelligent. I want to pretend like I’m not attracted to him, but the man isn’t shy about flaunting his stacked abs and tattoos.Soon it becomes clear there’s no way this arrangement will work.And when he finds the secret paintings I’ve been making of him?He’ll know exactly how I feel, and he’ll never let me go.The next Costa brother gets his story! Hateful Promise is a standalone, full-length novel, with no cheating and no cliffhanger, so dive in and enjoy!

••••

REVIEW:HATEFUL PROMISE is the third instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult COSTA CRIME FAMILY erotic, Mafia romance series. This is casino owner Erick Costa, and artist Heloise ‘Hellie’ Accardi’s story line. HATEFUL PROMISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives Erick and Hellie) HATEFUL PROMISE follows in the wake of the theft of several million dollars from several local crime organizations in Las Vegas. Professional thief Daniel Accardi has skipped town, and with it, left his only daughter to pay for his sins. Heloise Accardi is an artist, a painter who is about to discover that to pay for the sins of her father, she must either forfeit her life, and work with the Las Vegas gangsters in an effort to defraud collectors of millions of dollars. Enter mobster and billionaire casino owner Erick Costa, the man with whom Hellie will fall in love. Hellie will become Erick’s prisoner and in-house artist, a position that pushes Hellie to the edges of sanity. What ensues is the building relationship between Hellie and Erick, and the potential fall-out when Hellie is forced to betray herself and go against her moral code.

The world building focuses on betrayal and vengeance, forgery and fraud, acceptance and love. Erick finds himself falling for his captive, a woman with a target on her back, and a father who is missing without a trace. In an effort to pay back the millions of dollars in missing money, Heloise Accardi is forced to re-capture the Masters, a feat only a few have ever accomplished. As the days and weeks pass, Erick finds himself falling for his captive, a woman who continues to struggle with what is happening and why.

The relationship between Hellie and Erick begins as prisoner and warden. Hellie must pay for her father’s sins but with Erick as her guardian, she is protected from those wanting vengeance including the death of our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

We are introduced to Erick’s right hand man Ren, his housekeeper Marina, as well as local crime lords Clifton Frost, and Alberto Gallo.

HATEFUL PROMISE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are desperate and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Twisted Wedding
Wedding Disaster

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

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RUTHLESS PASSION (Gallo Famiglia 3) by Brooke Summers-review

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RUTHLESS PASSION (Gallo Famiglia 3) by Brooke Summers-review tour

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2023

All I’ve ever wanted is to feel safe. He wants to upturn my carefully constructed world.

Losing my father shaped me. Pushing me into the dark.

Having my stepfather want to sell me made me run. Forcing me into the shadows.

Living on the streets wasn’t the plan, but it’s all that I could do. And I’d do anything to survive.

Until him.

Dario Gallo has bad news written all over him.

He wants to deconstruct the meagre life I’ve built for myself and force me back into the light.

In order to protect myself and those I care about, what else can I do but push him away?

Even though he’s the only man who’s ever made me feel protected. Safe.

He wants me, but he’s part of a life I want nothing to do with.

The chemistry between us is undeniable.

Will he destroy me just like the Mafia did my father.

Or will he be the solace that I have craved for so long?

•••••

REVIEW: RUTHLESS PASSION is the third instalment in Brooke Summers’ contemporary, adult GALLO FAMIGLIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, set in the author’s MADE SERIES. This I underboss Dario Gallo, and nineteen year old, Portia Leone’s story line. RUTHLESS PASSION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one RUTHLESS ARRANGEMENT for back story and cohesion. Some of the events of Ruthless Passion run parallel to, and cross over with some of the event of book one Ruthless Arrangement.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dario and Portia), covering several years RUTHLESS PASSION follows in the wake of the murder of Portia’s father Davide Leone. At sixteen years old, Portia hears the killing of her father, and within minutes her mother and herself become the prisoner of a man who traffics women and children. After a successful escape, Portia lives on the streets for close to four years where she will meet people who will become her lifelong friends. All is not well when the traffickers beginstargeting the people she knows but a familiar face will claim Portia as his own, and in doing so, set into motion months of heart break and pain for our story line couple. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Portia and Dario, and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to let go, taking aim at our story line heroine.

The world building follows several intersecting paths focusing on the take down of a sexual trafficking ring. Young women and girls go missing, and our heroine finds herself working for the people willing to do everything it takes to rescue those most vulnerable but as Portia struggles to locate and find, Dario battles between head and heart knowing he pushed Portia out of his life. A good portion of the story line our couple are separated, living separate lives without the other, therefore, there is a definite lack of cohesion in the struggling relationship.

The relationship between Dario and Portia is one of immediate attraction for our story line hero. Dario knows immediately the identity of the woman with whom he will fall in love but Portia struggles to trust or accept that everyone does not have an ulterior motive. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters from both the Gallo Famiglia and MADE series including Dario’s brothers Rocco and Elio, and Portia’s best friends Teagan (Elio) and Nell. The requisite evil has many faces.

RUTHLESS PASSION is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and madness, forgiveness , acceptance and love. The premise is dark, dramatic and raw; the romance is seductive and intense but struggles with issues of trust and months apart; the characters are determined, desperate,dynamic and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Ruthless Arrangement
Ruthless Betraya

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today Bestselling Author Brooke Summers is a Mafia Romance author and is best known for her Made Series.

Brooke was born and raised in South London.   She lives with her daughter and hubby. Brooke has been an avid reader for many years.She’s a huge fan of Colleen Hoover and Kristen Ashley.

Brooke has been dreaming of writing for such a long time. When she was little, she would make up stories just for fun. Seems as though she was destined to become an author.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: https://www.brookesummersbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookeSummersAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_brookesummers
Newsletter: https://www.brookesummersbooks.com/newsletter
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/brookesummers
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brooke-summers
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookesummersauthor

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Craving Danger (Kings of Mafia 2) by Michelle Heard-review tour

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Craving Danger (Kings of Mafia 2) by Michelle Heard-review tour

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

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Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62407714-craving-danger  

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December

At the office, Samantha is mouthy AF and hellbent on testing my patience. So you can imagine my surprise when my new personal assistant walks into my club with a very specific fantasy.

When the man Samantha’s paired with doesn’t stick to the rules, I step in to take his place. Wearing a mask protects my identity, and soon the little wildcat from the office is telling me all her darkest secrets and fantasies.

During the day, she gives me hell, but at night, she becomes my wounded kitten.

I know I’m playing a dangerous game.
She doesn’t know I’m one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.
She doesn’t know her boss and her nightly visitor is the same person.

With my enemy on the attack and her past coming to haunt her, our secrets come out in the most explosive way possible, threatening to rip Samantha away from me.

But my wildcat has another thing coming if she thinks I’ll ever let go.

••••••

REVIEW:This book can be read as a stand alone.

This book centers on a dual POV of Franco Vitale and Samantha Blakely. Samantha has been Franco Vitale’s personal assistant for two weeks, and she is already about to quit. This man is insufferable. He is rude, impatient and arrogant. She despises everything about him. And is definitely considering looking for a new job. She is new to New York and after the trauma of her past relationship she decides to try and work on her fear of being around any man. She has severe trust issues. She decides to join a sex club called Paradiso. She pays a ridiculous amount to join, but she knows it will be a controlled setting with cameras all around her and all she wants to do is talk with a man. She slowly starts to overcome her fears and her next step is to be alone in a room with a man. When the man they assign her messes up she becomes involved with who she believes is a club employee. She thoroughly enjoys this stranger! And even though she never sees his face, she slowly begins to trust this mystery man.

But will she trust the wrong person? What will happen if her mystery man is no longer a mystery?

Franco Vitale is head of the Sicilian Mafia. He is also Samantha’s boss. When she comes into his club Paradiso he has a sudden urge to protect her. When he becomes her mystery man he slowly falls in love with her. But will she ever feel the same for him? She literally hates everything about him as her day boss! But as her mystery man she trusts him wholeheartedly!

What will happen when she finds out his true identity? Will she ever care for him the way he does her?

This book was a roller coaster if emotions. And the ending had me in tears. You follow the struggle of Samantha as she tries to overcome her past trauma. And it made me love her for the strong woman she is. The bond they built when she didnt know who he was – was simply beautiful!

Highly recommend. Also heed the trigger warning!

Click HERE for Erin’s review of book one TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she’s always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

Want to be up to date with what’s happening in my world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways →http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P

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Enemies in Ruin/Redemption in Cruelty by Vi Carter & ER Whyte

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ENEMIES IN RUIN / REDEMPTION IN CRUELTY (Sons of the Mafia 2 & 3) by Vi Carter & ER Whyte-reviews

Enemies in Ruin
Sons of the Mafia 3
by Vi Carter & ER Whyte
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, 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 August 15, 2023

The ink isn’t dry on the contract for my arranged marriage when my first and only love comes back to town.

The Pits demand five souls, turning men into monsters. I know this, as it took away my humanity when I was forced to kill my best friend.
It wasn’t just his life that ended that day but mine, too. I lost not only him, but his sister and my lover—who can never discover the truth of her brother’s death.
I swore before I snapped his neck that I would find out who runs the Pits and bring them to their knees.

I become an Untouchable, working in the shadows with law enforcement. The punishment for such betrayal is death.

I have nothing to lose, though. Nothing, that is, until Carina comes back to town.
She left as a girl and returned as a woman, rising beautiful and strong and a mafia queen in her own right.
Even as I crave her touch, my secrets are choking me along with the marriage contract I just signed to another woman.
But no matter how hard I try to stay away; Carina will always be the inescapable lure. The closer we get, the more danger we are in, until a hit on Carina forces my hand.

I have two choices.

Stay loyal to my family and let Carina die.
Or f*ck my family’s legacy and save the woman I love.

•••••

REVIEW: ENEMIES IN RUIN is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult SONS OF THE MAFIA dark, erotic, romance series. This is the west coast General-Queen Carina Scarpetta, and heir to the Marzano famiglia Luca Marzano’s story line. ENEMIES IN RUIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Luca and Carina), using two timelines, and Carina’s journal entries, ENEMIES IN RUIN follows the return to New York of Carina Scarpetta, the ‘disgraced’ daughter of Agostina Scarpetta. Following the death of her beloved twin Francis, and the humiliation at the hands of the man that she loved, Carina left to become someone more powerful than anyone could have imagined but her return came with the realization that the man she once loved has been promised to someone else, and Carina is determined to get her revenge for sins of the past. All is not well within the Five Famiglias of New York, and a war is about to encroach on everyone concerned. From the fighting pits to the contract on our heroine’s head, secrets reveal a heart breaking betrayal near the top of the chain. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Carina and Luca, and the potential fall-out as our couple are targeted, standing in the direct line of fire.

The world building continues to focus on the fight for control; the battle for power, for cities, for money and influence. With Carina’s return comes a contract for her life, a life Luca is determined to protect with his own.

The relationship between Carina and Luca is one of second chances but a relationship that destroyed our heroine’s heart. Pushed aside, and left on her own, Carina would become one of the most powerful women on the West coast, a woman who is going to prove she is willing to risk it all for vengeance against those who destroyed her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative but I am not a fan of the use of a certain four-letter word.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, questionable and powerful secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to the new head of the Irish mob Evie O’Hanlon, Commission Valachi Don Angelus, as well as several members of the Irish and Italian mob families and soldiers; and Carina’s father Agostina Scarpetta Not everyone can be trusted, most are trying to secure their own paths to the top.

ENEMIES IN RUIN is another tragic and dramatic story of power and control, danger and death, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, murder and mayhem, forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing, intense and edgy; the romance is a chance at forgiveness and forever; the characters are desperate, determined, dynamic and animated.

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

________

REDEMPTION IN CRUELTY
Sons of the Mafia 3
by Vi Carter & ER Whyte
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date November 14, 2023

They say she is a mafia princess. But when Evie O’Hanlon’s precious feet land on Irish soil, I realize everyone is wrong. She’s not a princess but a Queen.

A Queen I want to capture, play with, and then kill.

You can’t have competition, no matter how pretty the package is. And the package is very f*ucking pretty—so much so that my plan to kill her weakens the closer I get.
But my Queen isn’t exactly innocent. She weaves her own dark and dangerous web for me, one she freely admits to.
Together, we are gasoline and flame—explosive.
When we decide that we’d rather work together than against each other, our allies turn on us, and soon every move we make is marked by danger and death.
But every time they hurt us, they push us closer together.
So close that we ignite and burn the world around us to the ground.
Revenge is sweet. Loving Evie is sweeter.

•••••••

REVIEW: REDEMPTION IN CRUELTY is the third instalment in the contemporary, adult SONS OF THE MAFIA dark, erotic, romance series co-authored by Vi Carter and ER Whyte. This is Irish Mob Queen / Italian Mafia heir Evie O’Hanlon, and the head of the O’Rourke Mob Cassidy O’Rourke’s story line. REDEMPTION IN CRUELTY can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Evie and Cassidy) REDEMPTION IN CRUELTY follows in the wake of Evie inheriting control of both the O’Hanlon and Papparado crime families. The death of her parents and her brothers has left Evie in charge wherein a trip to Ireland to regain control finds Evie confronted by Irish mobster Cassidy O’Rourke. Cassidy has plans for our story line heroine but betrayal from both sides push Cassidy and Evie to work together, in an effort to stay alive in the face of treason, murder and a fight for control. What ensues is building of both a sexual and professional relationship between Cassidy and Evie, and the potential fall-out as our couple are caught in a war in which very few will survive.

The world building is detailed and complex as several different and warring factions of the Irish mob want to rip control from the other side. The O’Hanlon’s blame the O’Rourke’s, and vice versa, and in this there is quite a bit of truth to the deceit and duplicity of everyone involved.

The relationship between Evie and Cassidy is one predicated upon a need for vengeance but with every opportunity for retribution Cassidy finds himself falling for a woman whose family he blames for everything that went wrong. Time spent together brings the couple closer but their closeness is the fodder that will make them a target of those who believe they have been betrayed. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and determined secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Cassidy’s siblings Mark, Derek and Rowan, as well as Evie’s housekeepers John, Meredith and their son Tadgh. The requisite evil has many faces-not everyone will survive.

REDEMPTION IN CRUELTY is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, murder and mayhem, determination, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, gritty, heart breaking and captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, broken, and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Sins of the Mafia
Vengeance in Blood

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the series? The prequel novella-SINS OF THE MAFIA is FREE at these retailers: –>  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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TAINTED PROMISE (Tainted Kings 2) by Senna Kincaid-review tour

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TAINTED PROMISE (Tainted Kings 2) by Senna Kincaid-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N / KOBO / Apple /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2023

A contract signed with blood, two lives forever intertwined with the stroke of a pen.

Vanna Volkov always knew she’d never have a normal life, no matter how much she longed for it. She was born into a world where the only way out was six feet under.

To end a war, her father signs a marriage contract, binding her to a man she‘s never met.

Gabriel Olysses is a member of the biggest crime family in Chicago. And he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure they stay at the top. Even if it means entering into an arranged marriage.

But what he isn’t prepared for is someone as seductive as Vanna. And what started out as an arrangement soon turns into more.

Has she finally found salvation, or is her nightmare only beginning? Because in their lives, until death do you part is an oath to live by.

••••••

REVIEW: TAINTED PROMISE is the second instalment in Senna Kincaid’s contemporary, adult TAINTED KINGS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series-a spin off from the author’s LOCKED SECURITY series. This is thirty year old, Gabriel Olysses, and twenty-one year old, Vanna Volkov’s story line. TAINTED PROMISE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: TAINTED PROMISE is the re-release of the original book GABRIEL by Sarah Peis.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Vanna and Gabriel) TAINTED PROMISE focuses on the arrange marriage between our leading couple. Vanna Volkov has been sold to the Olysses’ family in an effort to end the war between the Russians and the Greeks but Vanna has never met her intended groom, a man who treats Vanna like the dirt beneath his shoes. Left alone for days at a time, Vanna is forced to betray her new husband, a betrayal that will end with Vanna battling for her life. As Gabriel struggles between head and heart with his attraction to his new bride, a leak in the organization points a finger at someone close. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Vanna and Gabriel, and the potential fall-out when Vanna discovers she has gone from the proverbial frying pan into the fire, and may not survive the actions of everyone involved.

The world building continues to focus on the tight knit, powerful Olysses family. The patriarch is recovering from an attempt on his life, and the family is hunting for the people responsible. As Vanna struggles with a new direction in life, betrayal will come at a cost, a cost to her life.

The relationship between Vanna and Gabriel is an arranged marriage. Tempestuous at best, Gabriel is rarely home, abandoning his wife until her presence is necessary. Neither one was accepting of their organized marriage but without her partner, Vanna suspected her life would be very lonely, dangerous and dark. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Gabriel’s brothers: Liam and his wife Quinn, Jude, and sister Freya Olysses, their parents Althea and Constancine Olysses, as well as Vanna’s father and head of the Russian Bratva Aleksandr Volkov. We are introduced to Gabriel’s housekeeper Cleo, and Vanna’s friend Caspar. The requisite evil is a familiar face. Jude’s story line is next.

TAINED PROMISE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, abuse and torture, forgiveness and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is heart breaking, emotional and intriguing; the characters are broken, struggling but trying to heal; the romance is seductive and impassioned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one TAINTED KINGS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Come to the dark side, we have cookies

Books are my passion and I have always been an avid reader. Sneaking my mom’s romance books when I was too young to read them turned into a lifelong obsession.

And now I not only read kissing books, I also get to write them. Dark romance and romantic suspense have always been favourites of mine to read, and I hope you enjoy the worlds and characters in my books as much as I love creating them.

I currently live in a small town in Victoria, Australia, with the love of my life, our two little humans and two fur babies.

Connect with Senna Kincaid:

Website/ Facebook/ Facebook Group/ Instagram

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INFLAMED TOUCH & De Luca Crime Family 3-5 by EC Land-review

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INFLAMED TOUCH  and the De Luca Crime Family 3-5 by EC Land-review

INFLAMED TOUCH
De Luca Crime Family #5
by EC Land
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, dark, crime, 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 November 7, 2023

Broken hearts heal with time, but it never forgets the pain.

Diego

I broke her heart years ago. But there’s a reason for it. One I try not to think about. I put the past behind me and I don’t look back. That is until I get a call from her asking for help.

Now I’m back and there’s unfinished business to settle. It becomes a game of push and pull, trust and betrayal.

Questions are asked and I refuse to answer. I’ll do what I came here for and hope to win her over or I might just have to sacrifice everything all over again . . . for her

••••••

REVIEW: INFLAMED TOUCH is the fifth instalment in EC Land’s contemporary, adult DE LUCA CRIME FAMILY dark, erotic, romance series. This is thirty-two year old, De Luca enforcer Diego Fernandez, and twenty-eight year old, grade school teacher Nadia Reed’s story line. INFLAMED TOUCH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order, or at the very least book four, FIERY AFFECTION for back story and cohesion.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Diego and Nadia) INFLAMED TOUCH focuses on the rebuilding romance and relationship between Diego and Nadia, and the protection of Nadia and her sixteen year old nephew Jay. Years earlier, Diego Fernandez left the small town of Enders Ridge, including the woman he once loved. His family in shambles, and the town dying a slow death, forced Diego to start anew but he never expected a call for help from our story line heroine. Nadia Reed’s young nephew is in trouble, and the trouble has landed at Nadia’s front door. Enders Ridge is overrun with gangs, underworld crime and corrupt politicians, and Nadia believes she is capable of saving the town, one troubled teen at a time. What ensues is the second chance relationship between Diego and Nadia, and the potential fall-out as the problems in Enders Ridge are bigger than anyone could have imagined.

The world building focuses on the corruption that is destroying Enders Ridge. From mobsters, to Mafia, to the Lowlanders and the El Cabeza Gang, Enders Ridge has become a safe haven for illegal activities, and our heroine is hoping to save everyone involved.

The relationship between Diego and Nadia is one of second chances. A perceived betrayal pulled our couple apart, but Diego could no longer remain in the town that was destroying his life, and Nadia refused to leave her family behind. Their reconnection is angry and intense but Diego is making no promises for a future together. Nadia is naïve and blind to the problems destroying Enders Ridge, and with it comes the determination to make everything right. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and struggling secondary and supporting characters . We are introduced to Nadia’s problematic nephew Jay; her ex boyfriend Riff; the local Irish mob, several members of numerous gang bangers, as well as the return of Theo and Nicolo. The requisite evil has many faces.

INFLAMED TOUCH is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness and love, struggle and acceptance. The premise is gritty, edgy and tragic; the romance is provocative and impassioned; the characters are desperate, animated and dynamic. INFLAMED TOUCH ends on a happily ever after-for now. The overarching conflict has yet to be resolved.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Frozen Kiss
Heated Caress

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

SIMMERING EMBRACE
(DeLuca Crime Family 3)
by EC Land
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, dark, crime, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 24, 2023

To get what I want, I’ll do whatever it takes.

Leo

Being head of the De Lucas is not all sunshine and rainbows. I must make decisions, some of them harder than others, and I don’t regret any of them. I learned a long time ago never to do that.

When the family name is threatened and what we claim is put at risk, I’ll take matters into my own hands. What I don’t expect is what comes next.

••••••

REVIEW: SIMMERING EMBRACE is the third instalment in EC Land’s contemporary, adult DELUCA CRIME FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is head of the DeLuca Crime Family Leonardo DeLuca, and twenty-three year old, Mafia princess Scarlett Russo’s story line. SIMMERING EMBRACE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Leo and Scarlett) SIMMERING EMBRACE follows in the wake of threats against the DeLuca family. Leonardo DeLuca wants to take down the person in charge, but Scarlett Russo is an enigma; very little is known about the Mafia princess, and her whereabouts are currently unknown until a deep dive sends Leo to New York, to a small dive bar where he will come face to face with Scarlett Russo, a young woman who may or may not be connected to her criminal family. Scarlett has been targeted; a stalker threatening our heroine but Scarlett is unaware that the bigger danger may be the man she has let into her heart. A prisoner of Leonardo DeLuca, Scarlett must come to terms with the probability of her life forfeited for the family in exchange for power and control. What ensues is the acrimonious relationship between Leo and Scarlett, and the potential fall-out when Scarlett discovers she is a pawn, bait to be used for the greater gain.

The relationship between Leo and Scarlett is an enemies to lovers; a forced proximity; captive and captor, wherein our hero will fall for a woman who could break his heart. Scarlett Russo doesn’t trust anyone including every member of her extended family but Scarlett was about to face betrayal from the men her in life. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters include Theo ‘Frozen’ De Luca, and Blake Bandoni (Frozen Kiss), Christian Bandoni, and Mia De Luca (Heated Kiss), as well as assassin for hire Wilder, mob security Nicolo and Diego, as well as Scarlett’s brothers Jeremiah and Micah, and Eddie. The requisite evil has many faces.

SIMMERING EMBRACE is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, desperation and distance, acceptance and love. The premise is gritty and dramatic; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are powerful, desperate and determined.

Copy supplied for review

______

FIERY AFFECTION
(DeLuca Crime Family )
by EC Land
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, dark, crime, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 25, 2023

Things aren’t always what they seem.
Nicolo
Doing a favor asked of me, I didn’t know what I would uncover. And I didn’t think I’d want her . . . but I do. She doesn’t know who I am, and I can’t tell her without bringing war to my family.
Not after what I discovered.
My loyalty is to the De Luca Crime Family and always will be, but there’s something about her
that draws me in, and I can’t let it go. I must protect her from what’s to come.

•••••••

REVIEW: FIERY AFFECTION is the fourth instalment in EC Land’s contemporary, adult DE LUCA CRIME FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is thirty-four year old, De Luca enforcer Nicolo Abruzzi, twenty-three year old bartender/photographer Avah Morgan’s story line. FIERY AFFECTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary..

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Avah and Nicolo) FIERY AFFECTION follows in the wake of a possible stalker. Avah Morgan have been receiving anonymous gifts and notes, and without her knowledge her friends have tasked Nicolo Abruzzi with her protection but all does not go according to plan as Avah refuses to listen to Nicolo Abruzzi, suspecting he is part of the local Mafia, something of which she wants nothing to do. Avah Morgan is a little bit TSTL, and struggling to accept her life is in danger, is constantly placing herself in the direct line of fire. As Nicolo and his ‘associates’ begin to search for the truth, connections to her father’s past, the Lowlanders and the El Cabeza Gang, begin to form a pattern. What ensues is the quick and highly sexual relationship between Nicolo and Avah, and the potential fall-out as, once again, Avah refuses to accept she is the target of some powerful men.

The relationship between Avah and Nicolo begins when Nicolo finds himself at the bar where Avah works. Avah is in trouble but refuses to accept the danger is darker than Nicolo warns but in an effort to prove she is independent and old enough to be on her own, Avah finds herself struggling to survive. Nicolo Abruzzi doesn’t do relationships but he is desperate to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. Having to claim Avah as his own, Nicolo must not only face the wrath of her father, but the people taking aim at our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Theo and Blake (Frozen Kiss), Mia and Christian (Heated Caress) and Scarlett De Luca (Simmering Embrace), as well as Avah’s bosses Rhett, and Gregory. The requisite evil has many faces.

FIERY AFFECTION is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, obsession and madness, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is gritty and intriguing; the romance is limited to $ex and protection; the characters are dangerous and dark.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Download the FREE prequel

❤️Frozen Valentine (De Luca Crime Family Prequel)❤️

https://BookHip.com/QHDRDBC

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E.C. Land grew up in the country and has it deep in her bones. As she grew up, if she wasn’t out on the ball field or playing in the woods, she had her nose stuck in a book. Now she writes romantic suspense stories, specializing in MC (motorcycle club) romance. She plans to broaden her writing horizons in the near future and move into other forms of romantic suspense. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband, three kids, and fur babies. 

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RECKLESS HEARTS (Dark Hearts 6) by Jagger Cole-review tour

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RECKLESS HEARTS (Dark Hearts 6) by Jagger Cole-review tour

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

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/44Ow0vi

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 2, 2023

I’m caught in the psychopath’s web.
Cold, heartless, and as dangerous as he is beautiful. Deimos Drakos is Greek mafia royalty and my worst nightmare. A chameleon hiding a true monster in plain sight.
No one sees the villain behind those dark, lethally gorgeouse yes.
No one but me.
You see, I know his worst secrets. But he knows my darkest fantasies. And he’ll use them to trap me.
To toy with me.
To own me.
We’re blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Except true psychopaths like him have no lines.
No limits. No mercy.
Deimos is a devil who once told me to run and never look back.
I should have listened.
Because now he’s going to chase me. He’s going to catch me, and flay open every dark part of me.
But he’ll never capture my heart.

••••••••

REVIEW: RECKLESS HEARTS is the sixth instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, adult DARK HEARTS dark, erotic, romance series. This is twenty-five year old Dahlia Roy, and Greek Mafia royalty Deimos Drakos’ story line. RECKLESS HEARTS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dahlia and Deimos) using present day and memories from the past, RECKLESS HEARTS follows the acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. Six years earlier, while attending Knightsblood University, Dahlia Roy’s life would spiral out of control. Bullied by the student body for who she was, and her family’s reputation, Dahlia thought she finally found someone for love and support but the darkness continued to follow; death and destruction, secrets and lies would push our heroine to run for her life, run from the man with whom she would eventually fall in love. As Dahlia begins her life anew, the past would return, taking control, threatening the woman she had become. What ensues is the building but questionable relationship between Deimos and Dahlia, and the potential fall-out as the ultimate betrayal threatens the life of our story line heroine,

The world building focuses on Deimos’ need to take control. Six years earlier he pushed our heroine out of his life and off campus, with threats never to return but a birthday party for Deimos’ sister Callie, would bring our couple face to face, ensuring Dahlia no longer had control of her life. With a forced indentured servitude, Dahlia becomes Deimos’ lone employee and slave in an effort to protect the people she loves.

The relationship between Dahlia and Deimos is one of power and control. Dahlia’s and her mother are about to lose everything, and quite possibly their lives, therefore Deimos is determined to take by force and coercion in an effort to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. Their backstories are dark, heart breaking and distressing. The $ex scenes are erotic, provocative and not without some concerns of questionable consent.

The secondary and supporting characters are interesting and sometimes questionable. We are introduced to Dahlia’s mother Adele Roy; her step father Gerard Dumouochel, and step-brother Raphael; fellow students Victoria, Chase Cavendish Brad Hathaway, Spencer Campbell, as well as the return of Deimos’ siblings Ares, Hades, Callie and Castle, and their all-seeing grandmother Ya-ya. The requisite evil has many faces and

RECKLESS HEARTS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, hatred and obsession, fear and anxiety, forgiveness and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy but I guessed the guilty party(s) within minutes of introduction; the forced proximity romance is tragic and fated; the characters are sensational and destructive.

Once again, take note of the trigger warnings

Reading Order and Previous reviews

Deviant Hearts
Vicious Hearts
Sinful Hearts
Twisted Hearts
Stolen Hearts

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

A reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.

Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.

When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside–rain or shine.

You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com

Grab a FREE book for joining my fans-only newsletter – https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8rld1ik3sd

FOLLOW: WEBSITE / Facebook / Bookfunnel Newsletter / Goodreads / Amazon Author / Instagram /

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SPLINTERED VOWS (Desecrated Love 1) by Jade Marshall & Sofia Aves

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SPLINTERED VOWS (Gallo Mafia Empire: Desecrated Love 1) by Jade Marshall and Sofia Aves

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 27, 2023

I have been beaten.
I have been lied to.
And now I am being forced into a marriage I don’t want.

My uncle has taken everything that mattered from me. But I am not going down without a fight. I will show my future husband that I won’t be easy to tame.

But this new life is not what I expected and neither is my new husband. Things are never truly what they seem but now I need to protect my heart and keep the only person that still matters alive.

I may have lost all the battles in the past but I will win this war.

•••••

REVIEW: SPLINTERED VOWS is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult DESECRATED LOVE dark, Mafia romance trilogy set in the Gallo Mafia Empire, co-authored by Jade Marshall and Sofia Aves. This is eighteen year old Willow Hernandez, and Raphael ‘Rafe’ Gallo’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Rafe and Willow) SPLINTERED VOWS follows in the wake of a one-night stand in Greece between our leading couple. Upon her return to America, Willow will discover she has been sold by her uncle to the Gallo family, and is to become the wife to the heir, to the crown but Willow’s little adventure in Greece will cost her dearly, and the fall-out begins a spiral of no return. Enter Raphael Gallo, Willow’s one-night stand, and the man to whom she will marry but all is not well between our leading couple as Raphael struggles to trust the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between our leading couple, and the potential fall-out as miscommunication, secrets and lies threaten the lives of everyone involved.

The world building focuses on the impending war in the world of underground crime. Willow has been sold to the highest bidder but her uncle is no longer satisfied, and her husband is struggling with the woman in his life.

The relationship between Willow and Rafe begins as a one-night stand in which neither one knows the other’s history but that doesn’t stop Rafe from attempting to destroy his wife, a young woman who is a pawn in a much large game. The $ex scenes are aggressive and intense.

We are introduced to Rafe’s sister Regina, his right hand man Dominic Barese; Dom’s father Armand Gallo; chef Luca, and family healer Thalia, as well as Willow’s uncle Sebastian, Sebastian’s right-hand man Mario, and Willow’s brother Roman. The requisite evil has many faces, not everyone will survive.

SPLINTERED VOWS is a story of secret and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and torture, acceptance and love. The character driven, fast paced premise is dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is provocative and impassioned with some scenes of questionable intent; the characters are desperate, determined, dynamic and animated.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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