Tag Archives: mafia

Fierce Monarch (Gilded Empire 3) by MJ Crouch-review

Posted on by
12

Fierce Monarch (Gilded Empire 3) by MJ Crouch-review

 

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 May 17, 2024

Mari Marcosa has been betrayed by a person she let inside her life in every possible way.

The pain is unbearable, not just because of what he means—meant—to her, but because now she’s got a huge damn target on her back.

Almost as big as the hole in her heart.

Every mafia leader in the city sees this betrayal as a sign of Mari’s weakness and they can’t wait to use it to their advantage.

Her back is to a wall that is crumbling more every second and the men she needs most are struggling just to stay alive.

She’ll have to align with the unthinkable to survive—as secrets she thought were buried deep start rising to the surface.

And it turns out the truth she thought she knew…might not be true at all.

•••••

REVIEW: FIERCE MONARCH is the third instalment in MJ Crouch’s contemporary, adult GILDED EMPIRE dark, erotic, reverse harem, criminal underworld romance series focusing on Mari Marcosa and the three men whom she loves: Greyson Andrews, Dominic Ricci and Nate Black. FIERCE MONARCH should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book two DAMAGED KINGDOM.

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

Told from four first person perspectives (Mari, Greyson, Dominic, Nate) FIERCE MONARCH picks up immediately after the cliff hanger of book two DAMAGED KINGDOM. The betrayals against Mafia Queen Mari Marcosa are coming hard and fast but the most recent betrayal hits the hardest at her heart and her soul. Struggling to move on Mari’s world begins to crumble including further betrayals from people she once considered family and friends. With the help of the men who stood by her side, Mari needs to set a plan into motion but all does not go according to plan when several more attempts are made on not only Mari’s life but on the people closest to our story line heroine.

The world building continues to be complex and detailed, following several paths of betrayal and vengeance. Most of the ruling families, as well as the capos and their men do not like to bow to a woman in charge, and in this Mari has become the number one target, not only of the people beneath her but of someone else gunning for the chair at the top.

The relationship between Mari and the men that she loves is crumbling; destroyed by betrayal, secrets and lies, and going forward Mari will focus on a permanent union to keep the monsters at bay. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

Once again there is a large ensemble cast of dangerous and dynamic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom are targeting our story line heroine. Cassius ‘Cash’ Beckstrom continues to focus on taking down the woman in charge, believing his place is on the seat of the throne.

FIERCE MONARCH is another story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, dysfunctional family values, deception, heart break and loss. The premise is dramatic and emotional; the romance is crumbling but provocative; the characters are dynamic and determined. FIERCE MONARCH ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Broken Crown
Damaged Kingdom

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Now and Forever (Brutal Vows 1) by Aleatha Romig-review tour

Posted on by
18

Now and Forever (Brutal Vows 1) by Aleatha Romig-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 13, 2024

Arranged marriage, age-gap, mafia/cartel romance

Capo to the Luciano Famiglia was my birthright.

The cruelty needed to succeed in this life has been beaten into me since I was a young boy. My father, Vincent Luciano, taught by example and with the slap of his hand. My independent streak took me down paths my father would never have gone. With our enemies gaining strength, it is my idea to attempt an alliance with an unlikely bedfellow.

The Roríguez Cartel and the Luciano Famiglia are improbable partners, yet even Vincent Luciano can’t deny the possible benefits. The only way to solidify the deal is for me to marry Catalina Ruiz, the eldest daughter of Andres Ruiz, a top lieutenant in the Roríguez Cartel.

Catalina is young, beautiful, and thinks she understands the path she is being forced to follow. There is no way for her to know the monster she is about to wed. A man doesn’t become a made man at thirteen if he is capable of love. That emotion is beyond my scope of expertise. Saving the famiglia is my goal. And once this alliance is made, ours will be but the first of the brutal vows exchanged.

•••••

REVIEW:NOW AND FOREVER is the first instalment in Aleatha Romig’s contemporary, adult BRUTAL VOWS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is soon to be capo of the Luciano Famiglia, thirty-five year old Dario Famiglia, and twenty-four year old, Cartel princess Catalina Ruiz’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 (Dario and Catalina) NOW AND FOREVER follows in the aftermath of the arranged marriage between our story line couple. In an effort to secure position, and shore up powers, Andres Ruiz, head of the Mexican Cartel, offered up his daughter to the Italian Mafia, wherein, she would marry soon to be capo Dario Luciano. All was not well with the Luciano Famiglia, of Kansas City, a power struggle for the seat at the top, was about to rain down, targeting our story line heroine, and all the women who came before. Dario Luciano has worked his way to the top of the food chain but a betrayal would threaten the peace, and the relationship with his young wife. What ensues is the building relationship between Dario and Catalina, and the potential fall-out as deception comes at a cost, and Dario must take action before more innocent lives are lost.

The world building reveals some of the back story and history between the members of the Luciano Famiglia: the fight for control, and the betrayal that forces Dario to destroy those who would destroy everyone else. Catalina’s never expected to be ‘sold’ to the highest bidder, and rumors about her intended threatened any sense of normality our heroine had hoped for the future.

The relationship between Dario and Catalina begins as an arranged marriage in which Catalina is a pawn used to bargain her father’s position of power.Raised to know her place in the Cartel society, Catalina was not surprised but expected never expected to find herself married to the Italian Mafia. Dario Luciano’s rise to the top meant choosing a suitable wife ; a woman who is completely aware of the lifestyle of a mobster; a woman whose duty is to stand by his side. From the outset, Dario warns he is a violent man but the women in his life never have to fear his temper or loss of control. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Catalina’s sister Camila, brother Em, and their father Andres Ruiz; Dario’s brother Dante, their sister Mia, and their father Vincent, as well as Dario’s brother in law Rocco Moretti, housekeeper Contessa, extended family members, friends, and security. The requisite evil has many faces.

NOW AND FOREVER is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and impassioned but not as dark as some other Mafia story lines. The characters are strong and committed; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

NEWSLETTER | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | GOODREADS
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST

Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams and bring your imagination to life!

Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.

In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.

In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy with PLUS ONE, followed by the sweet stand-alone, ONE NIGHT.

Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Sign up today to receive her monthly newsletter  and /or text message alerts stay informed.

And if you’re new to ALEATHA, check out her FREE books.

Share

POISON AND WINE by Katie Ashley-review tour

Posted on by
17

POISON AND WINE by Katie Ashley-review tour

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2024

Caterina
As the only daughter of a formidable capo, my existence unfolded within the confines of a gilded cage. At eighteen, I would become a pawn in the intricate game of power, destined to be wed to a high-ranking member of my father’s regime. My fate oscillated between my father’s grasp and that of my future husband. Fleeing was not an option; they would track me down relentlessly. In an act of both self-preservation and rebellion, I sought refuge in a local convent—the sole sanctuary untouched by the shadows of the mafia. Yet, before I could take my final vows, the devil himself knocked at my door — a devastatingly handsome blonde-haired, blue-eyed rogue. With an Irish accent that sent shivers down my spine, he declared me his future wife. No one had touched me; no one would. But despite my aversion to a forced marriage, an irresistible attraction brewed between us— for he was both poison and wine.

Callum
When I abducted a nun, my expectations were simple—she’d be submissive, pliable, the ideal mafia wife. Little did I imagine that the fiery brunette would wield a mouth and body I craved, both in and out of the bedroom. She was a means to an end—a marriage forged out of convenience, a strategic alliance with an enemy family to solidify our standing in the underworld. Tradition dictated that I claim her, yet the last thing I’d do is coerce her. She won’t be forced. I promised she would beg me to take her, and anyone who dared to touch her would die. For she was mine and mine alone.

In the unforgiving realm of the underworld, brace yourself for an electrifying romance pulsating with danger and desire.

•••••

REVIEW: POISON AND WINE is the first instalment in Katie Ashley’s contemporary, adult, Mafia romance series. This is thirty year old, head of the Irish Mafia leader Callum Kavanaugh, and twenty-one year old, Italian Mafia princess Caterina Neretti’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 (Caterina and Callum) POISON AND WINE follows in the wake of the abduction of our story line heroine. Several years earlier, in an effort to escape an arranged marriage, Caterina Neretti would soon find a home in a local Italian convent. Fast forward three years, Caterina would find herself the captive of Irish mob leader Callum Kavanaugh, a man who is determined to claim our heroine body and soul. Callum needs the marriage to further his power in the criminal underworld but Callum never expected to face down a spitfire of a woman who is determined to make his life a living h&ll. What ensues is the rapidly building relationship between Callum and Caterina, and the potential fall-out as someone else is taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building focuses on two families with similar yet different styles of ruling and control. Both families have seen the fall-out of too much power, wherein the youngest female members become pawns, facing a life pain and fear.

The relationship between Callum and Caterina begins as an abduction. Caterina found seclusion with the sisters in Italy, and having yet to take her final vows, Caterina would come face to face with her future in the guise of Callum Kavanaugh. Not only did Caterina gain a husband but alone with her own biological brothers, several more brothers who would protect with their lives. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including both Callum siblings (Quinn, Dare, Maeve), their mother Orla, and Caterina’s brothers (Rafe, Leo and Gianni), as well as Callum’s uncle Seamus, and Caterina’s father Alessio. The requisite evil has many faces. Here’s hoping the author has plans for all of Caterina and Callum’s siblings.

POISON AND WINE is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The premise is dramatic and intense; the romance is impassioned; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, and her spoiled mutt, Duke. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Scooby-Doo.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she hung up her red pen and expo markers to become a full-time writer. Each and every day she counts her blessings to be able to do her dream job.

Although her roots are firmly planted in the red Georgia clay, she loves traveling the country and world to meet readers and hang out with fellow authors. When she’s not writing or chasing down her toddler, you might find her watching reruns of The Golden Girls, reading historical biographies, along with romance novels, or spending way too much time on Facebook.

CONNECT WITH KATIE

➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY’S ANGELS):facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv

Share

WICKED EMPIRE (The Seven Deadly Sinacores 5) by Aidee Jaimes

Posted on by
15

WICKED EMPIRE (The Seven Deadly Sinacores 5) by Aidee Jaimes-review

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 April 30, 2024

I always knew there’d be a cost to pay for being a thief, but when I cross Gavin Alexander, the wicked price he demands might be more than I can afford.

After living on the streets for years, I managed to get my life together for my son. I have a job as a housekeeper. A car that runs. A tiny apartment.

But when things suddenly become dire, I’m left with no choice but to steal again. I make myself believe it’s chump change for my boss, the billionaire would never notice the few hundred dollars from his dirty laundry.

My mistake isn’t that it’s pennies to a wealthy man. It’s that he’s not just any wealthy man. He’s the king of the Vegas underworld, a dangerous criminal with dangerous enemies. When he catches me red handed and his eyes trail over me, a flicker of desire forms in them and he makes me a deal. Report me to the police and lose my son, or enter his dangerous world and submit to his wicked desires. Fans of Zoe Blake and Cassandra Robbins will devour Wicked Empire, the fifth book in the Seven Deadly Sinacores, a scorching hot mafia romance by Aidee James that takes dark romance to a whole new depth.

••••

REVIEW: WICKED EMPIRE is the fifth instalment in Aidee Jaimes’ contemporary, adult THE SEVEN DEADLY SINACORES dark, erotic, crime world, romance series. This is thirty-eight year old, billionaire hotelier Gavin Alexander, and housecleaner/ single mother Anderson ‘Andie’ Burrows’ story line. WICKED EMPIRE can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

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

SOME BACKGROUND: All is not well in the criminal underworld, several of the men in charge of the most powerful families in America have been murdered, and there is a connection for all to a murder from the past. The survivors have formed a group known as the Sinacore Alliance, in an effort to take down the person(s) responsible for the death and destruction of family and friends.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gavin and Andie) WICKED EMPIRE follows in the wake of a theft by our story line heroine. Andie Burrows is a single mother, and finding miscellaneous amounts of money while doing laundry, tempts our heroine to take what does not belong but Andie will be caught, and in an effort to save herself from doing time, Andie is blackmailed by the man in charge. Enter billionaire Gavin Alexander, the man with whom Andie will fall in love. Gavin Alexander is determined to take back what Andie took from him, and in doing so, demands seven days of her life, a life that is now under Gavin’s control but someone has targeted our story line hero, and Andie and Gavin are about to find themselves on the run, with no one to trust, including those Gavin once considered family and friends. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Andie and Gavin, and the potential fall-out as Gavin must come to terms with a possible betrayal from more than one person.

The world building focuses on Gavin’s life, his business, his hotels, and his casinos but someone else is determined to take control, and targets Gavin and our story line heroine.

The relationship between Gavin and Andie begins as employer and employee but quickly turns sour when Gavin catches Andie with money she does not own. To keep her from prison, Gavin blackmails our heroine into seven days of servitude, seven days in which Gavin finds himself falling in love with reluctant prisoner. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and questionable secondary and supporting characters. Gavin struggles to trust those closest to him , and in this, Gavin will have to trust someone who could destroy them all.

WICKED EMPIRE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, greed and opportunity, power and control, trust and uncertainty, friendships and family, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and raw; the romance is intoxicating and impassioned; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Previous reviews and Reading Order
Merciless Vows
Ruthless Heir
Cruel Prince
Vicious Captor

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

TAINTED DESIRE (Ruthless Rogues Mafia 2) by Kat Bammer -review

Posted on by
15

TAINTED DESIRE (Ruthless Rogues Mafia 2) by Kat Bammer

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 May 3, 2024

I’m the king of bad decisions. One more won’t hurt.

I never asked to be kidnapped…again.
Never asked to be a third-wheel on my best friend’s honeymoon either.
But what I really don’t need is for Alessandro Falcone-bad boy mafia prince–to act as my self-assigned protector.
Malta is vibrant & welcoming.
My host–not so much.
As if barking orders and growling threats would have any effect on me.
Only when he holds me tight and tells me to breathe and keep my eyes on him, when I’m triggered–I see another side of him.
One that I do my darnest to dismiss.
We’re on a collision course to disaster.
Because I will never give up my freedom.
He’s the most dominant man I’ve ever met.
When Alex Falcone wants something, he usually gets it.
This time it’s me.
But I’m not to be had.

••••••

REVIEW: TAINTED DESIRE is the second instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Alessandro ‘Alex’ Falcone, and Irish Mafia princess Fiona ‘Fee’ Donnelly’s story line. TAINTED DESIRE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading book one SINFUL HONOR for back story and cohesion as many of the events in the current timeline are as of a direct result of the events in the previous book.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Alex and Fee) TAINTED DESIRE follows in the wake of the marriage of Fiona’s sister Sophie, to Mafia Don Gabriel Falcone but in an effort to protect and keep an eye on our story line heroine, Sophie and Gabriel all but kidnap Fiona, and take her on their honeymoon to Malta, where Fiona will come face to face with Alessandro Falcone, the bane of our heroine’s existence. Refusing to play their game, believing there is no longer a threat to her life, Fiona continues to act out until she finds herself reliving the past over and over again but there is a war brewing in the criminal underworld, and our heroine is about to get caught in the middle, a pawn to be sold to the highest bidder. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Fiona and Alex, and the potential fall-out as Alex must come to terms about his birthright, and Fiona discovers the reason for her parent’s hatred.

The world building focuses on dysfunctional families including the revelations about the who, how and why. Fiona has always felt like an outsider, and she will discover the why; and Alex is forced to assume a role he was born to play.

The relationship between Fee and Alex is tempestuous at best. Fiona wants nothing to do with Alessandro Falcone, and struggles with her new brother in law’s attempts to protect and guard. Alessandro is a man who feels betrayals at the darkest regions of his heart but it is the betrayal that is about to place him in the direct line of fire, inciting a war between the controlling families. The $ex scenes are provocative and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and powerful secondary and supporting characters in several members of the Russian Bratva, Irish Mob and Italian Mafia including the return of Alex’s brother Gabriel and Sophie; Alex’s right hand man Matteo and his brother Vincenzo Salvini; Fiona’s sisters Jemma and Cara as well as their Uncle Craig; Fiona’s friend Frank, and Ivan Zotov. The requisite evil has many faces.

TAINTED DESIRE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, power and control, dysfunctional family values, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark,and intense; the romance is fated and passionate; the characters are desperate and dynamic. TAINTED DESIRE ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Damaged Kingdom (Gilded Empire 2) by MJ Crouch-review

Posted on by
15

Damaged Kingdom (Gilded Empire 2) by MJ Crouch-review

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 May 3, 2024

I always knew I would die young, so being left to bleed out on a warehouse floor is no shock to me.

But as the blood seeps from my body, my thoughts aren’t of the Marcosa empire I’ve ruled for years, or the city I’ve given everything to protect.

It’s on the three men who’ve stood by my side:

Greyson: my soul, my foundation. So hard and reserved, showing emotion only to me.

Dominic: my heart, my first love. He’s a dreamer but can wreck me in the best ways possible.

Nate: my comfort, my peace. He soothes and calms me even though I’ve only known him a short time.

My enemies have done their best to destroy me, and now it’s up to my men to piece me back together.

They will do anything to make that happen. But they can’t protect me from the threat none of us ever saw coming…

••••

REVIEW: DAMAGED KINGDOM is the second in instalment in MJ Crouch’s contemporary, adult GILDED EMPIRE dark, erotic, reverse harem, organized crime romance series focusing on on Mariana Marcosa, queen of the Marcosa empire, and the three men who will control her heart: Greyson Andrews, Dominic, and Nate Black. DAMAGED KINGDOM should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one BROKEN CROWN.

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

Told from four first person perspectives (Mari, Grey, Dominic, Nate) DAMAGED KINGDOM follows in the wake of an attempt on our heroine’s life. Mari Marcosa is the queen of the criminal underworld but there are some who would prefer a man at the top. Targeted for her position and power, Mari finds herself facing down an enemy she barely knows but along with the three men whom she loves Greyson, Dominic and Nate, Marie is a force unto herself but as the hits against Mari and the men continue, betrayal will come from within, forcing Mari to reconsider the future going forward.

The world building is detailed and gritty. Mari is a woman in charge; a woman on a mission who loves and is loved but one of her father’s former men is taking aim at the top, and Mari refuses to step aside for someone else.

The relationship between Mari and Grey, Dominic and Nate is a reverse harem affair. Mari continues to struggle with a perceived betrayal from Dominic but forgiveness will come easy when the heart wants something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative,often in pairs or sometimes all four.

The secondary and supporting characters are numerous and powerful including the heads of several crime organizations and their families. Cassius ‘Cash’ Beckstrom is taking aim at the top but Cash has a secret, one that is about to destroy our story line heroine, and the men whom she loves.

DAMAGED KINGDOM is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and jealousy,family and relationships. The premise is dark and dramatic; the romances are seductive and erotic; the characters are desperate, progressive and charismatic. DAMAGED KINGDOM ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE to read Sandy’s review of book one BROKEN CROWN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

SATIN EMPIRE (Rossi Crime Family 4) by BB Hamel-review

Posted on by
14

SATIN EMPIRE (Rossi Crime Family 4) by BB Hamel-review

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: April 16, 2024

I accidentally stripped at my arranged fiancee’s club.
It lasted ten seconds before he dragged me off stage.
But his possessive jealousy woke something in me…

I wasn’t born into the mafia world.
My stepfather is forcing me to marry Carlo Rossi, the gorgeous, vicious son of the powerful Rossi Famiglia.
Carlo is handsome in a way that makes my brain do stupid things, but I never wanted this life for myself.
Everyone thinks Carlo is some smiling, happy guy, except I’ve seen the ugly darkness hiding under his surface.
And he doesn’t seem interested in letting me escape now that he’s gotten his first taste.

I just might escape this nightmare of a marriage in one piece if I can resist his toxic control and intense touch.
But all Carlo really wants is me.

••••••••••

REVIEW:  SATIN EMPIRE is the fourth instlament in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult ROSSI CRIME FAMILY erotic, Mafia romance series. This is thirty-six year old capo Carlo Rossi, and twenty-one year old Alana Milano’s story line. SATIN EMPIRE 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 (Carlo and Alana) SATIN EMPIRE follows in the wake of the arranged marriage between our story line couple. Alana’s step-father has ‘sold’ Alana it the Rossi Crime Family in return for a merger and mutual support but Alana refuses to be her step-father’s pawn, and goes in search of the man to whom she will be betrothed. Carlo Rossi is a capo in the Rossi Crime Family but a man whose skills are only used to take down and clean up anyone who targets the Famiglia. An arranged marriage was never in the cards but meeting Alana Milano meant a chance at a future with family and love but as Carlo continues to be the family enforcer, our hero is hoping for something more. A war with the Russians threatens the safety of everyone concerned but our heroine will be caught in the cross-fire when she steps out on her own.

The world building focuses on the building romance and relationship between our story line couple as Carlo struggles with his place in the family. Hoping for something more, something to call his own, Carlo is looking to strike out on his own but the Russians are about to interfere with Carlo’s plans for the future.

The relationship between Carlo and Alana is an arranged Mafia marriage , a marriage of which neither Carlo nor Alana are looking forward. There is no major conflict between our story couple although our heroine’s lack of maturity may be her downfall. As the relationship grows, Alana steps up to support the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

The energetic secondary and supporting characters include Carlo’s siblings, their spouses and growing families, as well as Alana’s step father Orsino Milano, her brother Niccola, and her cousin Noah. The requisite evil has many faces.

SATIN EMPIRE is a story of power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, intriguing and captivating ; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Previous reviews and reading order
Velvet Kingdom
Iron Rings
Steel Promise

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Broken Crown (Gilded Empire 1) by MJ Crouch-review

Posted on by
16

Broken Crown (Gilded Empire 1) by MJ Crouch-review

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 April 19, 2024

Becoming queen of the Marcosa mafia empire was never what I wanted. Yet nobody gave me a choice.

Rule or die.

For six years I’ve learned to become ruthless, strategic, and deadly in order to survive. But a new enemy is determined to rip me apart. All I can do is watch as my world crumbles at my feet. Until three ruthlessly possessive—and protective—men change everything.

They’ll burn the world to the ground to keep me safe.

But that may not be enough.

•••••

REVIEW:BROKEN CROWN is the first instalment in MJ Crouch’s (Janie Crouch) contemporary, adult GILDED EMPIRE dark, reverse harem, organized crime romance series focusing on Mariana Marcosa, queen of the Marcosa empire, and the three men who will control her heart: Greyson Andrews, Dominic, and Nate Black.

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

Told from four first person perspectives (Mari, Grey, Dominic, Nate) BROKEN CROWN introduces the players in a war for power and control. In the wake of her father and her beloved brother’s murders, Mariana Marcosa ascended the throne of the Marcosa Crime empire. With her best friend Greyson Andrews, as her protector and bodyguard, Mariana set about to rebuild and remodel starting with the grand opening of a new speakeasy named The Gilded but a power struggle was on the horizon, and with the return of Dominic, Mari’s new underboss, and a rescue by Nate Black, Mari would have to confront a new enemy in the guise of Cassius “Cash” Beckstrom, and his group known as the Aces. Having kept Greyson at a distance, and Dominic’s determination to reclaim what once was, Mari is about to face her greatest fears when the men in her life become targets of a mad man demanding everything and more. Always one step ahead, Cash is about to set Mari’s world on fire.

The world building sets the groundwork for war. Death and destruction, fires, bombings, shootouts and thefts, are but a few of the trappings facing Mari and the men with whom she is falling in love but betrayal from within finds Mari facing her own mortality, and the loss of the men in her life.

The relationship between Mari and Greyson has moved beyond friends and protector to lovers; with Dominic back to usurp his position, both men are willing to share the heart of the woman they love but Nate’s arrival adds another layer of possibilities, a possibility that has yet to take shape beyond a small spark of attraction. The lone $ex scenes is passionate.

BROKEN CROWN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and obsession. The slow building premise is intriguing and dramatic; the characters are determined, dynamic and powerful; the romance is seductive but the back and forth is frustrating. BROKEN CROWN ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share