The Double by Helena Newbury-a review

THE DOUBLE by Helena Newbury-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 11, 2019

He’s not a criminal, he’s the criminal. Ruthless and gorgeous, he rules half of New York. Everyone knows his name: Konstantin. I’m the exact opposite. As an FBI surveillance specialist, my job is to be invisible and that suits me just fine. I spend my life watching Konstantin, and he’s never once seen the shy girl taking photos from across the street.

But when Konstantin’s beautiful but evil “companion,” Christina, is injured in a car crash, we get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Plastic surgery can make me look just like her: I can take her place at Konstantin’s side and learn every secret he’s got. I must learn to mimic her exactly, from the way she walks to the sounds she makes in bed. Because if he suspects for one instant that I’m not her…he’ll kill me.

I soon discover that there’s more to Konstantin than anyone knows. That cold exterior hides a lifetime of pain and a deep, scorching need that takes my breath away. As our feelings spin out of control and my loyalties are tested, I need to know: is he falling for me…or the woman I’m impersonating? I was sent to destroy him but I might be the only one who can save him. And the love I was told to fake might just be real.

••••••••••

REVIEW: THE DOUBLE by Helena Newbury is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, Russian Mafia romance story line focusing on Russian mobster Konstantin Gulyev and FBI photographer Hailey Akers. Konstantin first appeared as a minor character in the author’s Kissing My Killer. THE DOUBLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line(s) is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: THE DOUBLE contains scenes of light bondage and discipline, that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Konstantin and Hailey) THE DOUBLE follows FBI photographer Hailey Akers as she willingly goes under cover, and under the knife to take down Russian mobster Konstantin Gulyev. With the mobster’s girlfriend Christina Rogan currently in custody, following a motor vehicle accident overseas, Hailey, having previously met our hero while on a stake out at a Boston hotel, agrees to plastic surgery in an effort to resemble the mobster’s live in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Konstantin and Hailey aka Christina, as Hailey searches for information and proof of Konstantin’s crimes, and the potential fall-out as Konstantin is double crossed by more than the woman with whom he is falling in love.

Hailey Akers has lusted after Konstantin Gulyev since she first spotted our hero through the lens of her camera. Believing herself capable, our heroine offers herself up as Christina’s double in an effort take down a man the FBI believes is evil and bad. Konstantin Gulyev doesn’t do serious relationships but something about ‘Christina’ has changed since the recent accident, a change wherein Konstantin reconsiders his future with the woman with whom he is falling in love. When a Bratva rival is determined to destroy Konstantin Gulyev, Hailey, in the guise of Christina, becomes fodder in a war with the Russian mob.

The relationship between Hailey and Konstantin begins as a ruse. Hailey is undercover as the mobster’s high-society girlfriend, a role Hailey discovers may be harder than first revealed. Konstantin likes a little kink in his sex life including a ‘dungeon’ that the original Christina loved more than our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to FBI head Carrie Blake, and Hailey’s agency partner Sam Calahan, as well as Christina Rogan, Konstantin’s right hand man Grigory, and rival mobster Dmitri Ralavich.

THE DOUBLE is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and trust; love and loss. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is sexy and seductive; the characters are colourful and animated.

On the flip side, the reader will have to suspend belief and reality with regards to our heroine’s transformation. Five days out of surgery, for a complete facial reconstruction, and laser eye surgery to change not only her sight but her eye colour as well,Hailey is completely healed and ready to go undercover and start a new life with her Russian mobster, a man who barely notices the physical differences between Christina and the imposter. There are also a few issues of grammar that should have been caught by a decent editor.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Russian Mafia Romance Series 1-3 by Maura Rose-reviews

RUSSIAN MAFIA ROMANCE SERIES 1-3 by Maura Rose-Reviews

BEHOLDEN TO THE BRATVA
A Russian Mafia Romance #1
by Maura Rose
RELEASE DATE: February 16, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, Russian Mafia, romance

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

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VIKTOR

Ruthless. Brutal. Bloodthirsty.

That’s my reputation, and as a member of the Sokolov crime family, I’ve earned it. I’m good at what I do, and although I may not enjoy “conducting business” quite as much as my father, I know how to do what has to be done. Even if it means ruining lives. Even if it means killing.

The high point of my week is when we have our business meetings at the restaurant where the lovely Lina serves as a waitress and brightens the room with her sweet, nervous smile. She is the daughter of Darius, the restaurant’s owner—and Darius is deep in debt to Bogdan, the boss of the Sokolov Bratva…and my father.

Lina is gorgeous. She’s angelic. She blushes when she looks at me. But she hates us for what we are.

And now, I have to kidnap her. Business is business, after all, and Darius has to pay.

LINA

Business has been bad for years now, but my father refuses to close the doors of the restaurant. Rather than wiping down tables to clear away food, I’m cleaning off tables to keep the dust from settling. No one eats here anymore…except them. The criminals. The “businessmen.” The Bratva.

Every week, they come in and have a meeting in our banquet room, and even though my father puts on a show of friendliness when they walk through the doors, I can tell there is fear in his eyes when he sees them—and that makes me afraid, too. There has to be more to their relationship than a simple love of good comfort food, but my father refuses to talk about the history between him and Bogdan.

I can’t stand them. They’re bad for business and leave a bad taste in my mouth. I hate the way they look at me, and I hate that I have to smile in their faces while they muddy our restaurant with their vile presence. I hate them all.

Except one. The one with the icy blue eyes that linger on me, the quiet one with the handsome, brooding face. Despite knowing what he is and what he does for a living, I can’t help myself. He’s hot. He’s mysterious. And damn it all to hell, I want him.

Beholden to the Bratva is a standalone full-length steamy romance novel with a heat level (and action-packed drama) sure to leave you dripping with sweat! No cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA!

•••••••••••

REVIEW: BEHOLDEN TO THE BRATVA is the first instalment in Maura Rose’s contemporary, adult RUSSIAN MAFIA ROMANCE series. This is Sokolov crime family son Viktor Sokolov, and Lina’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lina and Viktor) BEHOLDEN TO THE BRATVA follows the building relationship between Sokolov crime family son Viktor Sokolov, and Lina. Lina had no idea her father Darius was deep into the Sokolov Russian mafia for close to a million dollars, money he didn’t have, and never would. In order to make restitution Lina will unknowingly become fodder for her father’s debt, a debt she would have to pay for with her life. Enter Viktor Sokolov, the man who with whom Lina will fall in love but a man with familial connections to the Russian mob. What ensues is the kidnapping of Lina; Viktor’s dogged determination to protect Lina at all costs, and the potential fall-out as the costs incurred would send Lina and Viktor on the run.

The relationship between Lina and Viktor is one of immediate but forbidden attraction. For years the Sokolov crime family has made themselves at home in Darius’ café, a café that now struggles to pay the bills. With each visitation, Lina will come face to face with Viktor Sokolov, the man with whom she will fall in love but a man who struggles with what will, and must be done. The quick building relationship is passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Lina’s father Darius; Viktor’s brother Ivan; Bratva lieutenant Pavel; their merciless father Bogdan, as well as Bogdan’s number one enforcer Vladimir. Not everyone will survive to see another day.

BEHOLDEN TO THE BRATVA is a story of family, power, murder and control. The premise is inviting; the romance is spirited; the characters are determined but fell a little flat in the personality development.

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Reviewed by Sandy 

____________________

BURNING FOR THE BRATVA:
A Russian Mafia Romance #2
by Maura Rose
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, Russian Mafia, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date June 12, 2018

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

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Burning passions can be all-consuming…

IVAN
I’m the head of the Sokolov Bratva now. My father is dead, my brother gone, and I’m left with picking up the pieces of a broken business and a pile of broken dreams. I’m the only one who can do it, but I can’t do it alone.
That’s where the Irish come in. If we can work with each other instead of against each other, we can all benefit. But there’s trouble stirring, and if I don’t find out what’s going on and put a stop to it, I may end up joining my father in the grave.
My life is on the line. I don’t have the luxury of letting myself be distracted. Especially not by a woman. Especially when that woman is an Irish mob boss’s daughter.

KELLY
My father is insane if he thinks I’m going to marry some Russian mafia goon for the sake of his business dealings. I don’t want to do it, and I won’t. I don’t want to marry him or anyone else. My dad may be a mob boss, but I am the boss of my own destiny.
And I won’t do it. No matter how sexy he is.
But that’s the least of my worries. Someone is killing off my family, and I think I know who the “someone” is. The trouble is, I can’t do anything about it without the help of the guy from the bratva. And as much as I like the eye candy when he’s around, entering into a dangerous business dealing with a Russian mob boss is the last thing I want to do.
Unfortunately, it may be the only way to keep the rest of my family—and myself—alive.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: BURNING FOR THE BRATVA is the second instalment Maura Rose’s contemporary, adult RUSSIA MAFIA ROMANCE erotic, romance series. This is the head of the Sokolov Bratva Ivan Sokolov, and Irish mob daughter Kelly O’Gill’s story line. BURNING FOR THE BRATVA 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 third person perspectives (Kelly and Ivan) BURNING FOR THE BRATVA follows the quick building romance between the head of the Sokolov Bratva Ivan Sokolov, and Irish mob daughter Kelly O’Gill. With the recent death of his father, Ivan needed a mentor in order to take control of the Sokolov Bratva. Having wandered into the Irish territory, Ivan comes face to face with Sean O’Gill, the man who is about to show Ivan the ropes. Enter Sean’s daughter Kelly O’Gill, and the woman with whom he would fall in love. What ensues is the search for a mole within the O’Gill organization and the potential fall-out as someone close is trying to even the score.

Kelly O’Gill battles between head and heart knowing that an alliance with the Russian Bratva would secure her family’s control at the docks. With one brother dead, and another one barely alive, Kelly wants retribution against the people responsible, even if it means going against her father’s wishes. Ivan knows that to merge with the O’Gill family is a bonus anyway you look at but meeting sassy, smart mouthed and arrogant Kelly O’Gill, Ivan sees more than a merger but a possible future and mother to his heir.

The relationship between Kelly and Ivan begins acrimoniously as the couple are forced to work together to uncover a plot against the O’Gill family. Betrayal revealed, vengeance demanded, Kelly and Ivan will begin an investigation of their own that leads to a sexual encounter, at the risk of their own lives. The $ex scenes are passionate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful but limited in number. We are introduced to Kelly’s father and the head of the O’Gill Irish family Sean O’Gill her brother Shane, and Sean’s lieutenant Bates. Pavel returns as Ivan’s lieutenant and second in command.

BURNING FOR THE BRATVA is a story of blood and family; betrayal and retribution; power, control and vengeance. The character driven premise is edgy and engaging; the romance is spicy; the characters are determined and animated. BURNING FOR THE BRATVA is an energetic story line merging the Russian and Irish mobs.

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Reviewed by Sandy 

________________

BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA
(A Russian Mafia Romance #3)
by Maura Rose 

Release Date: November 19, 2018

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About the book: 

The struggle for power, the struggle for love…

PAVEL
I’ve always been the low man on the Sokolov bratva’s totem pole, but not anymore. The family is changing, growing, and I have stepped up as second-in-command. I’m not the errand boy now. Pavel the Puppy is no more. Now, I’m a wolf—a force to be reckoned with, and I get the respect I deserve because I’ve earned it.

But with status comes sacrifice, and the bratva needs an alliance to cement our place in the city’s organized crime hierarchy. Now I have to marry a complete stranger who just happens to be the youngest daughter of the Mikhailov bratva’s boss—the most powerful man in the city.

She’s gorgeous. She’s educated. She’s feisty. She’s also convinced she’s too good for an arranged marriage with a man of my reputation.

But I’m going to make her mine. No matter what it takes. Mine.

NATALIA
My father runs the most powerful Russian mafia operation in the region. He has decided it’s time to marry me off to some no-name guy from some no-name bratva, and I want to find a way out of it. I deserve better than some second-rate lieutenant—I should be marrying a boss, myself! But Father’s word is final, so I don’t have much choice.

Then I meet him. He’s courteous. Mysterious. Handsome. He’s not at all like the puppy dog I had imagined or the bodybuilder wannabes who are typical of the men in the organized crime world. There is a danger that lurks within his beautiful eyes, and a demeanor of calm that commands respect. I want to hate him, want to hate our arranged marriage—but instead I hate myself for wanting him so bad.

I have to get him alone, have to find out what secrets hide behind his eyes… and under his clothes. But if we are caught meeting alone before the wedding, it could bring shame on the Mikhailov bratva—and it could mean death for Pavel.

••••••••••

REVIEW: BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA is the third instalment in Maura Rose’s contemporary adult RUSSIAN MAFIA ROMANCE erotic, romance series. This is Sokolov Bratva lieutenant Pavel , and Natalia Mikhailov’s story line. BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA 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 third person perspectives (Natalia and Pavel) BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA follows the building but forbidden relationship between Sokolov Bratva lieutenant Pavel, and Natalia Mikhailova. The impending wedding between Natalia’s sister Irena to the heir to the powerful Japanese Yakuza is meant to merge the Russian and Japanese mobs but Natalia’s father is determined to increase his standing in the Bratva by announcing Natalia’s marriage to a man she doesn’t know. Enter Sokolov Bratva lieutenant Pavel, the man with whom Natalia will fall in love. What ensues is the building but secret romance between Natalia and Pavel, and the potential fall-out as things don’t go according to plans with Irena’s wedding, and Natalia’s father calls off any future plans for our story line heroine.

To keep up appearances and maintain propriety Natalia and Pavel are not allowed to date prior to their engagement announcement but our story line couple are desperate to meet one another, and in the ensuing aftermath, begin a secret relationship on the road to falling in love. Natalia struggles with her father’s old country ways, and following a near disaster at her sister’s wedding, demands her right to choose.

The relationship between Pavel and Natalia begins acrimoniously. Neither Pavel nor Natalia are thrilled with being forced into a marriage of convenience; a marriage meant to merge rival Russian powers but powers each seeking something different. Hoping to become friends first, Pavel and Natalia will begin a secret courtship behind everybody’s back. 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 Natalia’s sisters Irena, Anastasia, Lana and Vasilisa, as well as their father Ivan Mikhailova. We are re-introduced to the head of the Sokolov Bratva Ivan Sokolov, and his wife Kate (Burning for the Bratva #2).

BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA is a story of family, betrayal, power and control. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are animated and lively. The usual violence in many Russian Bratva story lines is limited, as well as the story line conflict but saying that I am looking forward to reading more future story lines focusing on Natalia’s sisters.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Sazon / Roman (Bratva Blood Brothers 4 & 5) by K.J. Dahlen-reviews

SAZON / ROMAN (Bratva Blood Brothers  #4 & 5) by K.J. Dahlen-reviews

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ROMAN
Bratva Blood Brothers #5
by KJ Dahlen

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 3, 2018

Roman

Broken. Scarred. Powerless.
I’ll destroy that f$$ker even if I have to come back from hell
He defaced my childhood innocence
The monster, arrogantly spent out his years doing to same
I’ll never be that vulnerable child again.
Barely surviving a life on the streets that took my brother
For years, I thought I was living.
But the truth I have hidden all these years has made me cold and distrustful.
I have done things I’m not so proud of.
But I have tried to live honorably since.
I am ruined though.
There will be no happy ending for me.
Like there is for my brothers.
I have already faced this truth.
One man’s moment of kindness
Drawn into a dark world i will never escape
Until, I met her.
She uncovered my dark secret
Brought me face to face with my past
Though my inner demons won’t go quietly
And now she knows the monster that I am
Can her light illuminate my darkness, or will I destroy us both?

Note: All books in the Bratva Blood Brother series are standalone, full length super sexy, raw mobster romance novels. They can be read in any order and do NOT contain cliff-hangers. It includes lots of steamy scenes, slang, cursing, some violence, dark themes, and elements about a fictional Russian mafia. HEA guaranteed.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: ROMAN is the fifth instalment in KJ Dahlen’s contemporary, adult BRATVA BLOOD BROTHERS erotic, Russian mafia, romance novella series. This is forty-year old warehouse owner Roman Salizar, and Stephanie ‘Stevie’ Angelica Grace’s story line. ROMAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The author begins each instalment in the series with the prequel short story BLOOD BROTHERS that reveals the background and history of the characters.

NOTE: Due to the story line content including child abuse, assault and graphic violence, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Five young boys and childhood friends (Yuri, Sazon, Barshan, Mikial and Roman) survived the mean-streets of Russia only to be rescued and reared by a local gym owner Ivan Russo, who would meet his death by a local gang. Seeking revenge against the gang, local Russian Bratva member and soon to be New York Russian mafia leader Nikoli Silvanic would mentor the five young men until they were ready to take on the world, with the approval of Russian Bratva leader Sergi Constantine. When the time came Nikoli Silvanic would take over the New York territory, while the five ‘blood brothers’ would take over New Orleans. These are their stories.

Told from several third person points of view including Roman and Stevie, ROMAN is a complex and detailed story line that follows several intersecting paths including the take down of the deviant individuals whose goal in life to take control of the seedy underworld of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Stevie, and her ‘brother’ Benny have been on the run, hiding in the shadows, in the hopes of escaping their life of pain and misery. Injured and sick, Stevie and Benny escape to New Orleans where they will come face to face with the Russian mob. Enter Roman Salizar, and the man with whom Stevie will fall in love. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Stevie and Roman, and the hunt for the sick and twisted minds who have destroyed so many lives.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including all of Roman’s blood brothers, the Bratva leader Nikoli Silvanic, several members of the Devil’s Advocate MC, a local drug cartel, and an abhorent family of pedophiles, abusers and killers. The requisite evil has many faces including the man who all but destroyed Roman’s life.

ROMAN is a dark, sexy and sensitive tale with mature themes and spirited characters. The premise is edgy; the characters are dynamic; the romance is an insta lust/love seduction.

ROMAN is a quick read that ends at 20% on the Kindle e-reader. There is additional material including the author’s bonus content, Spawn and Spitfire Volume 1, as well as Sin’s Volume 2 & 3. This is not unusual as most of the books (story lines) in the series thus far end between 10-20% on the Kindle, with the remainder filled with additional story lines.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

_____________

SAZON
(Bratva Blood Brothers #4)
by KJ Dahlen

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release Date April 23, 2018

Sazon
I am a man of honor and what I have I earned with my own two hands.
I am ruthless against those who would seek to destroy my family.
Our undying loyalty makes us family.
I would live and die for the brothers I found when I was nothing more than a child.
Till she came.
As soon as I touched her our connection was bonded. She is the missing half of my soul and to be without her now would leave me half alive.
I plan to protect her whether she wants it or not, she’s a stubborn as I am and her quest might just kill her.
To be with her will be heaven. To be without her would send my soul into a lifetime of hell.

Ana
I may be small but I’m determined. I was taught by the men in my life to stand up for what I believe in and nothing will take my honor away from me. I won’t let it.
When I met him it was like meeting the other part of my soul. He completes me like no other ever would.
I loved him at first sight even if I didn’t recognize the feeling but not even he will stand in my way. I must get justice for the death of my grandfather. Family honor demands it.
I’m torn in two direction, I want justice but now I finally has something I can’t bear to lose, Sazon. Everyone is telling me I can’t face him but I’ll have no one else stand in my stead. I must face this particular killer.
I must face a monster and win, using everything I was ever taught. Will it be enough to win or will I fall under my own blade?

••••••••

REVIEW: SAZON is the fourth instalment in KJ Dahlen’s contemporary, adult BRATVA BLOOD BROTHERS Russian mafia, romance series focusing on a close-knit group of friends, originally from Russia. This is gym owner Sazon Demikoff, and metal forger Anastasia ‘Ana’ Petroff’s story line. SAZON can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The author begins each story with a short story prequel (Blood Brothers) focusing on the history of the ‘brothers’ and how they came to be.

NOTE: SAZON is the re-release of the author’s November 2017 release FORGED IN BLOOD.

SOME BACKGROUND: Five young boys and childhood friends (Yuri, Sazon, Barshan, Mikial and Roman) survived the mean-streets of Russia only to be rescued and reared by a local gym owner Ivan Russo, who would meet his death by a local gang. Seeking revenge against the gang, local Russian Bratva member and soon to be New York Russian mafia leader Nikoli Silvanic would mentor the five young men until they were ready to take on the world, with the approval of Russian Bratva leader Sergi Constantine. When the time came Nikoli Silvanic would take over the New York territory, while the five ‘blood brothers’ would take over New Orleans. These are their stories.

Told from several third person perspectives (Sazon and Ana) SAZON is an ensemble story line that brings together a large number of characters from the author’s Bratva Blood Brothers, Satan’s Spawn MC and Sin’s Bastards series in an attempt to take down a serial killer that has brought his game to the city of New Orleans. Days earlier Ana and Drago Petroff lost their beloved grandfather to a killer-a man who special ordered a Russian-designed sword from the victim, a sword that was used to murder Ivan Curcovic Petroff. In her attempts to track down the killer and her grandfather’s missing Russian blades, Ana finds herself in New Orleans, falling in love with a member of the Russian mob. Enter Sazon Demikoff, gym order and a member of the Russian Bratva. What ensues is the hunt for a killer, and the discovery of information regarding fourteen years of mayhem and murder.

The relationship between Ana and Sazon is quick to develop; a case of insta-lust/love wherein our hero claims Ana as his own declaring his protection for the rest of their lives within a matter of hours of meeting. The $ex scenes are passionate, and quick to resolve without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. Saying that, Ana and Sazon’s relationship took a backseat to the search and investigation into a series of murders linking back fourteen years.

Like the previous instalment Barshan, Sazon takes liberty with some of the history of the Russian Imperial Romanov family, and the Russian revolution- a history fictionalized and fantasized by many authors and historians throughout the years.

Sadly SAZON, like the previous instalments, requires another round of editing in that there are numerous problems including missing letters, possessive errors, as well as several instances of issues with name changes including Ana to Anna, and Drago to Deago. SAZON is the re-release of the author’s November 2017 FORGED IN BLOOD, therefore there is no excuse for the publication of a book without another re-read, round of editing, grammar and spell check. I also struggled with the lack of connection between the killer and the Russian blades. There is no apparent information linking the killer to the blades, or how he was able to ascertain their importance, location and history as it concerns the late Russian Tzar. The ‘missing information’ leaves a feeling of incompleteness to the overall story.

SAZON is a quick read that ends at 20% on the Kindle e-reader with additional material including a never before release novella-Saving Her, as well as Spawn and Spitfire Volume 1, Sin’s Volume 2 & 3. This is not unusual as most of the books in the series thus far end between 10-20% with the remainder filled with additional story lines.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Mikial (Bratva Blood Brothers #2) by KJ Dahlen-a review

MIKIAL (Bratva Blood Brothers #2) by KJ Dahlen-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release February 27, 2018

Mikial
The Bratva made him who he was.
He would die to protect any one of them.
The moment he saw her, he couldn’t ignore her.
He couldn’t help himself and he couldn’t stay away from her.
She belonged to him the moment he touched her.
Stepping in to protect what is his.
He would die to protect her, and go through hell to get her back.
God help any man who tried taking her away from him.

Pepper
In her nightmares, she can’t remember the face who crashed her world
She thought he wanted to use her, hurt her, and cast her away.
But he found it. He touched her soul, and he saved her.
She finds in his arms the safety she’s been missing
He makes her want the rest of the world to just go away
Now that she’s found him she’ll never let him go
To lose him now would be like ripping her soul out

•••••••••••••

REVIEW:  MIKIAL is the second instalment in KJ Dahlen’s contemporary, adult BRATVA BLOOD BROTHERS erotic, Russian Mafia, romance series focusing on a close-knit group of friends, originally from Russia. This is import/export dealer Mikial Bannonkov, and legal researcher Pepper Windjue’s story line. MIKIAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. The author begins each story with a prequel short story focusing on the history of the ‘brothers’ and how they came to be.

NOTE: MIKIAL is the re-release of the author’s April 2017 IN COLD BLOOD.

SOME BACKGROUND:  Five young boys and childhood friends (Yuri, Sazon, Barshan, Mikial and Roman) survived the mean-streets of Russia only to be rescued and reared by a local gym owner Ivan Russo, who would meet his death by a local gang. Seeking revenge against the gang, local Russian Bratva member and soon to be New York Russian mafia leader Nikoli Silvanic would mentor the five young men until they were ready to take on the world, with the approval of Russian Bratva leader Sergi Constantine. When the time came Nikoli Silvanic would take over the New York territory, while the five ‘blood brothers’ would take over New Orleans.

Told from several third perspectives including Mikial and Pepper MIKIAL follows the quick building romance between import/export businessman Mikial Bannonkov, and legal researcher Pepper Windjue. An art showing at a local gallery owned by the five Russian Bratva brothers brought together some of the elite of New Orleans but Pepper Windjue found herself staring down her future and her past. With a recommendation from a friend Pepper saw what could have been a painting from her life, an exact image of the child she once was but never knew. A mysterious man, a unknown shooter, and an attempt on her life find our heroine under protective custody by the man with whom she would fall in love. Enter Mikial Bannonkov, import/ export businessman, and a man whose own business interests are about to over lap with Pepper’s past. What ensues are the quick building lust to love romance between Pepper and Mikial, and the potential fall –out when Pepper becomes collateral damage in a war between the Russian and Irish mob.

The relationship between Pepper and Mikial is very quick to build. From the attempt on her life into protective custody with the Bratva Brothers, Pepper and Mikial will find themselves falling in bed within hours of meeting, and proclaiming their love in a matter of days. I would have loved a slower build-up to love and a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. I will add, that in this age of STDs and AIDs, I believe an author has a obligation and duty to promote safer sex, but there is NO mention of condom usage throughout the first two story lines.

All of Mikial’s Bratva Blood Brothers play secondary and supporting characters including the ongoing relationship struggles between Yuri and Raven (Yuri #1). Barshan’s story line is next.

The book description noted for a limited time, the book includes bonus content. At the beginning of the book the author adds that MIKIAL is a full length novel but ends before 100% on the Kindle File…I’d say….the story line ended at 12% with the remaining 88% focusing on the author’s Satan Spawn MC and Sin’s Bastards series, as well as other books by Butterfly Publishing. The first 2 % covered the background and history of the Bratva Brothers, a prequel that is also included in book one Yuri. I was hoping for a longer story line; a more thorough look at the conflict between Mikial and the Irish mob; and the connections to our heroine’s past.

MIKIAL is an easy read; simple in its’ presentation and formula. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are colorful; the romance is quick, fast and hot. If you are a fan of insta-lust/love then MIKIAL is the perfect read! If you are a fan of the Russian Mafia trope, then the Bratva Blood Brothers series is another chance to enjoy the ride.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one YURI

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Reviewed by Sandy

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