THE DEVIL’S LAIR (De Kysa Mafia 2) by Penny Dee-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 6, 2023

Massimo De Kysa.
The man who stole my first kiss.
And now my boss.

I learned early how life can turn on a dime.
That’s how it is when you grow up as a mafia princess.
One minute you’re rich, spoilt, and betrothed to the most revered man in the city—the next your broke and selling your designer bags so you can eat.

But I’m not the kind of girl who gives up without a fight.
And when someone steals everything from me I’m not afraid to turn to the enemy for help.

He’s a De Kysa. I’m a Bamcorda.
Two rival families from the East Coast.
But it wasn’t always that way.
A year ago, he stole my first kiss and gave me a night to remember.

Since then, he’s changed.
Now he’s a powerful don with the presence of an approaching storm.

He agrees to help me hunt down who stole my inheritance.
But everything comes with a price, especially when you strike a deal with the devil.

Will trusting the enemy get my life back, or will it cost me everything?

•••••

REVIEW: THE DEVIL’S LAIR is the second instalment in Penny Dee’s contemporary, adult DE KYSA MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Don Massimo De Kysa, and twenty-two year old Bianca Bamcorda’s story line. THE DEVIL’S LAIR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading book one THE DEVIL’S DEN. Massimo is Luca De Kysa’s brother (The Devil’s Den).

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Massimo and Bianca) using present day and memories from the past, THE DEVIL’S LAIR follows in the aftermath of the murder of Bianca’s father Luca Bamcorda, a man who demanded respect but gave nothing in return. Within days of his funeral Bianca discovers she is homeless, and all of her father’s money has been stolen. Desperate for help, Bianca goes to the only man she believes can help, a man she has lusted after for a very long time but a man in direct competition with her late father’s power. Enter Don Massimo De Kysa, the man with whom Bianca will fall in love but all does not go according to plan when Massimo offers to help find the person responsible, only to face down the impossible at every turn. What ensues is the building but questionable relationship between Bianca and Massimo, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.

The world building focuses on the search for the truth but the truth is about to destroy our story line couple. Working for Massimo means a guaranteed paycheque but working for the enemy means nothing is as it seems, and the truth is about to destroy our story line heroine.

The relationship between Massimo and Bianca begins as an arrangement. Massimo hires Bianca in the face of desperation and pity but Massimo’s secrets are about to push Bianca out of his life. The $ex scenes are limited but intimate and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and energetic. We are introduced to Bianca’s ex-friends, Massimo’s sister Eve, bartender Natalie, as well as the return of Massimo’s brother Nico. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE DEVIL’S LAIR is a Cinderella-esque story line with a bit of Pretty Woman™ thrown in for good measure. Bianca will lose everything, and must face down the people she once called friends but fair-weather friends threaten any hope of Bianca’s trust. The fast paced premise is twisted and edgy; the characters are animated, desperate and tragic; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of mistrust and lies.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy