THE SHADOW KING’S KISS (De Luca Empire 1) by Raven Reeves-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 30, 2024

Nica

The De Luca name means power, wealth, and a darkness that chills me to the bone. They’re a viper’s nest, and my father was killed by their fangs. Now, I want revenge.
But then I see him. Elio De Luca. His sharp jawline, effortlessly tousled dark hair, and intense eyes pull me in, even though I know I should hate him. My heart races, and a flush creeps up my neck.
Is this really the same boy who used to build sandcastles with me and sneak me candy? The memory throws me off balance. How can my childhood friend now control an empire built on blood? His eyes meet mine—a flicker of recognition, then a cold mask. Is he playing games, or is there something left of the boy I knew beneath that ruthless facade?
Stepping into Elio’s world, a world I left behind as a child, could cost me more than just my heart—it might cost me my life.

Elio
The scent of cinnamon hits me, a ghost from a past I thought was long gone.
It’s Nica.
My gaze sweeps over her curves, and I can’t help but linger. Her long, dark hair frames a face that draws me in effortlessly. Her lips part, and I wonder how they would taste. Everything about her makes it impossible to look away.
Victoria Galli. My best friend—until she wasn’t. I remember her fiery spirit and that laugh that could chase away shadows. But now her eyes are filled with a fury I can’t decipher, and my heart tightens. She doesn’t belong here. Not in this world. My world.
Part of me wants to reach out, explain the darkness I’ve become. But will Nica only see the monster the rest of the world fears?

••••

REVIEW: THE SHADOW KING’S KISS is the first full-length instalment in Raven Reeves’ contemporary, adult DE LUCA EMPIRE dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is the new head of the De Luca empire, Elio De Luca, and twenty-six year old, Victoria ‘Nica’ Galli’s story line. There is a prequel novella available THE SHADOW KING’S TRUTH focusing on some of the background of our story line couple.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Elio and Nica) using present day and memories from the past, THE SHADOW KING’S KISS follows in the aftermath of the discover of Nica’s father. Matteo Galli worked for the De Luca Family but disappeared one year earlier. Believing the De Luca family had killed her father, Victoria Galli puts an ill conceived plan into action but finds herself a virtual prisoner of the man in charge. Enter Elio De Luca, her childhood best friend, and the man with whom Nica will fall in love. Someone is targeting Victoria Galli, and Elio is determined to protect her with his body and his heart but all is not well in the De Luca empire, and betrayal will come at a cost.

The world building is detailed revealing some of the earlier history between Nica and Elio. Best friends who grew up together under the shadow of the De Luca empire, Nica would eventually run from the life, and Elio was left to pick up the pieces of his broken heart.

The relationship between Elio and Nica is one of second chances, of a sorts. Friends to enemies to frenemies to lovers, Elio is determined to protect the woman he loves but when betrayal comes from within, everything begins to spiral out of control. Reconnecting with Victoria forces Elio to look towards a different future, a future on the run to protect them both. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are a mix of good and evil, dark and light. We are introduced to Don De Luca and his wife Maria; Elio’s brother Vinny; Don Mario Falcone and his daughter Sophia; FBI Agent Jackson, as well as an assortment of security and Mafia personnel.

THE SHADOW KING’S KISS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, power and control, forgiveness and love. The premise is intriguing, dramatic and dark; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are determined, charismatic and animated. THE SHADOW KING’S KISS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy