Review: Tore Up by Abbi Glines

October 23, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

TORE UP
Series: Mississippi Smoke #1
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 23, 2024

Calculating, cold, often without emotion was how I was described by those closest to me. I had thought perhaps there was truth to their depiction until this endless searing pain took the place in my chest where my heart used to be. Vengeance now ate away at my soul. The wrath I planned to unleash would make the demons in Hell appear mild.

At least, that was until…

The twisted crux came in the form of eyes bluer than the sky on a warm summer day, a slightly upturned nose with a scattering of freckles, a pink cupid bow mouth, and a smile that made a man’s knees weak.

The events that brought us here meant I should loathe her existence for eternity, yet my need for her grows with each passing day. She’s too young, she’s vulnerable and broken, but somehow, she’s not damaged. She was the cause of what had left me with this raging agony, and yet, the balm that eased my soul. Still, I can never forgive the destruction she caused me and those I love.

I had become a mockery of my revenge because holding her at night while she slept was the only thing keeping me sane. She’ll pay the price through my cruelty, never knowing that while she dreams, I find my solace.

My story begins with my worst nightmare.
And she’s the reason behind all of it.

AMAZON

There were only so many things I was willing to do when it came to her. Forgiving her was not one of them.

If you’ve read Abbi’s Smoke and Georgia Smoke series, then you will definitely love the Mississippi branch spinoff.

Abbi’s formula just always hits the spot for me. She writes some of the best toxic, walking red flags of alpha MMCs and I am so here for it. And while the super forgiving and at times overly innocent heroines would grate on me anywhere else, in her books it just works. Don’t ask me why or how. It just does, ok.

Those eyes of hers were a weapon. The damn sky on a clear day couldn’t even compete.

This is the Mississippi branch of the souther mafia so expect some cameos from past favorites as well as the introduction of plenty of new and intriguing characters. If you’re expecting a lot of mafia elements, it’s not really that. They’re more like morally corrupt, Yellowstone kind of ‘mafia’. Ya know? And this girl has no complaints.

Now the premise of this story is a HUGE spoiler, so I won’t tell you much but I will say that my jaw was on the floor on chapter one. And it takes a lot to catch your girl by surprise.

Our MMCs is the type of morally gray fictional man that I love. He’s ruthless, cold, unfeeling, and as homicidal as they come. The man is a walking red flag if there ever was one, so naturally I fell for him. Fictionally speaking of course. Halo is her name personified. This girl is innocent and sweetness all wrapped up into one eager to please FMC. And she was the perfect balance to the MMCs craziness.

She wasn’t mine, and I had no right to do this, but I couldn’t seem to stop it.

This is a forced proximity so it also had a slow burn element to it which I loved. It burned so good, even when there were moments that I wanted to c*ck punch our MMCs. But I digress.

This pull she had on me was owning me.

There is just something about Abbi’s books that are just pure book crack for me. I read them in one sitting and while there’s definitely a formula to them, it just always hits and hits the spot. It’s quick paced, spicy, with just the right amount of grit.

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Review: Taking What’s Mine by Siobhan Davis

September 12, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

TAKING WHAT’S MINE
Genre: Dark Mafia Romance
Author: Siobhan Davis
Release Date: September 10, 2024

A brand-new interconnected stand-alone dark mafia romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Siobhan Davis.

The moment I lay eyes on Valentina Ferraro, I know I have to have her.

There’s just one teeny problem—her husband.

So, I do what any red-blooded, possessed made man would do and I proposition him.

Five million dollars for one weekend with his beautiful young wife.

He agrees, like I knew he would, because he needs the money and he wants his secrets kept hidden from Don D’Onofrio.

Valentina is livid, but I like my women stubborn and fiery and the more she resists, the more I crave her.

One taste of those lush lips is all it takes to seal my fate.

I’m not giving her back.

I don’t care about the existing bad blood between New York and Florida or how this will start a war.

Men have gone into battle for less.

Valentina is the first woman I have wanted to keep, and no other man is ever touching her again.

She is going nowhere, consequences be damned.

I am taking what’s mine.

This is a dark romance and some scenes may be triggering. A full content warning list is available on the author’s website.

AMAZON 

I am usually not an insta anything girly, but this book went and proved me wrong. Because it just hit the spot for me so right, despite some of the things that I would normally nitpick on.

Now for an avid dark romance and mafia reader, I will say that while this had some dark subject matter and undertones, it fell in the more gray category for me because a lot of the darker details are just referenced or take place off the pages. But also, considering the somewhat softer start of insta chemistry and lust, this definitely has darkness to it.

This was not my first book by the author, but it was my first in this world. However, I had no issues diving head first into the story and quickly wrapping my head around all the different side characters. Though I’m super intrigued and will definitely go back to read some of the secondary character couples referenced here.

This was Fiero’s story, and if you like unhinged, OTT possessive and jealous alpha males, this one is IT. The man lays his eyes on Valentina, and not even her husband will prevent him getting what he wants. Her. This man was determined to have her, so what’s a little blackmail along with millions of dollars to get what he wants? And Valentina’s fiery anger won’t determine him either.

Valentina is not exactly in a happy marriage. Her husband was an abusive POS who I was immediately rooting against. She’s a beautiful young woman whose life unfortunately took a dark turn when she caught the eye of the wrong man, and she’s still paying the price these years later. In an arranged marriage, the last thing she wants is to be sold to the handsome mafioso, even though she’s not ignorant to the instant chemistry between them.

Fiero will stop at nothing to get her and I loved the way he pursued her with a single minded intent. But I particularly loved the way he also fought for her. Now this book definitely takes a very dark turn the more you learn about Valentina, and my heart broke for everything she’s been through. But man oh man how I appreciated the way that the author ended it. I won’t go into details, but I love when a process can rescue herself and Valentina is a fierce survivor. I loved the way she also fought for herself.

This was a deliciously dirty and spicy read with plenty of sizzle to go along with the dark.

Siobhan Davis™ is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Top 5 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold over 2 million books, and her titles are translated into several languages.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She lives in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

Join the author’s mailing list to receive a free e-book plus tons of bonus content. Refer to the official author website.

Connect with Siobhan Davis:

https://linktr.ee/siobhandavisauthor 

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Review: Sizzling by Abbi Glines

May 26, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

SIZZLING
Series: Georgia Smoke #3
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2024

Briar

Running. It seems that’s all I ever do. I’ve been running since I was fifteen. Some days I wonder if I’ll ever be able to stop. Would I even know how to live a normal life if I could? Doubt it. No reason to waste good time thinking on it either. Sitting around wishing for something never did anyone a favor. If you want it, then you go and get it. By any means necessary. And I was an expert at using my strengths. I’d been born with beauty, and it had been a curse that haunted me until, one day, I grabbed it and used it to my advantage. Don’t judge. You have no idea the demons I’ve fought… and the ones I still do.

Storm

Sure, I was raised to kill when needed and to protect the family. However, my momma also taught me to open doors for women and respect them unless they prove they’re not ladies. It was a damn shame the sweet little piece I’d been unable to get out of my head had never been a lady a day in her life. That gorgeous face and mouthwatering body were real nice wrapping paper to distract men. Briar Landry was a liar, a thief, a cheat, and a very talented gold digger. She disgusted me. The more I was forced to be around her, the more I hated her. I knew the evil inside her and I had enough twisted darkness of my own. Treating her with cruelty, I hadn’t known I possessed, was the only way to keep from letting her pull me inside her web.

AMAZON


Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, and I’ll cut your dick off.

Look, I don’t know what Abbi puts into these books, but they are the best form of book crack that I devour in one giddy sitting. And you know what the funny thing is? I could sit here and probably nitpick at plenty of things, and maybe if it was written by anyone else, I would. But when Abbi writes it, it just works.

That wasn’t the kind of woman you got out of your system. She was the kind that took your soul.

This is the next couple’s story in Abby’s Smoke series spinoff, Georgia smoke. And if you want to appreciate the story that much more, I highly recommend reading in order, because many characters are introduced early on and their story arc continues until their book. Such is the case of Briar, who we learned about in Slay King. Briar is a bit different from the other heroines that Abbi has written in these two series, because she’s self assured. She’s gorgeous and she knows it, and she uses it to survive. It was a refreshing change of pace to read. Having said that, while she puts up a good fight, sort of, she is still not able to resist the chemistry and attraction to Storm even when she should.

Storm thinks Briar is a gold-digger and takes every opportunity to judge her loudly for it. But even that judgement doesn’t lessen his attraction and pull to her. It’s also ironic that a man firmly rooted in the opposite side of the law would judge anyone, but here were are. As hard as he tries to fight the pull, he’s irrevocably drawn to the beauty and it doesn’t take long for their sizzling chemistry to finally implode.

What’s funny is that I would usually want to junk punch someone like Storm, but his hot and cold attitude just worked for me here. I would also want to judge how easy Briar gives into their pull no matter how crappy Storm treats here, but here were are. I just couldn’t seem to care because it just worked. Don’t ask me how or why, but I enjoyed the heck out of their dynamic. I could also nit pick into Storm’s sudden about face when it comes to Briar, but I couldn’t even bat an eye lash at it.

It was just one of those perfect, shut off your brain and enjoy sort of reads and I loved the heck out of it for it. It’s not a standalone and their conclusion will be with the next book, but it also doesn’t leave you on a painful cliffhanger. It ends at a satisfying point where you want the next book but you also get just enough of a good ending to be able to tolerate the short wait until the next installment.

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Review: When Lies Unfold by RC Boldt

May 23, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

WHEN LIES UNFOLD
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Author: RC Boldt
Release Date: May 23,  2024

USA Today bestselling author RC Boldt delivers a seductive new romantic suspense filled with twists in WHEN LIES UNFOLD…

The moment I witness a murder, my quiet, careful existence goes up in smoke. I’m thrust into the world of Santiago Hernández, Central America’s most ruthless cartel leader.

In exchange for my life, I’m placed under his watchful eye. Day in and day out, he waits for me to betray my promise of silence.

The longer I stay in his world, the deeper I fall for the glimpses of the man beneath that handsome yet cunning exterior. The man whose possessive touch ignites a long-lost part of me.

But I should know better than to open my heart to a cold-blooded criminal with a laundry list of deadly sins and secrets. Especially when he has no idea who I really am.

Because when the lies unfold, he’ll discover I have a list of sins and secrets of my own.

TROPES:
Alpha hero
Anti-hero
Heroine in danger
Close Proximity
Forced Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
OTT Possessive Hero
Mafia/Cartel
Found Family
On-the-run
Opposites Attract
Tortured lead
Tragic past
Revenge
Redemption

AMAZON 

The freedom I’ve fought so hard for has vanished in the blink of an eye. All because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

O
B
S
E
S
S
E
D

You think I do horrible things to people?”
“I’m sure of it.”
“Mm.” That rumble in his throat holds the barest hint of amusement, and a glint of something far more dangerous edges its way into his gaze. “But you see, Miss Arias, I don’t always do ‘horrible things.’ In fact, certain people like what I do.” His voice drops an octave, skittering over me, and his fuller bottom lip grazes mine with each syllable. “Sometimes, they even beg me for more.”

When I tell you I devoured this book in one heart pounding sitting, I mean I never wanted it to end. And if you’re a fan of a sizzling romantic suspense with a morally gray anti hero and a fierce, survivor heroine who fights her own battles? Well, welcome to your next addiction, my friend.

If I believed in witchcraft or voodoo shit, I’d be convinced she practices it. ’Cause every fuckin’ time I put my mouth on this woman, I’m an addict who needs even more.

I simply adore everything RC Bolt writes. She has this knack for writing some of the most addictive, twisty suspense stories with the most incredible romance intertwined. What I appreciate most about her writing is the incredible ability to balance both those elements effortlessly and flawlessly. You get the perfect combination of a heart pounding suspense with twists and turns along with the most sizling romance. And the story of Santiago and Lola was nothing if not sizzling.

Need you to know somethin’.”
A trace of apprehension has her brows creasin’. “What?”
“I don’t get on my knees for nobody.” She swallows hard as the weight of my words settles between us. I lower my face closer to where I can’t wait to bury my tongue. “But I’m doin’ this for you.”

Lola is desperately trying to stay under the radar. You know she’s running from something and her secrets run deep, but the truth unravels slowly and in a way that has the reader so engrossed, it’s like you’re living her story. Lola is a house cleaner who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and witnesses a murder. And when that murder is tied to one of the biggest narcos in Central America? Well, he’s not about to take her word for her silence. All of his attention is now on Lola and even though she fights him at every turn, her hands are tied…so to speak. *saucy grin*

Only a person with a dark, bloodstained soul can recognize another. They can easily identify the sacrifices made and understand the reasons behind them.

I absolutely loved the story arc between these two. Lola hates everything that Santiago stands for. But the longer she spends in his overwhelmingly intimidating presence, the more layers she peels back to discover there is so much more to the man. And unfortunately for her, the tether of mutual attraction and chemistry is at the center of it.

I truly mean that I devoured this book. I couldn’t stop reading. The story, the mystery, the slow burn romance, the chemistry, the enemies to lovers vibes, all of it was simply phenomenal. I cannot recommend this book enough. And that ending? *chefs kiss*

RC Boldt is a USA Today bestselling author currently living in part of the Costa Rican jungle with the love of her life and her mini-me.

If you’re in the mood for some killer mojitos or can’t recall the lyrics to a particular 80s song, she’s your girl.

Connect with RC Boldt 

Website: http://www.rcboldtbooks.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14543027.R_C_Boldt

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Kq1H9C

Facebook: http://bit.ly/RCBoldtFB

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BBBReaders/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/RCBoldtIG

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/RCBoldtBB

Verve: https://bit.ly/3jEf18z

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Review: Slay King by Abbi Glines

April 14, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

SLAY KING
Series: Georgia Smoke #2
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 14, 2024

This world I live in isn’t one that builds strong relationships. It rips them apart.”

Perhaps that was true, but nonetheless, I had fallen in love with him anyway. The man who had lied to me, the man I couldn’t trust, the man who would never love me back, yet even knowing all that, I loved him still. His smile could make me forget all the reasons why I shouldn’t. I was so easily blinded by the charm that was King Salazar.

He used it like a weapon, and I was one of the many who fell under his spell. Accepting that I had nowhere else to go and running from the southern mafia was impossible, I gave in to my feelings for him. All the while knowing he would eventually break me in a way that my abusive husband he had killed had not.

While he kept me locked away, safe from the gang bent on finding me, I had to sit back and watch him live out a fake relationship with the next Governor of Georgia’s only daughter. We all know how that story goes. I’d read enough of those tropes in books to prepare myself for the end. When he would fall for her and, I would, once again, be left alone. Shattered beyond repair.

This is the second book in the Slay duet in the Georgia Smoke Series.

AMAZON

Love is weak,” I said, taking another step toward her. “It fades.” She looked stricken. Reaching up, I cupped her face in my hand. “So, it’s a fucking good thing that you possess my soul, sweets. You’re under my skin, in my blood, locked so damn deep inside of me that I could never let you go.”

Lately, it takes me days to finish a book because my attention span is that of a squirrel on the best of days. But when it comes to Abbi Gaines books? I’m not capable of not devouring them in one sitting. I don’t know what the woman laces her books with, but they’re absolute book crack. BOOK CRACK I tell you. And Slay King was no exception.

This is the conclusion to King and Rumor’s story and the start of a brand new spinoff from the Smoke series. There’s new characters introduced with some favorites from the Smoke series who make cameos. While I prefer my heroines a bit more on the ball busting variety, I couldn’t help but love Rumor and her quiet strength. The woman is a survivor and I loved watching her put her broken pieces together. While I wanted her to make King work for it more, she wasn’t a pushover and she spoke her mind. But of course his sexual magnetism was impossible for her to resist.

If you like uber alphas who are slightly psychotic, irrationally possessive and fiercely protective with a splash of dirty talk, you would love King. I do wish we got to see a bit more of his kinks play out in this book, but considering Rumor’s past, it also made sense that he tame that part of himself down for her.

While the ending felt a little abrupt it was immensely satisfying all the same. I binge read this in one sitting and enjoyed it from cover to cover. I can’t wait for my next hit of this addictive new series.

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Review: Reckless Promises by Eva Simmons

March 15, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

RECKLESS PROMISES
Series: Reckless #2
Author: Eva Simmons
Genre: Mafia Romance
Release Date: March 15, 2024

ODETTE

Sold…
One word seals my fate.

I’m sold to the highest bidder to settle my father’s debts, and now I’m at the mercy of a mafia prince.

Cillian is gorgeous. Heartless. Deadly.

And I’m his revenge.

There’s only one problem… Cillian isn’t the only one seeking vengeance. I’ve been chained and shackled long enough.

So when Cillian threatens to burn my family to the ground if I disobey him, I can’t help but hand him the matches.

CILLIAN

Bought…
I wanted revenge so I bought it.

And now Odette is mine.

It’s not her fault her father placed her on the auction block when I was looking for something of his to break. But he handed me his prized possession. And to ruin him—I’ll start with her.

Odette can fight me, she can resist, she can beg. She’ll learn to play her part in this game.

Except one taste of her fire, and all my rules break.

I vowed ‘til death.
And for her, I’ll do anything.

AMAZON

You want to be a brat? Then I’m happy to teach you a lesson.”

This was my first Eva Simmons book and I’ll definitely be reading more of her after this. And while this book didn’t blow me away, it was still a solid read that I enjoyed quite a bit.

This is a mafia romance with an arranged marriage and you already know I’m a sucker for this trope. Add in the complexity of warring mafia families and I’m all over it.

Odette has been raised to be a good girl. As a daughter to a ruthless mafia man, her virginity is the extent of her value. Put on the auction block to be sold to be married to her father’s business contact, she never expects for her family’s enemy to buy her from under everyone’s nose.

Cillian doesn’t care about marriage but he cares about revenge. A revenge that he has been planning for years in retaliation for the death of his father. The daughter of his enemy now locked in as his wife if a step he didn’t factor for, but he’s using it now that he has her. What he didn’t factor is actually falling for his unwilling bride.

The story was a fun, albeit formulaic plot. And while I’ve read it countless times, it still kept me entertained. I have to say I expected a bit more grit and darkness based on the blurb, but this was on the tamer side. If you’re just dipping your toe into the genre, this is a great book to start with. However, for my seasoned dark romance readers out there like me, it may feel a bit on the lighter side. I didn’t mind that so much, but I did find myself skimming through a few parts if I’m being perfectly honest. The story has plenty of sizzle and steam and Cillian is pure fire. I loved him and Odette together. I also loved that even though she was a virgin, she’s no ingenue. And I especially loved her growing fierceness throughout the book.

If you’re looking for a lighter mafia read with plenty of steam, this will hit the spot nicely.



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Review: Scorned Vows by Victoria Paige

January 29, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

SCORNED VOWS
Series: Scorned Fate #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Author: Victoria Paige
Release Date: January 16, 2024

He was the perfect husband until she got pregnant.

An arranged marriage was always in Natalya Conte’s future.
Luca Moretti is charming and considerate.
Handsome like the devil, he dotes on her and spoils her.
But when two pink lines should have brought them unbridled joy, her husband ices her out.

An arranged marriage gives Luca great power.
To cement that power, he needs an heir.
The quickest way to do it is to make Natalya fall madly in love with him.
He will have her loyalty without risking his heart because love to him means weakness.

Natalya needs Luca to love her.
Because she has secrets that will put them all in jeopardy.
Her heart shatters when Luca shows her exactly how little she means to him.
But it isn’t until she sees evidence of the unforgivable that she loses all hope for a happily ever after.

AMAZON 

You’re mine, and I’m done pretending that you’re not.”

As a self proclaimed alphahole addict, the second I read this blurb, I knew I’d be all over it. Arranged marriage, ruthless mafia antihero? Sign me up I say!

You’re mine, and I’m done pretending that you’re not.”Up here, I wasn’t the boss of the Chicago crime family. Up here, I was merely a mortal man falling in love with his family.

An arranged marriage doesn’t sound like one paved in love. But young Natalya is instantly enraptured with her future husband. He may be a ruthless in everything that he does, but he’s soft and attentive with her. But what Natalya doesn’t know, is Luca is not above playing the romantic to get to what he needs from her; an heir. And when Natalya gets pregnant, things take a turn in a direction she never saw coming.

This was a quick paced page turner and I was instantly hooked with Luca. Natalya, admittedly, did take me a minute to warm up to. She’s not at all what she seems, but she sure hides it well. I definitely did myself a disservice by not reading book one first, because there’s some backstory to her that makes it feel like you start this book already partially through her development. But then it didn’t take me long to connect to her and her very many layers. She’s a fascinating mix of fierce and vulnerable. The second half of this book, we get an entirely different side to her and I loved it.

There’s a little bit of everything here; suspense, action, mafia, betrayal, revenge. The chemistry was delicious and the grit was the perfect addition. I’m definitely hooked on this series and will immediately be reading the first book.

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Review: Unholy Vows by Mila Kane

November 8, 2023 by · Leave a Comment

UNHOLY VOWS
Series: Original Sin Series #1
Author: Mila Kane
Genre: Dark, Mafia Romance
Release Date: November 8, 2023

Forgive me father, for I’m about to sin…

Renato
 
We never should have met. She wandered like an innocent lamb into my world, and the door slammed shut behind her.
 
Leaving her alive and free was a risk no capo would take.
I’ll let her live, for a price.
Her freedom.
 
She isn’t what she seems, but it’s already too late.
I’m obsessed, and nothing, and no one will keep her from me.

A forced marriage, age gap dark mafia romance with a jealous, possessive Italian boss anti-hero and the feisty young nurse that wandered unwillingly into his dangerous world.

Unholy Vows is a standalone dark age-gap romance with a guaranteed HEA and no OWD.
 
This is a dark mafia romance and as such contains themes which some readers may find triggering. Please read with caution.

AMAZON

I don’t need or want a white knight to sweep in and take care of me.” A chuckle left me at that comparison. “I’m no white knight, Miss Burke, as I’m sure you realized last night. I’m the dragon who guards the maiden in the keep and will swallow you whole if you try to escape me.

I have a new addiction and it’s name is Mila Kane books. I’m a self proclaimed mafia romance connoisseur. But I’m also a picky sh*t and truly good mafia romance is hard to find. Either the heroine is insufferable, it’s shock value for the sake of shock value, or it’s not even remotely dark. But this one? This was deliciously dark, with an antihero who was to die for and a heroine who never lost an ounce of her fierceness or backbone. And this girl was so addicted that I’m immediately planning a binge of Mila’s mafia backlist. But I digress. Let’s talk about this book.

She was an intriguing mix of contradictions. Good and pure, and mercenary as hell.

Charlie has been taking care of her troublesome younger sister since losing their parents years ago. When she follows her sister and her new boyfriend, she lands in deeper trouble then she ever expected when they witness something that they never should have seen. Suddenly Charlie finds herself in the sighs of a devil of a man who’s as alluring as he is dangerous. Renato De Sanctis, King of Atlantic City, and the capo dei capi of New Jersey. And Rentato will take nothing less than her soul in exchange for not killing her sister and her for what they saw. Better yet, he’ll take her unwilling hand in marriage to keep her quiet. The pesky attraction to the man doesn’t stop her healthy fear, but it also makes it that much more fiery.

“Have you ever been properly fucked?”
“Are you asking me if I’m a virgin? I’m twenty-six.” “I’m not talking about a little piece of inconvenient skin. I didn’t ask if you’d ever been pawed by some sucker who was punching above his weight. I meant have you ever been fucked properly… Have you ever seen stars behind your eyes while some lucky bastard pumped his cum into you? Have you ever come so hard, you forgot how to talk… how to breathe?”
“You can’t expect me to answer that,” she muttered.
“I don’t need you to, bambina; it’s obvious. But don’t worry…We’ll remedy that soon enough.”

I loved the development their relationship goes through. Charlie doesn’t just fall into lust and forgets her whits. She knows that she made a deal with the devil and she doesn’t disillusion herself that he’s a good man.

“You tell me to let it go, and I don’t have to worry about paying the bills. Do you think seriously that’ll comfort me? A woman who has worked her entire life to be independent and free? You think I’ve just been waiting for a man like you to come along and save me?”
“I told you already that I’m no white knight, Charlotte. I’m the villain in your story, and no one is coming to cut you free from the belly of this beast. No one.”

Ren was everything I love in an anti hero. He’s dark, dangerous, and as possessive as he is protective. The story is fast paced and addictive. I binged on this story and can’t wait for more in this series.


I’m obsessed with cats, coffee, and anti-heroes just the right side of insane.

I write dark and dirty romance with the alpha-holes of your most filthy nightmares.

While I like my heroes obsessed and powerful, I like my heroines smart and independent. My headstrong, capable women will bring their own personal demons to their knees, and capture their hearts at the same time.

I only write SAFE stories, there is never a place for another woman in my heroes sights, once he’s caught the scent of the heroine, and there will always be, no matter how dark and twisted the story might be… a HEA guarantee xx

 

Connect with Mila

Website | https://www.milakane.com/

Amazon | https://amzn.to/44E1nt6

Facebook | www.facebook.com/MilaKanewrites

Facebook Group | https://bit.ly/3NOGG6C

Instagram | www.instagram.com/milakanebooks/

TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@milakanebooks

Pinterest | www.pinterest.co.uk/MilaKaneWrites/

 

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Review: Ruined Kingdom by Natasha Knight

November 1, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

RUINED KINGDOM
Series: Ruined Kingdom Duet #1
Author: Natasha Knight
Genre: Dark Mafia/MFM Romance
Release Date: November 1, 2022

I never imagined my first trip to Italy would be to bury my father. But there I was in the beautiful cathedral, alone, with my father’s casket and a handful of soldiers to keep me safe.

It didn’t occur to me that anyone would disrupt the sanctity of the church. Would march in, weapons in hand and turn my world upside down.

But the Caballero brothers have no regard for the church and even less for my family.

They destroyed the peace of that sad occasion.
They desecrated my father’s body.
And they took me for themselves.

I’m a princess in a tower in a breathtaking villa.
My bedroom overlooks the turquoise sea but the door is locked.

And I have to contend with not one but two dragons.

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COMING SOON
 
#2 Broken Queen – Releasing November 15

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I wonder who you will hate more, me or yourself, when you lie beneath me. When you beg for release.”
“I will never beg you.”
He draws back, bringing his forehead to mine, our eyes locked. “Won’t you?”

It’s official, Natasha Knight is simply not capable of writing a book that I won’t obsess over and make my entire personality. And now she served us with some mafia MFM goodness that combines a fierce heroine, captive trope, forced proximity, and all of the hate lust. And this girl? I was SO HERE FOR IT.

You’re going to be our little fuck toy. A perk. Do you understand that, Dandelion? Because that’s all you are. A weed. Something to be trampled on without a thought and eventually plucked out of existence entirely.”

Vittoria Russo is the beloved daughter of a now deceased mafia boss, who gets caught in the crosshairs of a revenge years in the making that was set in motion by her father and brother. Bastian and Amadeo are brothers who will stop at nothing to make the Russo family pay for the sins of their past that cost their family everything. Ruthless, cold, calculating, nothing is beneath their vengeance. Even kidnapping the Russo daughter during her father’s funeral and forcing her to marry one of them, willing or not.

This was such a ride. Like most Natasha series, the romance is very much a slow burn, with bits and pieces of sizzling hate lust and unwilling attraction. Vittoria fights the Caballero brothers at every step. She’s a fighter through and through, even when all the odds are stacked against her. I loved her so much. She gave as good as she got, and this is a woman who got a lot. The brothers are cruel and vicious, but there’s an undercurrent of lust that gives it a crackle. Though there was a bit of a misbalance because Bastian fought the attraction at every turn while Amadeo freely gave into it. And then there was that cliffhanger!!! MOTHER OF GAWD. Thank god the wait for book two isn’t long or else I would have thrown hands.

 

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
 
 
AUTHOR LINKS
 
Website: http://natasha-knight.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/natasha-knight
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Natasha-Knight/e/B009MIHIFG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashaknightauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752075498339742
Newsletter: http://natasha-knight.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashaknight13

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Review: Devil of Dublin by B.B. Easton

September 22, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

DEVIL OF DUBLIN
Genre: Dark, Mafia Romance
Author: B.B. Easton
Release Date: September 22, 2022

From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 44 Chapters About 4 Men (inspiration for the Netflix Original series Sex/Life) comes a dark mafia romance steeped in Irish folklore.

I can’t remember anymore if my grandfather’s eyes were blue or green, but I’ll never forget the way they wrinkled at the corners when he laughed at one of his own jokes. Or the way they sparkled with mischief when he told me tales about the magical creatures that dwelled in the forest behind his humble Irish sheep farm—shy fairies who liked to eat tea biscuits, cruel witches who liked to eat children, a moody lake spirit with a taste for expensive gifts.

As a child, I believed every fantastical word. But when he warned me about the mute boy who also lurked in those woods, the one the priest had declared to be the spawn of Satan himself, I refused to listen. Kellen wasn’t evil. He was kind, and beautiful, and special, and hurting. He was my friend. And with every summer I spent stolen away with him in those enchanted woods, he grew to become so much more.

But when I return to Glenshire as an adult, grieving and engaged to someone else, all those legends quickly morph into nightmares.

My grandfather had been right about everything, especially the boy.

If only I had listened.

WARNING: If you are a sensitive reader or find certain topics to be emotionally triggering, please exercise self-care and select a different book. Devil of Dublin is intended for mature audiences who enjoy dark subject matter, tortured anti-heroes, explicit adult content, graphic violence, heart-pounding suspense, fairy-tale worthy love, and gorgeous Irish scenery. If that sounds like you, then welcome to Glenshire!

AMAZON

I was no longer human or demon or even fucking breathing. I was simply hers—mind, body, and cursed black soul.

Now look, did I bother to read the blurb before adding this book to my TBR? Absolutely not. If the author wasn’t enough to convince me, this cover sealed the deal. So did I know what I was getting into when I started it outside that it’s a dark mafia romance? Absolutely not.

This story caught me completely unaware in all the best of ways. Funny enough, had I knew the direction it would take, I probably wouldn’t read it. I don’t typically love the sweet soulmates vibes. But did that one ray of sweet light help brighten the sheer darkness that was the rest of this story? Absolutely.

BB Easton wrote an incredible story with two tortured characters who are simply made for each other. You know what I love in dark romance? It’s when it makes me feel. I don’t want the shock value of graphic scenes, it’s the chills it gives you. And the mere alluding to the past these two characters had was enough to have chills going down my spine. Darby and Kellen met as children. Kellen was already in his own particular hell, while Darby was the sunny and sweet girl that befriended the town’s pariah. And when they meet again years later, Darby is not the girl he knew, but she also is.

Now I’m not generally a fan of the insta thing, and while I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as insta love, it wasn’t not insta love either. It was full of depth, emotion, pain, and healing. It was unlike any other mafia romance I’ve read, and that’s saying quite a bit.

Wall Street Journal bestselling author BB Easton lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her long-suffering husband, Ken, and two adorable children. A few years ago, she quit her job as a school psychologist to write books about her punk rock past and deviant sexual history full-time. Ken wasn’t super excited about that, but now that he’s appeared in three of her books and inspired a TV show character, he’s incredibly supportive.

BB’s debut memoir, 44 Chapters About 4 Men, went on to inspire the Netflix original series, Sex/Life, which was viewed by 67 million households worldwide within the first month making it the 3rd most-watched Netflix original series of all time. Because she had so much fun writing 44 Chapters, BB went on to publish four more wickedly funny, shockingly steamy, and heartwarmingly autobiographical books, one for each man in her memoir—Skin, Speed, Star, and Suit.

The Rain Trilogy—a dark, immersive, end-of-the-world romance—was BB’s first work of fiction. Or at least, that’s what she thought when she wrote it in 2019. Then, 2020 hit, and all of her dystopian plot points started coming true. Hoping to fix everything, BB returned with a fun, feel-good romantic comedy called Group Therapy, but alas, the world is still on fire … and so is BB’s desire to write intense, us-against-the-world romances. Her next release, Devil of Dublin, is a dark Irish mafia romance steeped in folklore and family secrets.  

You can find BB procrastinating in all of the following places:

Website: www.authorbbeaston.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/author.bb.easton

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bbeaston

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bbeaston

#TeamBB Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/BBEaston

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bb_easton

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/artbyeaston

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/bbeaston

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/4hiwiR

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bb-easton

 

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