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Giovanni

By Natasha Knight

Synopsis

I’m the right-hand man of the mafia king.
She’s a girl with a past she’s desperate to hide.

But I need something from her.
And I know she won’t help me. Not willingly.
She’ll need some persuading.

Lucky for her, I can do that.

Something about this girl makes me curious, though, and it’s more than the scars that line her back. She’s on the edge of something. Something bad. She’s like a perfect, beautiful doll coming apart at the seams. And the last string is about to snap.

She thinks I’ll hurt her. Break her.
But thing is, she’s already broken. And she and I, we’re two peas in a pod. She’s my match, the perfect opponent. She’ll fight me to the finish, but I’ll win. I always do.

Because I’m a man used to getting what I want. And what I want is her.

Author’s Note: Giovanni is a STANDALONE dark mafia romance set in the Benedetti Brothers Mafia World. It’s an emotionally gripping enemies-to-lovers romance with a hard-earned HEA.

Review

Firstly, I got to chapter 22 and literally put the book down, I took some deep breaths and thought to myself you need to see this story through.  Be like Emilia, this strong and courageous woman, I was beside myself with fear and what a reward for the ending.  When Emilia faces her past to try and move forward, amazed at her bravery.

I loved, loved, loved this story, Giovanni captured me from those first few pages and Emilia takes you on a roller coaster of emotions.

You know Emilia’s story is harrowing but I had no idea the depths of deception she endured.  Giovanni is her saviour, her warrior, and her lover and he balances those throughout this story perfectly.

Their passionate scenes are off the charts however the depth of emotion these two encounter is what surprised me.  This is more than just a mafia romance, so many layers for both main characters that just make this story simply perfect in my eyes. Again this author has given us a wonderful Mafia story to be addicted to and devour in a day.

Quote:  “To answer your question, no, I don’t think I can break you, Emilia. I think you’re already broken”

Giovanni

My Rating:  

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Hell Upside Down

By Mia Villano

Synopsis

Scarlett Ferguson wanted out of her dreary life in Cutler, Maine. Every day was only an existence living in poverty in a run down trailer with her dad and his girlfriend. Working a dead end job in a restaurant, Scarlett’s life changes the day Hugh Cruz walks into her world.


He is gorgeous, rich and charming, sweeping Scarlett off her feet after a few dates. When he wants to marry her in a rush, she thinks nothing of it, other than it is true love. That changes on the night of her honeymoon. The night Scarlett realizes, things are not what they seem. It doesn’t take long for Scarlett to become someone she swore she never would be, in a life she swore she never would want.

Heartbroken and confused, Scarlett realizes that the life she ran away from is the life she truly wants.  Secrets unravel as Scarlett discovers the real reason Hugh came into her life. No one is who she thought they were and the people she trusted are soon revealing their true identity. Hell Upside Down is a dark, emotional standalone novel filled with suspense. Each page has you wanting more. 

Review

Hell Upside Down I literally finished in a just a few days, I could not put this mystery romance down.  The author begins her novel perfectly, we are given a taste of Scarlett’s life, we then go back to where it begins.  The first half of the story we are heading to that pivotal moment in her future.  I was simply on the edge of my seat knowing this and the hell she was going to endure.  The pacing was perfect to me, giving me enough to keep turning the pages.  The second half of the story is forging a new life for herself and this is where she simply shines.

Scarlett is such a strong and resilient character, she was my purpose to continue this often dark and dangerous tale.  Her marriage and will to survive in an abusive environment was simply heartbreaking.

Durango did not disappoint, I had hopes for him in the beginning and he plays his part to perfection.

The most surprising of this whole story was all the mystery and players in the second half, this story is no way finished when Scarlett gets rescued.  The story literally begins and we learn so much about all the people in her life.  I never picked all the knights in shining armor that were silently there in the background nor the hidden dark players.

Hell Upside Down

My Rating:  

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A Shameless Little Bet (Shameless #3)

By Meli Raine

Synopsis

How do I prove a negative?

I need to prove Jane is innocent, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Mirrors, smoke, and lies can conjure a truth that isn’t real. Money, bribes, and power can twist reality. What we call proof is all an elaborate magic act.

So is love.

How do you prove you’re in love? How can you know with unrelenting certainty that the person you can’t live without really loves you?

It’s all about what you believe. Who you believe. And I believe Jane. I love her. But it might be too late.

Or, worse – it might all be an illusion. If proof is just a magician’s sleight of hand, then we’re caught in a sick trick.

A deadly one.

One that doesn’t end with applause.

But with a bang.

Read the entire Shameless series now!

A Shameless Little Con (#1)
A Shameless Little Lie (#2)
A Shameless Little Bet (#3)
The trilogy is complete!

Review

A Shameless Little Bet has brilliantly completed this series.  This final installment has answered all my thoughts on not only Jane & Silas but also Lindsay & Drew.

In a Shameless Little Bet,  Jane’s emotional state continues to unravel yet she begins to trust her instincts more. Lindsay and Jane both became stronger and determined together to find answers.

This final installment is a major read, it has revelations that have always been there.  Throughout this series, I have questioned characters and motives for which I am glad to have been answered.  It is strange how characters up front and center whom I dismissed have come back to play.

I never guessed all the final outcomes, who would have thought we would come this far from A Harmless LIttle Game.  I loved the way the author completed this story, we are given happiness and contentment and above all else peace and silence for Jane & Lindsay.

A Shameless Little Bet (Shameless #3)

My Rating:  

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Trouble (Made & Broken #3)

By Nora Ash

Synopsis

I share everything with my twin—every man I kill, every woman I fuck. But once my sight is set on her… she’s all mine.

Audrey

If there is one thing I don’t have time for, it’s men. Especially not men six years my junior, with a wicked smile and abs for days. No self-respecting woman with career goals and bills to pay would fall for a guy like Liam Steel—he’s everything I never wanted, with his easy laugh and complete disregard for rules.

He’s not the man for me, I know he isn’t. He’s got secrets, and if I get too close they’ll end up burning me alive.

So why can’t I stay away?

Liam

It was meant to be a harmless fling—she was supposed to be just another quick fuck before I was out the door. But Audrey Waits is so much more than I ever thought she’d be.

She’s the one.

I should be happy I’ve found the woman I want to marry. After all, isn’t that what everyone spends their entire life searching for? Their one true love.

Too bad I’ll never get my Happy Ever After.

How can I, when being with me means she’s marked for death?

Louis

It was always Liam and me. Through every hit we’ve done, every woman we’ve fucked and every loss we’ve suffered, we’ve been left standing because we had each other’s backs.

Then she showed up. The prissy little bird who’s wrapped my twin around her finger, making him careless. Making him vulnerable.

In our business, you have a weakness, you’re dead. And if there’s one thing I won’t survive, it’s losing Liam.

So I’ll protect him—even from himself, if I have to.

I’ll make her think I’m him.

And then I’ll break her.

She’ll regret they day she fell in love with a Steel.

Review

I admit I have loved the Made & Broken Series, the first two were five heart reads.  This final installment had an action-packed second half with emotion and spine-tingling moments.  I felt the emotional connection between Liam, Louis, and Audrey.

Liam and Audrey’s romantic journey felt slow for me.  Louis played a sneaky game of the heart and it felt too quick within the storyline.  Trouble in some parts just felt rushed.  I could not feel the three characters connection as deeply as I did other couples in this series.

The author created tense and exciting final moments for the mob family drama and secrets were well played.  Can I say I really loved the Russian when he dealt with Audrey, it provided humour at a dark moment.  Also, my favourite brother being Marcus returns so I was very happy.

.  The author neatly tied up all the family with a great Epilgoue.  This series had a great trio of strong female characters who all balanced these mafia brothers, I would have loved to have met Ellie.

Trouble (Made & Broken #3)

My Rating:  

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Unhinged (The Amado Brothers #3)

By Natasha Knight

Synopsis

Eve

Two years ago, I made a deal with the devil. That night, I lost everything. That night, I thought he died.

But he’s back. Risen, like Lazarus, from the dead. And he’s dark. Darker than he was before. More dangerous. Unhinged. A scarred, tattooed savage.

The way he looks at me should terrify me, but I’m drawn to him, to his intensity. Consumed by it. By him. Even though I know if I’m not careful, his obsession will destroy me.

Zach

I should have died that night two years ago. My mistake cost my men their lives. It should have cost me mine. But I survived. And the day I learned she did too, I made it my mission to find her.

I sought her out. Tracked her. Shadowed her every move. I’ve been inside her home. Eaten her food. Drank her liquor.

I’ve stood beside her bed and watched her sleep.

She has so many secrets, and I know one of them. It’s the one where our pasts collided. The one that destroyed me.

And it’s the reason I’ve come for her.

I never intended to touch her, but I did. And now that I’ve had a taste, I want more. I want her. But that won’t change why I’m here. It won’t change why I came for her.

Review

Unhinged had me hooked from the first few pages, upon finishing the Prequel I immediately wanted to know how Eve and Zach survived. Personally, the Prequel gives you the background to the deception that Zach believes and explains the isolation for Eve.

I love the cover of this book, it is easy to imagine Zach and believe the tension and his need for answers and revenge.

There were so many secrets in this story and questions that are all answered, I never guessed or saw the double-crossing.  This is definitely standalone within the series, I could easily follow the entire story and have no questions at the conclusion.  There are some dark and violent moments but they are relevant to the story, nothing is unnecessary.

Eve was strong and Zach was very conflicted.  Their passionate scenes were well placed within the flow of the fast-paced story.  Their moments were frantic at times in line with the story but also sensual and romantic and healing for them both.

Unhinged is another dark and dangerous read. This author knows how to give us a tortured alpha with whom we follow their path to finding that strongwilled woman to heal their heart.

Unhinged (The Amado Brothers #3)

My Rating:  

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Monster (Made & Broken #2)

By Nora Ash

Synopsis

Marcus

They call me crazy. Sociopath. A monster without a conscience.

I always thought they were right. I don’t back down from anything, and the only thing that can quell the rage in my gut is killing.

Then she walked into my life. The woman who seduced me to steal my Family’s secrets.

I should kill her, but when I look into her eyes, all the monster in me wants is to protect her.

Eve

It was supposed to be an easy job: Seduce a ruthlessly handsome man and steal his pen drive while he’s sleeping. Not the worst thing I’ve had to do to while working on the streets, by far.

I didn’t know he was the son of London’s most dangerous crime family—and I didn’t know that looking at the pictures on that goddamn pen drive would make the entire country’s underworld hunt for me.

He’s the only one powerful enough to protect me now, but I’m not sure if that’s what he’s got in mind. I’ve seen what he does to the people who cross him.

He’s a monster.

And now, his sights are set on me.

Review

Monster was a surprising read, I knew it was going to be dark but I did not expect the emotion it would envoke in me.  I did not expect the knots in my throat at the end when I found myself sad but also hopeful.  When I first met Marcus in Dangerous (Made & Broken #1) he immediately drew me in, I wanted to know his story.

Monster reflects his true inner turmoil and some readers may find him hard to connect with. He is dark, dangerous yet draws you in, you want him to find peace.  He is brutal when his inner demons come out, some parts of this story are quite violent but they reflect Marcus.  What healed my turmoil over this was his brother’s actions and how they silently backed him up, they were always there for him.

Evelyn was a perfect female character for Marcus, the way she communicates to the Monster and draws him to the light was beautiful.  She was strong and resilient and stood up for herself.

I was glad the author took their love on a different path to Blaine and Mira, even though it was still insta-love.  The author explains the attraction for both Blaine and Marcus towards the end of this story with their mother.  We learn more about the Steel family and all their secrets. This is a great Mob Romance that held me captive and I read in a day.

Again, upon finishing book 1, I bought book 2 and 3 as these brothers all drew me in and I need to know their stories.  I am so excited to read the twins story about what type of women brings these two to their knees.

Monster ends at a sad but also happy moment in time for this couple. I do hope I find out more about Marcus and Evelyn in the third book being Trouble.  I would love to see these Steel brothers unite their family together in this final installment especially with their other brother.

Monster (Made & Broken #2)

My Rating:  

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The Pecker Briefs (Legal Affairs # 7)

By Sawyer Bennett

Synopsis

I never thought a pecker would get me in so much trouble.

I mean, sure… if you’re talking about a certain anatomical feature of mine that the ladies just love. Given my bachelor status and appreciation for all things curvy and feminine, I could absolutely see that. But a different pecker is making my life much harder than it needs to be.

My name is Ford Daniels, partner at the law firm of Knight & Payne, and my latest case has me wading through the finer points of peckers—woodpeckers that is. Specifically, the red-cockaded woodpecker. I swear, I can’t make this stuff up but that’s what the sexy-as-hell blonde chained to a tree told me this morning.

Her name is Viveka Jones and she is so much more than a pretty face. She’s got wit, charm, and razor-sharp smarts. Turns out my client is looking to bulldoze the red-cockaded woodpecker’s natural habitat in favor of a multimillion-dollar subdivision and the sexy attorney with legs for days (and days), just happens to be counsel for an animal rights group looking to put a halt to construction.

My client’s pissed, but all I can think about is getting Viveka across the table from me. And then on the table underneath me. Perhaps up against the wall. And then—

Well, let’s just say when it’s all said and done, I’m hoping the red-cockaded woodpecker isn’t the only pecker that gets some attention from Miss Viveka Jones.

Review

I liked everything about THE PECKER BRIEFS, from its characters to its story, from its beginning to its end.

I liked the chemistry between Ford and Viveka and that neither of them was afraid of following wherever that chemistry took them. I liked that they were both honest and up front about their intentions and expectations—from their case to their relationship—and that what they said was truly what they meant. I also liked that they were both older than what I’m used to reading, with Ford being forty-three and Viveka being thirty-six. The case was an enjoyable element to the story for sure, but it will be Ford and Viveka that I remember most about this story.

THE PECKER BRIEFS is told in dual POVs and while it’s part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I’ve read a few of the other books in this series and though I can’t remember much about the previous characters/couples, I never felt like I was missing something.

The Pecker Briefs (Legal Affairs # 7)

My Rating:  

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His to Protect (Fireside # 2)

By Stacey Lynn

Synopsis

Declan James lost his last ounce of trust the day his wife walked out the door, leaving him to save the restaurant they built together. Throwing himself into his work, Declan swears off women—or at least, women who expect him to stick around in the morning. But when he discovers a skittish beauty scrounging through the Fireside’s trash to feed her dog, Declan offers her a job and a place to rest her head. There’s just something about her that awakens his protective side. And soon, not even that mangy mutt can stop Declan from caring for her.

After one too many trips to the ER, Trina Wilson finally gathered the courage to leave her husband, taking only her car and hyperactive boxer. Unfortunately, life on the run proves harder than she anticipated—until Declan takes a leap of faith on her. But even as Trina starts to see beyond his gruff exterior, she can’t relax, even for a moment. Not with her husband still tracking her down. What Trina doesn’t know is that in Declan, she has a powerful ally—and, if she would only follow her heart, a devoted lover.

Review

HIS TO PROTECT was a story that drew me in and did not let go. It was a real page turner and I would have stayed up all night reading it, if not for my Kindle battery dying.

I loved both Trina and Declan, but it was definitely Trina who stole the show. She had the strength to flee from her abusive husband. She had the brains to cover her tracks as well as she possibly could. She had the courage to put her life in Declan’s hands despite having trust issues with men. Simply put, she was a pretty amazing woman. Declan is a natural protector, but not in a stifling or controlling way. He did whatever he could to help Trina, but he was more than happy for her to do her own thing, to make her own friends, and to find herself again.

HIS TO PROTECT is told in dual POVs and while it’s part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the first book, HIS TO LOVE, and I had no problem jumping into the series from the second book. It comes with a HEA for Declan and Trina, but the epilogue also opened the door for the third book, HIS TO CHERISH, which I already have ready to go on my Kindle.

His to Protect (Fireside # 2)

My Rating:  

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Fireside Series

The Devil in Disguise (Bad Things # 1)

By Cynthia Eden

Synopsis

Don’t make the devil angry…

Luke Thorne loves having one hell of a good time. As the ruler of every dark creature to walk the earth, he certainly has more than a bit of a bad side. He lives for danger and isn’t the type to lose his heart—mostly because he doesn’t have one. Then she walks into his life.

Mina James is seduction in the flesh, a perfect temptation that the devil himself couldn’t pass up. Too late, Luke realizes he’s let a real siren into his life, a woman who is bent on using his dark powers to free herself from hidden enemies. Since Luke isn’t the type of man to be used, he should walk away from her, but…something about Mina draws him close.

Soon he’s realizing that she isn’t who she appears to be. Not dark and cold, but burning red hot. Mina is a woman fighting for her life—and the Lord of the Dark suddenly finds himself in an unlikely role…hero. Luke isn’t going to let her enemies destroy Mina. He will fight heaven and hell to keep her. But in the end, the secrets they both carry may just rip apart a love that should never have been…

There are Bad Things in the world…very, very bad. Are you ready for them?

Review

I’ve read over a dozen of Cynthia Eden’s books over the years and quite liked them, but THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE was just an okay read for me. It was easy to keep turning the pages, but by the end of it, I just didn’t have any strong feelings about the story one way or the other. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either.

I didn’t take a lot of notes while reading, and in the few days between finishing the story and writing my review, I don’t remember much about the story at all. What I do remember is that Luke wasn’t the big bad guy I was expecting him to be. Verbal threats aside, he actually came across as quite tame. I was also left confused as to what Luke is. Is he the devil? Is he a dragon shifter? Is he both? I honestly have no idea.

THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE is told not only in Luke and Mina’s POV, but in the POV of several other characters as well. It comes with a HEA and sets us up for book two, ON THE PROWL, which will be about another couple connected to Luke.

The Devil in Disguise (Bad Things # 1)

My Rating:  

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Bad Things Series

Retaliate (Vigilante Justice #2)

By Kristin Harte

Synopsis

The second book in the Vigilante Justice series features a dangerous second chance romance…

He loved her…and lost her
Justice is still under attack, but it’s been quiet. At least, until I get a phone call saying a resident needs help. Not just any resident either. The grandmother of the woman who ripped my heart out of my chest over a decade before. One trip up the mountain, and my worst fears—and biggest hopes—are realized. Anabeth’s back and just as captivating as she’d always been. But when she faces off against a Soul Suckers rider, I’ll have to do more than protect her. I’ll have to figure out a way to win her back. Because there’s no way I’ll ever let her go again.

She’s never gotten over him
Fourteen years after leaving Justice for what I thought would be the last time, I’m forced back to say goodbye to the only family I’ve ever known. The town’s as small as ever, and being there is just as painful as I remember. The memories of big hurts and bigger mistakes won’t leave me alone…and neither will my ex. I’m still attracted to Bishop Kennard—even more than I was as a lovesick teenager—but he’s a man now. A tough, brutal man who will stop at nothing to protect me.

Too bad he’s the one who needs protecting…from the things I did that caused me to leave him behind in the first place.

Review

Retaliate is book 2 of this series and I had not read the first book Payback.  As a reader, I could easily follow the family connections and story of the town.  There are some strong and impressive characters in this series that will keep you addicted.

The second half of this story I enjoyed more as I became frustrated wanting to know what event had caused her to flee the town 14 years ago.  Feeling pleasantly surprised when all was revealed that I did not guess the big reveal.

Bishop and Anabeth had great chemistry.  Moments of lovemaking were well written with such angst, passion and just so much heart.

One couple I really want to read their story is Gage and Katie, I really enjoyed their inclusion in Bishop and Anabeth’s second chance together.  Bishop was a great character in this story along with his brothers.

Concluding at a wonderful point for this couple, I am definitely looking forward to reading next installment called Justify.

Retaliate (Vigilante Justice #2)

My Rating:  

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