Tag Archives: Bratva

Savage Truce (Heart of Crime 1) by Michelle Heard-review tour

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Savage Truce (Heart of Crime 1) by Michelle Heard-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 8, 2026

I was born into Bratva royalty, but that never made me a princess. My entire life I’ve been mocked and ignored, and the only place I’ve ever felt like myself was at the theater, with a needle in my hand and beautiful fabrics around me.

That’s where I met him.

A stranger with a missing button, clear blue eyes, and a voice that made the world feel less cruel for one stolen night.We only exchanged our first names and talked the night away over warm coffees and pastries before my life came crashing down around me.

Years later, my grandfather is dead, the Bratva is at war, and I’m imprisoned because of my family. I’m broken, bruised, and forgotten until the new pakhan comes to inspect his prisoners.

Rodian Volkov.

The man I never forgot. Only now, he isn’t a stranger with gentle hands and friendly eyes.
He’s become savage just like the rest of the men who bend the knee to him.He’s now the monster I fear.

When he tells the Bratva he’s marrying me to bring peace, I’m too terrified to argue.
Because saying no to the pakhan is never an option.

•••••

REVIEW:  Savage Truce is book one in the Heart of Crime series by Michelle Heard.
Rodian Volkov 32 years old is the Underboss of the Bratva. Anastasia Donovan 20 years old, plus sized seamstress and daughter of mafia and mob parents.

Anastasia works at a seamstress in a theater company in the UK. She loves her job and her workshop – it’s peace and solace that she needs. The petite actresses are cruel and mean to her. For no other reason than she is plus sized. When attending to costumes on the final performance for the show she is working for. She glances out through the curtain and sees a man sitting in the front row dressed in a tailored black suit who happens to be devastatingly handsome. When the lead actress, Sofia, approaches her telling her that the man she is staring at is out of her league, but right up her alley. She tells Anastasia she is going to invite him backstage after the show. Returning to her station backstage –

Anastasia believes that Sofia is right. No man like that would ever look at her. When a stagehand approaches the handsome man, he refuses Sofia’s invitation, but as he stands and adjusts his coat a button falls to the floor. The stagehand darts forward and grabs the button, offering that the seamstress backstage could sew the button back on. The man accepts. When Rodian steps into the workshop backstage, he is immediately taken aback by the beautiful woman in front of him. Anastasia fixes his button and offers to make the jacket a better fit for him. He takes her up on her offer. When she is done, he asks if he can just stay and watch her work. She says yes. When she mentions that Sofia invited him back, he tells her he isn’t interested in Sofia – he is interested in her.

They spend an amazing night together, just talking and getting to know one another. They make plans for a date the next night at 7pm.But Anastasia doesn’t make it. Her mother shows up to return her to Russia because she is about to be 21. Rodian is heartbroken. He knew in his gut he wasn’t going to see her again. And he doesn’t for five years.

Anastasia has become a prisoner in her Grandfathers home.Because of her weight her grandfather wants nothing to do with her Anastasia and her mother are sent to their country home.Anastasia has basically become her mother’s maid. A prisoner in her own family home.But she clings to the memory of her one night with Rodian.

It’s taken Rodian five years to gather enough men to overtake Pakhan of the Bratva, Yegor Fedorov. When Rodian’s men raid the countryside home, Anastasia is shot in the leg trying to escape, and everyone still alive is forced into vehicles and taken to a factory. When someone says a new Pakhan is taking over, Anastasia knows what that means. Everyone in her family is as good as dead, including her.

But they don’t kill Anastasia, while she listens to everyone being killed around her, Rodian’s men make her cooks for them.Because she is too overweight to rape, and someone needs to cook for them. But they starve her and abuse her for a week before Rodian shows up and when he does, all hell breaks lose.

He had no idea that his Anastasia was Yegor Fedorov’s granddaughter. How did he not know that Yegor had a granddaughter – let alone Anastasia. But after five long years of searching, he found her. Abused and beaten by his own men.

Will she ever forgive him? Will he be able to show her how much she means to him?

This was a great start to a new series. A wonderful world built around Rodian and his family and friends. You know that Rodian is as deadly as they come, but the way he melts whenever Anastasia is near is absolutely wonderful. I read this book in one sitting – and I was so sad to see it end. Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Highly recommend….

copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K.

 

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she’s always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

Want to be up to date with what’s happening in my world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways →http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P

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VICIOUS CONTROL (Dark Mafia Romance) by BB Hamel-review

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VICIOUS CONTROL (Dark Mafia Romance) by BB Hamel-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 19, 2026

The mafia boss knocked on my door at midnight holding a wedding dress… And said we either get married… or I’d be dead by morning.

Gabriel Russo’s no savior.

He’s a demon in a black suit and his beauty is only matched by his ruthlessness. To him, relationships are nothing more than simple transactions.

Gabe says my family was murdered and marrying him is my only chance at survival, all because I’m somehow the key to his empire.

But if I’m so important, he’d better be prepared when I make some demands of my own.

Now we’re locked in a struggle against each other and the powerful killers intent on bringing us both down.

I’ll wear his ring and pretend to be his dutiful wife… while he burns the world down around me.

Gabe’s a possessive monster, but I like the way his arms feel while they’re pulling me closer in bed…

••••••

REVIEW: VICIOUS CONTROL is the second instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult DARK MAFIA ROMANCE series, set in the author’s CRUEL SURPRISE world. This is Bratva Pakhan Gabriel Russo, and Veronika ‘Nika’ Kiselyov’s story line. VICIOUS CONTROL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gabriel and Nika) VICIOUS CONTROL focuses on the protection of our story line heroine. Veronika ‘Nika’ Kiselyov never met her father or her mother but her father’s Bratva empire and his seat as a Dragon, one of the most powerful men in the world is open for ascension, and the arrival of Pakhan Gabriel Russo leads Nika to believe all is not right in her world. In an effort to protect our heroine, Gabriel demands Nika’s hand in marriage but the marriage is more beneficial to Gabriel than Nika could have ever imagined. With a target on their backs, Nika and Gabriel go on the run, only to come face to face not only with Nika’s past, but a determined number of wanna-be Dragons who take at our story line couple.

The world building is fast and furious. The author pulls the reader into the dangerous world of power and control, underworld crime, and the dysfunctional family dynamics of the people in charge.

The relationship between Nika and Gabriel begins as protection and a forced marriage of convenience. Nika has been target by her father’s enemies, and Gabriel claims he is willing to marry her to protect her life but all is not as it appears to be.As Gabriel prepares to battle for the throne, Nika refuses to stand by and watch the man with whom she is falling in love, place his life in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are often questionable yet powerful. We are introduced to Gabriel’s right hand man Daniel, Nika’s aunt Yelena as well as several mob bosses, and the return of Massimo ‘Mass’ Cardone, his wife, Gabriel’s sister Allie Russo, and Massimo’s second in command Lucy. The requisite evil has many faces.

VICIOUS CONTROL is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, dysfunctional family dynamics, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, dark and emotional; the romance is challenging yet seductive; the characters are determined, desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Ivanov Bratva 3-5 by Kelsie Calloway-reviews

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The Ivanov Bratva 3-5 by Kelsie Calloway -reviews

DEBTS & DESIRES
(Ivanov Bratva 3)
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: adult, contemporary, Bratva, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK; Release Date March 10, 2026

Everyone warns me about the scarred man in the corner booth. I bring him cake anyway.

Dmitri Ivanov is the Bratva’s enforcer. Silent. Brutal. The kind of man people cross the street to avoid.

He comes to my bakery every morning at the same time, orders the same black coffee, with the same haunted eyes. My employees are terrified. I ask him how his day is going.

When trouble finds me one night, he makes it disappear. Violently. Without hesitation. I should be afraid. Instead, I hand him a towel and ask if he’s okay.

He says he’s a monster. Says I shouldn’t want him. But when he touches me like I’m something precious, I believe less in monsters, and more in the man beneath the scars.

He thinks he’ll destroy me. I think I might be the one thing that saves him.

•••••

REVIEW: DEBTS & DESIRES is the third novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult IVANOV BRATVA dark, Bratva romance series. This is Bratva enforcer Dmitri Ivanov, and bakery owner Cleo Marchetti’s story line. DEBTS AND DESIRES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dmitri and Cleo) DEBTS AND DESIRES follows the forbidden relationship between Bratva enforcer Dmitri Ivanov, and bakery owner Cleo Marchetti. For close to three months Dmitri Ivanov has visited Cleo Marchetti’s bakery, secretly watching our heroine when she is not looking but Cleo, unlike everyone else, refuses to sit back and wonder about the lonely man who visits every day, a man with whom Cleo will fall in love. An attack, an abduction and eventual rescue find Dmitri and Cleo professing their love, a love Dmitri never anticipated.

The relationship between Dmitri and Cleo is an opposites attract. Cleo is the sweet, local baker, compared to the assassin and Bratva enforcer who has always felt unloved and lost. Dmitri has lusted after our story line heroine for months, while Cleo secretly dreams about the scarred man who is now part of her life. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic and determined including the introduction of Cleo’s employees, and the return of Dmitri’s brothers Alexei and Sergei. The requisite evil has many faces.

DEBTS AND DESIRES is a fast paced, quick read novella about power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, determined and charismatic.

________

SINS & SURRENDER
(Ivanov Bratva 4)
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: adult, contemporary, Bratva, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 20, 2026

I was engaged to his cousin. I spent every dinner wishing I was next to him instead.

Three years ago, I ran from the Ivanov world the night before my wedding. I told myself I was escaping the darkness. The truth? I was running from Sergei.

The youngest Ivanov brother. Charming. Reckless. The one who flirted across candlelit tables while I wore his cousin’s ring. The one I almost kissed goodbye.

Now he’s found me again—with a proposition. Fake girlfriend. One week. Then I’m free.

But Sergei doesn’t play fair. He touches me like I’m already his. Looks at me like the years between us never happened. And when he says, “This was never fake for me,” I forget every reason I ran.

He’s forbidden. He’s family. And I don’t think I can outrun him twice.

••••••

REVIEW: SINS & SURRENDER is the fourth instalment in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult IVANOV BRATVA Bratva romance series. This is youngest brother Sergei Ivanov, and photographer Thea Lindqvist’s story line. SINS & SURRENDER 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 first person perspectives (Thea and Sergei) SINS & SURRENDER follows the second chance (of sorts) relationship between Sergei Ivanov and Thea Lindqvist. Three years earlier Thea was promised in marriage to Sergei’s cousin Kostya but Thea did not love Kostya, her heart belonged to someone else. Fast forward to present day, Thea has returned for her sister’s wedding, having spent the last three years in Stockholm, building up a photography business and clientele. Never expecting to see Sergei, Thea is surprised when Sergei offers a fake relationship to keep his mother from forcing an arrange marriage, a fake relationship that quickly turns into something more.

The relationship between Sergei and Thea is a rekindling romance . Thea and Sergei have lusted after one another from afar, but never acted on their attraction or feelings. Struggling to accept there is anything more, Thea battles between head and heart knowing she had previously broken the heart of another Ivanov man. The $ex scenes are mostly implied.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Sergei’s brothers: Nikolai, and Dmitri, as well as their cousin Kostya, and Thea’s sister Maja.

SINS & SURRENDER is another fast paced, quick read. A novella length story of unrequited love, second chances and love. The premise is captivating yet familiar; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined.

_________

RUIN & REDEMPTION
(Ivanov Bratva 5)
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: adult, contemporary, Bratva, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2026

He says I’m off-limits. His hands say something else entirely.

Konstantin Volkov is older. Dangerous. My sister’s brother-in-law and the Bratva’s most loyal soldier. Everything I shouldn’t want.

He keeps his distance. Calls me little one. Watches me like I’m something fragile he’s afraid to break.

So I push. I provoke. I ask him to teach me self-defense just to feel his hands on my body. And when I finally crack his control, when he pins me against a wall and kisses me like he’s been starving, I realize I’ve started something neither of us can stop.

He says I’m too young. Too innocent. That he’s done things that should make me run. But I’m tired of being protected. Managed. Good.

Kostya makes me want to be ruined. And I think he’s finally ready to do the honors.

••••••

REVIEW: RUIN & REDEMPTION is the fifth instalment and novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult IVANOV BRATVA romance series. This is thirty-two year old, Ivanov cousin and underboss Konstantin ‘Kostya’ Volkov, and twenty-two year old art history graduate Rosalind Ashford’s story line. RUIN & REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Rosalind is Sable’s sister (Vows & Vengeance 1).

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kostya and Rosalind) RUIN & REDEMPTION focuses on the building romance and relationship between Rosalind and Kostya, and the building war for power. Kostya thought he had found love but once before but his fiance ran, leaving Kostya wondering where everything went wrong. The arrival of the Pakhan’s sister in law Rosalind finds Kostya looking towards a future he never thought would come, a future that is threatened when the Corsetti empire takes aim at the women with whom his cousin’s have fallen in love.

The relationship between Kostya and Rosalind is one of immediate attraction but Kostya has been warned to keep his distance, a distance that grows smaller with each encounter. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

All of the previous story lines couples return. There is a fight for power on the horizon, and the men are determined to protect the women they love.

RUIN & REDEMPTION is another quick read. A story of power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and edgy but there is plenty of redundancy and similarities to the previous instalments ; the romance is fast and furious; the characters are charismatic and determined.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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LOCH (Belles and Bratva Beasts 4) by Kelly Finley-review

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LOCH (Belles and Bratva Beasts 4) by Kelly Finley-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2026

The Mafia doesn’t belong in the mountains, but I belong with Alena.

I was supposed to guard my best friend’s daughter.The innocent mafia princess with dirt under her fingernails and no idea who she really is. Or the danger she’s in.

To her, I’m Loch Waring. A fellow forest ranger. Her hot, inked colleague. Her burly neighbor and goofy friend.

To me, Alena Allen is my obsession. My forbidden love. My steamy inspiration for my online fans. She has no idea how long I’ve wanted her.

Until, secret by secret revealed, Alena discovers who I really am. A beautiful liar. A beast. A Bratva prince. A man born to crack skulls for her.

So I’ll make her feel more beautiful. More desired. More dark and dirty than she’s ever known. I will make her mine.

Because the clock is ticking. Brutal enemies emerge from the shadows. Alena will discover who I am one day. And who she is.

I may lose Alena. But I will rip men and mountains apart to get her back.

••••••

REVIEW:LOCH is the fourth instalment in Kelly Finley’s contemporary, adult BRATVA AND BELLES erotic, Bratva-adjacent romance series focusing on the Kholodov siblings. This is Lyov Kholodov aka Loch Waring, and forest ranger Alena Allen’s story line. LOCH can be read as a stand alone. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as all of the stories are interconnected, run parallel to one another, revealing the concepts and traditions of two Kings / one Queen. For fans of the series, Elena is Nash’s daughter (Nash #1).

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Loch and Elena) LOCH follows in the wake of threats against our story line heroine. Elena Allen is a Forest Ranger but her father Nash wants her protected at all costs, forcing Loch Waring to become Elena’s secret guardian and protector. Working as a Forest Ranger, Loch will begin a slow seduction of our story line heroine, a woman he has loved most of his life but Loch and Nash’s secrets are about to implode, and the possibility of a sexual trafficking ring in the surrounding forces everyone to come to terms with what is happening and why.

The world building is detailed, complex and multilayered. Similar to an onion, as the layers are pealed back, secrets and lies will reveal a large extended family of sibling, half-siblings, blood and non blood relations all working towards the same goal. As the story line unravels, more privileged information reveals the proverbial ‘skeletons in the closet’ as all of their lives have been linked, one way or another. I am unsure if there is a series prequel focusing on the mother and her escape to freedom but I hope the author has plans for Nadine’s backstory as it plays an integral part in all of the stories, and is mentioned on numerous occasions throughout.

The relationship between Alena and Loch begins as a professional arrangement. Alena is completely unaware of Loch and her father’s connections to one another. Loch is the secret child that was never around, and in this, Alena finds herself on the outside looking in, when all is revealed. The $ex scenes are erotic, provocative and intense with scenes of Dom/sub, and multiples, in the family owned sex club.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful,intoxicating and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including all of the previous story line couples, and matriarch Nadine.

LOCH is a story of numerous secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, intriguing and edgy; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Vows & Vengeance (The Ivanov Bratva 1) by Kelsie Calloway-review

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Vows & Vengeance (The Ivanov Bratva 1) by Kelsie Calloway-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 20, 2026

My father sold me to a monster. I wasn’t supposed to want him to devour me.

Nikolai Ivanov is the Pakhan of the Bratva. Cold. Ruthless. And now, thanks to my father’s debt, my husband.

I arrive at a wedding in a dress I didn’t choose, expecting to survive. He expects me to submit. Neither of us expected the fire.

I meet his ice with defiance. He meets my resistance with patience. Every look is a dare. Every touch is a claim. And when he corners me in the dark, I realize the most dangerous thing isn’t him. It’s how badly I want to stop fighting.

He says I belong to him now. The terrifying part? I’m starting to want to.

•••••••

REVIEW:  VOWS AND VENGEANCE is the first novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary adult THE IVANOV BRATVA romance series. This is Bratva Pathan Nikolai Ivanov, and Sable Ashford’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sable and Nikolai) VOWS AND VENGEANCE focuses on the arranged marriage between our story line couple. Sable Ashford is payment for a debt, sold to the Pakhan of the Ivanov Bratva but our heroine refuses to break, and is determined to survive, at all cost. Nikolai Ivanov is struggling with the woman with whom he will fall in love. He never had any intentions of ownership but when Sable’s father offers up his daughter, Nikolai sees a possible future with our story line heroine but the Ivanov Bratva is about to go to war, and Nikola is determined to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Sable and Nikolai begins as an arrangement. Sable was completely unaware of her father’s connection to organized crime, yet she was raised to be the obedient and submissive daughter of a man who ruled with an iron fist. Nikolai is taking him time, refusing to frighten the woman that calls to his heart but a perceived betrayal threatens any chance at a happily ever after, a betrayal Nikolai is hoping to go away. The $ex scenes are intimate but limited, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text/

The secondary and supporting characters include Nikolai’s brothers: Alexei, Sergei and Dimitri, all of whom play a role in the Ivanova Bratva.

VOWS AND VENGEANCE is a quick read; a story of betrayal and vengeance; secrets and lies, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. the fast paced premise is engaging and dramatic; the romance is limited but seductive; the characters are determined and charismatic

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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BROOMSTICKS AND BLOODSTAINS (Russian Bratva 1 ) by Kristine Allen

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BROOMSTICKS AND BLOODSTAINS (31 Days of Trick or Treat: Russian Bratva Duet 1) by Kristine Allen-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 25, 2025

Maksim Sokolov and Sofia Rodriguez are going to ignite your kindle!

She planned to help out a friend—it was only for one night.

He was supposed to kill her—instead, he vowed she’d be his.

Sofia Rodríguez didn’t belong in the glittering world of Russian billionaires and masked power brokers. She was only supposed to be covering a bartending shift at an exclusive Halloween masquerade. Instead, she overheard whispers of arms deals, locked eyes with Maksim Sokolov—the New York Bratva’s deadliest enforcer—and stumbled into a world she should have run from.

Maksim lives by blood, loyalty, and silence. Sofia should’ve been a liability. Instead, she became an obsession. The more he tries to protect her, the deeper she sinks into his dangerous world—where enemies lurk in the shadows, betrayal is bought and sold, and love may be the most fatal weakness of all.

••••••••

REVIEW: BROOMSTICKS AND BLOODSTAINS is the first instalment and novella in Kristine Allen’s contemporary adult RUSSIAN BRATVA dark,erotic, Bratva romance, a part of the multi-authored 31 Days of Trick or Treat. This is thirty eight year old, Russian mobster Maksim Sokolov, and twenty-seven year old bartender Sofia Rodriguez’ story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sofia and Maksim) BROOMSTICKS AND BLOODSTAINS follows in the aftermath of a masked ball. Sofia Rodriquez was desperate for money, and an opportunity to serve at a masked ball ends with our heroine a target of the Russian Bratva. Having overhearing some dangerous information , Sofia is unaware she is now the target of the Bratva but more importantly of brotherhood member Maksim Sokolov. Maksim has been ordered to end the threat that is our story line heroine but Maksim is determined to protect the woman that calls to his heart.

The world building focuses on Sofia’s struggles to make ends meet: on Maksim’s potential and deadly fall-out with the Russian Bratva, and a possible wasr with the Armenia mob.

The relationship between Maksim and Sofia is born of threats and protection. Maksim has refused to end the life of the woman with whom he is falling in love, and in this, Maksim himself is quickly falling out of favor. Sofia had only wanted to make some extra money for pay the bills but having overheard the Russian’s conversation, our heroine is now the target of some powerful men. Sofia is quickly falling for the man who can end her life but everything is about to change for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Sofia’s best friend Isabella, as well as Russian Brotherhood assassins and Maksim’s friends Konstantin Makarov, and Dima; head of the local Bratva Boris Volkov, as well as several members of the Armenian mob.

BROOMSTICKS AND BLOODSTAINS is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, friendships and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is dramatic and dark; the romance is seductive and edgy; the characters are desperate and charismatic. BROOMSTICKS AND BLOODSTAINS ends on a cliffhanger -you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

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Kristine Allen lives in beautiful Central Texas with her adoring husband. They have four brilliant, wacky and wonderful children. She is surrounded by twenty six acres, where her seven horses, six dogs and three cats run the place. Kristine realized her dream of becoming a contemporary romance author after years of reading books like they were going out of style and having her own stories running rampant through her head. She works as a nurse, but in stolen moments, taps out ideas and storylines until they culminate in characters and plots that pull her readers in and keep them entranced for hours.

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Death’s Favor (Moretti Men 2) by Jill Ramsower-review tour

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Death’s Favor (Moretti Men 2) by Jill Ramsower-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 4, 2025

Danika
I ran from my Russian father to escape an arranged marriage and ended up handcuffed to an Italian mafia hitman … in his bed.

He’s as intensely beautiful as he is ruthless.A dichotomy of callous yet kind that fascinates me, though I know it shouldn’t.The man’s a killer.

But more than that, he suffers from compulsions—a need to control every aspect of his life.And now that I’ve entered his world, I’ve become his ultimate fixation.

••••

REVIEW: DEATH’S FAVOR is the second instalment in Jill Ramsower’s contemporary, adult MORETTI MEN erotic, Mafia romance series. a spin off, set in the author’s Byrne Brothers and Five Families worlds. This is artist Danika ‘Dani’ Dobrev, and Mafia assassin Tommaso ‘Tommy’ Donati’s story line. DEATH’S FAVOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Tommy is Sante’s cousin (Devil’s Thirst #1).

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tommy and Danika) DEATH’S FAVOR follows in the wake of Danika Dobrev’s desperate attempt to hide. Danika’s estranged father, Biba Mikhailov, is the boss of the Russian Bratva, and he has arranged a marriage for his only daughter to a man known as the ‘Reaper. Refusing to accept her fate, Danika runs, taking refuge in a friend’s apartment only to discover the apartment no longer belongs to said friend. Enter, Italian Mafia assassin Tommaso ‘Tommy’ Donati, who didn’t take kindly to Danika’s ‘break and enter’. Now a virtual prisoner of Tommaso Donati, Danika refuses to reveal the nature of her dilemma to Tommy, and by doing so, forces Tommy on the hunt for the truth on his own, but with a price on Danika’s head, Tommy knows the only way to protect her is to marry her, himself.

The world building follows the search for the truth as Danika finds herself trapped for all intents and purposes, a protected prisoner in the wake of her need to run but as Tommy begins to rally the proverbial troops, Biba Mikhailov takes aim at the people Danika loves, forcing Tommy to, once again, take action to save the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Tommy and Danika is one of force proximity, jailer and prisoner in the wake of Danika’s break and enter into Tommy’s home. Having briefly met once before, Tommy suspects Danika is more than she is admitting but our heroine is desperate, and finds herself falling for a man who has the ability to destroy her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of dynamic and energetic secondary and supporting characters, many of whom were introduced in the author numerous interconnected series including Renzo and Shae (Craving Chaos 5), Sante and Amelie (Devil’s Thirst 1). We are introduced to Mafia Cap DiAngelo Farina, and Tommy’s sister Terina, and their mother Azzurra; Danika’s mother Petra, her grandmother, and her best friend Sachi. DiAngelo’s story line is next.

DEATH’S FAVOR is another story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, dark and edgy; the romance is fated and impassioned; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one DEVIL’S THIRST

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Jill is a Texan, born and raised. She manages the hectic social calendars for her three active children and occasionally spends an evening with her dashing husband. Aside from being an author and a mom, she’s a travel junkie and loves to read when she is not lost in her own stories.

With Jill’s books, you can count on confident heroines, plenty of steamy tension, and deliciously assertive leading men. There are no guarantees in life, but with her books, you know everything will work out in the end. However, a perfect ending would not be nearly as satisfying without a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Jill loves to add plenty of adversity in her stories, creating unforgettably dynamic characters and sneaky plot twists you will never see coming.

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BOUND TO A MONSTER (Zeitsev Bratva 6) by BB Hamel -review

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BOUND TO A MONSTER (Zeitsev Bratva 6) by BB Hamel -review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 31, 2025

I showed a gorgeous stranger my fencing form…
And humiliated myself in the process.
Now he wants a private demonstration.

All I need is one night of sin before I walk down the aisle with my arranged husband. Just one night to feel like I have control of my life.

Which is how I give myself to a gorgeous, built-like-heaven stranger after an extremely mortifying accidental stabbing.

But it turns out, we both have secrets.

My drunken mistake is none other than Lev Federov, the man I’m supposed to marry.

He’s terrifyingly hot with a black hole where his empathy’s supposed to be, but somehow that only makes him more attractive.

Too bad he hates my guts and wants nothing to do with our marriage.

Now my stupid mistake is turning into a total nightmare as my wedding day approaches and I get one more wicked

A positive pregnancy test.

How am I supposed to tell a man who clearly loathes me that he’s the father of my child?

•••••

REVIEW: BOUND TO A MONSTER is the sixth instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult, ZEITSEV Bratva dark, erotic, Bratva romance story series . This is Lev Federov, and Carmela ‘Carmie’ Marino’s story line. BOUND TO A MONSTER 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 first person perspectives (Carmie and Lev) BOUND TO A MONSTER follows the arranged marriage between Lev Federov, and Carmela ‘Carmie’ Marino’. In an effort to secure more power for the Marino Crime Family, Carmie is forced into marriage to a man she doesn’t know, so a one-night stand is Carmie’s last hurrah before becoming a pawn in the criminal underworld. Lev Federov is the second in command of the Federov family but his father Oleg Federov is losing control, and his people are starting to rebel. Forced into marriage to secure his position, Lev will come face to face with his one-night stand, the woman he will marry, the woman who is now pregnant with his child. As Lev and Carmie dance the proverbial dance between love and hate, the Federov family will suffer a loss, and Lev finds himself on the precipice of power or losing everything to an assassin’s bullet.

The world building focuses on the betrayal and vengeance. The Federov family has lost control of the people upon whom they depend, and Lev refuses to back down when double crossers and betrayers refuse to give up power but Lev goes too far, and the Zietsev Pakhan issues an ultimatum that pushes our couple to places unknown.

The relationship between Carmie and Lev is an arranged marriage but one in which our couple have met before. A one-night stand results in an unplanned pregnancy, and Carmie struggles to like the man who is intent on destroying her heart. The $ex scenes are provocative and intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are family and energetic-We are reintroduced to Valentin Zietsev (Under Control); Lev’s sister Natalya and her husband Alexander (Claimed by Desire); Carmie’s brothers Daniel and Luca; several of Carmie’s girlfriends (Gia, Frannie, Sofie); Lev’s father Oleg Federov. The requisite evil has many faces.

BOUND TO A MONSTER is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and obsession, power and control, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and dark; the characters are powerful and strong; the romance is fated and impassioned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Twilight Mask
Midnight Beast
Sunrise Malice
Under Control
Claimed by Desire

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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