Tag Archives: Kelsie Calloway

HAMMERED BY HANK (Blue Collar Obsession 3) by Kelsie Calloway

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HAMMERED BY HANK (Blue Collar Obsession 3) by Kelsie Calloway-review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 20, 2026

He’s forging my dream restaurant. I’m about to let him forge me into his.

Hank Dalton is going to ruin everything—my timeline, my budget, and my carefully constructed walls around my heart. He’s a metalworker who treats his craft like art and looks at me like I’m the masterpiece he’s been waiting his whole life to create. Every day he’s in my space, working with molten metal and making me forget why independence mattered so much.

When everything goes wrong and my dreams literally go up in smoke, he doesn’t just comfort me—he claims me. Right there in the restaurant he’s been building, on the surfaces he crafted with his own hands. He tells me he’s been building us this whole time, and when he makes love to me in the bed he builds specifically for my bedroom, I finally understand what it means to be someone’s masterpiece.

Hammered By Hank is a red-hot romance about a perfectionist chef and the patient metalworker who forges their love one heated moment at a time.

••••••

REVIEW: HAMMERED BY HANK is the third instalment and novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult BLUE COLLAR OBSESSION romance series. This is iron worker Hank Dalton, and chef and restaurateur Fallon Cross. HAMMERED BY HANK 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 (Hank and Fallon) HAMMERED BY HANK follows the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Following a betrayal by a renowned award winning chef, chef Fallon Cross makes good on a promise to herself, in the hopes of starting her own high end restaurant but the timeline is tight, only six weeks to completion, and a her personal designs need to come to life. Enter metal worker Hank Dalton. From the outset Hank and Fallon’s attraction to one another is immediate and palpable but another impending betrayal forces Fallon to push Hank out of her life, reconsidering her life choices going forward.

The relationship between Hank and Fallon is one of immediate attraction; a professional arrangement; an insta-lust to love that is threatened by a fear of failure, when lines are crossed. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The few secondary and supporting characters are limited,and mainly behind the scenes and off page.

HAMMERED BY HANK is a story of betrayal and determination; success and failure; acceptance and love. The fast paced, character driven story is captivating and entertaining ; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Nailed by Nash (Bluecollar Obsession 1) by Kelsie Calloway-review

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Nailed by Nash (Bluecollar Obsession 1) by Kelsie Calloway-review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 30, 2025

I hired him to fix my house. Now he’s determined to claim every inch of me.

Nash Brecker isn’t just my contractor—he’s six feet of pure sin with calloused hands and a tool belt that should be illegal. I hired him to renovate my cottage after my messy divorce, not to make me forget why I swore off men completely. But he’s at my house six days a week, shirtless by noon, and the sexual tension is suffocating.

When my ex shows up and tries to humiliate me, Nash doesn’t just defend me—he claims me. Right there against the kitchen counter he built with his own hands. Now nowhere is safe from his possession: the workbench, the countertops, even his truck. He says I deserve to be worshipped, and he’s proving it one sinful surface at a time.

Nailed By Nash is a scorching blue-collar romance featuring a possessive carpenter who knows exactly how to use his tools.

••••••

REVIEW: NAILED BY NASH is the first instalment and novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult BLUECOLLAR OBSESSION romance series. This is renovation contractor Nash Brecker, and thirty-one year old, interior designer Sloane Finley’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nash and Sloane) NAILED BY NASH focuses on the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Sloane is a thirty-one year old divorcee, and she wants to renovate her newly purchased 1920’s cottage. Her neighbor, Mrs. Patterson, sends over local contractor Nash Brecker, the man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. As Nash begins the renovations, Sloane begins a seduction of the man with whom she will fall in love but having been burned in the past, Sloane begins to struggle with unresolved issues.

The world building is fast and furious. The attraction is immediate but not everyone is happy with Sloane’s jump into a new relationship. Nash and Sloane have both been burned in the past but Sloane is fearful of entertaining into another unsuccessful union. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic. We are introduced to Sloane’s ex husband Marcus, her best friend Jessica,and Nash’s foreman Jake.

NAILED BY NASH is a story of betrayal and infidelity, friendships and love. The character driven premise is fast paced, entertaining and engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Stalked by Saint / Hunted by Hades by Kelsie Calloway-reviews

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Stalked by Saint / Hunted by Hades by Kelsie Calloway-reviews

Stalked by Saint
Savage Saints MC 1
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: adult, contemporary, MC, romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2205

He says he’s protecting me. But who protects me from him?
I ran three states to escape the cop who swore I belonged to him. Now I’ve caught the attention of another man—leather cut, criminal reputation, eyes like sin. Saint Callahan doesn’t ask permission. He takes responsibility. For my safety. For my body. For me.
He says I’m under his protection.
But every time he looks at me, it feels a lot more like possession.

••••••

REVIEW: STALKED BY A SAINT is the first instalment in Kelsei Calloway’s contemporary, adult SAVAGE SAINTS MC erotic, MC romance series. This is club VP Saint Michael Callahan, and twenty-eight year old, trauma nurse Natasha Bennett’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 (Natasha and Saint) STALKED BY SAINT follows Saint Michael Callahan as he becomes a protective stalker of our story line heroine. Natasha Bennett arrived in town three months earlier, on the run, hiding in plain sight but a woman always looking over her shoulder fearing reprisal from the man who tried to destroy her life but Natasha never knew she had a protector in the guise of Savage Saints MC VP Saint Michael Callahan, the man with whom Natasha will quickly fall in love.

The world building focuses on the growing relationship as Natasha must prove her loyalty to the SAVAGE SAINTS MC. Always on alert, Natasha will have to face the past, a past that refuses to let her go.

The relationship between Saint and Natasha is one of insta-lust to love. Saint is determined to protect our heroine from the man who is determined to regain control but with the help of the Savage Saints MC, Natasha must come to terms with what will happen and why. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters are determined and protective. We are introduced to club president Hades Mercer, club enforcer Marcus ‘Mace’ Dawson, several members of the MC, Natasha’s co-worker Linda,and her ex Marcus Webb. 

But, there is some confusion with names. Two of the characters are both named Marcus, and our hero’s name Saint, is the same as the MC name. Not sure  why, but it is a bit of a distraction.

STALKED BY SAINT is a story of power and control, obsession and madness, acceptance and love. The character driven story line is fast paced, dramatic and engaging; the romance is seductive; the characters are edgy and desperate.

________

HUNTED BY HADES
(Savage Saints MC 3)
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: adult, contemporary, MC, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 20, 2025

He says he’s saving me. But who saves me from him?

One day, I’m a true-crime podcaster chasing a story about missing women. The next, I’m the story—a journalist with a target on her back and a motorcycle club president kicking down my door before the hitmen can.

Hades Mercer is every warning I’ve ever ignored—calm voice, cold eyes, hands built for violence. He calls it protection when he drags me into his world of leather and secrets. But the way he looks at me? That’s not protection. That’s possession.

Now I’m trapped behind razor wire with the devil himself, and the longer I stay, the harder it is to remember that he’s the villain in my story… not the hero I’m starting to want.

••••••

REVIEW: HUNTED BY HADES is the third instalment in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary adult, SAVAGE SAINTS MC romance series. This is club president Hades Mercer, and journalist / podcaster Poet Sullivan’s story line. HUNTED BY HADES 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 (Hades and Poet) HUNTED BY HADES focuses on the take down of a possible human tracking ring. Poet Sullivan has spent months investigating the disappearance of several local women, women abducted near the Savage Saints MC territory but not all is as it appears to be, Poet has been targeted, and Hades is determined to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love.

The world building sees Poet working side by side with the Savage Saints MC to take down what is much more than a human trafficking ring but a ring with powerful connections that go all the way to the top. HUNTED BY HADES covers but a few days.

The relationship between Poet and Hades is one of immediate attraction, an insta-lust to love in which Poet struggles to trust the president of the Savage Saints MC in the wake of rumors and lies fed to her by the people she trusted. The $ex scenes are mostly implied.

The secondary and supporting characters are limited including MC VP Saint Callahan, as well as FBI Agent Chen and Torres.

HUNTED BY HADES is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance. The fast paced premise is character driven, entertaining and interesting; the romance is mostly off-screen; the characters are desperate and determined.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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HIS DARK POSSESSION (Bloodlines and Betrayal 1)by Kelsie Calloway

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HIS DARK POSSESSION (Bloodlines and Betrayal 1) by Kelsie Calloway-review

ebook only 99¢ USDAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 10, 2025

My first husband died under mysterious circumstances. Some might call it bad luck. I call it survival. Now, I’m arranged to marry Antonio Bianchi, heir to a mafia empire and a man who could destroy me if he learns the truth.

Antonio is everything I ruthless, unrelenting, and dangerously irresistible. When I crash his bachelor party to uncover what kind of man he truly is, I think I’m a step ahead. But he catches me. And instead of punishing me, he stakes his claim in ways that leave me breathless.

He says I belong to him. That he’ll strip me bare until I have no secrets left. But what will he do when he learns the truth? Because I’ve buried one husband before… and I’m not afraid to do it again.

A fiery dark mafia romance filled with suspense, passion, and a heroine determined to protect her secrets—even from the man who’s sworn to possess her.

••••••

REVIEW:  HIS DARK POSSESSION is the first novella in Kelsie Calloways’ contemporary adult BLOODLINES AND BETRAYAL erotic, Mafia romance series. This is widow Gabriella Andretti-Scott, and Las Vegas businessman Antonio Bianchi’s story line.

NOTE: HIS DARK POSSESSION is the re-release with new content, name changes etc of the author’s MARRIED TO THE BOSS

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gabriella and Antonio) HIS DARK POSSESSION follows the arranged marriage between widow Gabriella Andretti-Scott, and thirty-seven year old, Las Vegas businessman Antonio Bianchi. Months earlier Gabriella Andretti-Scott’s first husband died under mysterious circumstances, and in the ensuing time, Gabriella was considered the Black Widow of Las Vegas. With another impending marriage to crime boss Antonio Bianchi, Gabriella struggles with the possibility of going from the proverbial frying pan into the fire. Antonio’s reputation for violence precedes his introduction to our story line heroine, and Gabriella refuses to spend the rest of her life fearing the man to whom she is married.

The world building focuses on Gabriella’s first marriage and the demise of her husband; as well as Antonio’s desire to start a family with our story line heroine but a potential war with the Irish mob is a bit of a red herring, as nothing comes to fruition within the pages of the book.

The relationship between Gabriella and Antonio is one of an arranged marriage. Antonio has never met his intended bride but when she sneaks into his bachelor party, all bets are off, and Antonio is willing to claim our heroine before they walk down the aisle. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

We are introduced to Gabriella’s brother Ben, and his girlfriend Carina, as well as Antonio’s brother Rafael.

HIS DARK POSSESSION is a fast paced, quick read of power and control, suspicion and vengeance, family and friendships. The premise is entertaining and captivating but the rush to the finish was disappointing-a three year jump leaves too many unanswered questions; the romance is limited ; the characters are determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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VALENTINE’S DAY WITH THE MOUNTAIN MAN by Kelsie Calloway-review

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VALENTINE’S DAY WITH THE MOUNTAIN MAN (Wildwood Ridge 3) by Kelsie Calloway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 12 2024

This Valentine’s Day, romance is only one minor inconvenience away.Liam Thompson and Mia Anderson find themselves sharing a room in Wildwood Ridge due to a booking mix-up. Together, they explore the charming town and its annual Valentine’s Day festival as their playful banter escalates into undeniable chemistry.Valentine’s With The Mountain Man is a steamy short read with cozy small town vibes.

••••

REVIEW:  VALENTINE’S DAY WITH THE MOUNTAIN MAN by Kelsie Calloway is a contemporary, adult, stand alone short story focusing on primary school teacher Mia Anderson, and wildlife photographer Liam Thompson.

Told from dual first person perspective (Liam and Mia) VALENTINE’S DAY WITH THE MOUNTAIN MAN follows the quick building relationship between our story line couple. It’s Valentine’s weekend in Wildwood Ridge, and the local chalet has overbooked. Opting to stay together in the same room, Liam and Mia would develop a mutual friendship, and outlook on life. Two to three days together ends with the promise of more.

The premise is entertaining; the insta lust to love romance passionate and intimate ; the characters are dynamic. A cute short story perfect for romance and Valentine’s Day.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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DIRTY SECRETS (Valenti Crime Family ) by Kelsie Calloway -review

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DIRTY SECRETS (Valenti Crime Family ) by Kelsie Calloway -review

 

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27, 2023

She thinks it’s a marriage of convenience, but I’ve been planning it for a decade.

Wrong place, wrong time—or so Francesca thought.
She doesn’t know that I’m the one that poisoned her husband.
She doesn’t realize that I’m the one that hired the men to attack her.
She just thinks it’s a coincidence that I was there to save her.
Then half a dozen threatening notes show up at her front door.
Someone knows her deepest darkest secret and they’re going to go to the cops.
But if she puts aside her pride and marries me , I can protect her.
Francesca thinks it’s the only solution.
And that’s because I’m hedging all my bets to ensure I get the woman I want.

Dirty Secrets is the fifth book in The Valenti Crime Family series, featuring an obsessed anti-hero that will do whatever it takes to wind up with the woman he loves—even if it hurts a few people. Each book is a standalone and the series can be read in any order.

This is a dark mafia romance containing themes some readers may find unsettling. Caution is advised; unless you’re throwing it to the wind. 😉

••••••••

REVIEW: DIRTY SECRETS is the fifth novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult VALENTI CRIME FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is thirty-two year olds Francesca ‘Kessa’ Scot and Cesare Valenti’s story line. DIRTY SECRETS 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 (Kessa and Cesare) DIRTY SECRETS follows the friends to lovers relationship between Francesca ‘Kessa’ Scot and Cesare Valenti. Cesare and Kessa have been best friends for close to eighteen years. Friends to boyfriend/girlfriend back to friends in the face of Cesare’s betrayal of the woman he loved . Kessa would eventually marry someone else, as Cesare watched from the sidelines, still pining after our story line heroine but Cesare would bide his time with a series of ‘incidents’ directed at Kessa and the man she would marry, eventually destroying the woman he loves. As Cesare continues to ‘arrange’ attacks against our story line heroine, Kessa makes plans for the future on her own.

The relationship between Kessa and Cesare is a best friends to ultimately lovers but a relationship predicated upon manipulation, secrets and lies. For eighteen years, Cesare would deceive the woman he loved including poisoning the man she would eventually marry. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

The secondary and supporting characters include Cesare’s extended family including Raniero ‘Nero’ Valenti, and Calliope Jackson, as well as Mateo Valenti and Bambi; Luca Valenti and Sloane.

DIRTY SECRETS is a story of secrets and lies, manipulation and betrayal, obsession and love. The fast paced premise is heart breaking and emotional; the characters are deceitful and broken; the romance is predicated upon lies and deceit.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Possessive Captor
Deviant Desires
Filthy Sinner
Savage Prince

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy

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Filthy Sinner / Savage Prince by Kelsie Calloway -reviews

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FILTHY SINNER / SAVAGE PRINCE (Valenti Crime Family 3 & 4) by Kelsie Calloway

 

FILTHY SINNER
(Valenti Crime Family 3)
by Kelsie Calloway
GENRE: adult, contemporary, erotic, Mafia romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date April 25, 2023

“I can explain.” That’s what everyone says when they’re caught breaking the law.

City Council Commissioner Sloane Bishop is a murderer.
I don’t think she meant to kill her abusive ex.
But when I walk through the door, he’s breathing his last.
I was on my way to do the job myself; too bad she beat me to it .
Now the cops want to know what happened.
They’re sniffing around and asking questions.
Sloane has a choice: marry me or go to prison.
After all, they can’t make your husband testify against you…
We just have to find someone to take the fall.

•••••

REVIEW: FILTHY SINNER is the third instalment and novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult VALENTI CRIME FAMILY erotic, criminal underworld romance series. This is businessman and member of city council Luca Valenti, and city council commissioner Sloane Bishop’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sloane and Luca) FILTHY SINNER follows in the aftermath of the murder of architect Daniel Prewitt. Daniel had been hired by the Valenti family to design a new home but Daniel sold the plans to the Valenti family rival, plans that would reveal secrets and more. Determined to take down Daniel Prewitt, Luca comes face to face with city councillor Sloane Bishop, who has just killed the man in question. To protect one another, Luca offers up his hand in marriage, a marriage Sloane is all too quick to agree to the terms. As the police investigation begins to target our story line couple, Sloane reconsiders her options going forward when a phone call from Luca has the potential to break our heroine’s heart. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Luca and Sloane, and the potential fall-out as a their marriage of convenience is not necessarily a marriage of love.

The relationship between Sloane and Luca is a marriage of convenience in the wake of the murder of architect Daniel Prewitt. Sloane was being blackmailed by the recently deceased, and her political career was about to take the hit. The Valenti family had been betrayed by Daniel Prewitt, and Luca was desperate to protect the woman that would steal his heart. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters included Luca’s brothers Raneiro and Mateo, as well as Sloane’s parents, and local law enforcement.

FILTHY SINNER is a quick read; a story of family, relationships, blackmail and desperation. The fast paced premise is entertaining; the romance is limited; the characters are determined and desperate.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Possessive Captor
Deviant Desires

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_______

SAVAGE PRINCE
(Valenti Crime Family 4)
by Kelsie Calloway
GENRE: adult, contemporary, erotic, Mafia romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 23, 2023

She’s pregnant with my baby, now she’s on the run.

Nicolette was supposed to be a one night stand.
She’s the daughter of my brother’s sworn enemy .
But a few nights in a fancy hotel room changes everything.
I heard Nicolette left town, running from the man that knocked her up .
Except I’m the only man she’s ever been with .
If she’s going to be the mother of my child , she belongs to me.
I don’t care how long I have to hunt her or what it takes to keep her.
Nicolette Bellini will be mine .

Savage Prince is the fourth book in The Valenti Crime Family series, featuring a morally grey anti-hero that will do whatever it takes to be with the mother of his child —even if it means breaking the law. Each book is a standalone and the series can be read in any order.

•••••

REVIEW:   SAVAGE PRINCE is the fourth novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult VALENTI CRIME FAMILY focusing on the Valenti crime family. This is thirty three year old Stefan Valenti and nineteen year old, colleges student Nicolette Calvino’s story line. SAVAGE PRINCE 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 (Nicolette and Stefano) SAVAGE PRINCE follows nineteen year old Nicolette Calvino, daughter of Mafia boss Nick Calvino as she does her best to act out against her father’s wishes. Nicolette is an immature, spoiled Mafia princess who has been lost since the age of five when her beloved mother said good bye, leaving behind all of her children in the care of their Mafia connected father. Spending evenings in the bars, underaged Nicolette picked up Stefano Valenti for a bathroom quickie but once was not enough for our story line hero. Stefano Valenti wanted Nicolette but was unaware as to her true identity. Upon the discovery of her pregnancy, Nicolette left, looking for the mother she no longer knew, a mother who would explain what happened in the past. Desperate to find the woman with whom he was falling in love, Stefano went in search of the mother of his future child.

SAVAGE PRINCE is a fast paced, quick read focusing on obsession and desperation, heart break and love. The premise is entertaining; the romance is limited to $ex and $excapades in bathrooms and hotel rooms as the story line jumps seven months in which we are unaware of the developing relationship -I was hoping for a little bit more of their story; the characters are desperate and colorful.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Possessive Captor/Deviant Desires by Kelsie Calloway-reviews

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POSSESSIVE CAPTOR / DEVIANT DESIRES (Valenti Crime Family 1 & 2) by Kelsie Calloway- reviews

POSSESSIVE CAPTOR
(The Valenti Crime Family 1)
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2023

The police chief calls me a thug, but soon he’s going to be calling me his son-in-law.

Chief Jackson knows not to mess with the Valenti family.
When he tries to frame me for murder, I start plotting my revenge.
The only person that hates the police chief more than me is his daughter.
But she makes the perfect collateral.
I’m going to take everything from the Chief, even his family line.
When she’s pregnant with my baby, he’ll stop his useless investigations.
Family means everything to me.
And Calliope Jackson is my family from now on.

Possessive Captor is the first book in The Valenti Crime Family series, featuring a morally grey anti-hero and the younger, untouched heroine he keeps locked up in his mansion. Each book is a standalone and the series can be read in any order.

•••••

REVIEW: POSSESSIVE CAPTOR is the first instalment in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary adult THE VALENTI CRIME FAMILY dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Raniero ‘Nero’ Valenti, and realtor Calliope Jackson’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 (Raniero and Calliope) POSSESSIVE CAPTOR follows in the wake of the abduction of Calliope Jackson. Calliope Jackson is the estranged and only daughter of police chief Grant Jackson, the man who has been terrorizing the Valenti family in the hopes of taking them down. Raniero Valenti is tired of the harassment, and plans to destroy Grant Jackson by abducting and claiming Calliope as his own. A prisoner in a gilded cage, Calliope finds herself quickly submitting to a man who could make or break our story line heroine but discovers cooperating with Raniero makes her own life a little easier. Desperate to make Calliope his wife, Raniero believes he must first break the woman with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the tempestuous but building relationship between Raniero and Calliope, as our couple make plans for their future.

The relationship between Calliope and Raniero begins as prisoner and captor but a gilded cage is still a cage from which Calliope cannot escape. Having lived most of her adult life on the street, escaping the abuse and torture at home, Calliope exchanges one jailer for another for the security and safety net of the man with whom she will fall in love. Raniero is determined to destroy Chief Grant Jackson but never thought he would fall in love with our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

We are introduced to Raniero’s brothers: Mateo, Luca and Cesare: housekeeper Grace; bodyguard Sampson, and Calliope’s father Chief Grant Jackson.

POSSESSIVE CAPTOR is a quick read; a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, obsession, love and acceptance. The fast paced premise is inviting but there is no resolution to the acrimonious relationship between the Chief, Raniero and Calliope-the Chief becomes more of an afterthought who is apparently unfazed by the entire situation; the characters are dynamic; the romance is provocative but there is something missing -no spark, no palpable attraction but more of a forced proximity necessity.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

______

DEVIANT DESIRES
(Valenti Crime Family 2)
by Kelsie Calloway
Genre: contemporary, adult, dark, erotic, Mafia romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 21, 2023

He spent three years behind bars; now he’s going to make me pay for sending him there.

Five years ago, I stood before a judge and told him what I’d witnessed.
My fiancé, Mateo Valenti, killing someone in cold blood.
After they locked him up, I thought I’d never see Mateo again.
But I was wrong.
When Mateo gets out, he calls me in the middle of the night.
“Oh, Bambi, you think three years on the inside are hard?”
“Wait until I get my hands on you.”
I don’t know how he got my number, but he says he’s coming for me.
He says we’re going to be together forever, just like we promised.

•••••••

REVIEW: DEVIANT DESIRES is the second instalment in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult VALENTINI CRIME FAMILY dark, erotic, crime family romance series of novellas. This is thirty-nine year old, Mateo Valenti, and thirty year old events coordinator Bambi Schelling’s story line. DEVIANT DESIRES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Mateo and Bambi) DEVIANT DESIRES follows the second chance relationship between is thirty-nine year old, Mateo Valenti, and thirty year old events coordinator Bambi Schelling. Five years earlier Bambi Schelling witnessed her fiancé Mateo Valenti strangle a man to death. Due to his connections, and the lack of a body, Mateo is released after three years, and it will be another two years before Bambi comes face to face with her past. A retirement party for the Dean of the college finds the Valenti family invited as honored guests, a party coordinated by our story line heroine. Mateo Valenti is desperate to reconnect with the woman he loves but Bambi struggles with what happened and how. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Bambi and Mateo,and the potential fall-out as Mateo reveals the truth about his family, and everything they entail.

The relationship between Mateo and Bambi is a second chance romance that started nine years earlier. Four years into their relationship, Bambi witnesses Mateo strangling another man, and our heroine is the primary witness for the prosecution. Mateo never forgot about his fiance’s betrayal, a betrayal he is threatening to take into account when he comes to reclaim the woman he still loves. The $ex scenes are aggressive and intense with some scenes of questions consent.

We are reintroduced to Mateo’s brothers: Luca, Cesare and Raniero. Luca’s story line is next. Luca’s story line is next.

DEVIANT DESIRES is another fast paced, quick read; a story of family and relationships, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is spicy; the characters are animated and powerful; the romance is limited to $ex and desperation.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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