Tag Archives: mafia

Cruel Surprise (Dark Mafia /Arranged Marriage) by BB Hamel-review

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Cruel Surprise (Dark Mafia / Arrange Marriage) by BB Hamel-review

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 28, 2025

My one night stand just crashed my wedding…
And put a bullet in my groom.

I got pregnant. Now I’m ruined. At least that’s what my family says.

My only option is to marry a stranger and salvage what’s left of my reputation.

I’m willing to do it… until Mass Cardone decides to take back what’s his.

Mass is a monster ripped from my darkest nightmares. He’s a beautiful beast in designer suits with a body like an athlete and a stare that makes me break. His commands topple governments. His hands are drenched in blood. Every word from those beautiful lips cuts straight to my core.

We spent one night together and he gave me the best gift possible: my daughter.

But I don’t want him anywhere near my baby.

There’s nothing I can do when he drags me to his private island and forces me to be his wife.

Mass is keeping secrets while pulling me deeper into his lair. I’m trapped in his bed, but I can hear screams beneath the floorboards.

If I can’t escape soon, my daughter will grow up in a prison, and I’ll be that psychopath’s plaything for the rest of our days.

•••••

REVIEW:CRUEL SURPRISE by BB Hamel is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, dark Mafia, arranged marriage romance focusing on forty-two year old, underworld crime Lord Massimo ‘Mass’ Cardone, and twenty-three year old, Mafia princess/ single mother Allie Russo.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Mass and Allie) CRUEL SURPRISE follows approximately two years after a one night stand in which Allie was left a single mother, never knowing the truth about the man with whom she would one day fall in love. Fast forward to present day, Mass abducts Allie and her daughter moments before she was about to marry an older man, an abduction that reveals there is more to our hero than anyone could have ever known. Massimo Cordone is one of the five most powerful underworld crime bosses known as the Dragons, a position that now threatens our story line heroine. A private island fortress, personal guards, and a new life find Allie in the middle of a fight for power, a fight that will see the people she has grown to love not only be betrayed but betrayers themselves.

The world building follows several intersecting pathways as Massimo Cordone’s empire is threatened by a ghost, a Russian crime lord who is determined to take his place at the top. With his family and island targeted, Massimo must become the aggressor before he loses everything he loves.

The relationship between Mass and Allie begins as a one -night stand, forced marriage in the face of an upcoming war. Massimo is determined to claim our heroine and his daughter but someone else is taking aim, intending to take down our story line couple. 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 colorful, powerful and sometimes questionable secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Massimo’s housekeeper Satya, his second in command Lucy; Allie’s brother Gabe, and their father Francesco Russo. The requisite evil has many faces.

CRUEL SURPRISE is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is twisted, dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive and spicy ; the characters are dark and determined. CRUEL SURPRISE ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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Prince of Clubs (Dixie Mafia 2)by Victoria Jayne-review

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Prince of Clubs (Dixie Mafia 2)by Victoria Jayne-review


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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 6, 2026

No one was supposed to know.

With no other option, Tamara became a stripper to afford the fight for her son. When her brother’s best friend walked in, everything changed.

Eddie’s life was already complicated. Keeping his Irish enemies at bay and running the gentlemen’s club left no room for distractions… or attraction.

When passion ignites amidst chaos, they try to resist each other. Mixing business with pleasure is a disaster waiting to happen, but if they keep it secret, no one will get hurt.

As bodies pile up, and the truth unravels, will Tamara stay by Eddie’s side? Can he shield her from danger, or will he watch it all burn to the ground?

•••••

REVIEW:PRINCE OF CLUBS is the second instalment in Victoria Jayne’s contemporary, adult DIXIE MAFIA erotic, Mafia romance series. This is heir to the Dixie Mafia Eddie Ricci, and twenty-two year old exotic dancer and single mother Tamara Lewis’ story line. PRINCE OF CLUBS 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 omniscient dual third person perspectives (Eddie and Tamara) PRINCE OF CLUBS follows Dixie Mafia heir Edward ‘Eddie’ Ricci as he begins the acquisition of several strip clubs including the Petrol Gentlemen’s Club, where he will come face to face with his best friend’s sister Tamara Lewis. Tamara is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet but Eddie was unaware of Tamara’s desperation having no idea about the child she bore with someone else. Taking control of Tamara’s finances and her life, Eddie sets into motion a sense of recovery but the former strip club owner was in deep with the criminal underworld, and Eddie is about to pay the price for someone else’s sins.

The world building follows several paths including the tenuous relationship between Tamara and her brother Jay; the take over and struggles of the ‘gentlemen’s club; and the embattled family dynamics of the Ricci Crime Family.

The relationship between Eddie and Tamara is a brother’s best friend forbidden affair that wherein Eddie quickly takes control to protect and secure our story line heroine. Tamara’s past returns demanding everything and more, and Eddie is determined to safeguard the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scense are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are somewhat questionable and twisted. We are introduced to Tamara’s brother and veteran Jay;Tamara’s friends and co-workers Lacey and Amber-Lynn, and Eddie’s brother Paul and his wife Harper; their father Josephe, and their uncle Michael, and Tamara’s former boss Trevor Fenton. The requisite evil has many faces including the local MC, Russian Bratva and Irish Mob.

PRINCE OF CLUBS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and gritty; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic. PRINCE OF CLUBS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Snowed In with the Bratva by Penny Dee-review

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Snowed In with the Bratva by Penny Dee-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 December 19, 2025

A ruthless Bratva boss.
A lone witness.
A snowstorm that traps them together at Christmas.

I was in the wrong alley at the wrong time.
And I saw something I shouldn’t see.

One gunshot.
One dead man.
And one cold-eyed killer staring straight into my soul.

Nikolai Morozov.
Bratva Pakhan.
A gorgeous, merciless nightmare.

He kidnaps me to a remote mountain lodge where a blizzard locks us inside.
Just the two of us—and the secrets he refuses to explain.

He says it’s for my safety.
But the way he touches me?
The way he closes the distance between us?
The way his voice drops when he calls me malyshka?
There’s nothing safe about it.

••••••

REVIEW:SNOWED IN WITH THE BRATVA by Penny Dee is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, Bratva holiday romance focusing on Pakhan Nikolai Morozov, and art curator Holly Winters.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nikolai and Holly) SNOWED IN WITH THE BRATVA follows in the wake of the abduction of our story line heroine. Holly Winters witnessed something that would place a target on her head. Determined to save the woman with whom he would fall in love, Bratva Pakhan Nikolai Morozov will return to his second home in Alaska with Holly, wherein Holly finds herself the prisoner of our story line hero but someone is taking aim, and the best way to protect Holly is to marry the woman he has loved from afar.

The world building follows our couple from New York to Alaska as Nikolai ensures the safety of our story line heroine. Holly is unaware of the reality of her family history, a family with powerful connections to the man in charge.

The relationship between Holly and Nikolai begins as an abduction, and Holly refuses to become another statistic. Determined to escape, Holly will quickly discover she is safer with our story line hero.The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting story line characters are colorful and desperate. We are introduced to Nikolai’s house staff Katya and Andrei; Bratva Kingpin Yuri Orlova and his second Ivan, and Nikolai’s second Dimitri. The requisite evil has many faces.

SNOWED IN WITH THE BRATA is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance,power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is dramatic and intriguing; the romance is seductive and fated;the characters are determined and powerful.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rockstars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between.She believes true love never runs smoothly, and her characters realize this too, with a boatload of drama and a whole lot of steam.

She found her happily ever after in Australia where she lives with her husband, daughter and a dog named Bindi.

You can connect with Penny Dee : Goodreads / Facebook / Amazon Author Page / Website / Instagram

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Silent Schemes /Dirty Game by Elizabeth Knox & Haven Snow-reviews

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SILENT SCHEMES/ DIRTY GAME (Broken Blood prequel & 1) by Elizabeth Knox and Haven Snow

SILENT SCHEMES
Broken Blood prequel
by Elizabeth Knox and Haven Snow
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, Mafia, romance

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 September 3, 2025

I was sent to kill him. I gave him an heir instead.

Sienna

My father raised me to be a weapon. Cold. Calculating. Lethal.

Varrick Bane was supposed to be just another target. Another king to topple. Another body to leave bleeding on concrete while I collected my father’s approval like coins.But the Bastard King of Vancouver doesn’t die easy.

He saw through my seduction before I even walked through his door. Knew I came to kill him. And instead of putting a bullet in my head, he kept me close—too close—until the lines between predator and prey blurred beyond recognition.

Now I’m carrying his child. My father is demanding blood. My sister’s life hangs in the balance. And Varrick? He’s turned me from a weapon into something far moreA woman with something to lose.

In this city, love is a death sentence and betrayal is currency. I have three weeks to kill the only man who’s ever seen me as more than a killer. Three weeks before my father kills everything I love.

The game was always rigged. But when you play with kings, even winning means losing everything.

•••••

REVIEW: SILENT SCHEMES is the first instalment and prequel in the contemporary, adult, BROKEN BLOOD dark, erotic, crime world romance series co-authored by Elizabeth Knox and Snow Haven. This is Varrick Bane, and Sienna Cross’s story line.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Varrick and Sienna) SILENT SCHEMES follows the building relationship between Varrick Bane, and Sienna Cross, a relationship predicted upon a lie but a relationship meant to end in death of our story line hero. Sienna Cross is a weapon, honed by her father and his men, a weapon meant to destroy anyone standing in their way. Varrick Bane has been keeping tabs on the woman sent to kill but a woman with whom he will fall in love.

The world building follow Sienna as she struggles in the wake of falling for a man she was sent to kill. There is a war on the horizon, and our couple are about to caught in the middle.

The relationship between Varrick and Sienna is based on a lie. Sienna has been trained as an assassin, and Varrick is her next target. Varrick is wholly aware that Sienna has been sent to kill but our hero has fallen for the woman who will take a part of him he may never get back. The $ex scenes are limited but intense.

The secondary and supporting characters are charismatic yet questionable. We are introduced to Varrick’s half brothers Korrin and Cyrus; Varrick’s mentor Will Romano; Sienna’s sixteen year old sister Maya, and their father Theodore Cross, crime lord Bastian Cross; Sienna’s aggressive handler Vincent Carlisle.

SILENT SCHEMES is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, love and loss. The character driven premise is dark and edgy; the romance is virtually non-existent; the characters are energetic and determined. SILENT SCHEMES ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

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DIRTY GAME
(Broken Blood 1)
by Elizabeth Knox and Haven Snow
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, Mafia, romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 27, 2025

Rosalynn

I should have stayed away. Hell, I knew he was bad news the first moment I saw him. But, I’d always been drawn to bad men, and he was no different. Only, there was something different about him.

He wasn’t the kind of man who would throw me against a wall and beat me until I couldn’t see straight. Varrick was a monster and I had no doubt about it. Yet, in time he became my monster, lurking in every shadow, willing to kill for me.

The world was against us, but we could survive it all.

•••••

REVIEW: DIRTY GAME is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult BROKEN BLOOD dark, erotic, crime world romance series co-authored by Elizabeth Knox and Haven Snow. This is forensic accountant Rosalynn Lombardi, and crime lord Varrick ‘King’ Bane’s story line. DIRTY GAME can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the prequel SILENT SCHEMES for background and cohesion.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Varrick and Rosalynn) DIRTY GAME focuses on the building relationship between our story line couple. Rosalynn Lombardi and Varrick Bane. Rosalynn has been sold to Varrick Bane as payment for a debt, a debt incurred by her family, a family that has used and abused our storyline heroine. As a forensic accountant, Rosalynn will become a beneficial to Varrick Bane, as she digs deeps and navigates a book keeping system that hides the numerous sins and betrayals by the people Varrick one trusted. As Rosalynn slowly begins to trust the man who could destroy her heart, Varrick’s past demands retribution, everything and more.

The world building focuses on betrayal and vengeance as Rosalynn must come to terms with the proverbial ‘frying pan into the fire’ but a fire that will become guardian and protector in the face of corruption and mistreatment. As Rosalynn begins to uncover a trail of exploitation and theft, the past returns demanding everything and more.

The relationship between Varrick and Rosalynn begins as a transaction, a payment for debt but quickly turns into something more. Varrick will become aware of the tragedy and abuse that has befallen our heroine, and in doing so, promises to love and cherish the woman that will call to his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

The secondary and supporting characters are energetic, and powerful. We are introduced to Varrick’s half-brothers Korrin and Cyrus; Rosalynn’s brother Marco, and their uncle Enzo, and Varrick’s housekeeper Maria. The requisite evil has many faces.

DIRTY GAME is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, greed and madness, dysfunctional family dynamics, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and gritty; the romance is edgy and provocative; the characters are desperate, determined and struggling to heal.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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A Merry Little Vendetta by Kathleen Kelly -review

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A Merry Little Vendetta  (25 Days of Christmas Bikers and Mobsters) by Kathleen Kelly -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 December 19, 2025

In a world where secrets are deadly, the biggest risk might just be falling in love…
Alessandro “The Shadow” De Luca, New York’s most feared mafia boss, has one goal this Christmas—win over Elena Harper, the sweet, normal florist who has no idea who he really is.

When he walks into her charming shop to buy flowers for his mother, he’s immediately captivated by her warmth, her innocence, and her complete lack of fear when faced with a man who makes the city tremble.

Determined to keep her out of his dangerous world, Alessandro pulls out all the stops to charm her while fending off the enemies who are closing in.

But Elena’s idea of a good time is arguing over which flower makes the best centerpiece, not dodging bullets or hiding from hitmen.

As their relationship blooms among snowflakes and bouquets, Alessandro finds himself tangled in a web of awkward dates, over-the-top gestures, and—oh yeah—trying to keep his mafia life a secret.

If Elena ever uncovers the truth, she won’t just be shocked… she might unleash a merry little vendetta of her own.

••••••

REVIEW:A MERRY LITTLE VENDETTA by Kathleen Kelly is a contemporary adult, erotic, Mafia romance story lines set in the multi-authored 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BIKERS AND MOBSTERS. This is Mafia Boss Alessandra ‘The Shadow’ De Luca, and florist Elena Harper’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 (Elena and Alessandro) A MERRY LITTLE VENDETTA focuses on the building relationship between our story line couple but Alessandro’s timing could not have been more wrong as the Russo Crime Family is determined to take control, taking aim at our story line couple. Elena Harper is completely unaware of Alessandro’s criminal lifestyle, and in this, her willingness to accept everything is a complication Alessandro struggles to accept but the fight for territory has become personal, targeting Elena in a bid for control.

The world building follows Alessandro and his men as they struggle to protect the woman with whom our hero is falling in love. Alessandro is determined to protect our story line heroine, a woman who is willing to accept everything but the secrets and lies.

The relationship between Alessandro and Elena is one of mutual attraction but Alesssandro knows that to fall for Elena mean placing our heroine in the direct line of fire. Struggling to stay away, Alessandro is unwilling to walk away until it is too late. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Alessandro’s second in command Marco, a man who struggles with Elena’s place in our hero’s life.

A MERRY LITTLE VENDETTA is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is fast paced, edgy and dramatic; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic.

I do have one observation, and I don’t know if it has been corrected but the blurb states Alessandro De Lucas is New York’s most feared crime boss, yet the entire story line takes place in Seattle.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Social Media: Goodreads / Amazon Author Page/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram/ TikTok/

Kathleen Kelly is a USA Today Best Selling Author and was born in Penrith, NSW, Australia. When she was four her family moved to Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Although born in NSW she considers herself a QUEENSLANDER!!

She married her childhood sweetheart and they live in Toowoomba. Kathleen enjoys writing contemporary, romance novels with a little bit of steam. She draws her inspiration from family, friends and the people around her. She can often be found in cafes writing and observing the locals.

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DANGEROUS KING/ SHADOW KING by Bella Ray-reviews

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DANGEROUS KING/ SHADOW KING (Savage Kings of New York 2 & 4) by Bella Ray-reviews

Dangerous King
Savage Kings of New York 2
by Bella Ray
Genre: adult, contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia

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

RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2025

I spent fourteen years surviving the mafia. But falling for its prince might destroy me.

I grew up a hostage.Collateral in a blood-soaked deal between my father and the mafia.For fourteen years, I was hidden in the shadows of the Giordano estate—unseen, unheard, and never free.
Until the night they went too far.

They kidnapped a girl and strapped her to the same torture chair I once bled in.This time, I couldn’t stay silent.I risked everything to free her.I didn’t know she was the sister of Enrico Sartori—heir to one of New York’s most ruthless mafia families.

A man with a reputation carved in fear.A man who doesn’t owe anyone.But he owed me.And he paid that debt with fire.Now I’m under his protection.In his fortress.Wearing his name, even if it’s only temporary.He says I’m safe.That no one will ever touch me again.But when Enrico looks at me, safety is the last thing I feel.

He’s cold fury wrapped in tailored suits. Brutal. Possessive. Untouchable. And when he calls me piccolina, I forget how to breathe. But power in the mafia is never stable. Enemies are closing in—some hiding behind blood ties, others behind thrones. And I’m not just leverage anymore.

I’m a liability. A distraction. A weakness he can’t afford. Now the man who swore to protect me may be forced to choose: His family. Or me. And in this world, love is the most dangerous gamble of all.

•••••••

REVIEW: DANGEROUS KING is the second instalment in Bella Ray’s contemporary, adult SAVAGE KINGS OF NEW YORK dark, erotic,Mafia romance series. This is thirty year old, Mafia boss Enrico Sartori, and nineteen year old Catalina ‘Cat’ Costa’s story line. DANGEROUS KING 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 (Enrico and Catalina) DANGEROUS KING follows in the wake of the abduction of Enrico Sartori’s sister Isabella but upon her rescue Enrico discovers another young woman who help save the life of his sister. Catalina ‘Cat’ Costa has been a prisoner for close to fourteen years, a pawn between the criminal underworld and the political elite. With the arrival of Isabella, Cat saw her chance to escape, and with it, a chance at a happily ever after with the man that would call to her heart but a fight for power is about to send the crime world into a spiral, and our couple will be caught in the middle.

The world building follows the rescue and healing of Catalina Costa,as she begins to blossom into herself. Enrico sees the woman that he will one day marry but the family is about to go to war, and the people at the top have been betraying the people who trust them the most.

The relationship between Cat and Enrico begins as a rescue but quickly turns into something more. Enrico has become Cat’s guardian and protector but our heroine is struggling to find her place in the world. The $ex scenes are erotic and provocative.

There is a large and diverse ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including members of the Mafia, Cartel, and Russian Bratva. We are introduced to Cat’s parents Mayor Cesare and Loredana Costa; Cat’s siblings Lucas and Sabine :Enrico’s parents Fabrizio and Eliza; sister Isabella, brothers Dante, Mattheo, Tommaso, as well as Don Edoardo, and Don Antonio ‘Toni’ DeLuna. The requisite evil has many faces, and those closest to our couple can’t always be trusted.

DANGEROUS KING is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, jealousy and madness,family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is detailed, dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive and spicy ; the characters are animated, charismatic and determined.

Copy supplied for review

_________

SHADOW KING
Savage Kings of New York 4
by Bella Ray
Genre: adult , contemporary, dark, erotic, Mafia romance

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 18, 2025

As the daughter of a mafia don, I was born into power and danger— but nothing could prepare me for him. He was supposed to be my bodyguard. My father’s most trusted soldier. A man carved from silence and shadows. He wasn’t meant to look at me the way he did. And I wasn’t meant to want him.

One night, everything changed. One promise turned into a cage. And I learned what it meant to be owned by the wrong man. Then Raffael came for me. He isn’t a savior. He’s a killer—cold, ruthless, forged in blood. He doesn’t protect to save. He protects to possess.

Now I’m trapped between the man who controls me and the man who would burn the world to set me free. He says I belong to him. He says he’ll never let me go. And the terrifying part? I believe him. I should fear him. I should hate him.

Instead, I crave the monster who was never meant to love me.

•••••••

REVIEW: SHADOW KING is the fourth instalment in Bella Ray’s contemporary, adult SAVAGE KINGS OF NEW YORK, dark,erotic, Mafia romance series. This is businessman Raffael DeSantis, and Mafia princess Sophia Orsi Giordana’s story line. SHADOW KING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the events of SHADOW KING cross over with , and run parallel to some of the events of the previous story lines.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Raffael and Sophia) covering three years, SHADOW KING follows in the wake of the arranged marriage between Sophia Orsi, and man who would meet a brutal end. Raffael DeSantis has been in love with Sophia for as long as he can remember but he believed he was a nobody, and without the power to save the woman he loved. Three years would pass, and Raffael would set into motion a plan to rescue our story line heroine, a rescue that may be too late to save our heroine’s soul but all is not as it appears to be, Raffael is about to embark on a new path towards a future he never new existed, a future that now lays claim to our story line heroine.

The world building follows Raffael as he begins a new life, a new direction in the face of betrayal and the loss of the woman he loves but for three years Raffael has struggle without our story line heroine, a struggle Raffael knew nothing about.

The relationship between Raffael and Sophia begins as an assignment when Raffael is assigned to protect our story line heroine but Sophia was young and immature, and in this, her behavior would ultimately end with a man who destroyed her soul. Raffael is determined to reclaim the woman he loves, a woman who has always loved the man who stole her heart. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, questionable and dangerous secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Sophia’s father Carlos Orsi, her brothers Angelo and Marcello Orsi, nurse Violet; women’s shelter coordinator Lexy, Gray Elia; Don Edoardo, Roberto Giordano, and Roberto’s powerful grandmother Donna Margarita. The requisite evil has many faces.

SHADOW KING is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, edgy and dark; the romance is impassioned but the couple spend about fifty percent of the book apart; the character desperate, determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy

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Craving Revenge (Kings of Mafia 6) by MIchelle Heard-review tour

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Craving Revenge (Kings of Mafia 6) by Michelle Heard-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 December 9, 2025

For years, I’ve been groomed to be my brother’s shadow. To protect my father’s heir, who will one day take over from him as the Kumichō of the Yakuza, I’m forced to dress and act like a man when I’m out in public.

The ruse works, and when I’m grabbed off the street by the Sicilian mafia, I’m in for a world of pain.

Augusto Vitale, a ruthless and unforgiving capo, wants revenge for what the Yakuza did to his younger brother, and I’m the one paying in blood. That’s until Augusto realizes I’m a woman and I’m set free.

I think it’s the last I’ll ever see of him, but then my father comes up with a plan that will ensure I live the rest of my life in hell.

Once again, I find myself at Augusto’s mercy, but this time he has no intention of letting me go.

•••••

REVIEW: Craving Revenge is book 6 in The Kings of Mafia series by Michelle Heard.

Yuki Tanaka is a 22 year old Yakuza Princess living in Japan. But she can’t be herself. Ever since her brother Ryo was hidden away when she was eleven, she has been pretending to be him. Not by her choice, her father’s-To protect her brother until he is ready to take over the Yakuza – She pretended to be him. Her father making her take Botox shots to the face to make her look more masculine. She is out at a popular Japan nightclub, Molecule, one night and she sees the most beautiful woman with her new husband.

Yuki can’t help but stare. She has been pretending to be her brother for years and the softness and beauty of this woman is overwhelming. She can’t seem to look away. What that sets off is a myriad of a battle between the Yakuza and Cosa Nostra.
The woman she was staring at is Gianna Vitale – the newly married wife of Riccardo Vitale. The youngest brother of the head of the Cosa Nostra. The capo of the Cosa Nostra – Augusto Vitale.

When Yuki can’t look away, Gianna’s husband Riccardo takes offense and tells Yuki to stop looking at his wife. Yuki’s over zealous body guard oversteps and in the end Riccardo is shot and taken away to the hospital. Augusto wants revenge for what has happened to his brother in Japan. When they find who they believe to be Ryo the beat him within an inch of his life.
That is until they realize that the person pretending to be Ryo is actually his sister Yuki.

Trying to calm the violence and deaths between the Yakuza and the Cosa Nostra – Yuki’s father arranges a marriage with none other than the man that beat her almost to death – Augusto Vitale.

Will Augusto ever be able to get Yuki to forgive him for what he has done. Will Yuki ever feel safe with the man she was arranged to marry? What transpires is a beautiful building of a relationship between Yuki and Augusto.

But once Augusto finds out about the truth of how his new wife was treated up until he married her – he has but one thought.He is Craving Revenge.

This was probably one of my favorite Mafia stories by Michelle Heard. The build up between Augusto and Yuki was wonderful. While Augusto had one thought – to make his wife feel safe and secure after he mistook her for a man and beat her. Yuki is young and vulnerable – and scared – oh so scared of the life she didn’t ask for. Her one wish is to find her brother. She has no concept of living a good life – she has never experienced that. But maybe she will one day. Maybe she will….

Highly recommend – can be read as a stand alone but every single book in this series is worth a read.

Please be mindful of the trigger warnings at the front of the book.

 

Reading Order and Previous reviews
The Hermit
The High Priestess
Death
The Empress
The Devil

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.

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ARRANGED ADDICTION (Dark Arranged Mafia Romance) by BB Hamel

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ARRANGED ADDICTION (Dark Arranged Mafia Romance) by BB Hamel

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2025

My spicy self-care box just got delivered to my boss’s desk. Now he’s opening it right in front of me. And staring at my new lingerie…

Declan Whelan’s a gorgeous nightmare.

He’s handsome as sin and demands strict obedience.

Nothing I do ever makes my crazy boss happy.

At least until a package filled with some workplace inappropriate objects gets accidentally delivered to his desk…

And now he’s very interested in everything about me.

Dinner leads to a steamy night in his penthouse suite.

I get a taste of a new side of my beautiful, psychopath boss.

But his attention comes at a price.

He’s overwhelming and obsessed in ways I never imagined.

We have a history I didn’t know about… one splattered with blood and filled with secrets.

He promises he’ll take care of me.

All I have to do is give him everything he wants… and meet his exacting standards.

••••••

REVIEW: ARRANGED ADDICTION by BB Hamel is a stand alone, contemporary, adult,dark, erotic, Mafia romance set in the Marino and Rossi Family Crime worlds. This is heir to the Whelan Irish Crime Syndicate and businessman, forty something Declan Whelan, and twenty-five year old, PA Casey Brennan’s story line. ARRANGED ADDICTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from dual first person perspectives (Declan and Casey) ARRANGED ADDICTION follows in the wake of the murder of Casey’s best friend and co-worker Natalie. A misdirected package, a night out with the boss, and Casey returns to discover her life is spiralling out of control. In an effort to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love, Declan Whelan forces Casey into marriage, a marriage that is meant to insulate and safeguard our story line heroine. Casey has been targeted, threatened by the demons from the past, a man who has returned to take what doesn’t belong.

The world building is detailed and complex as Declan Whelan fights for control and power of the Whelan Crime family, and our heroine who refuses to accept her current direction in life. Years of secrets will reveal a connection to the past, as Casey must come to terms with what is happening and why.

The relationship between Casey and Declan begins as boss and employee but Casey’s declaration of a failed love life pushes Declan to take control, ensuring Casey’s future is at his side.Declan’s obsession with Casey began years before but our heroine has been protected and insulated from the ghosts of the past. The $ex scenes are erotic, provocative and intense.

The colorful and often questionable secondary and supporting characters include the return of Declan’s brothers: Seamus (Arranged Control), Cormac (Arranged Obsession), their parents Siobhan and Padraig, and Casey’s aunt Sheila. The requisite evil has many faces.

ARRANGED ADDICTION is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, grief and loss, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dark, dramatic and gritty; the romance is seductive and edgy; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Vicious Heir
Shattered King
Arranged Obsession
Arranged Control

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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