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.
The first time I met Alessio Russo I was eighteen. He’d barged into my room. I yelled. He yelled. We argued.
I slammed the door into the jerk’s face. Then I discovered that the drool-worthy prick was my best friend’s oldest brother — who had connections to Cassio King and the mafia. The freaking mafia!
The second time I saw him was at his mother’s funeral. He didn’t seem to recognize me. Or so I thought until we ended up tangled up between the sheets and he referred to our first encounter.
The next time we saw each other was at his father’s funeral – the funeral of the very same man that had threatened my life.
It turned out Alessio Russo was a gentleman even when he was a savage. We bickered. We kissed. We fought. We made love.
He thrilled me and scared me. Still, we slowly started to find a way to each other but before I had a chance to come clean with him, I had to leave the country.
Then all hell broke loose.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“I had always wanted him. He was my everything. Until he wasn’t.”
Woah, wait a minute! This is looking very much a contender for a spot in my top reads of 2023! I think I have a new favourite series by Winners (and that’s saying a lot as she has so many damn good ones)!
A billionaire romance with a sprinkling of dark mafia themes? Umm, yes please. Everything about this story called to me. The romance was on point… and highly swoony! There was plenty of suspense and plot twists to keep things extra juicy, and the world-building was easily addicting to learn about. Alessio and Autumn’s world was crazy thrilling from the travel destinations, to the romantic entanglements, to the intriguing circle of individuals that made appearances. This was absolutely my type of romance read!
✔ Contemporary Billionaire Romance
✔ Age-Gap
✔ Secret Romance
✔ Dark Mafia Themes
✔ Second Chances
✔ Opposites Attract
✔ Instant Attraction
✔ Suspense
I don’t know if this story was on the shorter side or if I was just overly absorbed by it that I read it too fast— either way I want more! I NEED MORE!
Winners’ writing style has fast become one of my favourites and always look forward to her next release. This book was just so effortless to follow, the synopsis has you curious to know more, and once you begin the MCs immediately catch your attention. There was the prefect amount of romance elements to its dark mafia counterpart. I was hooked by the organic progression of Alessio and Autumn’s relationship. It may have started out as a sizzling hook-up but it evolved into such an angst-ridden love story between the two. Sigh.
Alessio is rough around the edges and possessive as hell but he’s also just as protective and when he loves, he loves wholeheartedly. Trust me when I say, he is one breath-taking man. Autumn is the type of heroine who may be young but intelligent and sincere. She’s a bright light, lives life to the fullest and is the softness to Alessio’s hardness. What can I say? I think they’re a superb pairing.
It was constantly developing with plot twist after plot twist, obstacle after obstacle dead-set in keeping Alessio and Autumn apart. Although it’s a relatively shorter read, the developments felt gradual and genuine. It didn’t feel rushed through or unrealistic.
Alessio and Autumn’s opposite worlds collided and they navigated through the differences, especially with Alessio’s gritty criminal underworld and seedy connections. Backstories and past events bulked up the narrative and added believable years of history between these two MCs. The amusing moments, comic relief, and flirty banter throughout injected lightness and kept the story from going too dark.
“She was my first love and my last love. My only one. Without her, I was just existing. With her, I was living.”
It does broach on sensitive subject matters that some readers may find triggering or disturbing such as graphic violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, drugging and torture. Intended for mature readers 18+ only.
This was one hell of start to the Billionaire Kings series, and I’m itching to read the rest already. I’ve only read a handful of billionaire romances, but the quality of this one far outweighs those other books. I think the storytelling is exceptional. I was invested from beginning to end. The characters’ emotions leaped off the pages and I connected without fail.
The secondary characters are also worth mentioning. I love a good friendship and familial bonds, and this had some heart-warming ones that were just as much highlight as the relationship between Alessio and Autumn. I’ve read quite a few of Winners’ books, and she has written some amazing relationships. This is was no different.
The characters are all well-developed. You’ll get your fill of morally grey heroes, strong-willed heroines, good-hearted side characters, and sneer-inducing villains that ‘ll raise a variety of reactions out of you.
If you like any of the romance tropes I previously mentioned, this is must-read! I cannot recommend this book and Winners’ writing enough. It packs a punch and the romance is beyond. If you get a kick out of MCs who go through the wringer before they reach their HEA, then add this one to your TBR!
We were off-limits to each other right from the start…
I’m the governor’s daughter and he’s a mafia boss in the Bratva.
It was a no-brainer.
I was forbidden to him and him to me.
But when we met at his nightclub, I thought he was my prince charming.
I couldn’t fight my attraction to the tattooed Russian god, any more than he could for me.
Dante Levitsky is tall, dark and dangerously handsome with Mediterranean blue eyes you could swim in forever.
Our chemistry is the type people read about and wish for their whole lives.
After the accident a year ago that nearly stole my life, he felt like my second chance at living.
Saying no to a secret relationship when he asked me felt like losing a limb.
So, I agreed, thinking it was the best idea ever.
Until it wasn’t. And I find out he lied.
Then his dark secrets slapped me in the face.
Secrets and plans for retribution against my father that will turn my world upside down.
I wasn’t supposed to fall for the villain.
But at the time I didn’t know he was my enemy.
Or that I would become his new obsession.
He’s the monster I never saw coming and he plans to take everything.
Including me.
Ruthless Sinner is a dark mafia forbidden romance. It is book 1 of the Empire of Sinners series. It is inspired by Romeo and Juliet. This book is a 100K word standalone romance that contains dark themes, dubious situations, mature content, and graphic violence some readers might find offensive and/or triggering.
Faith Summers is the Dark Contemporary Romance pen name of USA Today Bestselling Author, Khardine Gray.
Warning!! Expect wild romance stories of the scorching hot variety and deliciously dark romance with the kind of alpha male bad boys best reserved for your fantasies.
Aislinn Killeen is a good girl. When her sister goes missing during a trip to New York, Aislinn leaves her hometown Dublin behind to search for her. She finds shelter with her uncle, a priest in the biggest Irish-catholic parish in the city and also the confessor for the Irish mob. Her investigations soon lead her to the criminal underworld, and one of its major players: Lorcan Devaney.
Lorcan Devaney’s reign is brutal, his temper feared and his patience non-existent. Aislinn is sure he’s the man who knows what happened to her sister. She realizes too late that attracting the attention of a man like Lorcan is a horrible idea. When secrets from her family’s past are revealed, she’s forced to marry the man who might be responsible for her sister’s disappearance.
Will she find her sister and escape the unwanted marriage, or will she be the second Killeen to disappear?
•••
— TEASER —
•••
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
•••
— CHARACTER REVEAL —
It’s time to meet the ruthless leading man of Dangerous Innocence: Lorcan Devaney
The head of the Devaney Clan…
•••
It’s time to meet the leading lady of Dangerous Innocence: Aislinn Killeen
CoraReillyis the author of the Born in Blood Mafia Series, The Camorra Chronicles and many other books, most of them featuring dangerously sexy bad boys. Before she found her passion in romance books, she was a traditionally published author of young adult literature.
Cora lives in Germany with a cute but crazy Bearded Collie, as well as the cute but crazy man at her side. When she doesn’t spend her days dreaming up sexy books, she plans her next travel adventure or cooks too spicy dishes from all over the world.
•••
Follow CoraReilly on her social media!
Keep up-to-date with Cora’s latest news, upcoming release plans, teasers, and book covers!
If you’d like to help spread the word about future cover reveals, sales, teasers etc, then you won’t have to sign up separately anymore if you’re on said Master list. You’ll be emailed the images and info directly. So if you want to spread the Cora mafia love, please sign up here: CoraReilly MasterList
Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Mafia Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
Aislinn Killeen is a good girl. When her sister goes missing during a trip to New York, Aislinn leaves her hometown Dublin behind to search for her. She finds shelter with her uncle, a priest in the biggest Irish-catholic parish in the city and also the confessor for the Irish mob. Her investigations soon lead her to the criminal underworld, and one of its major players: Lorcan Devaney.
Lorcan Devaney’s reign is brutal, his temper feared and his patience non-existent. Aislinn is sure he’s the man who knows what happened to her sister. She realizes too late that attracting the attention of a man like Lorcan is a horrible idea. When secrets from her family’s past are revealed, she’s forced to marry the man who might be responsible for her sister’s disappearance.
Will she find her sister and escape the unwanted marriage, or will she be the second Killeen to disappear?
•••
— TEASER —
•••
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
•••
— CHARACTER REVEAL —
It’s time to meet the ruthless leading man of Dangerous Innocence: Lorcan Devaney
The head of the Devaney Clan…
•••
It’s time to meet the leading lady of Dangerous Innocence: Aislinn Killeen
CoraReillyis the author of the Born in Blood Mafia Series, The Camorra Chronicles and many other books, most of them featuring dangerously sexy bad boys. Before she found her passion in romance books, she was a traditionally published author of young adult literature.
Cora lives in Germany with a cute but crazy Bearded Collie, as well as the cute but crazy man at her side. When she doesn’t spend her days dreaming up sexy books, she plans her next travel adventure or cooks too spicy dishes from all over the world.
•••
Follow CoraReilly on her social media!
Keep up-to-date with Cora’s latest news, upcoming release plans, teasers, and book covers!
If you’d like to help spread the word about future cover reveals, sales, teasers etc, then you won’t have to sign up separately anymore if you’re on said Master list. You’ll be emailed the images and info directly. So if you want to spread the Cora mafia love, please sign up here: CoraReilly MasterList
Aislinn Killeen is a good girl. When her sister goes missing during a trip to New York, Aislinn leaves her hometown Dublin behind to search for her. She finds shelter with her uncle, a priest in the biggest Irish-catholic parish in the city and also the confessor for the Irish mob. Her investigations soon lead her to the criminal underworld, and one of its major players: Lorcan Devaney.
Lorcan Devaney’s reign is brutal, his temper feared and his patience non-existent. Aislinn is sure he’s the man who knows what happened to her sister. She realizes too late that attracting the attention of a man like Lorcan is a horrible idea. When secrets from her family’s past are revealed, she’s forced to marry the man who might be responsible for her sister’s disappearance.
Will she find her sister and escape the unwanted marriage, or will she be the second Killeen to disappear?
•••
— TEASER —
•••
•••
— CHARACTER REVEAL —
It’s time to meet the ruthless leading man of Dangerous Innocence: Lorcan Devaney
The head of the Devaney Clan…
•••
It’s time to meet the leading lady of Dangerous Innocence: Aislinn Killeen
CoraReillyis the author of the Born in Blood Mafia Series, The Camorra Chronicles and many other books, most of them featuring dangerously sexy bad boys. Before she found her passion in romance books, she was a traditionally published author of young adult literature.
Cora lives in Germany with a cute but crazy Bearded Collie, as well as the cute but crazy man at her side. When she doesn’t spend her days dreaming up sexy books, she plans her next travel adventure or cooks too spicy dishes from all over the world.
•••
Follow CoraReilly on her social media!
Keep up-to-date with Cora’s latest news, upcoming release plans, teasers, and book covers!
If you’d like to help spread the word about future cover reveals, sales, teasers etc, then you won’t have to sign up separately anymore if you’re on said Master list. You’ll be emailed the images and info directly. So if you want to spread the Cora mafia love, please sign up here: CoraReilly MasterList
Cover Design: Eve Graphic Design | Photographer: Wong Sim | Model: Paul Ferrari
•••
— BLURB —
Enrico Marchetti.
One of the five Italian mafia kings.
Powerful. Untouchable. Corrupt.
It started with one innocent look across a room in Paris. He was a lot older than me. A Roman god dressed in an Italian suit, surrounded by an aura I couldn’t resist.
When I ran into him again, he effortlessly pulled me under his spell. But little did I know, a night full of carnal pleasure would cost me everything.
When Enrico Marchetti wanted something, he didn’t just take it. He possessed it. Now, his sights were set on me. There were secrets this man was keeping. They surrounded him, his dead wife, his children. I wanted no part of it, but there was no escaping him. He had taken me to his kingdom, locked the doors, and thrown away the key.
Now the only thing left to do was fight. Even if it killed me.
Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA. She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches. Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about. Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave. Follow Eva Winners on social media!
I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with my wife. That wasn’t part of the plan.
From the moment I first laid eyes on Madelena De Léon, I felt a primal urge to protect her. Keep her safe. Her father had failed her. I would not.
She is innocent, and I have no business taking her to my bed. But Madelena and I are bonded. Our destinies inexplicably linked. As is our survival.
My past is dark. I’ve made many enemies and betrayal runs rampant in my world. But sometimes those closest to you are the most dangerous of all.
If I was a better man, I would let her go. I know it’s the only way to keep her safe.
But any goodness I had in me vanished long ago. I am a man condemned. I want what I want.
And what I want is her.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“You and I belong to each other now. For better or for worse. Until death do us part. And I mean every word of that.”
What a page-turning ending to The Augustine Brothers duet! With the cliffhanger Forgive Me My Sins concluded with, I couldn’t get to this second half of the duet fast enough. Santos and Madelena had pulled me into their twisted and deadly world and I was completely enveloped in their stormy relationship.
As I mentioned in my review for the first book, I had my inklings about the plot twists and certain characters’ motives, and this second half of the story revealed all the mysteries. Although I found most of it fairly predictable quite early on, I still enjoyed the overall reading experience. Knight’s writing is consistently effortless to follow, with vivid world-building, and characters full of personality and intrigue. Her books are dark romance comfort reads for me and this story is another addition to the collection.
Santos and Madelena’s relationship evolved from distrust and uncertainty to one of love and loyalty. Whilst their characters could’ve been a lot more fleshed out in my opinion, there was still plenty of growth by each of them that kept me invested in seeing their story through. The complexity surrounding these MCs certainly made things interesting— I loved the additional murder mystery/psychological thriller elements thrown into this dark romantic suspense. It has the familiarity of Knight’s usual dark mafia romances but with a little something different included that set it apart from the rest.
Santos is a unique MMC having a less stereotypical alpha persona than I’m used to seeing in Knight’s books, and is more a protective and caring, albeit morally grey hero throughout. He opens up about is brutal history but acknowledges his wrongdoings and regretful actions. What you see is what you get with him.
For the most part Madelena has a fragility to her but when push comes to shove, you see determination and a fight in her that gave her character some much needed backbone. They’re quite a dynamic pair with contrasting personalities that worked well together.
The secondary characters’ roles in this book had taken things up a notch. New developments popped up but I can’t say all had been worthwhile plotlines. There were a couple I would’ve loved to have seen play out in more detail, but there were others that had me questioning why they were even included in the first place as they had eventually fizzled out by the end with no real importance to the main storyline.
I’m one of those readers that always seem to fall in love with a character who ends up either not getting the heroine in the end or… they end up dead. There’s a character in this story that fits one of these two categories, and I was honestly bummed to see it. I’m secretly hoping Knight will spin it around and give this character some kind of reprise. One can dream. 🤞😅
The fast-pacing is consistent with the first book and is continually progressing. Although it’s a dark romantic story, the spice level is relatively mild in this book and more on the sweeter side.
Dysfunctional families and dynamics, twisted mindsets and secrecy, a diverse cast of characters, and two MCs who discovered a surprising bond between them. The Augustine Brothers duet was an amazing read to escape into. It had a variety of elements that created an overall gripping fictional world with certain scenes I’m still replaying in my mind.
They went through some gruesome and exhausting experiences, and dealt with some realistic toxic relationships that many may find relatable. It was bittersweet and certain conclusions were somewhat debatable, but all in all, I was still left in contentment seeing how Santos and Madelena’s journey wrapped-up.
I think fans of Knight’s work will enjoy this one. It’s a dark romance story that isn’t as gritty as others out there and would be a great story for readers still new to the romance sub-genre (as long as you have no issues with dark themes and certain triggering content such as strong violence, sexual assault, and death).
If you like dark romances with an enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage trope within a mafia-themed high societal setting, I recommend adding this duet to your TBR.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Natasha Knight and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! ❤
🔔 Interested in reading The Augustine Brothers Duet? Grab your copy here:
Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Mafia Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
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