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RELEASE BLITZ & ARC REVIEW – UPTIGHT FLYBOY, A COCKY HERO CLUB NOVEL, BY EM TAYLOR

#Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 18, 2021

Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are excited to bring you the Cocky Hero Club: original works from various authors inspired by Keeland and Ward’s New York Times bestselling Cocky Bastard series.

BLURB

Trent is through with women. Or so he thinks. Beautiful, self-assured Emily shatters his self-imposed barriers. Will he let her in or will his uptight manner chase her away forever?

A marriage of convenience has left Trent Darcy drained and wary of women. Next time he’ll marry a woman who is as much a cold fish as he is. But when he meets a coffee shop assistant at Heathrow Airport, he wants to get to know a woman better for the first time in years.

Emily Sandhurst thinks Trent is an entitled jerk. But after a misunderstanding, his eloquent apology improves her opinion of the haughty pilot. Having been left to raise her son alone after her partner died in Afghanistan, she’s working a dead-end job to show her son that privilege is earned. Should she tell Trent that she’s not all she seems?

Just when Trent thinks he could trust Emily, he learns of a family feud that could rip them apart. When tragedy strikes and Trent cuts contact, will Emily accept her fate or fight for the man she loves?

Uptight Flyboy is a single parent/forbidden/billionaire romance inspired by Playboy Pilot.

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My Review

Fun and Feel-Good Read! – 5 stars

The latest contemporary romance from Em Taylor is a super fun read, featuring Trent, an uptight aristocratic pilot and Emily, a plain-speaking and sassy single mother. The book is part of the Cocky Hero Club series, but can be read as a standalone and I’ll definitely be checking out the other titles.

I loved how we get straight into their story from the off – sparks fly as soon as the couple meet. Indeed, Trent just does not know how to take Emily as she is so unlike the women he is used to, yet something about her gets under his skin and they have plenty of chemistry together… As for Emily she is not impressed by Trent and his stuck-up attitude, despite how damn attractive she finds him on a physical level…

To reveal more would spil the plot, suffice to say that their romance is not plain sailing. Both have secrets and emotional baggage and this makes for a story with plenty of emotional highs and lows amidst the fun and smexy scenes. The supporting cast of characters were a great foil for their adventures.

Recommended for romance fans who are after a sexy feel-good read which contains humour, emotional angst and engaging characters.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am leaving a fair and honest review.

AUTHOR BIO

Em Taylor is a self-professed dreamer. As a child she dreamed of having her own island, just like George in the Famous Five. She now dreams of a world where there is peace, love and vampires are good kind people who will help her live forever once she finds a handsome hunky one to be her soul mate.

Hailing from the Central belt of Scotland, Em has tried her hand at many jobs. She now works as an activity co-ordinator in a care home. Also known as a professional dominoes player.

She writes Contemporary, Regency, and Science Fiction romance in her spare time, when she can drag herself away from Once Upon a Time, The West Wing, and Grace and Frankie on the TV.

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RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW – Blood Money (Dinero de Sangre #1), by Lana Sky

#Preorder #DarkCartelRomance #NewSeries #LanaSky #TwistedRomance #RevengeAndHate #NeedToReadItNow #ReadMoreRomance #Bookstagramer

Release Date: June 28th

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Blood Money by Lana Sky!

A new Dark Cartel Romance!

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Blurb

In this twisted dark cartel romance, revenge and hate collide with the past…

Ten years after a devastating betrayal, revenge has come back to bite Ada Pavalos.

Literally.

Once her family’s trusted bodyguard, Domino Valenciaga is out for blood.

Or her heart.

Whichever goal takes more violence to achieve…

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My Review

An Emotional Tsunami -5 stars

This book is DARK, an emotional tsunami of hate, anger, despair, violence and lust and I LOVED it! I am familiar with the author’s work, having read most of her back catalogue, and it is one of the darkest reads she has penned to date. I devoured it as soon as I got my mitts on it, in one single read. .

In Blood Money we have two complex and damaged individuals: Ada who has been used as a pawn in her father’s criminal empire, and Domino, who has bided his time and who now seeks terrible vengeance. He is cruel, devious and vengeful in the extreme. Indeed, the read contains a number of triggers, including graphic violence, and is not recommended for the faint of heart. However, if you hanker after extremely dark and psychological reads. then you will find it as addictive as I did.

Passions, secrets and misconceptions abound as revelations about the past slowly come to the fore. On the surface Ada is a shallow and insecure socialite. She is also very much a victim, a woman who is psychologically damaged, used to being controlled by those around her. When she is ripped from her familiar world and taken by Domino she struggles to come to terms with the turn her life has taken. I really enjoyed how she starts to draw on her inner strength not only to endure what her captor has in store for her but also to regain some semblance of control, however small.

The chemistry and power play between Domino, the captor and Ava his prisoner and victim is the focus of the novel and so far I am loving how their complex relationship is playing out. I am looking forward to how their characters develop as Ava is faced with atoning for the sins of others and also the sins she is held responsible for and Domino plays out his long awaited revenge.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that I received a copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Author Info

Lana Sky

Lana Sky is a reclusive writer in the United States who spends most of her time daydreaming about complex male characters and legless cats. She writes mostly paranormal romance, in between watching reruns of Ab Fab and drinking iced tea. Only iced tea.

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RELEASE BLITZ/REVIEW – Stolen Love: A Diamond Magnate Novel (Beauty in the Stolen Trilogy #3), by Charmaine Pauls.

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: June 22, 2021

BLURB

Once upon a time, a thief stole me in the middle of the night. He took what he wanted, gave me an illusion, and ripped it all away to claim his ultimate trophy. My heart may be physically weak, but fighting to live made me stronger. I won’t perish as easily as that. I’m turning the tables on him. After all, I learned from the best. I’m robbing him of what he stole from me.

*Stolen Love concludes the trilogy.

Other books in the Diamond Magnate collection:

Beauty in the Broken (Standalone)

Diamonds are Forever trilogy

Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1)

Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2)

Diamonds are Forever (Book3)

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EXCERPT

I suck in a breath. His back sports a new tattoo. An orange tree runs from his flank up to his shoulder. The roots branch out over his lower back and side. It’s so well drawn it looks as if the network of roots is grafted with his skin. A branch with orange blossoms runs up to his shoulder. The petals curl over the arch, only the tips of a flower visible on the curve as he faces me again.

Why did he get it? The answer is obvious. The truth stares me in the face. He never said it, but he declared it in permanent ink on his skin next to the values that govern his behavior, his life.

“It’s not some kind of gravestone,” he says in a quiet voice.

My gaze slips to the pendant on the leather string that hangs in the center of his breastbone. “What’s not a gravestone?” I ask, pretending not to know what he’s talking about. It’s too deep, too personal. We don’t share that kind of intimacy any longer.

“The tattoo. It doesn’t symbolize grief.”

I can’t help from asking, “What does it symbolize?”

“Love.” His gaze intensifies. “The kind that gets under your skin.”

My Review

Perfect end to fantastic trilogy – 5 stars

After the monumental cliffhanger at the end of the last book, hope warred with fear and trepidation when this, the third and final instalment of the trilogy dropped on to my Kindle. What else could the author do to traumatise me, the unsuspecting reader?

From the first page to the very last Stolen Love is a rollicking read, as Cas and Ian reunite and face up to each other and the tragedy of their past. Scene after scene pulled at my heartstrings at what the couple have gone through. But the author didn’t stop there, with a story encompassing revenge and forgiveness as well as suspense and danger to add to the complex emotional journey this couple are going through. Once again, the attraction between them is off the scale and there are some very sexy scenes.

They are just perfect for each other, but once again individuals and circumstances conspire against them and the storyline has a number of tear- jerking moments. Cas is as feisty as ever, but vulnerable given what she has been through and Ian, the unapologetic crime lord does all he can to keep her safe. Just when you think it’s all going to be hunky dory at last, the author once again pulls the rug out from under the reader in spectacular style. I’d highly recommend this book and the others in the series to readers of the genre – superb.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of the book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.

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AUTHOR BIO

Charmaine Pauls was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She obtained a degree in Communication at the University of Potchestroom, and followed a diverse career path in journalism, public relations, advertising, communications, photography, graphic design, and brand marketing. Her writing has always been an integral part of her professions.

After relocating to Chile with her French husband, she fulfilled her passion to write creatively full-time. Charmaine has published over twenty novels since 2011, as well as several short stories and articles. Two of her shorts have been selected by the International Literary Society for an anthology from across the African continent.

When she is not writing, she likes to travel, read, and rescue cats. Charmaine currently lives in France with her husband and children. Their household is a linguistic mélange of Afrikaans, English, French and Spanish.

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ARC REVIEW – Goodnight, Sinners (Sinner’s Empire, book 3)

#MafiaRomance

Blurb

Goodnight, Sinners is the third and final book in International Bestselling Author Nikita Slater’s mafia romance Sinner’s Empire Trilogy.
A mafia war.
A fallen empire.
A family destroyed and scattered.
Jozef and Shaun must pick up the pieces and rise to the top of a criminal empire together. If they fail, they will lose everything.
Shaun must fight for her beliefs and her career if she’s going to be happy as a mob wife.
Jozef is on a precipice. One wrong step could mean the end of his rise to power, his wife and even his life.
Together they will show the world a new Koba empire, built from the ashes of destruction and put back together with the strength of their love.

My Review – 5 stars

Emotional and action-packed

I have loved every instalment in this series and the third and final book in Shaun and Jozef’s story is by far no exception. The journey to their HEA, which takes place within the world of organised crime, is not an easy one as it is full of danger, deception and drama, but it does make for a fantastic emotional and action-packed read.

The couple are clearly very much in love with one another and whilst Jozef will do anything to keep Shaun safe, his actions sometimes go against what she wants and needs, given she is such a strong and independent woman. I enjoyed reading how they learned to open up to each other, working to resolve their differences and growing as a couple, although it was not always an easy ride in the dangerous world they live in. The tension between Shaun, a surgeon dedicated to saving lives, and Jozef for whom violence and killing has been a way of life, was palpable and kudos to the author for sharing their story with us in such a realistic and sensitive manner.

The surprises and plot twists in this instalment just kept coming, events drawing together the many threads woven into earlier books. At times I was only just recovering from one revelation when I was hit with another. I loved how the author developed a number of secondary characters, weaving parts of their stories into Shaun and Jozef’s romance, and I hope that they will feature in future books.

Recommended to lovers of mafia romance and also romantic suspense.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

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May 18, 2021 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ/REVIEW – Stolen Life, A Diamond Magnate Novel. Beauty in the Stolen Trilogy #2), by Charmaine Pauls.

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: May 18, 2021

BLURB

Ian Hart stole a night of my life but he took so much more. His obsession pinned a label on me. His lust put me in an impossible situation. Now I have to choose sides. I have to decide between right and wrong. Only, no matter what choice I make, each comes with dreadful consequences. There’s only one way this can end—how every tragedy ends.

*Stolen Life is Book 2 of the Beauty in the Stolen trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Book 3 will be released on 22 June 2021.

Other books in the Diamond Magnate collection:

Beauty in the Broken (Standalone)

Diamonds are Forever trilogy

Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1)

Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2)

Diamonds are Forever (Book 3)

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EXCERPT

His voice lowers with intent. “Know this, if you do run, I’ll slap a pair of ankle cuffs on you so fast you won’t have time to say my name. There’ll be no more playing nice. I’ll tie you to my bed if that’s what I have to do.” Cupping my jaw, he delivers the threat with a soft kiss on my lips. “The choice is yours.”

The heavy blow is dealt with tender words. They sift down like snowflakes to settle cold in my heart. I tremble as he pushes me down onto the hood and leans over me.

“What will it be, Cas?”

He’s not asking if I’m on board with this limited version of freedom. When he unbuttons my jeans, he’s asking a different question, and, as always, when he slips his hand into my underwear, he gets the truth.

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#3 Stolen Love – Releasing June 22

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My Review + 5 stars

Dark Masterpiece

As dark romances go this has all of the feels: emotional highs and lows, scorching hot lovemaking scenes, a hero and heroine to die for and danger and suspense in spades. If you love the genre you need to read this amazing trilogy.

The crime lord Ian and his strong-willed captive Cas are just so perfect for each other and I enjoyed reading how their connection grows. The life Ian leads is dark and dangerous and the burning question throughout is how can a feisty and free loving Cas submit to being his captive without losing her sense of agency. This battle between them is a theme throughout and I enjoyed how Cas constantly pushes Ian’s boundaries and how she never ceases to surprise him and those around him.

Although he is certainly no pushover, I loved how despite being a big bad anti-hero Ian is so thoughtful when it comes to Cas’ personal needs and her safety. Cas has to earn his trust as she constantly strives to test his boundaries and win the freedoms she craves within the dangerous world she has been thrust into. For Ian trust is all and he does not give it easily, however much his attraction to Cas ties him in knots.

The secondary characters are well drawn and the descriptions of the African bush and the local community, are sublime, painting a vivid picture in my head.

There are several scenes in the book where I felt myself tear up at what transpires, but the ending was on a different level entirely- an absolute sucker punch! Charmaine Pauls how can you be so cruel? The scene was the last thing on my mind when I fell asleep last night and the first thing I thought of when I woke this morning! Stolen Life cannot come soon enough.

A dark masterpiece for fans of the genre. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

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April 13, 2021 by Tina Williams

RELEASE BLITZ/REVIEW/GIVEAWAY – Stolen Lust: A Dark Romance (Beauty in the Stolen: A Dark Romance Series Book 1), by Charmaine Pauls

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Stolen Lust cover

Genre: Dark Romance

Release Date: April 13, 2021

BOOK BLURB

A DIAMOND MAGNATE NOVEL
Ian Hart is the most notorious criminal in the country. Like the thief he is, he came in the dark and stole a night of my life.

He left me with souvenirs. Disaster and fear are my new realities. I’ll forever look over my shoulder, terrified he’d return, because when he took me, he stole more than just a few hours of my time.

His crime has consequences neither of us could’ve imagined. If I’m to escape the nightmare of my life, I have to outsmart him. If I’m to survive, I have to outwit every enemy he’s turned against me, including Ian himself, the most dangerous and cleverest man I know.

*Stolen Lust is Book 1 of the Beauty in the Stolen trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Book 2 will be released on 18 May 2021 and Book 3 on 22 June 2021.

Other books in the Diamond Magnate collection:
Beauty in the Broken (Standalone)

Diamonds are Forever trilogy
Diamonds in the Dust (Book 1)
Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2)
Diamonds are Forever (Book 3)

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My Review

Hot and Intense – 5 stars

Hold on to your hats! This is one hot and intense ride from start to finish and as a huge fan of the dark romance genre, I lapped it up! I loved both the heroine Cassandra (Cas) and the anti-hero Ian. Cas is vulnerable in so many ways, but despite this she stands up for herself and does so with plenty of sass and is nobody’s fool. Due to Ian’s actions, her life speedily spins out of control as the truth of who he is and his deeds come to light I hugely enjoyed the story and their evolving relationship and found Cas to be a plucky character and a perfect match for Ian.

As for Ian he is such a bad man who takes what he wants, including an explosive night with Cas, which neither had bargained for. However, he has enough of a soft side when it comes to Cas to make the reader root for him, despite how reprehensible some of his actions might be. He is a complex man with a complex life and motivations and I am eager to find out more about his backstory as the series develops. Although the sex between the couple is consensual, the author does a brilliant job of creating tension within Cas between the fear and attraction she has for Ian and the scenes they have together are particularly gripping.

The read has plenty of action from the off, some unexpected twists and sizzling sex scenes – the chemistry and emotional connection between the main couple are superbly portrayed. The book is the first instalment in a new trilogy by the author and it ends on an exhilarating cliffhanger which sets up the plot and the couple’s fiery relationship for the next book.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note an ARC of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

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COMING SOON

#2 Stolen Life – Releasing May 18

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#3 Stolen Love – Releasing June 22

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March 30, 2021 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW – Renegade (A Ryker Returns Thriller Book 1)

#Thriller #Spies #SpyThriller

renegade

Blurb

He’s back and better than ever.

James Ryker, a veteran intelligence agent now freelancer, working for the secretive Joint Intelligence agency on an op-by-op basis, finds himself embroiled in a complicated mission that will test him to his limit.

When a simple surveillance mission goes awry and the key target is kidnapped in broad daylight in a busy London square, Ryker knows he has his work cut out.

Ryker is tasked with figuring out what went wrong. But when his good friend Sam Moreno disappears without a trace, the mission becomes more personal than he could have imagined.

Torn between toeing the government line, and finding the answers he needs, Ryker realises there’s only one way to find those responsible and to punish them… His way.

My Review

Action Packed Roller Coaster – 5 Stars

Renegade is packed full of action and has plenty of twists which make it a thoroughly entertaining read. It can be read as a stand alone but it is also part of a number of books featuring the protagonist James Ryker, now a freelance intelligence agent and it is a worthy addition to the collection.

I loved that the read introduces the reader to the action early on, setting the scene for a plot which spans the UK and the European mainland. There are some violent scenes which made be cringe – but nothing out of place in a spy thriller such as this where the moral compass of many of those involved in organised crime is suspect.

True to form Ryker plays by his own sometimes unorthodox rules and he has to employ all of his intelligence skills and physical and mental resilience as he gets closer to achieving his goal. There are a number of secondary characters that feature in the story as Ryker goes renegade in his quest to get to the bottom of who is responsible for the failed mission. I enjoyed these characters and their moral ambiguities and also how the various plot threads were laid out, eventually coming together as the story reaches its resolution.

All in all a great read, with a plenty of twists and turns and a protagonist who is single minded in his quest, especially when it gets personal.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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March 11, 2021 by Tina Williams

REVIEW ~ A Silent Reckoning, by Nikita Slater

#MafiaRomance

Blurb

A Silent Reckoning is the second book in International Bestselling Author Nikita Slater’s mafia romance Sinner’s Empire Trilogy.

One year.

Jozef is ready to reclaim the woman who got away from him and start their lives together. He has watched, he has waited and now he will build his empire with his woman at his side.

One year.

Shaun never thought she’d see him again. The man who ripped her life into little pieces and left her to deal with the shambles. Now he’s back and he’s determined to pick up where they left off.

A Silent Reckoning is the second book in the Sinner’s Empire Series. The third book will release on May 18, 2021. NOTE: A Silent Reckoning contains sensitive subject matter, with some scenes containing elements of PTSD and panic attacks, please read with caution.

My Review

Steamy and Action-Packed – 5 Stars

This is the second book in the Sinner’s Empire Trilogy and to fully appreciate the story and the dynamics between the characters it is recommended you read the series in order.

After the shocking ending of the first instalment Sin of Silence, I was so grateful that I didn’t have to wait too long for its release. I enjoyed that this book jumped almost immediately back into the action, uniting the central couple Jozef and Shaun. I just love how the author manages to create two individuals that are so far apart when it comes to their personalities and world view, but at the same time are just so right for each other. It is this tension between them and how it plays out that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

Although the couple’s love for one another is a certainty, it is how Shaun in particular can adapt to life within Jozef’s criminal organisation that is hugely problematic. I loved how he strives to understand Shaun’s point of view and how she is resolute in rebuilding her sense of control as much as possible. Alongside the the development of their complex and often combustible relationship, the danger and brutality of Jozef’s chosen career is never far away. There are also a number of other plot lines involving key figures from their respective families which added to the depth and breadth of the central plot and impacted on it. I was also gripped throughout with the question of Shaun’s safety, now that she has been forced to return to Prague.

The pace of the book accelerates from an already fast start as these plot points play out. The read is not short on emotion and steam as well as action scenes, tear jerking moments and a number of unexpected revelations.

Highly recommended to lovers of Mafia romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note a copy of this book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.

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February 10, 2021 by Tina Williams

*RELEASE BLITZ plus REVIEW: Queen of Thorns: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe (Mice and Men Book 2), by Lana Sky

#DarkRomance #MafiaRomance

Release Date: February 10, 2021

Cover Design by: https://killastrationz.com

Blurb

With all hope of the peace shattered beyond redemption, Donatello Vanici is waging his most violent, bloody war yet. And caught in the heart of the carnage is Willow Stepanova, the adopted daughter of his dangerous enemy and the girl who once adored him to the depths of her soul. Torn between her loyalty to her family and her volatile connection to Donatello, Willow quickly realizes that it’s not just her life at stake in this vicious battle… But what will be left of her in the end? Mice and Men is a new standalone series in the War of Roses Universe. A new spin-off series in the War of Roses Universe. Mice and Men is a standalone series. Queen of Thorns is book two in Mice and Men. Ruthless King needs to be enjoyed before reading Queen of Thorns. Queen of Thorns ends in a cliffhanger to be continued in book three, Shattered Throne (TBR).

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My Review

An Explosive Read ~ 5 stars

This turbulent read follows on from the shocking events in Ruthless King. Donatello Vianci is one of the most crazy characters this author has created to date and it is a wild, white- knuckle ride! We witness Donatello descending ever further into madness, driven by a combination of visceral grief and guilt, and Willow is compelled to tread a fine line to save her own life and that of others. I loved that by the end of the book it is clear to Donatello, the reader and Willow herself that she is far from a willing victim – she truly is the Queen of Thorns as the title suggests and is not a mere pawn. The read is a deeply psychological one and I was swept into a maelstrom of violence and unpredictable emotions of Donatello Vianci, a tragic and mercurial figure. The connection between him and Willow goes way back and she feels inextricably tied to him, whilst fully cognisant of the danger he represents. Their chemistry is a constant throughout the novel and I enjoyed that Willow, despite Donatello’s warnings, cannot resist pressing his buttons, challenging him to his breaking point. I enjoyed meeting Misha again and am dying to find out more about Evgeni, whose voice the author introduces us to. The next instalment cannot come soon enough as I am itching to find out what happens next between Willow and Donatello and whether they will be each other’s destruction or salvation, not to mention the many unanswered questions relating to the wider story arc and the characters within it. If you love dark mafia reads with the most tortured of characters you will love this and other books within the series. Reviewed by Tina Williams Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Other Books in the Series

Ruthless King: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 1). Released: October 27^th, 2020. Shattered Throne: A Dark Mafia Romance: War of Roses Universe: (Mice and Men Book 3). Release Date: TBD.

Author Info: Lana Sky

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December 30, 2020 by Tina Williams

ARC REVIEW ~ Sin of Silence (Sinner’s Empire Book 1), by Nikita Slater

#MafiaRomance #EnemiestoLovers #RomanticSuspense

Blurb

Immerse yourself in a Sinner’s Empire with International Bestselling Author, Nikita Slater’s, brand new mafia romance trilogy.

Loyalty. Pride. Family.

These are the only values that matter.

Jozef is both nephew and enforcer to the Koba crime family. He is ruthless, brutal and completely loyal to his family. Shaun is a doctor working in the Ukraine with Doctors Without Borders. She’s logical, kind and honest. Shaun has been trained on how to deal with hostage situations, but nothing prepares her for Jozef or the life he’s forcing her into.

From the operating room to an opulent glittering ballroom and a forced engagement, Shaun is wildly out of her depth. Every step she takes is monitored and the man who kidnapped her watches her like a feral dog preparing to strike.

Caught in a deadly plight, Shaun has no choice but to give her heart to a killer or become another victim of organized crime.

Sin of Silence is the first of three books in the Sinner’s Empire Series. The second book will release on February 27th, 2021 and the third book will release in Spring 2021. NOTE: Sin of Silence contains sensitive subject matter, with some scenes containing elements of PTSD and panic attacks, please read with caution.

My Review

Amazing mafia romance ~ 5 stars

I absolutely loved Sin of Silence, the new Romantic Suspense from Nikita Slater. It is a super start to a new series and I was hooked on the premise of the book as soon as I had read the blurb and glued to my Kindle throughout. Mafia romances are amongst my favourite reads and this is a powerful read, containing a strong, principled heroine and a brute of an anti-hero.

After her abduction by mafia enforcer Josef, the heroine Shaun is catapulted into a world of wealth and excess funded by organised crime. The author does an excellent job of describing the brutality of the kidnap and how Shaun and Josef respond to the evolving attraction between them. There is plenty of tension between Shaun and Josef, as well as other members of the Koba family and the lovemaking scenes between the main couple sizzle.

The couple come from two very different worlds: Shaun is dedicated to saving lives and Josef to extinguishing them in his work for his Koba family, to which he owes his loyalty. I loved how despite this they are thrown together in an impossible situation – a forced engagement. I was left in suspense, wondering whether or not their mutual attraction and growing connection could be their salvation or their undoing. In particular can Shaun survive in such a dangerous world and how can she cope with her growing attraction to a killer?

I was glad that he author did not sugar coat the lives lead by those involved in organised crime: the book does contain scenes of violence/threats of violence and elements of PTSD. This addictive and realistic read ends on a cliffhanger – the end just about killed me and I am itching to read the next instalment!

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, an ARC of the book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.