Kidnapped by the Devil by Heidi Rice

Kidnapped by the Devil is Heidi Rice’s second novel in her Captive Mafia Seductions mini series. The first novel, Italian’s Devil Baby, followed Vittorio and Mia’s story whilst the second follows the story of Mia’s younger sister, Evie and Vito’s half brother Dante Malvini. 

Summary

Elsie is taken prisoner by Dante on Vito’s private island, Isla Donna, as he escapes after being held prisoner there for several months. The two brothers run rival mafia gangs. Dante runs the Malvini gang which tried to kill both Vito and Mia in the first novel. He takes Evie as a potential bargaining chip and protection against potential retaliation by Vito. The pair have a great chemistry and Dante falls for Evie’s kindness. They marry and move to New York. Dante’s overbearingness and the remnants of his childhood trauma plus Evie’s childhood issues need to be overcome as chemistry alone cannot lead to a lasting relationship. 

Review

The story is told from both Evie’s and Dante’s viewpoint. The storyline is well balanced and doesn’t just have a tenuous connection to the first book. although it can be read as a standalone novel. Both the main characters are likeable and relatable. There are some very heart rending moments relating to the puppy, for example. I enjoyed this mini series and would recommend it. 

I received this book via Heidi Rice in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #gifted

The Billion-Dollar Heir Returns by Rachael Stewart

Introduction 

The Billion-Dollar Heir Returns is written by Rachael Stewart, published by Mills & Boon, and is the fourth and final novel in her Outback Kings mini series. 

Summary

Jackson King reluctantly returns to his family homestead, Kings Reach, in the Australian outback. Summoned by his ailing father, Fraser King, from whom he has been estranged for the past 20 years. Fraser’s original will left the ranch to his 4 sons. The new will leaves it all to Jackson. Annalise Fletcher has been Fraser’s personal assistant/ nurse for three years. Whilst Fraser’s health issues have remained hidden from everyone she is seen as his PA. She has grown to love the ranch  and she regards Jackson as selfish, deserting his father and the family business. Nevertheless Jackson and Annalise have a mind blowing kiss which may change both their lives, but what will happen when all the secrets come tumbling out.

Review

A lovely final novel which ties up all the lose ends, closing the final chapters on the Outback Kings series. The main characters are both determined but have to deal with the secrets and past before they can move on with their future. Old characters reappear making the series seem like a continuous seamless read but each novel can also be read as a stand alone novel without the reader getting  lost. It is a gentle, passion filled romance, which brings together the uncovering of family secrets, family disagreements, past betrayals, health issues and general fall outs between family members and wraps them all up in to this final novel. 

I received this book via Bookfunnel and Rachael Stewart in exchange for a honest review.  #gifted

His Royal Christmas Revenge by Clare Connelly

 

His Royal Christmas Revenge is written by Clare Connelly and published by Mills and Boon Modern. This novel is part of their Christmas themed offerings. The heroine is Queen Astrid Thera of Norvenheim. She became Queen when she was still a teenager after surviving a car crash where her parents and older brother sadly died. The heroine is The hero, Javier Diamandi, sent away from the island as a child by his stepmother after both his parents died. They meet at the Starlight ball. Astrid is looking for a spouse who she can have children with. She considers Otto, Javier’s half brother but at the ball she is drawn to Javier. She decides this will be her time with no advisors telling her who is appropriate and they plunge into affair. Their affair appears doomed to failure due to their issues going back to childhood and Astrid’s determination to put her country first. Will they be able to overcome these insurmountable problems and have their HEA? 

This is the first book written by Clare that I haven’t enjoyed and that I struggled finish as it dragged. It lacked Christmas cheer. The front cover didn’t scream holiday season to the prospective reader, it was too dark and gothic. The characters didn’t gel or complement each other and the link to the holiday season was tenuous at best! There was something “off” about the whole novel as though the author hadn’t really enjoyed writing it or enjoyed developing the characters. In someways the story, even though it is fictional and set in yet another fictitious tiny monarchy, is relevant as most of the European Royal houses’  next monarch will be female, I wonder how they will choose their spouse? Anyway not her best work. I won’t be rereading it. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

The One Who Walked Away By Karen Rose

Summary

The One Who Walked Away is a stand-alone thriller by well known author, Karen Rose. Elle Randolph and Sara , her boss, are bounty hunters. Sara leaves after a few days to go home to her pregnant wife. Elle and Sara become persons of interest in the case and are suspected of committing a murder as the manager of the local inn’s  dead body as they are the last two people to be seen with her when she was alive. Life has finally caught up with Elle after three years of taking every case she can so she doesn’t have to face that she was the only person to walk away from a car accident that killed her husband and two other people. The police officer in charge of the investigation is Detective Ronan Clarke, a single dad with 15 years experience on the force. 

This case is set in Mendocino County. Everyone who Elle and Sara question in regards to their case of apprehending a runaway fugitive ends up being murdered. As the bodies stack up it is clear Sara is being framed but as she has a web of secrets that she is trying hard not to divulge to Ronan, it is difficult for him to trust her. As the pair try to find out who is framing her for the murder and other killings as well as trying to kill Sara a romance develops between them. 

Review 

This novel incorporates some hard hitting themes such as domestic violence which are handled sensitively. The book itself was well paced and structured. The tension builds slowly throughout the novel but it is quite easy to guess who committed the murder. As the reader, however, I found it difficult to relate to the main characters. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Headline  in exchange for a honest review.  #netgalley #gifted #TheOneWhoWalkedAway

One Weekend In Prague by Alison Roberts

Summary 

One Weekend in Prague is an opposite attracts, holiday fling romance set in Prague. Mac (Hamish MacMillan) a well known  emergency medicine specialist from Scotland and Hanna Peterson, an emergency department nurse from New Zealand, are in Prague to not only sight see but also attend a medical conference.

They first meet under the Astronomical Clock as they have signed up to take a walking tour of Prague, their guide collapses and their relationship goes from there. They attend the conference and spend time together both in bed and sightseeing. Once the conference and holiday romance are over they both return to their reality. 

Hanna is surprised when Mac reappears in her life in New Zealand, filling in for her friend Jo who has gone on maternity leave. 

The second part of the book focuses more on the hospital setting and the pair building a relationship, overcoming hurdles to that. Will they be overcome the biggest problem of all? Mac doesn’t want commitment and children whilst Hanna does. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

The Billionaire in Disguise by Soraya Lane

 

Summary

The Billionaire in Disguise is a heart warming, gentle romance published by Mills and Boon. Nathan Bell is a billionaire who left London for New Zealand after suffering a heart attack in his early 30s due to his stressful career. He is currently renting a cottage on Jessica’s grandfather’s farm. Jessica Falls, a professional horse jumper is recovering after seriously injuring her back whilst competing. She returned to NZ to sort out her grandfathers estate and her life. 

Review 

The book follows the pair trying to sort their lives out whilst having a no strings romance. Quite an emotional yet gentle read as they both work towards their futures but will this push them apart.

I normally can read Soraya Lane’s book in one sitting but this one dragged. I found the storyline to be dragged out. The premise for the book is great and it is beautifully written, I just couldn’t get in to it. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Italian Devil’s Baby by Heidi Rice

Introduction 

There appears to be a new genre in the world of romance - dark, spicy mafia themed novels. Lucy Munroe was the first author I noticed that had started to write self published mafia romance novels whilst also showcasing other authors who write in this genre. Heidi Rice is the first author to bring this type of storyline to Mills and Boon Modern and I was interested to see how it fitted in to or broadened the Modern plot types. 

Summary 

Italian Devil’s Baby, the first in the Captive Mafia Seductions is written by Heidi Rice. It is a dark mafia/ secret pregnancy romance.  Vittorio Rocco, is head of the Rocco family, a mafia boss who is feared in Southern Italy. Mia Taylor is a teaching assistant from London who has maxed out her credit cards to take her little sister, Evie on a once in a lifetime trip to Italy. Vito first sees Mia dancing with friends on his on his yacht.  She agrees to meet him and their one night stand goes from there. He whisks her off to his apartment, they have a great night but unfortunately a rival gang led by his half brother Dante break in and shoot Vito. 

Mia is hurriedly removed from the scene and taken back to London to the flat she shared with Evie. She discovers she is pregnant but doesn’t tell Vito as she has now realised he is very much tied up with the mafia! 

Vito comes to find Mia, realises she is pregnant and whisks her back to Italy to his private island that is like a fortress. The chemistry between them is still there but will their relationship withstand the violence, loss of freedom for Mia and the total change to her life?

Review

I enjoyed this novel. It is well paced and doesn’t drag the plot line out. The characters aren’t over the top stereotypes but have character flaws that are relatable to the reader. It is a very sexually charged novel, violent in places, a step up from the traditional M&B Modern. I am looking forward to reading Dante and Evies’ story which is out in October. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Heidi Rice in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #gifted