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

Book Review: Forced Vows: Arranged Marriage Enemies to Lovers (Syndicate Rules Book 6 by Lucy Munroe

Forced Vows is part of Lucy Munroe’s Mafia inspired Syndicate Rules series. Set in New York, Roise has agreed to marry Miceli to protect her young cousin and ensure she doesn’t have to. Prior to meeting her husband to be Roise goes out of town for the weekend and loses her virginity to a stranger - who turns out to be Miceli! Roise is determined to finish her education to become an actress even though as a mafia princess she will never be one. She butts heads with Miceli at every turn and this turns into a very spicy novel where it is the man who changes the most in order to ensure they get their HEA. 

I enjoyed this novel the most out of the whole series. The characters are determined individuals, the book is well planned out,  brings in characters from other books with cameo roles (although the book can be read as a standalone novel) and is well written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Book Review: Brutal Capo by Lucy Munroe

Brutal Capo is the fifth in the Syndicate Rules Series. Bianca had grown up within the New York mafia but was thrown out when she was a teenager after watching her father getting killed. Her twin and mother move away leaving her on her own. She was working as a pole dancer but moved to being a server in a mafia owned bar. Salvatore, a capo, falls in lust with her and the story goes from there. His don finds out who she is and demands that Sal either marries or is killed.

A fast moving plot. Lots of blood, sex and humour between the characters. An enjoyable read but nothing like the Mills & Boon novels that she used to write!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Book Review: Convenient Mafia Wife: Mafia Romance Series Prequel

Convenient Mafia Wife is the prequel in the Syndicate Rules mini series written by Lucy Monroe. This new series marks a new era in Lucy Monroe’s vast array of novels, her most popular being Mills & Boon Modern. These new novels focus upon characters from the US mafia cartels. They are much more explicit, raw and graphic in terms of violence, language, scenes of a sexual nature and storylines. 

The prequel is setting the scene/ characters for the next three books in the series. The storyline set in New York sets the scene for the first novel in the series,  Urgent Vows. The Jiliani and De Luca (The Genovese) families attempt to strengthen their hold on the city with a marriage arranged between Severu, the Don, and Madonna Carlotta, the daughter of his consigliere, Francesco Jiliani. The marriage ceremony doesn’t go to plan and is left on a cliffhanger, will Carlotta step into her sister’s shoes and marry Sev? setting the scene for book 1. 

The second storyline is based in Las Vegas. Giulia De Luca and Raffaele Mancini, the underboss of the Cosa Nostra territories. His father, Patrizio is the boss. The marriage was an alliance between the two families but slowly Giulia has fallen in love with her family. They have one son but unbeknownst to Raf she has been using contraception to prevent another pregnancy. He and his father send her to see a fertility specialist without consulting her and everything explodes from there. Being left on her own during their honeymoon, his father’s interference. All the past resentments bubble to the surface. Finally Raf realises he need to work on his marriage as he cannot let her go. 

The writing style, genre and storyline are a step away from her more popular Mills & Boon Modern novels. The storylines and language are more graphic, explicit and sexual. As the novels focus upon members of the mafia violence/ torture is not skimmed over but has its place in the story. I would have preferred two separate short stories within the prequel rather than the chapters jumping from one storyline set in NYC to another in Vegas. The prequel can get slightly confusing and disjointed with the different characters and storylines, even though they are interlinked and set the scene for the next 3 books in the series. 

I purchased this novel myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own.

Book Review: Demanding Mob Boss by Lucy Monroe

Demanding Mob Boss is the third in Lucy Monroe’s mini series Syndicate Rules. All four of the novels are centred around Mafia mob boss enforced proximity romance. 

Anna is neurodiverse. She cannot cope with excessive noise or stress. Cian Doyle is the boss of the Chicago Irish mob, Doyle and Byrne. He is a psychopath and has a dark personality although he is loyal to his family and those he loves, some may say excessively so. 

Surprisingly Anna feels that she has found the perfect job/ relationship working for and living with Cian. She slots right in and his family love her. Rightly so her friends try to persuade her to distance herself from his influence but she is determined to stay with him despite being harassed by the police and drawn into the murky underworld. 

Cian ruthless is when it comes to protecting and expanding his empire and family. Now he is obsessed with and by Anna. She brings calm and love into his life. Finally he has found his version of happiness and she enjoys being under his protection, even though at times it is rather excessive!

I enjoyed the interaction between the pair and the emphasis placed on neurodiversity. I didn’t enjoy all the secondary characters, found them confusing and felt that they cluttered up rather than enhanced the storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.