Havok: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance

Riley Rollins (Author)

     Havok is a captivating and intriguing story. It is centered around a Russian Mafia hitman and a stripper. This story has many elements that many readers will find interesting. Havok is full of action, romance, suspense, drama, mafia men, a bad boy hitman, hot sex scenes, strong characters, and a happily ever after. This story does have some violent scenes and drug use, as the description states. I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about a Bad Boy and/or the Russian Mafia romance. 
    
 *Possible Spoiler*
     Penny has had a hard, rough life. She works as a stripper at a club called Fascinations. Penny does this to support her drug habit and to support her abusive boyfriend. She is using drugs to dull the emotional and physical pain of her life. Penny has become very adept at hiding her drug habit / usage from people around her. She wishes / hopes that someone could save her from her horrible life. Penny needs a “knight” to rescue her and protect her ferociously, but she knows that will never happen for her. She watches one of the bouncers at the club and want him to be the one to protect / save her. 

    Havok, Vladimir, is a hitman for the Russian mob, Bratva. He also works as a bouncer at a strip club to keep an eye and ear on what is going on in town. While on duty, Havok spends part of his time watching over and protecting Penny from drunk men and/or unwanted attention at the club. He finds her very attractive, but Havok would never make a move or ask Penny out. Since Havok lost his fiancee, he has turned off his feelings. He refuses to let anyone get close to him again. So Havok is left with just watching over Penny. He has never really talked to Penny. The one time that Penny and Havok talked, he lets her know that she should stay for away from him, because he is not safe. After seeing her boyfriend beat her, Havok steps in and tries to take care of it. Penny stops Havok from beating her boyfriend too badly and leave with him. 

   Girls start to go missing from the club. Havok discovers that his boss is taking the taking the girls. He also finds out that Penny is next to be abducted. Havok takes Penny to keep her safe from the sex traffickers and keeps her locked up at his home. The chemistry between Penny and Havok becomes too much for them to resist. Penny is the first girl in a long time, who has made Havok feel again. 

   Penny is a strong woman, when she needs to be. She is a fighter and will fight to survive. Havok is a tough, tattooed hitman. He is a no nonsense, will do what has to be done, tough man. Penny and Havok are two people who are just getting by. They are just surviving or living day to day. Neither of them really have anyone close in their lives and have shut down or turn off their emotions in order to survive. Will Havok and/or Penny allow them self’s to be vulnerable in order to connect with the other or to find love? Will they heal their own emotional scars in order to be together? Can Havok be the hero and knight that Penny needs?      

Favorite Quote:  “We are all damaged in are own ways”

Overall – 4 1/2 Stars
POV – Alternating POVs (each chapter)
Chemistry / Steamy / Hotness – 5 Stars
HEA – Yes
Bad Boy / Alpha Male – Yes
Recommend To Others – Yes
Cliffhanger – No
I was given this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. 

Stolen From The Hitman: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance

Alexis Abbott (Author)

    Olivia Greenwood is a gymnast, who is recruited to train with an elite gymnastic’s company in Paris, France. She is from a small town in North Carolina. It is a place where everyone knows everyone. Olivia has known most, if not, all the boys in town all her life, so she has not really kiss a anyone before. She meets a man, Will, on the plane to Paris. He flirts with her, and Olivia tells him a lot about herself. This being her first time away from her parents, Olivia is excited and nervous at the same time. She is a very smart, good girl. Olivia has spent most of her life training to become a talented gymnast. She knows that she has been given a wonderful opportunity to train with a sexy new coach. After arriving at the school, Olivia meets her roommate, Maggie. The two girls have some things in common. Maggie takes Olivia out to see the city. Then later they are invited out to a party. Olivia knows that it would not be wise, but goes anyways with Maggie. Olivia should have listened to her instincts, because the girls’ night doesn’t turn out how they ever imagined. 

    Maskim Pavlenko is an ex Mafia hitman. He used to work for the Bratva. Before Max walked away from the Mafia, he took out several men who were starting / beginning sex trafficking in Paris. After that Max became a gymnastic coach. Max recruits, trains, and coaches girls to become the best gymnasts. The school and the girls don’t know about Max’s past. He tries to keep himself distant, hard, and professional from / with the girls. He is protective of the girls / students, because Max knows that they are his responsibility.  Max has a hard time being professional and distant with Olivia. 

    When Olivia and Maggie go missing or don’t show up for practice, Max goes to search for them. He becomes an one man army for the girls, especially for Olivia. Max does get some tech help from Felix. Felix does help out more than once with technology. He also tells some background info on Max. Once Max has rescued Olivia, Max knows that he should not get too close to Olivia. Max and Olivia are drawn to each other and can’t stop themselves. Their chemistry is very hot and intense. 

   I love that Olivia stands up for her new friend. She tried to be brave in the face of terror. After Max rescues her, Olivia believes that he is her hero. Max knows / believes that he is not worthy of being Olivia’s or anyone’s hero. Olivia stands by him no matter what and has faith in Max. I loved that Max was very sweet, kind and a gentlemen to Olivia, but he will protect her and do anything for her. Max would kill for her. 

    Stolen From The Hitman is an great story by Alexis Abbott. This story has romance, mafia men, a bad boy/hitman, twist and turns, a heroine who needs rescuing, and a happily ever after. Yes, there was an age difference, but it didn’t bother me. This is an exciting action packed story. I received this arc book for an unbiased review. This is my unbiased review. I recommend this book to other who enjoy bad boy and / or mafia stories.

POV – Alternating POV’s 
Hotness / Sexy / Chemistry – 4 1/2 Stars
Bad Boy – Yes
Overall Story – 4 Stars
Recommend to Others – Yes
HEA- Yes
Cliffhanger – No

Taken Back

Alyna Amorosi (Author)

     Sonya is a young, innocent and naïve girl. She is too trusting for her own good. After her mother dies, she struggles to make ends meet. Sonya meets a man at the gym, Halim, who offers her a job. He tells her that she can make very good money. The job is at a “gentlemen’s club” called Sultaim Place. Halim assures Sonya that she will only be a hostess greeting people at the door. Sonya doesn’t really feel comfortable with her job or look forward to going to work. One night an attractive Russian man comes to the club. Sonya has an instant attraction to him and is flattered by the way he kisses her hand.

Max: A Friends to Lovers Romance

Tara Crescent (Author)

    
       Max is a baker. He left his previous job and is starting up his own business. Max sells his baked goods like buns in the farmer’s market. He also is a singer in a band. Max is a player, and the women love him. When he dates, Max has rules that he follows. There is a 3 date maximum. 
    
       Charlie Campbell is a lawyer, public defender. She is a smart, strong and independent woman. Charlie is very feisty, but has a vulnerable side. She has rules when it comes to dating as well, due to commitment issues. 

       They both like Joe’s Bar and that is where they met. Charlie and Max use it as their location to break up/end their relationships. They both are afraid of getting hurt and put up walls to protect themselves. So Charlie and Max decide to become friends. Their feelings slowing start to grow. The sexual chemistry is there from the moment that they lay eyes on each other. The sexual tension develops until they can’t resist any longer. Max makes Charlie feel cared for and taken care of. Max has a sweet side, but has a dominate side as well (ie. the soft paddle, fur covered handcuffs, and deep voice).  

       One of my favorite quotes / lines: 
“It’s not my cake they come for, honey.” I wink at her. “It’s my buns they’re interested in.” 

       I appreciate that the characters didn’t have the typical jobs that we would expect a man or a woman to have. I like that they both had commitment or relationship issues, that they needed to work through / deal with in order to find love. I appreciate that is was not just the woman who was scared or had fears. I loved the sexual chemistry and the steamy scenes with Max and Charlie. The author allowed each character to be vulnerable and show that to the other character. Also the author allow each character to have their own strength(es) (ie. Charlie in the courthouse, Max in the bedroom). I was given this arc in exchange for an unbiased review. This review is my own thoughts and opinions (unbiased). I highly recommend this book to others.

5 Sizzling Bun Stars!
Overall –  5 Stars!
Cliffhanger – No
Recommend to Others – Yes
POV – Alternating POV each character
Hotness / Sexy – 4 1/2 Stars!

Payback (A Bad Boy Romance)

Alexx Andria (Author)

Captive Of The Hitman: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance Novel

Alexis Abbott (Author)

   Holy Hotness! Captive Of The Hitman kept me “captive” from beginning to end. This story is full of action, suspense, characters with great chemistry, romance, steamy sex scenes, and alternating POV. There is a bad, boy hitman with a dirty mouth. The author didn’t forget the good girl, who is smart and loyal to her man. Captive Of The Hitman is a wild ride with many twists and turns, but there is a happily ever after for Mikhail and Alicia. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a bad boy with a soft(er) for the woman he loves, or a good girl who can be bad when her or her man’s life is threatened. This is an intense book that I loved. I enjoyed that we got to check back in with previous characters, Leon, Cherry & their club/group, even briefly. For me, it gave me more insight & made me appreciate both books more (Saved By The Outlaw). Both books are standalone and don’t need to read one to understand the other.  

   Mikhail is a hitman for the Russian mob, Bratva. He was hired and supposed to kill everyone at a party. Mikhail discovers a woman there and can’t kill her. He refuses to kill women and child. Alicia had gone out to dinner with her boss the congressman. She ended up drugged and brought to a party without her knowledge. Mikhail takes Alicia captive instead of killing her and brings her to his safe house. When Alicia wakes up, she doesn’t really remember the night before and is confused about where she is. Mikhail tells Alicia that he brought her to his safe house for her safety. He claims that he will let her go / release Alicia when things quiet down or forget that she was there. Mikhail and Alicia are both very attracted to each other. When Mikhail tries to leave, Alicia doesn’t want him leave her alone. Alicia is torn about how she feels about Mikhail. When Mikhail’s boss discovers that he left a witness alive, Alicia is no longer safe and his safe house is compromised. Mikhail is no longer safe for that matter either. He feels very protective of Alicia and doesn’t take it very well when someone goes after her. Mikhail doesn’t show his emotions, but with Alicia he does. She sees Mikhail’s rough side. He shows Alicia his true self, the good and bad. She learns that Mikhail is a hitman / killer for the Russian mob. Alicia discovers that he never lies to her. Even though Alicia looks for ways to leave and when given the chance, Alicia never does leaves Mikhail. Alicia is kidnapped again by men working for Mikhail’s boss. He must get her back and save her from the sadistic, Russian mob guy/crazy man. Then Mikhail teaches Alicia to defend herself / shot a gun. She stands by her man until the end of the story. 

    I loved this book. I adored Alicia and Mikhail together. Thank Alexis for the ending. My favorite scene has to be when Alicia discovers Mikhail working out. All I can say is WOW! Totally an alpha male moment. I received this arc book for an unbiased review, and this is my unbiased review. I enjoyed this book so much that I choice to purchase this book. 

Overall Rating = 5 Stars!
Hotness / Sexy Level = 4 1/2 Stars!
Recommend to Others = Hell Yes!
POV = Alternating (each chapter)
Bad Boy / Alpha Male = Yes!
Cliffhanger = No

Beast: A Bad Boy Marine Romance

Alana Albertson (Author)


    Grady is wounded Marine. Most people believe that Grady is a hero, but not Grady. He risked his life for his fellow Marines. Grady spends most of his time alone in is home afraid of how people will react to his appears. He is still quite scarred even after multiple surgeries. One night Grady goes out to a college costume party down the street. He is dressed as the Hulk with a mask to cover his half scarred face. 

    Isabella is a college student working on a Psych major. Isabella is able to go to college with the money she earn as a dancer on a television program. Isabella discovered that the money, which was in a trust, had been withdrawn from the account. Isabella’s friend convinced her to a costume party. She meets a very sexy looking Hulk. While they were talking, fireworks cause Grady to believe it is gunfire (has a PTSD episode/flashback). He throws Isabella to the ground and lays on top of her to protect her. When Grady realized his mistake, he quickly leaves and goes home. Isabella falls him and attempts to help Grady. 

    Isabella feels a need to help Grady, because she was unable to help her mother. Grady defense mechanism is to scare or chase people off. After Isabella learns that all her trust money is gone, stolen by her father and he still needs more money. Isabella goes to Grady to convinces him to let her dad writes his war memoir. Grady reluctantly agrees, but only if she goes with him to the Marine Corp Ball as his girlfriend. 

    In the beginning, Grady doesn’t want to change or have help to change, even though he does go to therapy. He is, in my opinion, stubborn and assumes the worst. He believes that everyone will think that he is some sort of beast or freak with is not true. This causes Grady to be very unhappy in the beginning, but he wants to find someone and to be happy again. Grady doesn’t believe that Isabella is attracted to him and finds him sexy. Isabella isn’t willing to deal with her issues in the beginning either. She has not dealt with her father and his problems, her mother’s death, or why she stopped dancing.

      I thought that it was very telling that Isabella wanted alleviate Grady’s pain and hoped that he would heal her. Isabella wanted to feel loved, in my opinion. She was lonely just like Grady was. They were two people who were lost and needed someone to make them feel alive again / give them a reason to live. 

    Almost everyone has scars (damage) whether they are visible or invisible. We have to be willing to look past that to the person inside (beauty). We have to help/better/fix ourselves. We have to love ourselves first, so that we can be loved. Both Isabella and Grady wanted to better themselves, face their fears, so they could be better for the other person. Also so they could find true love. 

    I love that their first dance was to “Tale as Old as Time.” This is a modern day Beauty and the Beast. This is my first book by Alana Albertson. It will not be my last. The only thing that I was left wondering was what happened with Isabella’s father and what happened to her childhood home. These things are not a deal breaker for me. Beast has romance, suspense, happily ever after, interesting plot/ story and intriguing characters. i was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2 Stars!
     

    

Reign: A Royal Military Romance

Roxie Noir (Author)

    Hazel is the daughter of the American Ambassador to Sveloria. She is on her way to spend time with her mother. Hazel’s mother gave her a folder with information that she expected to study. It contains the local customs and traditions, as well as the pictures of the royal family. This folder caused Hazel problems when she could find her passport. Fortunately, Hazel is able to stay calm and talk her way out of trouble. As she departs the train, Hazel discovers that she is meeting the royal family at any moment.

   Kostya is the Prince of Sveloria. He spent 4 years in the Royal Guard. Kostya has trouble dealing with the things he did and things he saw while in the elite military unit. His father, the King, is pushing Kostya to find a good Svelorian girl,  get married, and produce an heir. He has no desire to do that. Kostya and his father are always butting heads. When he see Hazel, Kostya is instantly attracted and interesting in her. Both Hazel and Kostya know that they need to stay away from each other, but the two are drawn to each other.

   Kostya is a different kind of sexy, bad boy. Hazel is a spunky girl, who is having a run of bad luck. These two seem to have nothing in common. They are from different countries & classes. This story has lots of actions, drama, romance, and humor. There are well developed characters and a great plot. I was given this story in exchange for an unbiased review.

4 1/2 stars!
   

Taken By Chance: A Bad Boy Ex-Con Dark Romance

Ravenna Russo (Author)

5 “Power Outage” Star Rating!!! 

     Cassie is working hard to put herself through school and pay her rent. She is a feisty, independent woman. She has tattoos and likes to wear animal print. Cassie doesn’t live in a very good part of town. When there is a power outage, it doesn’t phase Cassie. At night she leaves the window open, Cassie believes that she can take care of herself. She carries around pepper spray. 

     Chance is hiding from the FBI and the mafia and crime boss. He testified against the people that he used to work for. He is trying to blend in and look harmless. Chance is a dangerous man, who has certain tastes. He is an alpha male with a dirty mouth, who likes to dominate.  

     Chance and Cassie have been watching each other, but don’t think that the other person knows or realizes that the other one is there. They image / fantasize what they would like to do / experience with the other person. Both Cassie and Chance have “scars” or things that they are not proud of in their past. As the night progresses, the heat in the apartment and the story-line become red hot and steamy. You will have to read this book to see how it ends. 

     I have a weakness for bad boys, so I jumped right into this book. This book does end in a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what happens next for Chance and Cassie. I adore both characters. Cassie with her spunky spirit, and Chance with that filthy mouth and mind. Taken By Chance is a quick and sizzling read. After reading this book, I have discovered a new author. I am definitely going to look into Ravenna Russo’s other books. 

Overall Story = 5 Stars!
Hotness / Sexy Level = 5 Stars!
Cliffhanger = Yes 
POV = Alternating (Each Chapter)
Recommend to Others = Hell Yes
Bad Boy / Alpha Male = Yes

Ride: A Bad Boy Romance

Roxie Noir (author)

5 Bulling Riding Star Rating!

    Ride is an excellent combination of lovable and interesting characters, unique plot, some scorching hot scenes and a heartwarming romance. This story has what every story needs a dirty talking cowboy and a spitfire good girl. Once again the author has transported the reader into the story. In this case, the reader is in the rodeo scene. Roxie Noir has made it so believable that you feel like you are riding the bull or about to be trampled if you don’t get out of the way. You don’t have to be an expert on rodeos or love to read about cowboys to enjoy Ride, because you are drawn in / captivated from the beginning by the characters’ lives. I laughed, cried, fell in love, and got choked up while reading this story. I believed in and loved Mae and Jackson’s relationship. It started and grew into something wonderful and real. I loved the development of their relationship. I feel that the author made the characters so believable, that you could meet them at the store or on the street. I didn’t want the story to end and leave / let them go. Corny as it sounds, in my opinion it is a sign of a great writer / storyteller. Oh Roxie, what you do to me? Ride checked off every box for me. I loved it. It is a must read.

    Lula Mae Guthrie, a small town girl from Texas, has always been good girl. One night she meets a young man and is almost a very bad. That night reminds Mae what she wants for her future. She didn’t want to be stuck with a dead-end job and a couple of kids while still living in her hometown. So, Mae did anything that she had to in order to get out of her hometown. Mae goes off to college and becomes a photographer in New York. Her future changes when Mae get a call from Sports Weekly. It is her first big assignment and will take photos of the bull riders/cowboys at Pioneer Days Rodeo.

    Jackson Cody is a bull rider/cowboy from Oklahoma. He is famous for his bull riding abilities and womanizing ways. Jackson is a true cowboy through and through. He has the scars to prove it. Jackson is a very cocky. He feels that he is best at bull riding and chasing buckle bunnies. Women rate Jackson on Ride A Rodeo Stud, and he has a 4.7 rating. While preparing for the rodeo, Jackson is told that he is going to be interviewed for Sports Weekly. When Jackson is introduced to the photographer, he remembers Mae from 6 years ago. She is the girl that Jackson could not forget and often see in his dreams. After trying to charm the pants of Mae literally, Jackson is told to behave and leave her alone. He tries to focus on the Pioneer Days Rodeo and prepare to move on to the rodeo in Vegas. Mae is also warned to stay away from Jackson by her coworker, Bruce, for the sake of her job. Jackson and Mae are drawn to and tempted by the other person. 

     Mae and Jackson have a secret affair, so she doesn’t lose her job. It starts as a casual fling. Mae and Jackson each want something more, but don’t know how the other person feels. When these two come together, the sex is extremely hot and combustible. The places and ways that they love each other is very creative. “Wink” Yum. Jackson and Mae were a naughty influence on each other, but sweet influence as well. I loved that they got to know each other through text messages, postcards, video calls, phone calls, holding hands, sending gifts, and time spent together. This element / part of the story allows the reader to become invested in story. Mae and Jackson the perfect fit for the other. Mae knows Jackson’s  past and scars, but she loves him anyway and would never walk away. Jackson believes that Mae is too good for him, but doesn’t mind ruining a kitchen table or embarrassing himself. 

    A few of my favorite quotes were:  
“You are what I need..”
“Your dirty talk could use some work.” 


   I was given this arc book in exchange for an unbiased review. **I enjoyed this book so much, that I promptly went and purchased the book!