Jan 10 Booksprout/ Wicked Choices - A Dark Scottish Mafia Romance (The MacTavish Heirs #7) by Arianna Fraser

  Booksprout

 

Even a man who knows his duty can be selfish.I'm Michael MacTavish, first born to Cormac, Chieftain of the MacTavish Mafia. I will take over my father's role, overseeing the biggest crime family in Scotland and our multi-billion dollar empire. I know my duty.

I also know what I want. What I crave. Sweet Sophie, our housekeeper's daughter. I've kept my distance. But when she's caught in the middle of a web of betrayal, the only way I can save her from being punished by my family is simple. Marry her.
Sophie:
There's nothing more ironic than the realization that getting everything I ever dreamt of... is the worst possible thing that could happen to me. When the man I knew as charming and kind, turns cold and cruel when he thinks I'm a traitor to his clan. That a hasty, forced marriage is nothing like my ridiculous, girlish dreams.  And the most difficult thing of all? The knowledge that I'm still hopelessly in love with him. Tropes:
Forbidden Love
Forced Proximity
Age-gap Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Touch her and die vibes
Power Imbalance
Forced Marriage

Wicked Choices - A Dark Scottish Mafia Romance has a HEA and no cheating. If you like your men dark, complex, and morally gray, Michael is your next book boyfriend.

 

Hosted by MacTavish Stolen Brides

Note from the Author

Thank you for your time, keen eye and your insight! I appreciate your support, not just for me, but other indie authors as well.

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--- MY 5 Star- REVIEW NOTES TITLED :  The McTavish Mafia Family Is HUGE & Wild 

 

It was a nice touch that the book  included,  The MacTavish Family Tree. It's short  but concise.  I liked the plot idea of Michael the main character wanting the housekeeper's daughter, Sophie. That was different. 

Cormac McTavish is the Chieftain of the head of this Scottish Mafia and is amused by her and Maisie , the first day that she saw him, 10 years ago.  There are a couple of flashbacks in the beginning but then settled down into the current times for the most part. 

Michael is now 34 but a difference of 12 years between him and Sophie ! Sophie hears in her head from her dead brother and when she told her mother that, it got her sent to therapy so now she just keeps it to herself ! Some funny exchanges between Sophie and her brother ! That was well done. 

Michael has a twin sister, Catriona and we meet her husband Lucas briefly in the beginning ! That's okay because that whole, huge family bands together when trouble hits against Michael and Sophie!  No family left behind ! Michael has his best captain Ryan that he shares a lot with. . Michael does have  secret that only a few people know about and he father does know. Michael also knows the family motto is basically "show no weakness.'' 

Mala is Michael's mother and she is a doll but she also understands that she will do whatever she has to to protect her family. One of the people that she DOESN'T want in her family is that cold fish, Celia Montrose ! She treats anyone under her billionaire father like servants. Although she doesn't let Michael see that because she wants to hook him, Everyone hates her but want to let Michael make the moves about her. 

Turns out Michael has had feelings for Sophie for years but now he doesn't trust her. Trust doesn't come easy. And Sophie's mother, Martha has been hiding a HUGE secret of her own. One that brings all the trouble to their door ! Even Sophie didn't know why they have been running and hiding all these years. Yep, its a doozie !  Martha has been trying to keep her daughter safe from an evil San  Fransisco Mafia man, named Taylor and that led to HER huge mistake that caused Sophie's marriage. Great TWISTS and Surprises ! And a BIG one happens again when Martha redeems herself !

It made me laugh when it came to all the stories of how how the  McTavis's met their husbands or wives. No sweet, meet and greet for any of them. And Sophie had to laugh too about her marriage. The story is emotional because of Sophie being attracted and loving Michael for years ! Another spot where I laughed, was when they realized how many Mafia doctors they had in the family and it even confused Michael at least once !

There's a traitor in their midst which explains a lot although I never expected it to be that person ! And the motive?  Double Wow ! 

Maisie, is still Sophie's best friend and she was another character that I just loved ! She was spunky and a hoot !  The whole family knew that it was Maisie that got Sophie in trouble along side her and often had to get Michael to get them out of it ! She was wild and I can't wait to see her get her own story and see who could possibly be brave enough to take her on !

 By the way, there are a lot of hot, married scenes as well !

 I'm so glad that I  received a free copy of this book via Booksprout . I loved everything about this book so I'm thrilled to leave this review !

bkfunnel/ The Making of A Spy by Judy Hutson

   For any other questions, please contact:
Judy Hutson <judyhutson@judyhutsonwrites.com>

In this prequel to the international thriller Spy Notes, music publicist - Johnny Harrington's life is upended when she narrowly survives a deadly ambush, the sole witness to a murder she was never meant to see.

With two people dead, including her own client, one of the biggest rap stars in the business - Johnny is trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

She must uncover the shooter's identity before he silences her for good, as the ruthless killer works to cover his tracks and eliminate the one person who can expose his crimes.

My Review Notes: 4 Stars TITLED: A good start

Johnny Harrigton is the publicist for Li'l Man  and she was with him when he got killed ! Well, NOT exactly with him because she was laying down in the back seat of the car because she was tired.  Her male friend Bobby tries to help her as he tells her to be careful. Tybo, the leader of a different music group needs a publicist and wants to hire her. She doesn't really want to work for him but at the party she hears, "The Voice".  That's all she knows of the killer since she really didn't see his face.  Now she is on the hunt and its just the beginning !

ARCJanuary 5th, 2026 / Marked by the Bratva Heir Book 1 of Morikov Bratva Brothers by Sasha Cole

 Booksprout

 

I went from hating the Bratva heir to being his forced fiancée.

Now I'm the woman he kidnaps to protect. 

One week ago, I was living paycheck to paycheck, not dodging bullets.
Then my uncle died and left me the shipping empire I never wanted.

Turns out, the docks come with blood money... and a target on my back.

Everyone wants me dead — except for the hot Russian, Leb Morikov.
He shoved a ring on my finger and called it protection. I called it captivity.

He moves like patience, kills like instinct, and touches like he owns you.

His protection comes wrapped in steel edges and silk sheets. Now my heart is the ransom.

But when his enemies come after him, I have to make a choice: stay the helpless wife… or storm hell to get him back.

Turns out, I look damn good holding a gun.

 

Hosted by Sasha's Mafia ARC team

Note from the Author

Please enjoy the book and leave your honest review. Thanks so much!

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----------------- 

MY 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED:    Dark HEA

 

Elise is at her Uncle Patrick's funeral when she hears the foghorn from the Port Harrows. It gives her chills as it sinks in that she is now the heir to Hollister Docks. Now, people start to move in trying to get control of the docks through her and they are not the friendly kind of people you want to deal with. Mikhail is Leb's evil cousin who wants to take her control away but Leb gets there first ! Leb Morikov has been studying her and he's patient.  I came to like him fairly quickly and of course, could sympathize with Elise being held in a silken cage for her own "protection.: 

I liked her best friend, Carmen who had texted her about there were discrepancies in the books that her deceased uncle had kept.  He was a crook among crooks and promised things that he couldn't deliver..now.  And the Irish want what he promised and plan to have Elise pay up..immediately. But Leb, wasn't having any of that. 

Twists, turns and dangers keep the tension high and I enjoyed the romance in the story as well. Turns out that Elise is tougher than anyone had ever imagined but Leb sees her.

Great ending to the story . 

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I'm glad that I did because I  found it had a lot of depth.  

bkfunnel/ Undercover Sliver Fox Billionaire by Liz Fraise

  For any other questions, please contact:
Liz Fraise <info@lizfraiseauthor.com>

I’m the billionaire CEO going undercover to catch a thief.

They’re bleeding my company dry.

I never meant to fall for one of my employees.

I lost my heart the minute I saw her:  sassy, sexy, intelligent, a stunning tech goddess.

Ana is all curves and clever jabs.

 Her intuition is sharp—she doesn't trust me.

 But I trust her.

Her integrity is unquestionable.

She works smart, and she cares.

Recognition clicks between us: attraction and something familiar.

Each time we touch, it’s explosive.

Soon, unquestionable passion ignites hotter than any corporate scandal.

Then, a mandatory retreat throws us together.

A stolen kiss by the fire turns into a soul-stirring love affair.

She calls me her silver fox lover.

Now, I need her in my bed every night.

 But I’m lying to her every day!

Ana hates liars.

What will happen when she finds out my true identity?

I could lose her forever.

----My 4 Star Review TITLED; Secret Romance, Hidden Thief 

Ana Rodriguez is late. Late for an important group meeting with Max and The Team when she collides with Carter.  She's got the prototype they need for that meeting at Stratagem Tech and doesn't need that delay with that handsome older man.  

She's interested in him but has adopted a strict NO fraternizing with people at work after being stung by Blake who stole one of her ideas.  But Carter is causing some strong pressure on that rule of hers !!

When we get Carter Mason's P.O.V. its at his Day 2 at the firm, of being undercover. And he hates working at a desk. Being confided doing nonsense stuff on the computer so that he doesn't blow the fact that he knows more than a newbie should  !  It doesn't take long for Ana to suspect that something is wrong about Carter and she's one clever woman, who is spectacular at her job.  Carter is also now fighting HIS attraction to Ana and he's finding that is harder to do as time goes on.

The story has a good ending with the thief being caught and the romance between Ana and Carter getting even better. 

Bkspout Jan 7/Shattered Vows: The Dubinin Bratva, # 3 BY AVA GRAY

  Booksprout 

 

I was trained to catch monsters. 

Until I fell into the arms of one. 

Emil Dubinin. 

Bratva assassin. Sin in human form. 

I stalked him through shadows. 

He captured me with a single touch. 

Bound. Stripped. Broken open. 

He made me forget every law I’d sworn to uphold. 

In the jungle, I was his prisoner. 

In his bed, I became his sin. 

He whispered lies in Russian. 

And I begged him for truth between my thighs. 

When he left me, he took more than my heart— 

he took my soul. 

Now I’m carrying his child. 

A secret that could destroy us both. 

The FBI wants my blood. 

The Bratva wants my silence. 

And when he finds out I kept his baby... 

the devil I loved will demand his due. 

Because our vows were never spoken— 

only shattered. 

Author’s Note:
This is a dark, scandalous, enemies-to-lovers mafia romance filled with danger, obsession, and explosive chemistry.
If you love forbidden passion, secret pregnancies, and sinful men who don’t ask for permission— then welcome to Shattered Vows.
No Cliffhanger. HEA Guaranteed.

Mature

Novel

Romance Alpha Male Mafia Romance Bratva secret pregnancy forbidden romance

Hosted by Ava Gray's review team

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------MY 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED: Awesome and Engaging !

Emil Dubinin is doing something at the wedding of Ivan and Raisa when the story opens. He's babysitting; its not his forte ! And he's late !!! Again ! Something that one of the  kids is NOT afraid to call him on ! Hilarious especially since he is this dangerous mob assassin ! Of course, he's also family so the kids aren't afraid of him at all.  I smiled often while reading this story !His father who is this Big Mob boss has a much younger wife named Gabriella, who has softened him somewhat but he's still tough in his own ways. I ended up liking his father and how it bugged his dad when he called Gabriella, "Gabby".  Emil was a character and he was hilarious !!!  Deadly but also hilarious ! Especially when he  made it a game with Sadie Langer, the FBI agent that caught his attention. The first time she followed him to try to catch him, he spotted her right away ! That whole cat and mouse was SO entertaining although she didn't think so. He made her the laughing stock of her FBI unit.  Especially her Supervisor Special Agent Hufford who already HATED her and couldn't wait to humiliate her !

I liked that both of Emil and Sadie  got to share their thoughts. And how Emil called her his, ''Little Agent."  They went toe to toe many times and ended up having each others backs too ! I loved that a lot ! She was one sassy, tough woman and Emil adored the challenge of her.  

I found the whole story amusing, intriguing, dangerous, clever and sexy.  The outcome was also off the charts great ! I would love to be able to read another story about this family. Especially about the one widowed man.

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

BK FUNNEL FREE/GRUMPY BAD BOY BODYGUARD BY PAIGE KINGSLEY

  amazon

I hate my alpha bodyguard… but I can’t resist him either.

The last thing I need is a bodyguard—especially not Cody Blake, a wall of muscle with a scowl that could melt steel.

But after threats against me, my uncle insists. Now I’m stuck with a grumpy bad boy who makes my blood boil.

Cody’s a single dad and CEO of a top security firm. The last person I should fall for.

But I can’t help it. I love bad boys.

He’s cold, commanding, and impossible to ignore. His protectiveness drives me crazy, but the fire in his eyes keeps me up at night.

Tensions explode, and I’m not sure if it’s my life or my heart in his hands.

We clash at every turn, but when I’m kidnapped, Cody becomes my only lifeline. Someone wants me gone, and the danger is growing fast.

If Cody can’t save me, I may lose my life—but what happens when the real threat is falling for him ?

 My 3 Star Review TITLED:  I liked it but no real surprises

Brianne William is pissed that her Uncle Henry went behind her back and hired a bodyguard to "babysit" her.  She didn't give him permission to do that and she's tired of her life being controlled.  Her billionaire father was dead and he was horribly strict and now she hadn't expected Henry to be worse ! She's not a child. She's a grown woman and feels like this whole stalker thing has been blown all out of proportion ! Is Cody Blake hot? Oh yeah but still ...!

Cody thinks she's just another spoiled, entitled heiress who is going to be a pain in his tush but he can handle her.  Her uncle had called him in to protect her as a favor and he wasn't going to fail. No matter what.  

 The romance was good but it was also easy for me to figure out who the culprit was.

  Although I liked the story and the main characters, and how quickly the story flowed, it still felt like it lacked some needed depth.  I guess it wasn't too bad though considering the small  number of pages. 

 

ARCJanuary 3rd, 2026bkfunnel / Mafia Don's Hidden Heir" by Vira Black

  

Three years ago I walked away from a Mafia Don—now I’m raising his son in secret.

Miami was a mistake—one reckless night, one dangerous man, one goodbye before sunrise.

Cassian Barone is unforgettable. Billionaire CEO by day. Ruthless Mafia Don by night. And now… my new boss.

He doesn’t recognize me—but I know he’s the man who left me with a son I’ll protect at any cost.

When a power outage traps us together, everything shifts. His mouth brushed my ear, his promise a growl.

And when his hands pinned me against the wall, every vow I made to stay away shattered with my moan.

The way he protects me. The way he softens with my little boy goes against every promise I’ve made myself… I've fallen for him again.

But right when Cassian discovers our son is his… we’re kidnapped by his rivals.

Now I’m a pawn in a bloody war.

And the only thing more terrifying than losing my son is knowing Cassian will tear this city apart to get us back.

--My Review Notes: Titled:  Isla & Cassian & Leo have a fight on their hands !

Isla is at The Palms Resort in Miami "celebrating?" her promised promotion being given to someone else.  She meets this gorgeous, compelling man named, "Antonio'' and has a passionate one night stand. She gave him the fake name of, "Celia"  When she meets in the interview, he's actually Cassian at Barone Industries. 

Cassian is a bit concerned that his cousin, Matteo has been dropping hints about them needing new management, new direction.  Looks like he's trying to line himself up for a takeover !Cassian knows that Matteo bears watching and realizes after the interview that so does Isla !

I loved the struggles between  Cassian and Isla together; when he finds out about his child. .  Cass wants to be a good father but he also is terrified because he doesn't know how.  And at first shuts Isla out while not forcing custody away from her. She was so afraid of that. But she's in his house with His rules now ! And Leo was such a sweet kid. A sweet kid that gets terrorized.  Cass pulls out all the stops to get him back and there are a lot of people NOT in his corner !

Great end results, Epilogue and hope for their future ! A future that they weren't sure that they would have. 

I read this story as an ARC from the author and loved it !