kindle/ Ruthless Oath :A Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Empire Book 1) by Ella Jade

 amazon

 Book 1 of 5: Cruel Empire 

 

Kidnapped by a savage enemy...

As heir to the throne in a royal mafia family, it's my job to get the information needed to bring my father home. And that means kidnapping a rival's spoiled mafia princess daughter.

At the time, I don't know the man is in negotiations to marry her off to a brutal arms dealer, but when I discover how difficult of a captive she is, it kind of makes sense. Soon, she foolishly starts to see me as the lesser of evils, but while she seems willing to be my captive, she's mistaken to believe I'm doing her any favors.

I can't allow anything to distract me. Especially not some naïve woman who doesn’t realize we've just set off a mob war. Now the only way to stop what I started and be reunited with my father is to let her go.

Problem is, I've fallen for my hostage, and while I have the guts, power, and resources to keep her as a willing prisoner, if I make the wrong choice, it could cost my family’s empire everything.

If you like dark, steamy romances by Zoe Blake, Maggie Cole, and Nicole Fox, you’ll devour USA Today Bestselling author Ella Jade’s Cruel Empire Series.

Start reading this deliciously dark enemies to lovers mafia series today by scrolling up and one-clicking now.

----My 5 Star review- I liked it even though it's only a HEA for now

Marchello Accetti is the main character and has a brother named Milo.  Their father is in hiding trying to help save him It's not been going very well in that respect. Lissa is Gian Gallanti's daughter.  She's a NYC graduate and Danny Collins is her father's new, closest associate.  She thinks he has his eyes on her and finds him creepy. So did I. Her father seems to just keep pushing them together and she HATES it.   She's kinda silly and clueless and also spoiled, I didn't like her very much in the beginning! I was shaking my head more than once thinking, "How could she be SO stupid?"  Sweet Ricardo is supposed to be watching her because he's sweet and won't be rough with her like some of the men that surround Matchello and his teams.  That's gonna work, right? I could trouble coming a mile away on that score and it does !! She ends up just "stepping away", gets Ricardo in trouble and has everyone tearing their hair out trying to find her. She deserves everything spanking she's going to get when they finally find her !

Everything comes together at the end for a HEA for now ending.  Collins does get away alive,  to continue to cause trouble where he can !  To me this is a mild cliffhanger and the story continues in "Vicious Vows." 

 

March 12th, 2026Bksprout- "Sicilian Vendetta" by Nicolette Chase

  Bksprout

 

Sicily made him a prince; one night made him a weapon.

Luciano Rossi is the reluctant heir to the island’s most feared famiglia, bound by omertà and

a single oath: avenge what was stolen. When a chance encounter puts him face-to-face

with Isabella Fratelli—the brilliant, untouchable daughter of the man who shattered his

world—his disciplined life fractures.

Their hidden meetings ignite a love powerful enough to challenge a dynasty. But choosing

Isabella could detonate a blood feud, betray the code that raised him, and cost him the

crown—or his life.

As old enemies circle and the island readies for war, Luciano must decide: legacy or love.

Will their bond remake Sicily’s darkest empire—or burn out with the last embers of a

vendetta?

Explicit

Novel

Romance Mafia Romance Dark Romance Italian Mafia Romance Steamy Mafia Romance Spicy Dark Romance  t Romance Dark Mafia Romance Touch her and die Possessive MMC

Hosted by Nicollet's ARC Team

Review on at least 1:

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---------------4 STARS Review: Titled: Good but the pace is slower

Death came quickly for Luciano Rossi's father, Salvatore-  in a betrayal death. Luciano quickly became known as El Fantasma "The Ghost" !  The scene moves to Present Day and Luciano is now 25 years old and his cousin and protector Enzo stands with him..always ! No matter what even when he warns he against Fausta Fratelli and their attraction. But Enzo knows to say it and then shut up ! He knows that Luciano is also a strategist, calm and patient.  And warns that he could get them all killed.  Lucano doesn't care, he still wants her. I loved Enzo in this story as well as her driver Marco who covered for her so many times. I was so hoping they didn't end up getting killed ! 

Now, Faffa who is Fausta's brother and he's patient in his OWN Cruel kind of way. Always appearing to taunt and expect a show when he steals or kills. He usually lets other show up to do most of those deeds but he is always there, tossing his dice and grinning. Yuck ! Their father is the worst of bullies though always trying to control others especially his daughter. Well once she meets Luciano, she decides she's had enough of his control and wants to feel alive with Luciano again and again.  Some hot times happen in some cathedrals, of course so do some murders. Not gory but yes, they happen !

 Because of the almost poetic feel to the story and the well described situations and places, I think this is what slowed the story a bit.  It almost turned into a Romeo & Juliet scenario..Almost ! I liked how the story ended with their HEA.

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

bookfunnel free/ How to Fix a Broken Billionaire by Maggie Tate

  For any other questions, please contact:
Maggie Tate <hello@maggietatebooks.com>

He came home to fix his past. I taught him how to fix my future.

I run the only auto shop in the small town of Briar Hollow,raise two wild boys, and I've sworn off men—especially ones who leave and billionaires who think money can fix everything.

Then Will Carpenter rolls back into town with a broken sports car and a face that should be illegal. The same boy who shattered my heart when we were young is now a CEO with an apology I'm not ready to accept.

He wants forgiveness. I want him gone.

But when I see him laughing with my sons like he was born for backyard football and looking at me like I'm the most fascinating thing he's ever seen—grease stains and all—I don't stand a chance.

And when he promises he's staying, I start believing that second chances aren't just for broken engines.

Because this man isn't the boy who hurt me. He might be the one to heal me.

My 5 Star Review TITLED:   Who knew ?

What a surprising re-union between Will "Johnny" the bully and  sweet but now that ,"no one messes with her" skilled mechanic, Harper ! It's hilarious when she realized the boy who embarrassed her all through school now has a luxury car towed into her garage !She can hold it hostage as long as she wants ! Decisions, decisions !   His mom is delighted to see him again after him escaping the town and not coming home for so long ! Her sister is warning Big Cautions about Will ! Enough men have hurt Harper before, including her ex. 

I loved how they both started to carefully move around each other like two prize fighters. Lol.  Her young boys are super protective of their mom 

It all ends in the most delightful way and now I want more from this author. It's a shame that I couldn't review on Amazon, Bookbub or Goodreads because I would  have. 

bkfunnel ARC/ His Risk, Her Red String Bikini By Poppy Reed

    For any other questions, please contact:
Poppy Reed <hello@poppyreedromance.com>

Amazon

 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GLHKZM38

• 494 Pages
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2026

Book 8 of 8: The Black Sisters Series 

 Grumpy Rancher × City Doctor
Forced Proximity • Small-Town Romance • Found Family • Slow-Burn Heat
Rowan Carter knows land.
Horses.
Weather.
Responsibility.
What he doesn’t know is what to do with a sharp-tongued city doctor who steps out of a limo in heels, champagne on her breath, and absolutely no business being anywhere near his Kentucky horse ranch.
Anna was supposed to be a joke.
A summer camping trip turned forced-proximity chaos—five elite medical professionals dropped into the Bluegrass countryside, one grumpy cowboy rancher in charge, and nowhere to escape when sparks start flying.
Rowan assumes Anna doesn’t ride.
Doesn’t camp.
Doesn’t take orders.
Anna lets him believe it.
What she does do is swim—especially in a red bikini that makes Rowan forget every rule he’s ever lived by.
Out on the trail, beside a quiet lake and under open skies, tension builds into slow-burn heat as campfire confessions, summer storms, and a watching small town pull them closer. Rowan is determined to protect her—even as she challenges everything he believes about control, belonging, and love.
She doesn’t belong on his ranch.
Until she belongs in his life.
Set in the heart of rural Kentucky, this contemporary western romance delivers grumpy-sunshine chemistry, found family, small-town spotlight, and a swoony, emotional happily-ever-after.
Perfect for readers who love cowboy romance, forced proximity, fake relationships, and slow-burn love stories that simmer before they ignite.

 

__My 4 STAR Review Notes TITLED:  5 ''City Girls" and Rowan  

 

Anna, a doctor and her citified friends, Faith, Noel, Ivy and Holly enter like a small country invading Kentucky's ranch ! They all know about or work in the medical field.

Everly Hayes now Carter has invited Anna and her friends  to the working ranch/ vacation Some vacation !. They had NO idea how hard working their vacation was going to be !!! Noel is a hoot, always coming in hot for fun, something she learns to tame down a bit. 

Rowan is a large, take no prisoners who runs and knows how to rule the land. It's his legacy. One that at times he wishes he could escape but he can't leave it.  He's quiet, strong and bossy.  He carries authority naturally. Not unkind; he just knows what needs to be done and wants everyone safe. 

 Anna carries authority naturally at her hospital, because she knows what needs to be done and it gets done.  She doesn't like to be told what to do on the ranch and gives Rowan some snark along with wearing  red string bikini later.  It about setts him on fire !

 There is a lot of give and take between them along with some silences and distances.

This story has a LOT of people in it and at first I kind of got lost in that fact, especially at first.  Also a lot of food, comradery, and family and workers that really pulled hard together. All a family even if not by blood. Anna doesn't feel like there is a place for her to fit in.  She's afraid, always looking for the exit. Rowan was a afraid of his attraction to her because he's had a woman bail on him before !

It's a full story with a hard won HEA.  

---

Mar 10, 2026BkSprout/ Prince: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (King of the Mafia Book Two)by Ivy Davis

  Bksprout

Amazon 

I was forced into an arranged marriage.

 Maksim Petrov – handsome and terrifying and a complete stranger to me.

We have to get married for the sake of peace between our families.

But neither one of us wants this marriage to happen.

We can’t seem to get on the same page no matter how hard we try.

He’s lived too much while I have never lived at all.

I have a secret that I hold close to my chest.

I know if I let Maksim in, we could make our marriage work.

But to let him in would be to destroy me.

Can we find love between us?

Or will we fail to find peace?

I’m terrified of the answer.

I’m even more terrified of what my heart is telling me. 

Explicit

Novella

Romance mafia romance mafia arranged marriage arranged marriage romance dark mafia romance dark romance age gap romance mafia billionaire romance mafia age gap romance enemies to lovers romance mafia forced marriage romance

Hosted by Ivy Davis's review team

Note from the Author

Prince is the second book in my King of the Mafia series but can be read as a standalone. Thank you for taking the time to review my book!

Must review on:

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-----------------My 5 Star Review TITLED:  How can  Maksim & Natasha make it work?

Maksim is a 30 year old man forced into a marriage that he definitely DOESN'T  want !!  He loves parting and one night stands with women.  Nikolai is not only his best friend but also the head of their New York organization.  So, he really has no choice. His father, Gregor Petrov, never gives his son respect or credit for anything but of course he's all in for this marriage. I hated Gregor as well. Give your son a break, he's an adult !!

  Maksim  doesn't even to meet his "bride' before the wedding !! They are in Chicago. 

Natasha is  a younger woman and TERRIFIED of her father, Lev Sokolov and is totally dominated by him.  She's shy and completely sheltered and isolated and her father loves that ! He's a First Class Bully !!

Both of the fathers almost ruin the marriage alliance between New York and Chicago and just can't seem to keep their butts out of their marriage. Especially Lev. He thinks he still calls the shots because of the Peace Pact between the two organizations. What an idiot !

 I loved outrageous Kira who was Maksim's sister. She hugged Natasha the moment they met and declared they were going to be best of  friends ! She kind of overwhelmed shy Natasha but she liked her.   Kira was the Ultimate Party Girl. Her father Gregor thought she was the Golden Girl and gave her whatever she wanted.  He thought she would never cause any trouble. Right !

I so enjoyed how Maksim and Natasha have to FIGHT their way to getting to  know each other and it has a great ending !  Plenty of suspense and fighting by the way. I loved how experienced, handsome Maksim is so clueless at first when it came to getting to know his new wife.  He just can't seem to say or do anything right. That was nice for a change. 

Well, maybe not so good for Kira because now it's her turn to get offered up to a rival organization as a Peace Offering in marriage. Oh, Enzo is gonna love that !  Enzo is the head of that rival organization and was causing them trouble throughout this book.  Maksim just wants to kill him but they can't ! Oh, Kira is SO going to hate this idea.  They get their shot a relationship in the third book called "Boss". Should be amazing !!

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

 

bkfunnel/ Murder, Mystery, and a Very Good Boy by A.P. Wells

 For any other questions, please contact:
A.P. Wells <wells@apwellscozymystery.com>

Hazel Winslow’s first mistake was falling in love with the dead man’s dog.

 All Hazel wanted was a fresh start. Instead, her car blows a tire outside a quirky little town, and a body turns up before the tow truck does.

Now's she a primary suspect in a murder she didn't commit. Bad timing. Worse luck. Story of her freaking life.

The hawk-eyed sheriff says civilians get killed poking their noses where they don't belong. Hazel can't tell if it's a threat or a warning. 

Hazel’s only way out is to find the killer, with nothing but her instincts and a clue-sniffing sidekick. But the murdered antique dealer left behind a whole mess of enemies. Every smiling face in town seems to be hiding something: even the crazy cat lady.

And when a death threat shows up on Hazel's door, it becomes painfully clear someone has been watching her. Someone knows where she’s staying. And every answer Hazel uncovers only tightens the noose.

Because the killer isn’t just covering their tracks. 

They’re making sure there are no witnesses—

not even a puppy. 

 Proudly written and edited by real humans, for real humans

----My 5 star Review TITLED: Bramblewick Surprises 

To start off with I LOVED quirky Hazel -she was hilarious ! All she wants to do is get her stuff and her carload of Books to the new book store that she will be setting up. No such luck; way to easy, right? !!!  When she encounters Sheriff "Mustache" Calder Reed, he's suspicious of her especially because she didn't live around there.  I got the biggest laugh out of her thinking of him as "Sheriff Mustache".  Add in such a sweet fluff of a dog, that she gets attached to. She hopes she can keep him but she's never had a dog before.  She always wanted one though.

I really enjoyed this shorter book and look forward to more stories about Hazel and "Watson."  

bkfunnel/ Forbidden and Forgotten by Christina Rowan

  For any other questions, please contact:
Christina Rowan <hello@christinarowanauthor.com>

Amazon

 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G6XHSPTT

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wild Orchid Press

64 Pages

Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 14, 2025

He remembers everything. I remember nothing…
Except what my body never forgot.

Walking back into Matteo Ricci’s world is a mistake. Especially when I’m undercover—tasked to betray him.

Red dress. Velvet shadows. My body pinned by the billionaire crime boss who haunts every memory I don’t have.

I should run. I should finish my mission. I shouldn’t want the man who tears my past wide open with every bruising kiss.

But Matteo doesn’t care about should. He wants answers. He wants me—whether I remember our past or not.

When the lies, the lust, and the lethal truths collide… Only one question remains.

Will loving him save me— or destroy us both?

---------My4 Star Review  TITLED:  She's missing something

Juliet Devereaux is undercover for the Feds. Her handler, Camilla wants her to go in, get the evidence they need and get out QUICKLY !!! They want the goods on the billionaire crime boss, Matteo Ricci.  But she's in over her head in minutes !  I loved that there was dual P.O.V's in this story.  And there sure was a lot missing for Juliet...like her memories.  But Matteo still loves her. The story has some drama. They did have a romance before she vanished.  The story ends with a kind of HEA for now. But also sort of a cliffhanger as well as they wait for people to come after them again ! It was a good quick story though. 

Nice eBook cover by the way.