Sarah CastilleBesprekingen

I don't think the author understood that "Fight Club" is a satire that attacks modern toxic masculinity. Ms Castille seems to think Fight Club is hot and that assigning ridiculous predatory names to one another is even hotter. I won't go into the story (which includes hilariously unhinged student loan collection call center workers and horny unattractive nefarious hospital intake supervisors) but trust that it is bad. I skimmed a lot of this and went with a 2-star instead of 1-star because it did make me laugh a fair bit.

I keep trying the MMA/underground fighter romances and I just don't like them. The MMA fighter slash billionaire in this one is called Torment, and blech, that name. The heroine's personality was well delineated and I liked her, but this book, possibly this author, just wasn't for me. Though I'll probably try at least one more of her books.

My least favorite in the series. I got tired of Grace constantly not trusting/questioning Rocco. I ended up skimming towards the end. I should have stopped at Luca.

I had read another book by SC that I really enjoyed....decided to try another. The h was just too frustrating for me to enjoy the book. She was the typical raised in an MC tougher than any guy, shoots better, drinks more...etc... Unfortunately, she was still a girl who just would not trust this great guy who helped her get away from much abuse! I felt she was ungrateful as hell and it made the book not enjoyable for me. She went out of her way to protect her abusers and would not trust the H who did everything to protect her. I'm done for now.

Really good story....I like mafia books.

Very entertaining! I only have one small criticism which is Mia was supposed to be a hard ass who hates her abusive father. I was very disappointed when she wouldn't let Nico take care of her problem then each time Dad called her in she would "think" how she wished she had help. She knew she couldn't protect herself when her Dad is surrounded by all his men just waiting to do his bidding. It was still very good and I'll read it again in the future. I can't wait for Luca's book!

Men in the Mafia are most often seen as irresistible by women because they are seen as forbidden. They are considered bad, and/or dangerous, by other men because they seem disreputable, and not law abiding men. But, I call bull on this. They are just like any other man. They work, they live, they love, and they can get hurt too. Also, they protect what they consider “Mine”!
I received an e-copy of this story for my honest review.

I was conflicted about this audiobook - at times it was a lot of fun, and Michaela's humour was pivotal to the enjoyment. At the same time, sometimes she was just plain silly, and it was like the book became self mocking, which took the air out of the fun. Michaela's hatred/terror of violence was an interesting counterpoint, because it was real and serious and universally shared by most readers I'm sure. "Interesting" is not the right word. "Excessive" might be better.½

Chaos Bound is the story of Holt "T-Rex" Savage and Naiya Kelly. Holt saved the life of Evie by offering himself in trade to the Black Jacks in Sinner's Steel, but after trying to save him, the Sinner's were led to believe that he was dead. Three months of enduring torture by Viper, the leader of the Black Jacks, left Holt physically beaten and mentally bitter with a desire for revenge against the Black Jacks and the Sinners. When Naiya is thrown into the Dungeon with Holt, he finds a means of not only escape, but possibly a way to lure Viper into a trap and kill him.
Naiya was taken from her mother's funeral by Viper who claimed her at 15 when he raped and branded her. Even though she had struck out on her own, Viper was still obsessed with having her as his own. When she helps Holt escape the Dungeon, she begins to hope that she might get away from Viper permanently.
This was a different kind of MC story because most of it took place away from the MCs and instead followed Holt and Naiya as they both struggled to find a new reality for themselves. I especially liked the connection in the story between friends, Holt and Tank, who had depended on each other as more than just MC brothers. A nice story that probably brought an end to the Sinner's Tribe MC series.

Sinner's Steel is the story of Zane and Evie who met when they were young and bonded over lives that included parents who were less than devoted to their children. As they fell in love with each other, things changed when Zane was charged with the murder of Evie's father and went on the run to avoid being arrested. Eight years later they meet again, but Zane is now part of the Sinners Motorcycle Club and Evie is divorced with an eight year old son. Neither is ready to reestablish their earlier relationship, but when Evie decides to add a little excitement to her life and starts dating Viper, the president of Sinners' rival MC, the Black Jacks, Zane must step in to keep Evie from making the biggest mistake of her life.
This is a good MC story with a wealth of feeling, but didn't add anything to the genre that I haven't already read. It was a quick read that kept me interested to the end, but somehow didn't connect with me emotionally.

I really liked this book and look forward to more in the series. This, like all other MC based romance books, has an edge that might not appeal to all readers. The characters that are part of the MC do live by a code, but that code might offend some people. Having said that, I did really like the story and the characters.

Beyond the Cut was the story of Cade and Dawn. Castille did a good job of weaving the MC lifestyle into the romance, but Dawn's constant indecision about Cade and the club became a little annoying. Also, the club's lack of support for Cade and his issues with Mad Dog who was the member of a rival club and also Dawn's ex made the Sinners seem a little wishy washy regarding protection of their own. This book wasn't quite as good as the first book in this series. Hopefully the next book, Sinner's Steel, will be more in line with the first book.

Okay so as some of you may know by my updates....this book was a rough one. Usually I can't wait to sink my teeth into a book and get lost in the story. Well this one didn't do it for me.
Dawn, our leading lady, had the misfortune of being a runaway who went from one tragic incident to a dangerous one with a lunatic outlaw biker that she married, had children with, then divorced after hitting her wasn't enough but he had to take his hand to their daughters. She vows off bikers. Mad Dog, the ex from hell, uses dirty money and dirtier friends in influential places to claim she is an unfit mother and strip her of her girls. Oh yes, then he "gives" them to his drug dealing, stealing sister to care for them. Shelly Anne, the sister, then proceeds to blackmail Dawn...you want more time with your girls, pay me (fill in a dollar amount) and I'll give you two more hours.
Cade was a two night stand that Dawn ran away from. Something about him made her rethink the whole stay away from bikers rule she had given herself. Of course Cade and his brothers, The Sinner's, are nothing like the bikers she has known before. (A band of brothers consisting mostly from vets they all have their scars and demons, what woman can tame such a man.) When things happen and Mad Dog becomes untouchable Cade has the brilliant idea for Dawn's safety; make her his old lady. Um, hasn't she been saying from page 1 that's the last thing she wanted. And she goes for it....WTH?
She becomes strong under his protective watch and learns to stand up for herself. Her fieriness turns him on 24/7. The bad guy makes one wrong move too many and gets dealt with. See a pattern here? I think I may have MC book burn out. Whatever the case may be this is going to be the last of this kind for a while. Hopefully you'll enjoy it more than I did. Good luck and good reading.

This had everything....long lost love, redemption, violence and mayhem.

Evie and Zane grew up together and after 10 years of loving one another...high school graduation marks the day they take it to the next level only for Zane to disappear afterwards. Almost 10 pass when they are reunited under violent circumstances. Will they make it back to one another? Will the reason Zane left Evie before get in the way?

Some elements a little predictable such as Evie's son being Zane's son and not her ex-husbands. Her friend Connie becoming involved with a biker since all the girl could talk about was down and dirty fun with hot dangerous bikers. Zane coming to realize the depth of love he has for Evie.

Fast paced action and sexy scenes but Evie drove me crazy! I get that she's a strong woman but damn get some common sense and use it. How many times did we need to go through her...I can't handle his world crap. And her being naive about Viper and the type of person he is...um hello....his road name is Viper where did you not catch on to his personality?!?!?! Also that last little tidbit Viper gave Evie..that he spared T-Rex because he sacrificed himself to try and save Evie.

Overall I enjoyed the book. Not as gruesome as some MC stories I have read but damn if Evie didn't make me want to throw the book a time or two. Will give her points for finding attitude and backbone in some of the harshest situations.

In this corner, we have Shilla the Killa. In that corner, we have Slayer. May the best fighter win!

I'm not normally much of a sports kind of person. I say that I cheer for the local teams, but I really don't pay all that much attention to when anyone is playing. I've lusted mightily after MMA fighters, but I've never watched a fight or anything. But, dayum, all those muscles just do something for a person, you know? But, when I ran across this one, I decided that it sounded good and decided that I needed to read it.

Shayla and Zach had been best friends when they were young and then boyfriend and girlfriend as they got older. She was a ballerina, with plans to go to a ballet company in San Diego, while Zach, an amateur MMA fighter was planning on going there to try to turn pro. But, when he finds out that she's turning down a better opportunity, he decides to leave her. On her 18th birthday. After their first time.

Seven years later, he holds 4 belts and is a recruiter. He walks into a MMA gym and finds his beautiful ballerina in the ring, fighting. Shayla has been broken and reforged into something stronger, and MMA helped her get there.

I enjoyed the story. I like the way that things flashed back to Shay's past to give us more information as to what had happened in her past and what made her the way that she now was. I liked it better than having everything explained. Experiencing it with her made it seem more real and let me connect with her better than I might otherwise have. Zach sometimes annoyed me, sometimes didn't. I get the overprotective thing, especially when it comes to head injuries, but he really does just paint Shayla into a corner sometimes. And then when he doesn't, it's not a good thing. I don't think that he should force her into a particular choice, but it just wasn't as consistent as it could've been.

It worked as a story, and I was quite happy with the way the story went.

Zane is VP of an outlaw MC known as 1%ers, he fell in love with Evie when they were young, but left under suspicion of murder and feelings of being unworthy of her. When he went back for her three years later she was married with a child and his feelings of betrayal run deep. When he funs into her passions ignite but she no longer trusts him, believing he abandoned her. Both have to learn to trust again and clear up misunderstandings while a rival MC puts her and her son in danger.

She finds herself working as an EMT for a fight club after being hounded by a bill collector. The owner runs a unsanctioned MMA fight club by night and runs his companies by day. He wants her and she's attracted to him but they both have histories that are affecting their relationship. Her trauma in the past keeps bubbling up as Max's dominant kinky side comes out. Favorite moment was the scene when Makayla is getting her privates waxed, hilarious.

Cade is in an outlaw MC, Dawn is an ex old lady from a rival MC, with twin daughters her ex has taken from her by setting her up. Dawn's ex is also determined to get her back to abuse her even more. These two can't be in the same room without things getting hot, but she was terribly abused and doesn't want anything to do with the biker lifestyle again. Yet she's biker chick through and through. This isn't a pretty biker group, they break the law and kill but the story is compelling and I read it straight through.

Jagger is MC President of the Sinner's and Arianne is his bitter rival's daughter. These MCs are the one percenters, outlaw MCs, but Jagger is all alpha. This isn't a prettified biker club, but the story was excellent. Read it non-stop,

Good read, minor editing issues. Holt has been tortured and abused for three months in a rival MC's dungeon. Naiya escaped Viper's clutches once but he kidnaps her from her mothers funeral to claim her again. After she is thrown in Holt's cell she helps him escape. She grounds him and he helps her start living life again.

Ray's a private investigator and other things and Sia is a tatoo artist. She's been lusting over him for over a year but due PTSD from being raped she's admiring from afar. They have fits and starts and he runs hot/cold as their issues get in their way, but they keep getting pulled back to each other and they both learn to deal with their past.

Rocco is a mafia enforcer who has given up his soul a long time ago. Grace, the daughter of a made man, escaped the mafia life once she learned about it. Rocco and Grace were in love, but Grace was young and Rocco was a vicious enforcer. After a terrible attack that left Grace scarred, she runs, leaving New York and Rocco behind.

While her father and brother were in Vegas for a visit/mafia business, Grace is thrust back into the danger of the mafia world. She is older and a bit stronger now and she is willing to fight for her family and for Rocco, even though he does everything possible to push her away. Rocco was abused as a child and has developed some seriously messed up coping skills. He harbors so much guilt over his life but is essentially powerless to change his station. I didn't expect to understand Grace and Rocco so much. I have nothing in common with these characters, yet Castille does a great job making them relatable and real. I also loved getting to see Mia and Gabrielle (and of course Luca and Nico).

The complex relationship between Grace and Rocco is the driving emotional conflict, but they do still have to figure out who put a hit out on Grace's father and brother and wanted to kidnap Grace. As you can expect in a mafia romance, there is danger and violence at every turn which keeps you engaged, but there is also the push/pull between Grace and Rocco that provides this odd sense of a slow burn (which is deceptive because they certainly are lots very sexy scenes!). Even when they are ready to rip each others' clothes off, you aren't sure if this time will be what finally reconnects these two. The chemistry is scorching but with the way Rocco shuts down and runs hot and cold with Grace at times, it felt like a slow burn that was going to end with a major explosion instead of a fire!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: second chance, mafia


• Triggers: spoiler


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series (you could read these in any order if you really wanted to but you would get some spoilers from previous books!)


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes with epilogue

Mafia series from authors like Rachel Van Dyken, Meghan March, Tijan, Terri Ann Browning ...then you will probably like Rocco!

 


Rocco






 
See full review on The Book Disciple

Star crossed lovers for sure! Luca is a mafioso and Gaby is a cop. Their differences are obvious-Gaby is a law abiding citizen, Luca prefers to bend the law to his will. Gaby is a woman who takes care of herself while Luca feels that women should be protected. One thing they have in common (besides scorching hot chemistry) is their desire to get rid of the drug cartels in Las Vegas. While their methods might be different, the goal is the same. So, do the ends justify the means for Luca and Gaby?

Gaby's husband was a cop like her and he was killed in the line of duty by a drug kingpin. Gaby is determined to seek revenge but is removed from the case. She meets Luca by chance while they are in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds and he is entranced by her. He uses his connections to track her down but when he finds out she is a cop it could be a deal breaker. There are few rules that are as strictly followed by the mafia as the 'thou shall not fraternize with cops'.

Gaby has always been an independent woman. She grew up without a mother and became a cop simply to try and make her father proud. Her marriage to David was important to her because he provided the stability she had missed in life. But, their life together was vanilla and after she meets Luca, she realizes that maybe she wants more from life. He is a bit 'old fashioned' when it comes to women (old fashioned as in cave man behavior) and frankly I found it a bit offensive. It wasn't really sexy. I am all for alpha men, but his behavior came off as casting women down to their 'proper place'. Not attractive.

Even with my irritation with Luca's abhorrent behavior, I was sucked into the story. Who is after Gaby? Will she kill the man responsible for her husband's death? Will Luca change his sexist beliefs and stop being a douche canoe (ok, the answer to that one is yes)? I really did want to know! So, even though I was not really rooting for Luca, I still cared what happened to Gaby! If you like star crossed/opposites attract type stories, this is an interesting pick for a weekend read! Nico, book 1, was better in my opinion though, so if you haven't check out that one, you should! Its also a pretty steamy read! Luca is quite the dirty dominate in the bedroom (and kitchen, and VIP room, and closet...)

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: star crossed lovers, mafia


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes with epilogue

The Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken, The Harrison Street Crew series by Katana Collins, Cole by Tijan, Hearts of Blue by LH Cosway...then you will probably like Luca!

 


Luca





See full review on The Book Disciple

Link to full review below! Overall, a pretty good mafia story if you like your mafia men to be a bit more 'authentic'. See full review on The Book Disciple

I liked this story, especially the heroine. She had been beaten badly and had decided she would never be helpless again and learned how to defend herself. All the characters were very likeable and the situations were relatable. It’s always nice to revisit characters from past novels and there are several reoccurring throughout this story to add continuity to the series.
Strong heroes are the best, add a strong heroine and I’m in seventh heaven. Love how they can show their true feelings as well as strengths. An enjoyable read!