Wendy Ely

**Read as Part of the [b:Shades Of Desire: 10 Sweet & Spicy Romances|25330787|Shades Of Desire 10 Sweet & Spicy Romances|J. A. Coffey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428622204s/25330787.jpg|45066112] box set.**

~ 2 Dangerous Stars ~

Dangerous Flames is book one in the Mafia Hearts series by [a:Wendy Ely|3033257|Wendy Ely|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1254759422p2/3033257.jpg]. I am not a big contemporary reader manly; because they just don’t take me away from real life as easily as paranormal, fantasy, or sci-fi reads.

Dangerous Flames did not work for me, but does have several 4-5 star reviews, so people did enjoy it, just not me. I on the other hand should have DNF it, but something kept me reading. I’m guessing it was; because I wanted to see how it would end. Which I did and it was nothing spectacular. I’ve read one other book that featured a Mafia type lifestyle and it worked for me, but this one only had some Mafia aspects, not enough to make it really feel Mafia enough.

The characters where not believable enough. We have Gabrielle who is the daughter of the Mafia Don, but she is out of loop and under the impression that she wants to get into the Mafia business. She has no idea what that lifestyle initials. Then we have Mikolas who was trained to be the hitman for the Medini Family, but I could not believe his role as the hitman. These two grew up together until Gabrielle was sent away for her protection, so they have some type of previous relationship, but it never felt believable enough for them to both love each other. Gabrielle wants into the family business and comes up with a ridicules idea that involves her old friend and crush Mikolas. These two acted to much like teenagers, dancing around the issues, and no communication that it got to be frustrating just reading about them. Gabrielle has no backbone and Mikolas was not alpha enough. Both characters where a disappointment and ended up irritating me.

As for the sex. They have sex, but without a condom. Yep, not my thing. Sometimes it works, but not for me this time. Also the author dosen't really write an involved sex scene. It is implied that they did the deed, by them getting to the penetration and then we are moving onto the next scene.

I got confused as to why Gabrielle’s mom told her to leave town and start a new life someplace far away from the family. When her mom does this she tells her about a safe, but doesn't tell her where it is located at the cabin. If her mom really wanted her to go, why not tell her everything she needs to know to locate said safe and get away with the money she needs to move on? Also Gabrielle wanted into the lifestyle and now she doesn’t. Complete one eighty. Last the information we are given from Mikolas, in what little talks he has with Gabrielle about the Mafia lifestyle, is just little tide bits here and there. It's only enough to keep you hooked. Which added to my frustration. I wanted more in-depth information.

Dangerous Flames was not the book for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.

*Disclaimer: Review copy provided of [b:Shades Of Desire: 10 Sweet & Spicy Romances|25330787|Shades Of Desire 10 Sweet & Spicy Romances|J. A. Coffey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428622204s/25330787.jpg|45066112] with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

… (meer)

I believe it’s next to impossible not to fall in love along with the two main protagonists in any romance story where they’re constantly finding barriers being thrown in front of them which might hinder the relationship fate has deemed they should have for each other.

The variety of characters found in each of these 10 full-length novels, from hot Navy SEALS to women having secret babies, a variety of different settings, with some bad guys on a quest to obtain what they desire, you’re sure to find something which please your specific taste for a particular type of storyline; and even if you don’t each story should make you feel good especially if there happens to be a HEA at the end.

I believe the love each set of protagonists actually have for each other can be seen in the song “Endless Love”, [Diana Ross and Luther Vandross]

My love
There's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
My first love
You're every breath I take
You're every step I make

And I
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes (your eyes, your eyes)
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes
You'll always be
My endless love

Two hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun
And forever
I'll hold you close in my arms
I can't resist your charms

And I
I'd play the fool
For you, I'm sure
You know I don't mind
(No, you know I don't mind)
And yes
You mean the world to me
I know I've found in you
My endless love

And love
I'd play the fool
For you, I'm sure
You know I don't mind
(Whoa, you know I don't mind)
Oh, yes
You'd be the only one
Cause no, I can't deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
My love (my love, my love)

With all this going for this anthology, how can I not give the authors involved with it 5 STARS for their efforts in making it a very enjoyable reading experience? Besides how can you go wrong with the price this collection is going for?… (meer)