Not Bookish: Fashion Love

 

Not a bookish post. Or even a post about how nursing school has been my life this past semester. Instead, talking about wearing the same outfit to multiple places and pretending to be a fashion blogger over on my personal blog: Adventures Abound

Posted with Blogsy

Book Review: Ruthless People by JJ McAvoy

Ruthless People (Ruthless People #1) by J.J. McAvoy

“Every last person we kill is for family. If we do not kill them, they kill us. It’s the way of the world. It is self-defense.”

Melody Giovanni and Liam Callahan are both mafia bosses.  They both are heartless, cruel, crime bosses. They do not take no for answer, tolerate disrespect, or let anyone stand in their way. If something does not work out the way they plan, it is nothing for them to kill or kill and torture those who stand in the way of the “family business.”   Ruthless People comes with a warning. Melody and Liam are cruel – ruthless – people. And it did not really bother me. But the warning is there for a reason, and there were a couple of moments throughout the book that I thought was completely heartless and upsetting. And I was not sure how realistic some of their dealings with the law/cops actually could be. 

Their fathers arrange for them to be married so that they two families can join together and become more powerful, and stop the bloodshed between them. Liam is use to women being the “face” of the family, donating to charity, spending the money, keeping the men happy, and not get involved with the dirty work. So when he sees gorgeous Melody, he cannot wait for her to be that woman. Until, he actually meets her and discovers that she is just as cold and tough as him. And that she cannot be pushed around. In fact, she was quite deadly just like him.

She looks like a sweet little lamb from afar, but when you get close, you find out she skinned and ate the damn thing just to use it as a coat. She’s a beast.

The boss in each of them battles for the supreme power, each one trying to top the last and prove that they can lead their now merged family. And they could not be told what to do. I loved how strong Melody’s character was. She did not go guy crazy, and there was no way that she was going to lay down and be a doormat.  Not only does she earn the respect of her men, but she holds her own with Liam.

Liam, soon-to-be-fucking-dead, Callahan was walking down the stairs—my fucking stairs—with his sex hair high and his green eyes sharper than razor blades. He was beautiful, and I almost regretted the fact that I would have to put a bullet in his head and then smash it through a fucking wall.

When they finally realized that they could get more done by working together instead of fighting, they slowly beginning working out things together. This book is almost broken into three parts: the pre-wedding, the actual wedding, and then post wedding. I enjoy the events leading up the wedding the most, but once they learned to start working together they become almost untouchable. Liam and Melody slowly start trusting and having feelings for each other. Much to Liam’s joy, who wants a marriage like his father and mother’s, and to Melody’s disdain. Melody does not like the idea of trusting anyone. And this is what the last part of the book focuses on more.

“I am trying! You are closer to me that anyone else Liam.”

I have not read many mafia themed books, but the characters in this book seemed to be spot on. They gave the outside world the good face while they were handling the underbelly of the city the way they wanted. And both Melody and Liam were clear that Chicago was their city. They called the shots.   Along with controlling the city, they also dealing with the Russians who are stirring up a lot of problems.

The ending ends on a bit of bitter note and a cliffhanger. However, I was overall pleased how the author closed the first chapter for these two characters.  This is one of the most unique books that I have read in a long time. It brings raw feelings, powerful heroine, and a fresh spin on romance. 

 

Thanks to NetGalley and The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Where Darkness Lies by Bella Jewel

 

Where Darkness Lies by Bella Jewel

 

Where Darkness Lies reminded me why I love Bella Jewel so much.   The characters were flawed, but loveable, and the plot was fast paced and action packed.

The characters Dimitri and Jess were both struggling with past demons. After a hard childhood, Jess is running. She is smart, coolheaded, beautiful, and loyal to her friends.  A vast ocean is the perfect place to hide, and a group of pirates as friends make for one of the safest places.  Until, Dimitri finally catches up with his step father, craving revenge.  Dimitri abducts Jess in hopes of hurting Hendrix and learning his weakness. Dimitri is cold, tough, bitter, and incredibly handsome. Using his rage, he hates all things pirates including Hendrix and now Jess.

Only Jess is frustratingly not afraid of Dimitri. In fact, she makes for the worse captive because she is witty, incredibly loyal to Hendrix, and not afraid to voice her opinions. And neither of them can seem to fight the growing attraction to each other, especially when they begin seeing that their past are more similar then they could have imagined.

And when I say action packed, I mean a lot happens in this book.  All most too much, another scene that I had forgot just popped into my head just now, but each plot point brought the characters together. And I really enjoy those moments…. a lot.  And the romance was perfect in my opinion, sweet and tender in just the right moments.

Bella Jewel delivers a great companion to Enslaved by the Ocean. The right amount of steam and plot, mixed with a huge dose of action.  This book was classic Bella Jewel, so if you enjoyed the first in this series or the MC sinners series, then you will likely love this too.  Where Darkness Lies could be read as a standalone or out of order for the first, Enslaved by the Ocean.  It has been almost a year exactly since I read Enslaved by the Ocean, and even though it gives a lot of background it is not necessary to enjoying the plot of Where Darkness Lies. But trust me on this, you’ll want to meet Hendrix. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.