From USA Today Bestselling author Khardine Gray comes a sexy, delightfully devilish, seductive second chance Mafia Romance. Be prepared to take a walk on the dark side.
Claudius
Rule #1 of being mafia boss – Trust no one.
Rule # 2 – Keep your friends and enemies damn close. In the underground world, friends and enemies could be the same thing.
My story started out with a guy who liked a girl.
She looked like an angel to him.
I was the guy, Ava the angel.
But I got caught in a game I didn’t want to play.
A game with the devil that destroyed me.
My life turned into this world where I got married to her twin sister and Ava hated me.
The situation became my weakness when my enemies used it against me, and killed my wife.
Ava could have died too so I stayed away from her.
It was safer that way.
Year in, year out I tell myself the same thing, and I stay away.
But, the universe had other ideas, and threw her right back in my path.
I can’t have her.
An angel like her doesn’t belong in the darkness of my world.
I know this, except, I’m selfish.
I should leave her alone, but I can’t.
The problem is …history is repeating itself, and there’s an enemy in my circle.
It’s the same game as before and this time losing could get her killed.
Ava
Avoid him…
That was the most sensible thing to do.
Besides, Claudius wasn’t any old guy.
He was the don of the Chicago mafia.
Ten years ago, when I’d first met him, I knew the man was trouble, but I didn’t listen.
He’d made me love’s fool and broke my heart in so many ways when he married my sister.
That was a lesson to learn.
So, what was I doing running back into the arms of a man I shouldn’t be with?
We were like darkness and light.
Different. Too different.
Coincidence reunited us, but my heart did the rest.
My heart blinded me to sense and logic, and stifled the voice inside that told me to run away.
My heart made me selfish…
I wanted him for myself.
I knew I shouldn’t be with him, but I couldn’t leave him alone.
That very thing could be my downfall.
This isn’t like any other second chance romance you’ve read before…
If you loved Lucian Morientz from Mafia Boss, you’re gonna love his brother, Claudius.
Dirty Hearts is a complete standalone, full length novel, with no cliff hanger and part of the Gangsters and Dolls series.
The Gangsters and Dolls series is a spin off from The Accidental Mafia Queen series. Continue the adventure with these sizzling hot, drool-worthy Alpha males.
Khardine Gray is a contemporary romance author who lives in England with her husband, two kids, and three crazy ferrets.
She is well traveled, cultured, and a woman with a passion for dancing and ice skating.
When not writing you can catch her shopping, indulging on pizza and hot chocolate, or hanging out with her family and friends.
No need to spend money on an airline ticket. Simply pick up one of Khardine’s books to become immersed in the fascinating stories and characters she creates.
Determined to prove she’s more than just a pretty face, Detective Evie Harper works hard and trains even harder to be the very best. Her first homicide case will put her skills to the test as she and her partner, Detective Stephen Harris, track a ruthless serial killer terrorizing the west end of town. The Lovelorn killer may be one step ahead of them, but they’re closing in fast — until an immoral decision is made that leaves their partnership hanging in the balance.
Love Lorn, is the first book in a nine-book series called The Twisted Love Series. While this book was written Amy Manemann, the second book, Love Torn, was written by USA Bestselling Author, Stacy Eaton. The two authors have worked together on these books so the stories run parallel and prepare you for the first full-length novel in the series, Love Inked.
The Twisted Love Series:
The Series consists of nine stories co-written between Bestselling Author Amy Manemann and USA Today Bestselling Author Stacy Eaton. This series starts off with Love Lorn, Book 1, (Written by Manemann) and introduces you to Detective Evie Harper. Love Torn, Book 2, (written by Eaton), introduces you to Detective Kali Mann. In Love Inked, these two detectives are partnered together. The Twisted Love Series is an intense police procedural and romantic suspense series that delves deep into the world of crime and how it is investigated. Due to the fact that the crimes continue from one book to the next, some of these books do contain cliff-hangers. These books also contain adult language and sexual situations.
Detective Kali Mann lives by her nickname: The Mann-Eater. She’s a true love them and leave them with no attachments—ever. She a hard-core, to the point, intense detective who takes her job seriously and she doesn’t always play nice with others. When her partner, Keith Harvard, finally gets her to take notice of him, the case they are working goes awry, and suddenly Kali is having emotions she’s not sure she wants. A major part of her past comes back to haunt her and just as she beings to open herself up, her life will be torn apart.
Love Torn is the second book in the Twisted Love Series. The first book, Love Lorn, was written by Amy Manemann and introduces you to Detective Evie Harper. Get to know them both before you jump into the first intense full-length novel, Love Inked.
The Twisted Love Series is a very intense police procedural and romantic suspense series that delves deep into the world of crime and how it is investigated. Due to the fact that the crimes continue from one book to the next, the books should be read in order and do contain cliff-hangers. These books also contain adult language and sexual situations. This is Book 3 of the 9 Book series.
Detective Kali Mann returns from leave to find a new partner assignment. Not only is she bitter about recent events, but she’s irritated to be saddled with the model-beautiful rookie detective Evelyn Harper. What’s worse, Evie doesn’t just want to be partners—she’s striving to make them friends.
Another brutal Serial Killer is in town, and Evie finds that she has a lot to learn, especially when it comes to her new partner. Evie is not deterred, in fact, she’s determined to fit in and earn Kali’s respect, and maybe calm the waters between Kali and Detective Sergeant Greg Shavers in the process.
As Kali and Evie find their footing and search for clues to the recent murder, an explosion rocks their police family, and Kali and Evie team up with others to find the culprits responsible.
An action-packed full-length novel that takes you through the streets of Philly as you ride-along with Detectives Kali Mann and Evie Harper while they deal with crime, tragedy, and new romances.
Now that Detectives Kali Mann and Evie Harper are finding their footing together as partners, they are digging in deep to solve the major crimes in the Fourteenth District of Philadelphia. When another victim is discovered, and the ritual killing is found to have altered, Evie and Kali scramble to make heads or tails of it.
Evie is pulled undercover to help fellow detective, Josh Westing, and she needs to balance her personal feelings for him, as well as remain professional while in the presence of the Mexican Cartel. Evie will find herself on a precipice to expanding her relationship with CSI Eric VanLacken and it will either grow to a new level or explode into bits and pieces.
While Kali is pushing forward and focused on the serial killings, she finds herself distracted by Detective Sergeant Greg Shavers more than she cares to admit. Special Agent Liam MacCabe continues to lurk on the edge, always there for Kali when she needs it most, especially after she crosses back from the dark side.
Evie and Kali will both spend their days in court, and while one case will get resolved, the other will take one of them to their knees in emotional destruction. Join Evie and Kali as they investigate new cases, dig deeper into current ones, and find their love life’s almost as explosive as dynamite.
Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016 due to a second serious concusion. Her last three years on the job were in investigations and crime scene investigation. She now writes full-time.
Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter. Stacy also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy. She is also very involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years.
Stacy writes a variety of genre’s, but mostly romance. She enjoys writing real-life stories that people can relate too with real-life problems, emotions, and solutions.
Her favorites: Classic cars, photography, Disney, music, coffee and her favorite sweatshirt that says, “You are dangerously close to getting killed in my next novel.”
Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, young adult paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and dabbles in children’s books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children. When she isn’t plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book.
The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 1 By Madison Michael
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About Bedazzled: She’s fiercely independent. He’s thwarted by tradition – Can a brush of her hand be their brush with fate? A woman with everything to gain. Keeli Larsen craves success on her own terms. She has no support and less money, but she has talent and big dreams. Determined not to return to the family farm, this is Keeli’s last chance to make it. It’s also her final opportunity to connect with the out-of-her-league, gorgeous man in the penthouse office – her very own Prince Charming. Although they have never spoken, a crowded elevator, a chance encounter, and a misplaced hand are about to change everything. A man with everything to lose. Billionaire and sexy hunk, Wyatt Lyons Howe IV is on track to inherit a family empire he doesn’t want. With dreams of his own, Wyatt is suffocating under generations of family expectations and traditions until a brief moment and a brush of a hand set Wyatt on a crash course with love. Can Wyatt turn his back on his heritage to pursue his goals following the lead of this fiery redhead. Can he forfeit his wealth for freedom? Fearing Keeli is a down-on-her-luck artist looking for a bankroll, Wyatt doubts her motives. He’s been burned in the past but can’t resist the temptation. He is bedazzled. A challenge accepted. Wyatt is seduced by Keeli’s spirit and the sizzling chemistry between them. Used to getting what he wants, Wyatt determines to make Keeli his own. But first he must outsmart a scheming fiancé, oppose his family and friends, overcome his doubts, and walk away from his wealth and power. And, of course, he must win her heart. If you love sassy women and strong sexy men overcoming all odds on their road to romance, buy this steamy page turner, and meet the first of the Beguiling Bachelors.
***Bedazzled has been freshly edited and revised ***
An Excerpt from Bedazzled: The chatter in the elevator lightened her mood immediately, reminding Keeli of all the people who had started with only a few dollars and a dream. In many cases, they had made it without knowing the language or customs of their adopted country. By comparison, she had many advantages and instantly felt better about her choice, more confident about moving forward on her own. Mr. Weinberg let her take many of her pieces with her when she left his employ. There had been no severance check, of course, but the ready inventory was a gift. Keeli let the renewed confidence surge through her body, standing straight and looking ahead. Watching her step, careful not to bump anyone with her parcel, Keeli stepped into the divide and moved toward the back. That was the moment she saw HIM. He was the best thing – by far – about working in this building. She was standing face to face with the virile, gorgeous, sexy man she saw in the elevator regularly. Well, almost face-to-face since he was at least 4 or 5 inches taller than her statuesque 5’10”. He was what she would miss most about this job – these random opportunities to ride the elevator and watch him, getting to stand close, allowing her imagination to run wild with fantasies – all starring him, of course. Most of the time, he hid mysteriously behind a pair of Wayfarers, but the rain today afforded Keeli a chance to admire the intelligence and concentration in his azure eyes. He stood with his shoulders back, head towering over everyone’s Looking up, Keeli locked eyes with his, his mouth lifting in a half smile. Keeli shyly dropped her head as a blush rose to her cheeks and her heart sped up. She knew the smile was just politeness. She wanted so much more. She wanted him to notice her the way she noticed him, feel about her as she did about him. If only he had the same visceral reaction that Keeli had to him, perhaps he would have spoken to her by now. She could not overcome her shyness to initiate a conversation, but if he longed for her as she did him…obviously, he was not interested. Now she would never see him again. Her disappointment was way out of proportion; he was a stranger. But he had this pull on her. Instead of thinking of him as a stranger, she thought of him as hers. Hers. What a laugh. Wake up Keeli! Everyone noticed him – man and woman alike. She saw it on elevator rides and when he traversed the lobby. Yes, he was particularly tall, a few inches over six feet. However, it was more than his height that drew the eye. He was compelling, confident, and assured. He was beyond handsome with his chiseled features, thick wavy hair and well-muscled body clad in custom suits. Keeli was drawn to him like a bee to honey. She had seen other women catch his eye, seen them smile and flirt easily. She was overwhelmingly shy when near him, preventing her from ever making him ‘hers’. They crossed paths at the coffee kiosk or in the elevator at least once a week. She knew she was projecting her own desires, but sometimes it seemed to her that he was seeking her out. Even so, Keeli never exchanged more than a polite “hello” and he was always polite, but aloof. Although she longed for some reason to speak more than pleasantries, she was unable to move past that invisible barrier she felt between them. Why, oh why is facing forward considered appropriate elevator etiquette? I just want to stare at him one last time. Today needs to be the day to think of something to say, some witty conversation opener. You are running out of time. Her brain searched now for a reason to speak, knowing it was her last chance. Instead, she reluctantly turned to face the doors. He was standing so close, lazily leaning his shoulders against the back wall. She felt the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck, goosebumps traveling up her arms in response to the moist heat. She was rocked by her immediate, erotic reaction. Reigning in her body’s response, Keeli reminded herself that the warm breath was a result of proximity, not desire. She was a non-entity to him and had been for the16 months she had worked there. His polished appearance, custom suits and elegant leather briefcase contrasted with her wild red hair, shabby jacket, scuffed boots and faded Old Navy dress. He epitomized class and privilege; she embodied shabby chic. Maybe not even chic – just shabby. She could never bridge the gulf.
About the Author:
Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series. A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society. After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books. Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing,, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally iil or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?
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