Hey, Booksnakes! Today, I am going to be reviewing the third instalment of Marian Tee's Desert Sheikh Romance series, Tarif. 

Before proceeding to the actual review, I'd like to point out some differences this book has compared to Malik, the second part in the series. Call it a disclaimer, if you will. 

First, the steamy scenes are way hotter (and more frequent). Second, the story was more unpredictable and complex, Third, I cried my eyes out multiple times in a span of 200 pages.

“It’s a pleasure to finally have a chance to speak with you.”

“The honor and privilege is mine, Your Highness.”

“I wonder if you truly mean that, anisdi.”

Prim and proper Anisah Kahveci led a simple, orderly life with simple, ordinary goals.

One: Terrorize – err, discipline – her students into becoming law-abiding, socially mindful citizens of the kingdom.

Two: Work hard to secure a safe future for the brat – err, her younger sister.

Three: Eat all the sweets – err, indulge in a scoop of ice cream now and then.

But all her plans were for naught and her life turned upside down the moment Sheikh Tarif Al-Atassi decided he wanted her to be his woman.

Note: This is a full-length standalone (no cliffhanger) romance written to bring laughter and tears into the reader’s life. It is 100% escapist, contains explicit (but not gratuitous) sex scenes, with an alpha hero and an innocent but fiery heroine falling in love and enjoying a happy ever after in the end.

Let me start off by saying that, by far, Tarif is my favourite novel in Marian Tee's Desert Sheikh Romance series. The rollercoaster ride my emotions was taken on was no joke. In most stories, there's like one scene that'll wreck you, and that's usually the climax. But since Marian Tee is super extra, she didn't want to make her readers cry just once. No, we have to bawl multiple times. And that's what I did.

I don't want to give much away about the story and the whiplashes that await future readers, but it might be somewhat unavoidable so please excuse me in advance. 

The story's timeline may somewhat be confusing to some, especially if you have yet to read the books that precede it. Basically, at the first few pages, we are thrown back to events of My Arabian Billionaire, this time from the perspective of our female protagonist, Anisah. Immediately we see her strong and unyielding character. Her loyalty. The author is no stranger to creating stubborn heroines with soft hearts, but most of them are -- for lack of a better word -- meek. I didn't get that at all with Anisah. She has her hard-headed tendencies, yes, but she's also fierce with an unyielding conviction, she puts others' well-being above hers, and she refuses to show weakness in front of others. 

Now let's talk about our hot-blooded, male protagonist, Tarif. He's really not what I expected him to be. Apparently, he's supposed to be the resident playboy of the kingdom, or at least that's what his image is. But there's not much in the book that indicates that kind of lifestyle. Well, there is that one -- oh, wait. I shall not speak of that because it might be a minor spoiler. 

Anyway, Tarif is obviously the guy that no one outside his family takes too seriously. He's like that friend who you'd go to if you're looking for a good time, but in more serious matters, people easily dismiss him. And that's just crappy, especially since that kind of treatment led to an emotional and mental scar in our hero. 

The chemistry between Anisah and Tarif is insane. Their steamy scenes are passionate and scorching, their banters are witty, and their emotional turmoil was heartbreaking. I couldn't help but put myself in their shoes while reading their moments of despair, and I thought to myself, "How does one go back from this?" 

The sadistic part of me wanted to see their pain expounded and to have it come full circle, and the romantic side of me just wanted them to have their happy-ever-after. It was a tough battle, but Marian gave me the best of both sides so I'm satisfied. 

SUMMARY: 

Tarif made me feel a lot of different things in a span of two hours (time it took me to read the entire book), and I enjoyed every emotion. I felt contented when I flipped through the last page ... The last page ... THE. LAST. PAGE. Marian, wtf you have a lot of explaining to do. 

So yeah, there's a teaser right there, folks. Marian Tee left us a little something to stir our imaginations and make us wonder what she has in store for us for the following instalment in her series. 

I don't even know why I'm still surprised that I finished reading this book with frog-like eyes and a stuffy nose. I should know better by now that Marian WILL make me bawl my eyes out, no matter how sweet and funny she starts off.

Anyway, I have a lot to say about My Arabian Billionaire, so let's get started, shall we?

Title: My Arabian Billionaire (In Bed with a Billionaire): A Desert Sheikh Romance
Author: Marian Tee
Genre: Romance, Erotic Romance
Publication Date: June 14th 2017
Source: ARC Given by Author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35438470-my-arabian-billionaire-in-bed-with-a-billionaire


SYNOPSIS:

Years and years from now, it would go down as one of the saddest days in the kingdom’s history when the crying, trembling figure of their queen was seen at the gates of the palace, performing the public ritual of ending her marriage to the king. 

News traveled fast, and the area was soon swarming with people - reporters who were out to sensationalize this unprecedented sight, gawking guests who were titillated by the hint of scandal in the air, and men like Mahmud, who didn’t hesitate to sow seeds of discord to further their cause. 

Terrible accusations began to take shape, broadcasted in viral headlines--- 

Queen Harper publicly disavowing marriage to travel alone and leave Ramil? 

Princess Safiya, daughter of Sheikh Mahmud, to be Ramil’s next queen? 

Ramilians to be fined if found offering aid to Queen Harper? 
Later, there would also be stories of loyalty – of how secret enemies of the sheikh had incited a rabble, and of the queen’s most trusted guards coming to her defense. Witnesses had sworn they heard the queen tearfully begging her loyal guards not to endanger themselves for her, but still they had shed blood for her, their loyalty to her unwavering. 

You will always be our queen. 

And when the tide seemed to swell in the favor of the sheikh’s enemies, there came the thundering, ground-crushing sound of the army’s footsteps, led by the king and his vassals. They fought their way to the queen’s side, infallible in their power, strength, and valor – 

It was a breathtaking sight, witnesses from that night were known to avow. But what they would never ever forget was the sight of their king finding his queen--- 

Only to let her go--- 

You are free, my love. 

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Harper Griffiths is a strong-willed woman who has a stubborn streak to her. She's got a short temper, sharp tongue, and distant demeanor. But all of these she simply use to cover up and protect a soft heart and innocent soul that people try to hurt time and time again. She's intelligent, loyal, and most of all, honourable.

Khalil Al-Atassi is a man who would give his life for his kingdom. He cares for his people above all else, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect his nation - even if that means tearing his heart out in the process.

REVIEW:

Let me start off by being completely honest: I had no idea what the story of My Arabian Billionaire would be about or who the characters involved are.

I tried racking my brain, trying to remember which of Marian Tee's characters is an Arabian Billionaire, but I just couldn't remember. I'm ashamed. Sorry, Marian. But then, Sapphire - Safi - March was mentioned, and then BAM! Khalil Al-Atassi is Jeremy Raybourne! I've said this before, but How Not to Be Seduced by Rockstars is one of my favourite of Marian's work. So of course, when I've finally made a connection, the sun shone and birds chirped.

From the first couple of pages, I already knew that I was going to enjoy whatever journey the story is going to take me. We're immediately introduced to a handful of characters that are different from each other, yet they share a strong, unbreakable bond that makes one want to see more of their dynamic.

And then we jump right into the chemistry between Khalil and Harper. Like most of Marian's male protagonists, the king of Ramil also enjoys teasing - and upsetting - his leading lady. But one of the thing I like about Khalil, is despite his past, or even his current political status, he's not a cold, distant man who's sworn off love. He's just a regular guy ... sort of. And that makes this story refreshing, in a way, because I didn't have to curse the guy for being stupid. In fact, he's such an honourable man that even Harper can't hate him for breaking her heart.

Let me just quickly point out that the steamy scenes here were hot AF. Like, for real. Marian made is as sexy and rough as she could in a page or two. It was erotic in a tasteful manner, if that makes sense.

The story flowed smoothly; though of course there were moments I felt some parts could've been ellaborated, but it didn't take away from the book as a whole so it's okay.

However, I need to point out that ending made me wonder - for the Nth time - what the hell happened with KC Chariot and Yuki Himura? What was so traumatizing that the thought of seeing him, even just hearing his name, evokes such a severe negative reaction from her? Marian, please end our agony and tell us the story.

SUMMARY: 

I'm still not quite used to reading completed stories by Marian. Wait, that sounds wrong. What I meant to say was, she always delivered her stories in at least 3 parts which, in my opinion, works because we get more up and down moments. Meaning, more playful and romantic moments, and more heartbreaks and begging. But with My Arabian Billionaire, we got everything Marian has to offer in 140 pages or so.

We got the fun, we got the steamy, we got the pain, and finish off with the Happily Ever After. It's a complete package that will leave you feeling satisfied while making you want more.

PURCHASE LINKS: 

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

RATING: 

SYNOPSIS:

REVIEW:

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

SUMMARY:

PURCHASE LINKS:

Philippines: Fully Booked

US: Amazon

RATING:

To save her father from prison, geeky graphic artist Arabella Blume agrees to sell herself to Aurélien Sauvage, a young French billionaire whose life is shrouded in mystery and strange and conflicting rumors. 

When she’s immediately whisked away to a remote island, Arabella braces herself for all kinds of torture. But instead, her new life is more perplexing than terrifying. 

During the day, the staff pampers her like a princess. 

But as for the nights – 

They’ve become her most precious and shameful secret. 

When all is silent and dark, Arabella succumbs to the dangerously addictive passion of her master. Night after night, he listens to her, he talks to her, he makes her laugh, he makes her forget – and later on, he fucks her. 

He fucks her long and hard, he fucks her until she passes out, he fucks her so, so beautifully, and Aurélien promises to cherish her forever – for as long as she doesn’t break his rules. 

Never talk about me to anyone. 

And she doesn’t. 

Never kiss me. 

And she doesn’t. 

And the most imperative, my beauty – never, ever try to look at me in the light. 

But Arabella does. 

She doesn’t mean to, but it happens, and that’s when Arabella realizes all along she’s been making love to an animal. 

A man with a beautiful face, sapphire eyes, and a lethally powerful body, but at the same time a beast with terrifying horns, claws, and fangs – 

Oh my God. 

La bête Sauvage. 

It’s what the islanders have been whispering about – something they’ve always known but never told her, something she thought she understood but didn’t, something that may change the way she sees him – 

Aurélien. 

Her owner. 

Her lover. 

And he seems to know this, too, as the beast – her beast – asks quietly, 

Do I frighten you now, ma belle? 

Do I disgust you? 

Do you want me still? 

Arabella Blume, like most of Marian's heroines, is a kind-hearted person who loves her father purely. She also has a stubborn streak and refuses to cave in to her desires and emotions as much as she can. But unlike most of the female protagonists in the author's books, Arabella has a temper and a potty mouth, and she isn't ashamed of it one bit. She's also quite confident with her body and isn't afraid to claim what she wants -- in other words, she can be aggressive (much to my delight). 

Aurélien Sauvage also has a heart of gold, he just doesn't acknowledge it because of his "situation". He believes that he doesn't deserve to have someone by his side because it would only cause them harm. He's rich and powerful - figuratively and literally - but he's also lonely and trapped in the "beast". However, he's not afraid to take the leap and love someone. In fact, love is what he craves to give and receive - also unlike Ms. Tee's seemingly love-allergic heroes in other books. But he's insecure and afraid, and with good reason. But will he be Aurélien the man or will he let the beast take over forever? 

Confession time! I haven't watched the new Beauty and the Beast movie yet. Also, I haven't watched the original animation. Lastly, I haven't even read the book where they based the film on. But, in spite of this, I am familiar with the story and its ending - I mean, she's one of my generation's Disney princesses so knowing her is embedded in my DNA. The only difference that I can say from this situation is I at least won't struggle to compare this story to the original one. For me, this IS an original story and one that I liked a lot.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

The story starts off by showing us how it all started. How Aurélien came to be something else, how the island of St. Marianne became a home cherished by many people, and how unconditional love is an important factor in this story. I love how detailed the author was when describing the island, specifically the mansion where the Sauvage family lived. It made me feel as though I was there, seeing what the newcomers saw and experiencing what they experienced and felt. We are easily transported to a place of opulence and beauty, but one with mysteries and sadness too. 

One of the things I liked about this story is how the modern world and "fairy tale land" seemingly blended to create a unique set up for our characters. I also like how the characters can go from 1600-era to knowing Game of Thrones - it serves as a reminder that these people, no matter how disconnected they seem from the world, are still living in the same time and space we are (as far as fictional stories go, of course). 

This story doesn't try hard to be a replica of Beauty and the Beast. It's a completely different interpretation that readers who aren't familiar with the movie won't have a hard time absorbing the story, while those who are fans of the tale will find subtle similarities here and there. 

As usual, Marian Tee managed to deliver a book that is well-written. The humor is there, and the steamy scenes are heart-racing. As I was nearing the end of the book, I had a lot of questions that have yet to be answered. And so I know that there will be following installments to this story. 

Let me point one thing out, though. When reading a Marian Tee book, I already expect to shed some (translation: a lot) tears. So going in Savage, Broken, Beautiful, I figured that I'd be crying for sure. To my surprise, this book is relatively lighter than other works of the same author. I mean sure there's some violence, but all-in-all, I found that it wasn't emotionally exhausting as her other novels. Does that make it less good? No. Do I expect more heart-wrenching moments when the second (and hopefully third) book comes out? Maybe. But only because I know Marian's not afraid to put her characters through shit to make the happily ever after so much more worth it. 

This was a great read and I would recommend it to others. I honestly can't wait for other surprises from the very talented author, Marian Tee. 

I won't sugar coat what I have to say about this book -- Enigma is an erotica. It's romantic, yes, but it's a collection of different role-playing sex scenes a loving husband and wife take part in. 

Caution: This is not a read for the faint of heart. *wink*

Title: Enigma (The Enigma Trilogy, Book 1)

Author: Vanessa Liebe

Book Type: Fiction

Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance, Marital Heat

Published By: Red Sage Publishing

Publication Date: October 1, 2016

Source: Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32324953-enigma

SYNOPSIS:

Mark and Lucy Fuller have a great marriage, or so they think. But there is always room for improvement and there is one side to their marriage that they have never discussed or indulged in and that is their fantasies. When Lucy is referred to a new club where they can enact their fantasies, albeit only be intimate with one another, they become members and discover a whole new side to their marriage with some interesting and positive results.

READER ALERT:

Mark had no idea being kidnapped by his wife could be so arousing or that she could spank so well. Caution! When you read about Mark and Lucy’s sexual fantasies you may need that cold shower. Join them on a wet, wild and deliciously sensual ride and dare to wonder about your own.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Red Sage

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

REVIEW:

Let me start off by saying that I'm no newbie when it comes to erotic romance novels. I have read hot stories, and I've also enjoyed the filthy, question your sanity kind. Enigma is still on the decent side. Author Vanessa Liebe managed to find the perfect balance between sweet, sexy, naughty, and dirty. 

The chapters of the book are basically the different scenes they engage in. Honestly, I found a few that I wanted to try for myself. I think the part that resonated with me the most is that Mark and Lucy are just a normal happily married couple. They love each other, they respect one another, and they still have sex. But Vanessa Liebe addressed a matter that I believe married couples should be aware of: you need to spice things up to make your relationship better. 

For wives, this is not an obligation. Don't think going above and beyond to keep your husband's interest in you is insulting or degrading. Exploring these desires is very much for you too. You become more in tune with what you want, what turns you on, and how to enjoy the foreplay and sexual act. You form a deeper understanding of what pleasures your partner and what makes them tick. 

I liked this book a lot. It almost reminds me of short sex stories written by Lexi Maxxwell. Enigma is only about 80-90 pages long so it doesn't get boring. There's not much to say about it except it's honest. We all have certain fantasies that we wish to fulfill, but we might think that our current circumstances won't make it possible. Well here's to never saying never. 

RATING: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vanessa Liebe is the author of fun, sexy erotic romance, and erotica, both contemporary and historical. She mostly writes in the Fantasy and Paranormal categories as she likes a man with bite. 

Vanessa is married with three children and resides in Hampshire, South East England. When not house training her children, reading or writing, she likes to sit in the garden with a glass of rose wine.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Blog: https://vanessaliebe.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009945581362 ; https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.liebe.author

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/author_vanessa 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13740310.Vanessa_Liebe

TOUR ORGANIZED BY: 

Book images provided by Bookunleashed.com

I've always had a thing for romance mixed with suspense and/or action--the different layers brought together in one heart-pounding story *sigh*, can it get any better than that?

The problem I find myself having with this fascination of mine though, is it's hard to satiate. It's not at all easy to look for a book that will make me properly swoon, laugh, sad, and nervous. I guess that's why I wanted to give Deep Dark by Laura Griffin a shot. I've read so many good reviews about it, so I thought it can't hurt to try. Was it any good? It was mind-numbingly fantastic!

Title: Deep Dark (Tracers #10)

Author: Laura Griffin

Release Date: May 24, 2016

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25814336-deep-dark

SYNOPSIS:

A gripping new romantic thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Griffin...

The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim, and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.

As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/03/deep-dark-tracers-10-by-laura-griffin.html 

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/46965-tracers

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Kobo

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Reed Novak has been in the police force for 17 years and he has seen, heard, and learn of things that made him the jaded person that he is today. His work is his life and that's a testament to his ended marriage and closed-off persona. He interrogates people in and out of the job and trusting others does not come easily to him. That's why he's drawn to this young, petite, guarded woman who believes in making the world a better place one hack at a time. She makes him want to believe in different things; even things that may go against everything he believes in.

Laney Knox is one of the best at what she does. She takes down all kinds of criminals through hacking anything and everything; nothing is impossible with her skills--only now she's faced with an enemy that is playing with her and the people she's helping. The case that she's caught in brings back a lot of haunting memories, memories that she prefer to not think about anymore. Memories of a night that forever changed the way she lived and saw the world. But being around Reed makes her feel something she's never felt in a long time...safe. so she's willing to put her life--and heart--on the line to catch the bad guy causing mayhem in their city.

REVIEW:

I'm kind of ashamed to say that Deep Dark is the first book penned by Laura Griffin I've read. I tried checking Goodreads to see what else she's written, and to say that I was surprised to see the number of books she's written is an understatement. But at the same time, it made sense to me. Deep Dark, which apparently is the 10th installment of the Tracers series, has a certain flawlessness to it. Like whoever wrote this and came up with the storyline has obviously been doing it for quite some time. And Laura has produced a number of well-loved novels.

The story's pace was perfect, scenes weren't cut short or excessively lengthened for no reason; the setting descriptions were enough to paint a clear picture of what's happening and where it's happening, which is important in this case because we're brought to crime scenes, laboratories, and other locations and scenarios that require clear details; and most of the characters have layers that we all get a glimpse of because the story is told from multiple POVs--which I prefer 100%--giving the entire story more depth and color.

I am a huge fan of crime show dramas like Bones, Castle, Criminal Minds and the like, so I knew what I was looking for in a book that boasts of suspense and crime. These are some of the things that must be noted when discussing murder: cause of death, motive, murder weapon, point of entry. I don't know if everything stated in Deep Dark is indeed possible, but Laura Griffin sure had me believing EVERYTHING she wrote. The point of entry alone had the cops baffled, and even I was starting to think about all the possibilites. I cannot tell you how many times I talked to veronica (you'd get to know her once you read the book) to look at certain places and maybe this or that is what happened. But no-o-oh, Laura had something else in mind and it's so much more awesome--and plausible--than my assumptions.

You know what, Deep Dark has me so excited and there are so many things I'd like to tell you guys, but I can't without risking spoilers and possible lawsuits. But I will tell ya'll this, Deep Dark--or maybe even the entire series Laura Griffin wrote--can be turned into a TV show, in my opinion. The entire book was well-written, there is an air of danger in almost every page that even made me look if my bedroom door is closed, the characters were all realistic and relatable, and the chemistry between Laney and Reed is explosive. Not much to be said about the sex, but it's totally okay because it's not necessary to make the book better...it already is excellent.

SUMMARY:

What else can I say? Hmm, I will be reading the next installment of the Tracers series and quite possibly the first 9 as well, just so I'll know if Laura is consistent with the quality of her writing, because let's admit it, there are authors who'll write a masterpiece one day and provide total garbage the next. But I highly doubt that this is the case with Ms. Griffin since again, I've been reading a lot of positive reviews.

Do pick Deep Dark by Laura Griffin up you guys. I promise you, YOU. WILL. NOT. REGRET. IT. AT. ALL. It's romantic, mind-boggling, and nerve-wracking. It'll make you feel safe one second and let you know that you're still in danger the next. It's such an amazing read, one that will put you on the edge of your seat (or bed, your choice), and make you hold your breath. Two thumbs-up to Laura and all who made this book possible. Cheers.

RATING: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LAURA GRIFFIN started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. She is a two-time RITA Award winner as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award. Laura currently lives in Austin, where she is working on her next book.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website:  http://www.lauragriffin.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Griffin/206501652717671

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/Laura_Griff

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84181.Laura_Griffin

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

Book images provided by Tasty Book Tours

Ever since I've read author J.J. McAvoy's Ruthless People series, I've developed a thing for romance novels that involve organized crime. I say this with the risk of sounding like a bad person, but there's just something hot about a guy who won't bat an eye at killing someone that falls madly in love with a woman who brings out the best in him. And this is exactly what Mischa and Lauren: The Complete Collection offers.

Here's how we're going to do this. I'll be reviewing each book individually (if I can), then to summarize, I'll tell you what I think about the series as a whole, so basically what I thought of the box set. Ready? Let's get this ball rolling.

Title: Mishca and Lauren: The Complete Collection (Volkov Bratva, #1-3)

Author: London Miller

Publication Date: May 17, 2016

Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Organized Crime

Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29726998-mishca-and-lauren

SYNOPSIS:

Lauren was just a girl looking to make a fresh start in New York City, until she meets the man that will change everything she thought she knew. Spanning over two years, from the very beginning, until the sweet end, delve into the Volkov Bratva world and learn how it all began.

Mishca and Lauren: The Complete Collection contains the first three novels of the Volkov Bratva Series, as well as the companion novella...

*****



In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva #1) 

Twenty-year-old Lauren Thompson left her small town in Michigan to begin a new life in the Big Apple where no one knows her name or the tragedy that had rocked her family fifteen years prior. 

With new friends and an intriguing new love interest, starting over is easier than she expected...but Mishca Volkov isn't what he seems. As the son of a Russian Mob boss, he thrives in a world of chaos and fear, earning the title of Bratva Captain through blood and pain.

When the two cross paths, lines blur and passions ignite, bringing them closer than they could ever imagine. Until secrets from the past threaten to tear them apart. Can they fight past their demons...or were they doomed by fate before they ever met.

Until the End (Volkov Bratva #2)

Lauren Thompson

After learning the truth behind her father's tragic murder, Lauren vowed never to go near another Volkov again, but sometimes matters of the heart are too strong to resist...

Mishca Volkov

As a Captain in the Volkov Bratva, Mishca has pledged his loyalty to the Vory v Zakone, but he soon finds himself at odds with the life he's always known...

Until the End

When Mishca and Lauren fight to salvage their relationship, new obstacles present themselves, forcing the pair to make drastic choices that either tear them apart or bring them closer together...

The Final Hour (Volkov Bratva, #3)

Three months pass without incident, leading Mishca and Lauren to believe they can finally move on from the past and build a life together...but enemies both old and new lurk in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

When a dangerous threat presents itself, Lauren is forced to turn to the one person that would rather see Mishca dead than live happily ever after...she now has to step into a role that demands payment in blood.

Alliances are formed, one side fighting for survival, and the other for retribution.

No one can be trusted.

No one is safe.

War is coming.

...and not everyone will live to see the end of it.

Time Stood Still (Volkov Bratva, #3.5 Novella)

Can a love born of violence stand the test of time?

Despite a less than ideal start to their marriage, Mishca and Lauren are finally in a place where they do not have to look over their shoulders at every turn. Now that they are in a secure place, it's time for them to have the one thing Mishca had promised her before they took their vows.

A honeymoon...

Traveling to the sandy beaches of Sardinia, Italy, the couple will explore what brought them together in the first place, instead of the life that constantly threatens to tear them apart.

But as the newly appointed Boss of the Volkov Bratva, is it too late for Mishca to have an even remotely normal life...and is Lauren ready to face another challenge that neither of them saw coming...

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Lauren Thompson is a strong young woman who believes that everyone should get what they deserve. She grew up feeling isolated and conscious because of what she and her mother went through when her father died, hence she wanted to be more independent, open, and strong now that she has started a new chapter in her life. However, underneath all the soft-hearted and kind persona lies a woman who wants to pay blood with blood. She doesn't flinch at the site of violence and most definitely doesn't care about the lives of the people that wronged her family. Maybe she's not as fragile and nice as most people think she is.

Mischka Volkov never experienced what a real familial relationship is like. He's so used to prioritizing the Bratva that he doesn't care for much else, especially if it will make him appear weak. But what he didn't expect is the sense of completeness and contentedness he gets every time he's with Lauren. However, life is more complicated than that. With all the secrets he keep and the enemies he have, he's starting to doubt whether or not loving someone is worth all the serious, life-threatening risks.

REVIEW:

In The Beginning:

As the first book in a series, it's crucial for In the Beginning to build a strong foundation for the story and the characters. This is the perfect time for the author to set the tone and pace of the entire series, as well as hook the readers. Was London Miller successful in doing all this? Yes, yes she was.

I found it interesting that the opening scene was of Lauren's father, Doctor Cameron Thompson, thinking about his impending death. What kind of a person are you if your curiosity isn't piqued by something so dark and depressing? From that point on, I knew that I would read this book--and all the followings ones--and enjoy it. And I did, mind you, all in one day. 14 hours to be exact, I was able to finish the entire box set. And can I just say how happy I am that there are more books circling this world, because I don't think I'm ready to let go of Mishca, Klaus, and Luka.

The story progresses at an understandable pace, and the romance growth between Mischa and Lauren was believable. Their chemistry *low whistle* wow-oh-wow! I can practically feel their sexual tension crackling from outside the book, and that's saying something. Okay let me give you a spoiler...they didn't have sex. At least not in this book. If you feel disappointed now, don't be. Trust me. With everything that happened between them--the bad and the worse--you'd be happy that Lauren didn't give her V-card away because you would want to kill Mischa with your own hands at the end.

There were a lot of characters introduced here, which is both a curse and a blessing as we get to know different people who play important roles in the entire plot, but it's also easy to get a bit confused with the new names being thrown in left and right. But what should we expect right? It's an organized crime story, meaning there are a lot of people involved. Speaking of character though, I just want to give Lauren a big round of applause. She's not a trained killer or a member of an important family, but the fact that she was able to standup for herself and prove to people that she shouldn't be messed with is note-worthy.

Overall, In the Beginning is definitely a great start to a wonderful series.

Until the End:

The second installment in the series starts off quite differently. It's told from Naomi Le Feuvre's point-of-view. She's a woman who's used to getting whatever she wants by playing with other people's minds and feelings. In a nutshell, she's a manipulative bitch. Unfortunately for everyone else, her latest exploit brought upon chaos to the streets of New York, all the way from Albania.

Until the End is a new chapter in the lives of Lauren and Mischa. With a less than pleasant end from book 1, book 2 takes a play at forgiveness, redemption, and trust, along with other things of course. We get to see a whole other side to all our characters, some for the better and some for the worst. But for me, slightly better than the character growth is the story development. 

Unlike In the Beginning, Until the End showcases the real, gruesome, and violent side of the mob life. We see people kill and people die, and we see how Lauren deals with this side of Mischa's life. There was this one scene that I really liked; Lauren was repeatedly being disrespected by one of Mikhail's, Mischa's father and Pakhan, men. And to punish the guy, Mischa repeatedly stabs the guy's hands...while Lauren watches. SO. AWESOME. 

A couple of important characters are introduced in this installment while a few others were removed. There were also a few people that we don't really get to see much of like Lauren's friends, mother, and Ross. Mikhail also doesn't show much of himself apart from the first couple of chapters. This is really where London Miller starts establishing who the core characters are in the story as a whole. 

Oh and you DON'T want to miss out on the cliffhanger of this book. You won't believe it. 

The Final Hour: 

After such an intense ending of Until the End, The Final Hour picks up from where the Albanian Mob seeks revenge. Meanwhile, back in New York, things between Lauren and Mischa are amazing. Lauren is graduating, Alex is finally in good terms with them again, and Mischa proposes! Actually they also get married in this book ... then Mischa gets shot in the chest by a sniper ... on their wedding day ... just when they were walking towards the guests. A pretty eventful wedding if you ask me. 

But things aren't all that bad as this incident finally brought Klaus in their little group. Who is this Klaus that I keep mentioning? You'd have to read to find out *wink*. 

There are a lot more humor in this installment, and we also get to see things from other characters' perspective like Luka, Klaus, and Alex. However, I feel like Lauren doesn't really shine in this book. It's as though she's became timid and reserved when things started crumbling around them. Speaking of crumbling, the twist London throws readers here is something I NEVER saw coming. I can't say what it is of course, but it is honestly heartbreaking. Tears were shed and my heart did break in a certain scene where Mischa's mind and heart were at war with each other. He was breaking down and I just can't handle the things that happened from that point on. 

London's seamless story telling skill is amazing. I loved how she gave us glimpses of Luka and Klaus' pasts, the demons that follow them around, and the scars--physically, emotionally, and mentally--they carry 24/7. But what I loved more is how she showed us how these seemingly messed up people can work together and make Mischa's "mission" a success. 

I can't say much anymore because I will end up revealing more than I already have, which I don't want to do because I want ya'll to experience what I did. 

Time Stood Still: 

I don't have much to say about this short addition to the series, except that it's nice seeing Mischa and Lauren as a regular married couple. Well maybe not so regular, but as normal as they can be. 

Alex and Luka's bickering also gets worse here and we start seeing the latter's carefully crafted facade start to break the more the former pushes. I really can't wait to see them together, which I would hopefully do in part 4 of the Volkov Bratvs which is unfortunately not part of this box set.

SUMMARY:

Like all other series, this one is not perfect. There were a lot of holes I'm still looking to fill, a lot of people I feel just disappeared and weren't given enough emphasis, and a lot of questions left unanswered. But I guess that's exactly what the author wanted to do so we'd be more inclined to immerse ourselves deeper in this world she created.

In a nutshell, I LOVED Mischa and Lauren: The Complete Collection books 1-3.5. I craved the complexity of the characters and of the situations, I yearned to dig deeper and learn more about them and their pasts, and I'm excited to see what lies ahead in their bumpy and risky journey. 

RATING: 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon (#FREE with #KindleUnlimited)

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Amazon AU

Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

With a degree in Creative Writing, London Miller has turned pen to paper, creating riveting fictional worlds where the bad guys are sometimes the good guys. Her debut novel, In the Beginning, is the first in the Volkov Bratva Series. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two puppies, where she drinks far too much Sprite, and spends her nights writing.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.londonmillerauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/londonmillerauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7246705.London_Miller

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/London-Miller/e/B00G71HF2W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1459487359&sr=8-1

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Book images from Indiesage PR and Goodreads