Showing posts with label intense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label intense. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2015

By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower


 

A deadly rivalry.
Two families at war.
Nobody is safe, not even the innocent.
Especially the innocent.
Blood will be spilled.

Genevieve "Genna" Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it's engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following.

Matteo "Matty" Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It's his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy... even if that enemy means something to him.

A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna's young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She's heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them?

The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents' feud.

 
6 Beautiful Star Crossed Stars
 
J.M. Darhower did it again. She created a story I loved, craved and I couldn’t get enough of.
 
#BOOKHANGOVER
 
I loved LOVED LOVED By Any Other Name (BAON). It had EVERYTHING I look for in a read.
 
Romance CHECK
 
Star-crossed lovers CHECK
 
Drama CHECK
 
Steam CHECK
 
LOVEABLE characters CHECK
 
Genna is a Galante and Matty is a Barsanti. Sixteen years ago a tragedy occurred which altered the relationships between both families.  Two families, once two friends are now enemies. Matty has been away since the tragedy, but he’s back in town. 
 
Genna and Matty get stuck in an elevator and develop a fast and insta-lust relationship.  Neither know who each other are and do not care.
 
Oh god, could the beginning get any better? I love the Prologue. It set the tone of the book and it got me ready for the string events, because this is a Darhower book, I know I’m going to get emotional.  I loved how Genna and Matty meet.  It’s very fast, but the pace was PERFECT.
 I can’t stress how much I love the tone and pace of this book. I could have read hundreds of more pages, yet I was completely satisfied with the amount I got.
 
It’s like pure magic.
 
Of course, nothing good can happen with two star crossed lovers and thus the angst, drama and roller coaster of events begin. I gobbled it up like a hooker needing a fix. I love every second of it. I love the secondary characters too. I loved reading about Genna’s brother, Dante and Matty’s brother Enzo. I love that the book is focused around family.
 
I love the main characters as well. Genna’s character is at first reckless and I question how much I was going to like her, but soon, I saw her true colors and it made me simply like her more. She’s a strong girl, but has a heart of gold and loves her family.
 
I like how Matty was never involved in his family, but when got back in town, he’s thrown in the thick of it and he doesn’t want anything to do with it. I love his positive relationship with his brother and I love his affection with Genna.
 
The thing that worked so well for me was just the balance of everything. I had just enough everything and it always kept me on my toes. I had the right balance of backstory, character development, issues and getting to the big finale that left me with a good book hangover.
 
If you are a fan of Sempre, Darhower or just want a good romance book, THIS IS FOR YOU. I recommend to all.    
 


"A Roman Coke," Genna mused. "What's that?"

"It's rum and Coke. We just call it a Roman Coke around here."

"Because you're Italian?"

"And because when you get drunk enough, it all just slurs together anyway."

"Ah." Genna picked hers up, motioning toward him with it. "So what are we drinking to?"

"Today."

"Today?"

He nodded. "Right now, this moment. Let's drink to it."

Smiling, she clinked her glass with his. "Today, then."

They threw them back at the same time. The liquor hit Genna's taste buds and she grimaced, the vicious burn seeping down her throat and settling deep in her chest. "Ugh, is there even any Coke in this damn thing?"

Matty laughed, setting his empty glass down. "Just a splash."

"I couldn't tell."

"That's because I prefer it that way," he responded. "Strong and rough, enough to leave a lingering ache. I like it to hurt just a bit."

Oh good God. Those words sent a chill down Genna's spine, one she couldn't hide, as Matty waved for the waitress. Eyes never leaving Genna, he ordered another round of drinks.
"Another?" she asked, picking up the water to take another sip, this one to soothe the sting in her chest. "You said one drink."

A sly smile curved his lips. "I like to keep them coming."

"Is that right?"

"Absolutely." Matty stood, leaning across the table, his lips near her ear. "Maybe you'll let me show you later."



J.M. Darhower is a USA Today bestselling author, best known for her Mafia romantic suspense novels. She lives in a tiny town in rural North Carolina, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and speaking out against human trafficking, and when she isn't busy writing (or being a fangirl) she's usually ranting about those things.
 


 
AMAZON $2.99

Friday, September 5, 2014

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre

Black LiesBlack Lies by Alessandra Torre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 WOW stars

My girlfriend suggested this book to me and I must say…

ALL THE REVIEWS are Justified!!

You will be hooked

It’s a page turner

YOU.WILL.LOVE.IT!!!!


I was told not to read the summary and JUST READ and I did that. Just do it. All the kids are doing it. Pick up this book and read it. Go into it BLIND. You will not be disappointed.

Here’s the minimal of what you need to know.

THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE STORY

What you think you know, just push it out of your head. Go into this with an open mind and KEEP on reading until the VERY END!

There’s a girl named Lana and she is probably the coolest Heroine ever. She’s strong, smart and knows what she wants. She’s SUPER passionate and loves like crazy. I love her and I would do EVERYTHING she does. You will struggle with her character, you will question her motives and probably want to hit her a few times, but in the end, you will just accept it
.
There’s a Hero named Brant and Lee. They are complete opposites. I know, you are probably wondering, who can I love a love triangle? I just simply do. It’s crazy. The author created a story where I loved them both and in the end, Lana does pick the one you want her to be with.

Brant is nerdy billionaire with an absent mind. He may not remember dates and stand Lana up a few times, but he has a kind heart and loves Lana like crazy. You will love him like crazy.

Lee is a sexy male. He knows what he wants and doesn’t give two cents on what people think of him. He’s the “bad boy” you want to hate, but love. You’re panties will melt and you will want Lana to stop seeing him, but not really.

Like I said, this isn’t your typical love story and it’s a story of a girl loving two different men. It will make you go crazy, it will make you want to rip your hair out, but in the end you are left satisfied with a MAJOR BOOK HANG OVER

Black Lies by Alessandra TorreAMAZON