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Gabriel
Twinkle twinkle little bazooka, how I wonder why I used you after having sambuca. Up above the world so high, you’re making a big explosion in the sky.
Vanna always knew she’d never have a normal life, no matter how much she longed for it. She was born into a world where the only way out was in a body bag.
To end a war, her father signs a marriage contract, binding her to a man she‘s never met.
Gabriel Olysses is a member of the biggest crime family in Chicago. And he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure they stay at the top. Even if it means entering into an arranged marriage.
But what he isn’t prepared for is someone as seductive as Vanna. And what started out as an arrangement soon turns into a real relationship.
Has she finally found salvation, or is her nightmare only beginning? Because in their lives, until death do you part is an oath to live by.
This is the second book in the Tainted Kings series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are story elements that weave through each book, so they are best enjoyed read in order.
Note from the My characters like to get it on and sometimes swear. Every book has a HEA and there’s no cheating.
Vanna always knew she’d never have a normal life, no matter how much she longed for it. She was born into a world where the only way out was in a body bag.
To end a war, her father signs a marriage contract, binding her to a man she‘s never met.
Gabriel Olysses is a member of the biggest crime family in Chicago. And he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure they stay at the top. Even if it means entering into an arranged marriage.
But what he isn’t prepared for is someone as seductive as Vanna. And what started out as an arrangement soon turns into a real relationship.
Has she finally found salvation, or is her nightmare only beginning? Because in their lives, until death do you part is an oath to live by.
This is the second book in the Tainted Kings series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are story elements that weave through each book, so they are best enjoyed read in order.
Note from the My characters like to get it on and sometimes swear. Every book has a HEA and there’s no cheating.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2023
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Peis
25 books99 followersI love the written word in all forms and shapes and if I'm not glued to a book I'm attempting to write one.
I’m a frequent blonde moment sufferer and still trying to figure out how to adult. I live in Melbourne, Australia, with my two little humans, the holder of my heart and two furry demons. I love to hear from readers so feel free to get in touch.
I’m a frequent blonde moment sufferer and still trying to figure out how to adult. I live in Melbourne, Australia, with my two little humans, the holder of my heart and two furry demons. I love to hear from readers so feel free to get in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2023
I ended up enjoying this novel quite a lot. It’s not my usual cup of tea - I don’t generally read crime family romance. As I began the story I felt every bit of Vanna’s nervous horror and resignation at being forced into an arranged marriage by her crime boss father. Phenomenal writing! In some ways Gabriel is equally boxed in by family expectations, though his parents and siblings are kind, thoughtful people who befriend Vanna. Watching Vanna come into herself and seeing a true romance develop with Gabriel was quite fascinating. There is even an adorable dog in the story (which is always a good thing). By the end of the story I was pleased I had the chance to read and review this book.
Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of this novel and asked to review it.
Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of this novel and asked to review it.
March 14, 2023
I love reading about the Olysses family. This series is known as the Tainted Kings series, and you will fall in love with this family, even though they are a crime/mob family. This is Gabriel Olysses' story. The Olysses family and the Volkov family have decided to call a "truce" of sorts by joining forces in an arranged marriage. Gabriel will marry Vanna Volkov. Vanna is a 20 year old woman (soon to be 21) who has lived a sheltered life (not by choice). Her father is a real jerk. Both parties know they have no choice in this marriage, and they are abiding by their duty. An arranged marriage, two crime families and two people who do not know each other and do not really want to know each other do not make for a happy wedding day.
Although Vanna is not happy with the arranged marriage, she is very excited to be free from her the clutches of her father, even though she is holding onto a secret that could destroy that freedom if Gabriel finds out about this secret. This is a slow burn romance, and Gabriel finds himself attracted to Vanna. She provides a light that he never realized he needed. The Olysses' family are interesting characters. They are serious about their business and will not hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way, but they also provide comic relief. The brothers of this family are constantly picking on one another.
Vanna's father is a monster that you will want to reach into the pages of the book and slap.
I sped through the pages of this book all while cheering for Vanna's true freedom. Sarah Peis has another homerun hit with this one. I look forward to reading future stories about the Olysses family. I highly recommend that you start with the Locked Security Series and move forward to the first book in this series, Liam. You will more fully understand the family dynamics if you read these books in order, and trust me, you will enjoy all of them.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Although Vanna is not happy with the arranged marriage, she is very excited to be free from her the clutches of her father, even though she is holding onto a secret that could destroy that freedom if Gabriel finds out about this secret. This is a slow burn romance, and Gabriel finds himself attracted to Vanna. She provides a light that he never realized he needed. The Olysses' family are interesting characters. They are serious about their business and will not hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way, but they also provide comic relief. The brothers of this family are constantly picking on one another.
Vanna's father is a monster that you will want to reach into the pages of the book and slap.
I sped through the pages of this book all while cheering for Vanna's true freedom. Sarah Peis has another homerun hit with this one. I look forward to reading future stories about the Olysses family. I highly recommend that you start with the Locked Security Series and move forward to the first book in this series, Liam. You will more fully understand the family dynamics if you read these books in order, and trust me, you will enjoy all of them.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 25, 2023
WOW !!! To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. That may be because this is the second book in the "Tainted Kings" series and I did not read the first one. I did, however, read "Charge: A Locked Security Novel" which introduced me to the Olysses crime family and the Russian mob. Peis does a good job of giving the reader enough information from previous books that it was not necessary to read the first book, "Liam", but I still wish I had read it and I would recommend others read it to help the story flow (and because it is just that good).
The story was well done. I know an author does a good job when she has me hating her main character (H) at the beginning and loving him at the end while loving the female (h) lead throughout the story. Peis painted Gabriel exactly the way he needed to be: gruff, bitter, beligerent, and even somewhat hostile. She described Vanna beautifully well also: vulnerable, beaten down (literally), defenseless, acquiescent. As the story develops, so do the feelings and the attributes of Gabriel and Vanna. Gabriel becomes more sympathetic at the same time that Vanna's strength of character grows.
There is a strong sense of duty and family responsibility for both Gabriel and Vanna throught the book. Most people may be able to relate better to Gabriel's situation than to Vanna's but each knew what his/her commitment would entail and was willing to sacrifice his/her own happiness for the good of the family. This makes me wonder what Peis has in store for "Jude" in the third book of the series!
I recived an ARC for an honest review.
The story was well done. I know an author does a good job when she has me hating her main character (H) at the beginning and loving him at the end while loving the female (h) lead throughout the story. Peis painted Gabriel exactly the way he needed to be: gruff, bitter, beligerent, and even somewhat hostile. She described Vanna beautifully well also: vulnerable, beaten down (literally), defenseless, acquiescent. As the story develops, so do the feelings and the attributes of Gabriel and Vanna. Gabriel becomes more sympathetic at the same time that Vanna's strength of character grows.
There is a strong sense of duty and family responsibility for both Gabriel and Vanna throught the book. Most people may be able to relate better to Gabriel's situation than to Vanna's but each knew what his/her commitment would entail and was willing to sacrifice his/her own happiness for the good of the family. This makes me wonder what Peis has in store for "Jude" in the third book of the series!
I recived an ARC for an honest review.
March 8, 2023
Arraigned marriage, Dual POV, Suspense/Slow Burn Romance
This is the story of the second brother Gabriel and Vanna. Gabriel has taken over the family's business, Hanna has had an extremely struck up bringing and also been beaten at times. This story captivated me from the start and had me wanting to knock Gabriel upside the head a few times...🤦But shows you the amazing talent in writing!! Between smiling and griting my teeth...Loved this book!! Amazing characters,angsty emotional drama, suspence, action drama, and awesome family..highly recommended!!
I received this as an ARC and voluntarily leaving my review.
This is the story of the second brother Gabriel and Vanna. Gabriel has taken over the family's business, Hanna has had an extremely struck up bringing and also been beaten at times. This story captivated me from the start and had me wanting to knock Gabriel upside the head a few times...🤦But shows you the amazing talent in writing!! Between smiling and griting my teeth...Loved this book!! Amazing characters,angsty emotional drama, suspence, action drama, and awesome family..highly recommended!!
I received this as an ARC and voluntarily leaving my review.
March 10, 2023
'Gabriel' was enthralling. What could possibly go wrong in an arranged marriage where the groom was an overbearing alpha male and the head of the family's mafia faction and while growing up, the bride was physically and emotionally abused by her father? Sparks, action, and more sparks occurred. I liked the author's writing style: interesting and engaging characters, witty dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a compelling storyline that held the reader's interest. Overall, I liked the narrative.
I received a copy for free and I am voluntarily giving my honest review.
I received a copy for free and I am voluntarily giving my honest review.
March 19, 2023
Having read the first novel in the series, I found it quite easy to get into this story with elaborate family and mafia connections. Gabriel and Vanna begin their relationship as a contract, but slowly it changes into more. I really liked all the subtle details and deceptions, within both sides of the families which just made the story all that more interesting. Looking forward to how Jude’s story fits into the overall series plot!
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review
May 15, 2023
This one is all about Gabriel and Vanna, with some of our favorite family thrown in. Gabriel has taken Liam's place as boss of the family, so he is to marry Vanna, the Russian princess.
They have a beautiful wedding, but things don't quite get off on the right foot, and after awhile, it's clear neither of them are happy about it.
This is a great story, I hate seeing what Vanna had and did go through, but she found her knight and will get her HEA. This one has a little update on Liam and Quinn too!!!
They have a beautiful wedding, but things don't quite get off on the right foot, and after awhile, it's clear neither of them are happy about it.
This is a great story, I hate seeing what Vanna had and did go through, but she found her knight and will get her HEA. This one has a little update on Liam and Quinn too!!!
March 6, 2023
It was the story about the second brother, now head of the organization, how he had to marry not for love, but to avoid a big feud with the head of the Russian mafia. Her upbringing was more than awful and you have to feel for her. He wasn’t very nice at the beginning, more rude and negligent. But after just a short time he was head over heels for her, that was a bit fast for me, how fast he changed. All in all it was a good read for a Sunday afternoon, but could have been with a bit more depth
March 16, 2023
Wow explosive.
Vanna is promised in an arranged marriage to Chicago Mafia boss, Gabriel but pretty soon that discomfort turns to lust.
Danger, suspense and intense moments really whisk this book away.
The love and chemistry that Vanna had for Gabriel was fiery and their attraction was inevitable.
Well done I enjoyed this book. Sarah writes an in depth and emotional book and one I highly recommend. Great story!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.
Vanna is promised in an arranged marriage to Chicago Mafia boss, Gabriel but pretty soon that discomfort turns to lust.
Danger, suspense and intense moments really whisk this book away.
The love and chemistry that Vanna had for Gabriel was fiery and their attraction was inevitable.
Well done I enjoyed this book. Sarah writes an in depth and emotional book and one I highly recommend. Great story!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.
March 17, 2023
This book was not what I expected.
I never expected a mafia book, especially this book to be inspirational and heart warming. But that's exactly what happened.
Vanna deserved all the stars so she got them.
With the book itself I would of loved some more of the mafia side of things/suspense, but that's just me being a greedy black soul.
It was told the way it was needed to and I have a feeling Jude will make up for it.
I never expected a mafia book, especially this book to be inspirational and heart warming. But that's exactly what happened.
Vanna deserved all the stars so she got them.
With the book itself I would of loved some more of the mafia side of things/suspense, but that's just me being a greedy black soul.
It was told the way it was needed to and I have a feeling Jude will make up for it.
April 23, 2023
Wow! From the first chapter I knew this would be an intense story. Crime Families aren't my thing but the author writes about the relationships inside the families and she does it quite well - I'm always hooked right away! This book has everything expected from Ms. Peis, crazy plots (by crazy people), intense characters as well as fun and quirky too, very steamy scenes, plenty of laughter, broken hearts and mended hearts. Her storylines are always amazing!
March 14, 2023
New author for me - enjoyed this book, I would read more from this series / author.
May 4, 2023
It was supposed to be Liam standing before the 300 guests and Gabriel was supposed to be sitting as a guest...not as the groom. Ignoring the priest trying to get his attention he wondered what was taking his bride so long. Everyone had been horrified when he suggested the Justice of the Peace instead of this farce of a wedding. Who needed ten bridesmaids - which meant he had to have ten men standing up for him.
An arranged marriage had been agreed upon years earlier to bind their family with the Russian Bratva, but his oldest brother Liam had found a loophole in order for him to marry Quinn, their sister's best friend and the woman he had been obsessed with since they traveled to Ferguson to save their sister from the Irish mob.
He had no clue who would be walking down the aisle. They had never seen a photo and as hard as Aleksandr wanted to get rid of her she was probably ugly. Not that this would be anything except a marriage on paper. But his eyes narrowed because her father had told him she was quiet and accommodating. Now her father is practically dragging her down the aisle telling him to make sure that she doesn't run before they say their vows.
Vanna Volko could barely breathe with the corset strings being pulled so tight. Did they think restricting her oxygen would keep her from running? Not that it was an option. Her father was determined to bind the two most powerful families in Chicago no matter how much she tried to beg and plead. Not that he ever cared about what happened to her.
Her father had made every decision in her life only to hand her off to another. All she knew was his name...Gabriel Olysses. But her father had ulterior motives for this union. One she must not fail.
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. As I stated in my previous reviews, this is a standalone novel, but I highly recommend that you not only read book one of this series first, but also the Locked Security series which this series was spun-off of. The characters are recurring and their is an underlying mystery that weaves through each book.
Vanna has not had an easy life. Her father is a true monster and even though she falls in love with the closeness of Gabriel's family she knows that her betrayal will take it all away.
This book is steamy hot, full of action and suspense and I can't wait to read Jude's story. Highly recommend!
An arranged marriage had been agreed upon years earlier to bind their family with the Russian Bratva, but his oldest brother Liam had found a loophole in order for him to marry Quinn, their sister's best friend and the woman he had been obsessed with since they traveled to Ferguson to save their sister from the Irish mob.
He had no clue who would be walking down the aisle. They had never seen a photo and as hard as Aleksandr wanted to get rid of her she was probably ugly. Not that this would be anything except a marriage on paper. But his eyes narrowed because her father had told him she was quiet and accommodating. Now her father is practically dragging her down the aisle telling him to make sure that she doesn't run before they say their vows.
Vanna Volko could barely breathe with the corset strings being pulled so tight. Did they think restricting her oxygen would keep her from running? Not that it was an option. Her father was determined to bind the two most powerful families in Chicago no matter how much she tried to beg and plead. Not that he ever cared about what happened to her.
Her father had made every decision in her life only to hand her off to another. All she knew was his name...Gabriel Olysses. But her father had ulterior motives for this union. One she must not fail.
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. As I stated in my previous reviews, this is a standalone novel, but I highly recommend that you not only read book one of this series first, but also the Locked Security series which this series was spun-off of. The characters are recurring and their is an underlying mystery that weaves through each book.
Vanna has not had an easy life. Her father is a true monster and even though she falls in love with the closeness of Gabriel's family she knows that her betrayal will take it all away.
This book is steamy hot, full of action and suspense and I can't wait to read Jude's story. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews