Highest Bidder

Billionaire Bratva #1

by K.C. Crowne

A million dollar bid for an hour with me...
Brings me face to face with a magnetic man with a heart colder than Everest.  
  
He's dark, commanding, and most of all... charismatic as h*ll.
In fact, the night we met, my mysterious bidder had me wanting to do things I'd never admit. 
I did them willingly, feeling secure in the fact I'd never see him again.  
 
Boy was I wrong...

"Welcome to CyberFort Security. The CEO will be here to greet you shortly."

A man with a familiar deep sexy voice catches my attention.
 
"Ms. Foster?"

The hairs on the back of my neck rise up. 
 
Mikhail clenches his jaw. 
 
If there is one thing I know about this man there is nothing more important to him than control.
And I've just thrown the infamous cold hearted C.E.O. for a godd*mn loop.

I need this job but​​​ can I ever feel safe around him now? Or am I just a pawn in a deadly game? A game that involves me doing everything in my power to protect the baby growing inside me.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Romance, Billionaires, Billionaire Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Workplace Romance

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2023

About the author

️‍🔥Silver Fox Daddies (complete standalones)
1. Doctor Daddy
2. Taboo Daddy
3. Daddy's Best Friend
4. Daddy's Law
5. My Ex-Boyfriend's Dad
6. Daddy's Girl
7. My Ex-Best Friend's Daughter
8. Secret Daddy
9. Christmas with Dad's Best Friend
10. Vegas Daddy
11. Daddy's Obsession
12. Royal Daddy
13. Irish King
14. My Ex's Dad
15. Daddy's Orders
16. His Demands
17. The Arrangement
18. Sold to my Ex's Dad
19. Sexting the Silver Fox
20. Nanny for the Don
21. Dark Christmas
22. Sexting the Don
23. Boss Daddy
24. Forbidden Vows
25. Sinful Union
26. His Son's Ex
27. Under His Control
28. Masked Seduction

️‍🔥Chicago Bratva Series (shared world, bratva family)
1. Dark Prince
2. Dark Obsession
3. Dark Seduction

️‍🔥Antonov & Nicolaevich Bratva Series (shared world, bratva family)
1. Highest bidder
2. Bratva Daddy
3. Owned by the Bratva
4. Knocked up by the Bratva
5. Ruthless Rival
6. Scarred Prince
7. The Closer
8. Brother's Best Friend
9. Devil's Nuptials

️‍🔥For Her Pleasure, Reverse Harem Books (complete standalones)
1. Four Daddies for Christmas
2. Christmas Triad
3. Her Independence Day
4. Quadruple Daddies
5. Bossed by 3 Billionaire Brothers
6. Four Stepbrothers for Christmas
7. Christmas with Four Tattoo Artists
8. Men on a Mission
9. Christmas with Four Firemen
10. Dirty Cowboys
11. Big Bad Mountain Brothers (Menage)

️‍🔥Doctors of Denver Series (shared world, small town doctors)
1. Doctor's Secret
2. Doctor's Surprise Delivery
3. Irish Doctor's Secret Babies
4. Triplets for the Millionaire
5. Doctor's Baby Plan
6. New Zealand Doctor's Baby
7. Doctor's Duties
8. Billion Dollar Mistake
9. Irish Doctor's Gift
10. Irish Doctor's Orders
11. Irish Doctor's Valentine
12. Lucky Charm
13. Secret Babies for my Best Friend's Dad
14. Secret Baby Next Door
15. Secret Babies for the Mafia Doctor
16. Secret Babies for my Dad's Best Friend
17. The Doctor Who Stole Christmas

️‍🔥Mountain Men of Liberty Series (shared world, small town mountain men)
1. Baby for the Mountain Man
2. Junior for the Mountain Man
3. Knocked Up by the Mountain Man
4. Baby for Daddy's Best Friend
5. Triplets for the Mountain Man
6. Taken by the Mountain Man
7. Mountain Man's Secret Baby
8. Mountain Man's Accidental Surprise
9. Quadruplets for the Mountain Man
10. Delivering His Gifts
11. Mountain Man's Fate
12. Mountain Man's Lucky Charm
13. Mountain Man's Rival
14. Small Town Mountain Daddy
15. Mountain Man's Gift
16. Mountain Man's Christmas Surprise
17. Mountain Man's Valentine
18. Big Daddy
19. Fireworks with Three Mountain Men
20. Faking Mr. Right

️‍🔥Bearded Brothers (shared world, small town mountain men)
1. Her Mountain Daddy
2. Beauty and the Beard
3. Built and Bearded
4. Bride and Beard

Connect with me anytime!
https://authorkccrowne.com/pages/contact

Reviews

[Catie Busen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFd

It’s a good storyline, but I’m not very impressed in the writing of the chemistry is the author did honestly, this could have been written so much better

Take the first s*xual relation outside of the auction in his office. They were talking normally and out of no where she comes on to him. It didn’t vibe right and it seem to be coming completely out of left field.

I had to DNF, there was absolutely no chemistry and she was acting like they have been together for years and that she is entitled to everything.

[Katie O’Reilly]

Note to self not to read this author after the evidence that they write with AI

[Alberta]

When my eyes start to roll upward, it’s time to stop which I did after 17%

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick mafia romance with lots of action and little betrayal. I'm not sure if I'll jump into the next book or not.

[Maxine Galbreath · Rating 1 out of 5]

Juvenile!

Aurora is simply too juvenile even for a 22 year old! She acts more like 13! And to have her attracted to a 60 year old man is rather disgusting. Her friend Charlotte was just as childish. I have read other books by K.C. Crowne and enjoyed them. I do not like childish heroines and that is who Aurora seems to be. Too stupid to quickly explain she is not married and ridiculously enamoured of a 60 year old guy!! Please do better.

[꒰ঌAlejandra໒꒱ ♥️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I read three books in one. Highest Bidder starts out at a charity auction and a million dollars for one hour. Then a cyber security company boss x new employee. Then the Bratva are involved. It really has a bit of everything. I didn’t mind it, I found it very entertaining.

Spice level (1-5): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Kink level (1-3): ⛓️ Praise

Aurora’s roommate is sick, but she needs to make rent. Aurora reluctantly agrees to replace her at a nude fundraiser gig. Nobody told her she would be auctioned off for an hour to the highest bidder. And the highest bidder paid one million for an hour of her time. Sparks fly and the attraction is mutual. Once their time is up they will part ways and never see each other again. No harm no foul. When Aurora starts her new job on Monday she is shocked to recognize her new boss.

I would recommend Highest Bidder to all romance readers. If you like age gap, Bratva, insta lust, office romance, boss, scandalous first meeting, lol you saw your boss naked, women in men dominated jobs, praise, surprise baby, billionaires, etc you’ll love the Highest Bidder. This book does contain abduction, and violence. For the readers who can’t decide what type of romance they want to read this one is for you!

Warning: Reading Highest Bidder may make you think about your cyber security. May make you want to go to a charity event in hopes a billionaire will bid for you. May make you want to learn Russian. May make you want someone to call you Kisa. May make you suspicious of the next guy that buys you a drink. Read responsibly.

*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*

[A.B. Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a much different book than the blurb implies, and because of that it didn't quite live up to my hopes.

In reality, this is about a family dethroned by the Bratva, and the their uncle's attempt to lure them back into it.

The romance seemed to be more of an afterthought.

[.ೃ࿐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Did you write me a book of poetry?”
“No.”
“Would you, if I asked?”
“Believe me, my love. The world would be a better place without my attempts at flowery language.”

Aurora Foster & Mikhail Antonov

[Karen ♐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was an okay beginning to the series but I wasn't blown away. Aurora is young and she falls for an older man, Mikhail, after meeting at a function where she stepped in for her roommate. She then discovers when she starts her internship that he is the CEO of the company. I didn't really feel the chemistry between these two. But the second half of the book redeemed it for me with the twists and turns. I will give the second book a try.

Also, unrelated to the book itself, I got the virtual audio and it was so monotone, I turned it off and just read the ebook.

[Addicted 2 📖 · Rating 1 out of 5]

so much hope

DNF at 57% was getting worse.
Great premise. Unfortunately not well written.
Horrible FMC - annoying, immature and gets all her info on Bratva from books..yeah not something you want to actually write into a book
Zero chemistry

[Rose Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out with so much promise, and then it turned in an odd direction from where it began. The whole thing fit with the Bratva vibe, but it was like reading two different stories. One was this boss/employee whoops I did something sexual with you before I knew you were going to be my boss thing, and the other part was let's be Bratva queen in Russia and do Russian stuff (there's more; I don't want to spoil it). It was a bit of whiplash for me. I felt like it needed to stick with one or the other. The mashing of these specific tropes just didn't work for me. It wasn't a bad book, but with the way it started, I thought this book was going to be freaking fantastic. Like, that beginning part--wowie.

Billionaire Bratva Series
-Review of Highest Bidder (Billionaire Bratva, #1)
-Review of Bratva Daddy (Billionaire Bratva, #2)
-Review of Owned by the Bratva (Billionaire Bratva, #3)
-Review of Knocked up by the Bratva (Billionaire Bratva, #4)

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aurora and Mikhail meet under unusual circumstances but when Mikhail’s past puts her in danger can he keep her safe? Does he know who he can trust? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, suspense and steam. Great characters, intense chemistry and a read with plenty of twists and turn. I liked it.

[Mzlegz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missing pieces

While the story kept me hooked, there were clearly missing pieces. When she went from one baby to twins? When did they get married? The rescue of the father? Sure there was more but that’s all I can remember now.

[annette k · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Read!

These two characters heat up the sheets along with there banter. The chemistry is off the charts, but when the secrets come out will Aurora stick or run?

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highest Bidder is book one in the Antonov Billionaire Series. A Billionaire Boss Romance. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating or cliffhanger and guaranteed happily-ever-after. The story was beautifully written with well developed characters and written by revenge. It's fast paced, pulse-pounding, mind-blowing, gripping and riveting. It's unputdownable and addicting. It grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat with it's non-stop twists and turns, mystery, and suspense. This Mikhail Antonov and Aurora Foster story. Charlotte and Aurora are roommates but Charlotte was very sick and has to work at fundraiser.
She begged Aurora to cover for her at Ritz as nude waitress for one night, assuring her that no one would know her identity because everyone would be wearing a mask. Aurora agrees to help however, the job is not what she thought it was all about. The performance art exhibit also includes an charity auction where the highest bidder bid on the nude waitress. Billionaire Tech mogul Mikhail a.k.a. Misha Antonov was also at the hotel in hopes procuring a prospective client for Cyberfort, his multi-billion dollar cybersecurity company that he and his three brothers owns and operates. He run is company with questionable ethics and uses ruthless methods. Mikhail was about to leave when they announced the auction with the servers for one hour. When Mikhail see Aurora he's drawn to her and wants her whatever Mikhail wants he gets. The bidding started once it got to a fever pitch Mikhail bid one million dollars for one hour. The two had an intimate night where he had her wanting to do things she would never admit. She did them willing because she knew that she would never see him again.
Boy was Aurora she wrong, she show up for her internship at Cyberfort Security the next day to start her new job and got the shock of her life after meet three employers Dimitri, Pyotr and Luka. As soon as he said Good Morning! Welcome to Cyberfort Security she knew that it was her bidder. Mikhail is the CEO of the company, at the sound of his voice she was standing there wishing last night was a dream. Mikhail is a man who likes control and Aurora has just unintentionally thrown the billionaire CEO for a loop. She can see frustration through the clenching of his jaw.
Aurora disrupt Mikhail sanity and he couldn't stay away from her. Their chemistry was magnetic and electrifying. Highest Bidder contains violence, danger, fear, lies, threats, secrets, kidnapping, friendship, secret baby, survival, mystery, anger, revenge plot, betrayal, enemy, chaos, suspense, drama, family issues, opposite attracts, insta-lust, age gap trope, deception, murder, lust at for sight, employer/employee relationship, action packed, secret secret sexy time, surprises, pawn, retaliation, revelations, passion, power, control, manipulations, love and so much more. Mikhail uncle Konstantin is the head of the Antonov Bratva in Russia and wants him to come back to Russia and be a part of the Bratva. He uses ruthless methods to get Mikhail to do what he want him to do.
Konstantin is a evil, vile and vicious man. About thirty years ago his mother escape Russia with her three children and her unborn child to United States after her husband turned his brother in for his crimes and sent him to prison. Mikhail raised his three brothers and have built a successful cybersecurity company that four brothers own and operate. However, his uncle is now out of prison and wants Mikhail to join the family business and will stop at anything to get what he wants. However, his mom has a hidden agenda for her brother-in-law that she doesn't share with her sons. Mikhail send his mom and girlfriend away to safety from Konstantin so he could formulate a plan only for his mom to turn them over to him. Grab a copy indulged you will not be disappointed.

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enduring heartwarming story about a couple that met at a charity auction for only an hour and afterwards met at the man’s company where the woman was beneficial to the company. From the moment he saw her at a party he knew he had to be close to her. At the party they had a connection and they both could feel it. They met again when he became her boss at a Cyber Security Company that she started to work at.
From then on they could barely keep away from each other and they did try but it didn’t work. It seemed like there was something that kept pulling them back together. This magnet that was bringing them together also got them into some trouble along the way. It all started in New York but by the end they were in Moscow. The man’s uncle was wanting him for the family business and his mother was wanting revenge for the uncle murdering her husband but the uncle didn’t know about the mother’s plans until it was too late.
The uncle kidnapped the wrong woman at first taking the woman’s friend instead but the uncle got the woman when the mother helped him get her. The smuggled the two woman to Moscow knowing that the man would follow. The man does following knowing that he couldn’t let anything happen to the woman, he was protective over her from the first minute he saw her and she was also all he could think about. So when his uncle told him that he either came back to the Bratva or the woman and his mother would die then he did what he was told and bid his time until he could get them away from his uncle. The man was gone from the woman for a while doing the first part of the initiation back into the Bratva. But doing it gave him an unlikely alliance with one of his uncle’s enemies. When he came back he found out that she was pregnant with his baby. He was going through the second part of the initiation when they escaped his uncle’s clutches. The man’s brothers came to help with getting them away from their uncle. When they escaped the woman’s friend was shot but they got her to some help. The hide from the uncle until they could get the rest of their plan taken care of but it wasn’t long before the planned worked.
By the time it was all said and done. The had the uncle in a cell where he couldn’t get out. The man was the head of the Bratva. They found out that the father was still alive even though everyone thought he was dead but he’s different from when they saw him last, the mother tends to him now. One of the brothers went back to New York to manager the Cyber Security Company and the other two brothers stayed in Moscow. The man and the woman had twin girls and later on down the line a son. The man makes sure that he has time for his family and he tries not to be ruthless like his uncle, he tries to a just and fair Bratva.
Spectacular characters in the pages of this amazingly written book. Extraordinary happily ever after book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kassey J · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK I'm not dissing the authors writing f but I have to say the fmc is lacking. For one this is kinda spoiler-ish but why tf does the fmc wear her mother's wedding ring like I get sentimental value she's always with you stuff but shit most people wear it on the opposite hand or a necklace but our main character decides to actually wear it on her ring finger than gets pissed when our mmc thinks she's married. Just that whole situation erked me. And now I'm at 30% in and I'm semi-liking the story but I can't get past how the fmc keeps putting her nose in someone she literally just met a few days ago business. She's just really messy as a character and I'm cringing for her. The books well written so far I'll give credit for that but I can't get behind the fmc being nosey af and getting pissed when logically if you see a ring on a person's ring finger you automatically are going to assume they're married.. just messiness. Anyways back to reading I go.

I'm currently at 70% and for some reason it's like the plot or the writing or even just the characters themselves are getting on my nerves. It's like it's getting worse over time not better like most books. It's just getting stupid and the fmc is just to much. Idk I'm starting to hate the book and am skipping pages ...

It was boring and kind of a waste of time imo. I'm going to rate it a 2.




***SPOILER ALERT BELOW ***


It kinda ticks me off when authors have a character whos pregnant and they're showing 2months in. Can this happen? Yea it can but in most cases people don't show until atleast 3 months. Usually it's only noticeable when it's someone who's thin. And that's not how our fmc was described. She was described as thick and a little more curvaceous so it'd be hard to see a change as early as 2months. The picture isn't picture-ing ya know...

Another thing why throw in the unknown father for the fmc. It's like it was a thought but never fully thought through and just feels like a gimmick the author threw in to make the fmc seem to have "daddy issues" which lead to her dating a man who was twice her age, which isn't true people can fall for older people and not have any past influences so idk why it was needed. It just didn't do anything for the book.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowne playfully introduces us to Aurora Foster and her bestie Charlotte in the first chapter as poor sick Charlotte ropes Aurora into subbing for her. An MIT graduate with a degree in computer science and engineering, Aurora reluctantly agrees to waitress for one night only at the Ritz, where a performance artist is hosting a naked art gala - the guests are the “naked art”. Lol 😂. Also attending the function reluctantly, Mikhail Antonov is at the Ritz chasing down a potential million dollar client for Cyberfort, his cybersecurity firm. Once he’s secured the deal, Mikhail (Misha) was about to leave when the host announced an auction for 1 hour of the waitstaff’s time. He fixated on the not naked nervous Aurora and after a series of bids, he bought one hour of her time for one million dollars! They have an “intimate” conversation before Aurora launches herself home. The following morning she spend her first day of internship at Cyberfort where she’s initially introduced to her employer’s twin brothers, Dmitri and Pyotr, his youngest brother Luka, before finally meeting the CEO…Misha Antonov!! It’s a silent OMG moment for both. That’s when the story explodes in different directions.

Readers learn about: Misha and his family’s forced exodus from Russia when he was 8 years old, his father’s disappearance at the hands of Konstantin (Misha’s uncle, Lev’s brother), his uncle now out of jail in NYC hounding him to join the Antonov Bratva back in Russia, Catherina’s (Misha’s mother) desire for revenge against Konstantin and there’s more - deception, kidnapping, returning to Russia, violence, staging a murder, hacking…and most importantly…a passionate lustful romance between Misha and his “kisa”. Dare I say, it’s Crowne’s crowning achievement - another organized crime novel mixed with a swoon worthy romance. Nope, it’s too soon. The brothers and a couple of Russian comrades deserve their own story, too. Dmitri’s next. Please read the 16 years later bonus epilogue; it’s fabulous. I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Ela (Mouse333) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked some things about this book, but there weren’t enough characters.

Aurora goes on a job instead of her friend without knowing much about it which is where she meets Mikhail and they part ways thinking they’ll never see each other again. However, when she turns up to her internship the next day, there he is. They can’t seem to stay away from each other, and then Mikhail’s past turns up. Things take off from there.

I wasn’t sure about this book at the beginning. From the start, Aurora is very clear on what she’s there for and what she won’t be willing to do, and yet after exchanging a few sentences with Mikhail, suddenly she’s overcome with her attraction to him. It came out of nowhere and kind of put me off.

This book starts out as a workplace romance, and it was written in a way that made me dislike the uncertainty of their relationship/positions. However, by the end of the book, it was definitely a mafia romance. The transition of their circumstances was so well written – everything made sense and the characters didn’t suddenly have personality transplants.

I really liked how things didn’t follow the usual/expected route - how it didn’t start off with Mikhail already established in a mafia; how Aurora pushes Konstantin over a railing (instead of him just being shot); Aurora actually thinking about what Mikhail said when he was considering taking Konstantin’s place instead of becoming hysterical and immediately defaulting to mafia/crime/violence = evil; Aurora finding her father who turns out to be a career criminal.

My main problem was the lack of characters. Mikhail’s brothers aren’t shown much, and while it makes sense at some points in the book, I wanted to see more of them and their relationships with the main characters. Charlotte wasn’t much of a character either. Catherina was a clear character, but I didn’t like her.

There were things I really liked about this book, but I’m not going to be continuing with this series. However, I might try other books by this author in the future.

[Linda Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique Billionaire Bratva Story
Starts out with a billionaire tracking a sales lead to a nude party! Mikhail Antonov has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of…so… being naked…when in Rome! He scores the contract and spots a shy redheaded beauty. Aurora is captivating and he must have her. Aurora is in over her head helping Charlotte her sick roommate. Aurora is taking her place as a server, an almost naked server at this ritzy party. There she notices a captivating, well-developed, hot hunk. The next day Aurora starts her new job as a coder for CyberFort Security. And guess who her new boss is? Mikhail! These two have a real connection mentally and very much physically. MIT grad, Aurora is a very capable coder, and when there’s a breach she is able to step in and save the day. Mikhail can’t stay away from her.
The Antonov name is respected in America but in Russia, it is feared as a ruthless Bratva Family. The evil mobster running it now is Konstantin Antonov. Through trickery and kidnapping, he is forcing Mikhail to return to Russia to become his heir apparent. Here is where the story gets cold and cruel.
This is such an interesting twisted story with awesome characters. You are left on the edge many times but hang in there because the ending is so wonderful. I loved this story and expect future stories around his three brothers, Dimitri, Pyotr, and Luka. I received a free advanced copy of this story from Booksprout and this is my opinion. Linda

[Ragu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Crowne is one of my favorite authors and after reading Highest Bidder just reenforces that! One of the best stories I have read in a very long time. I could not put this book down I was up so late I had to finish it! My husband came out two times to ask if I was ok-I didn’t go to bed until 3 am, not kidding you its thats good. An absolutely Must read. Mikhail “his family calls him Misha” is a Cyber Security Tech Billionaire and Aurora one of the yearly new interns for the company.
Aurora and her best friend Charlotte are so similar they could pass for twins; one night when Charlotte is too sick to work Aurora takes her place at work for an art charity auction event (which she’s not really aware of what it all entails) where she meets Mikhail, the minute he sees her he is beyond consumed he has to have his hour with her so out comes his checkbook and he will at any cost! Oh my word What.An.Hour…they go their separate ways. Aurora shows up for her first day of her new job and guess who her new boss is? Misha! They can’t not be together they are meant to be-so Aurora is sucked into the fight of her life helping Misha and his brothers as they are in Russia his Uncle kidnapped Aurora they are there to end the Uncle and put an end to the Bratva his Uncle who is head of the Antonov Bratva. I can’t wait for more in this series. Ms. Crowne is going to have to work pretty hard to beat this one!! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK

🔮Spoilers🔮

Compared to other Mafia & Bratva stories and series, this book was OK. I liked Misha although he's not your typical badass Pakhan. The Female lead was smart but not really strong or weak. Just your average everyday person. She does change or grow a little throughout the book, but by the end of it, she seems like a totally different character. The names in the book were very unoriginal and there wasn't much about her pregnancy. One minute shes pregnant than out of no where, no synograms, doctor visits, the verbage goes from baby to babies before the birth and then surprise twins. Charlottes (MFC best friend) name is reused for one of the twins (and shes not deceased) and a merger talked about around the end of the book between Mishas cyber company and another cyber co. named Foster's (same last name as the female lead but no relation to her or her family), was just plain lazy writing in my opinion. I really did not enjoy this writing style. I know the other brothers have books in this series, and i'm assuming all the unanswered questions that were left hanging wide open about their father Lev and the mother will be answered in the other books??? I'm not sure if i'm going to continue on with the series. I am moving on to Crossed today which was just released by my favorite author Emily McIntire and then i'll decide if i'm willing to give Dimitris story a go.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
Author KC Crowne has always been my go-to when I’m in a reading slump or need a palate cleanser. I know I can reach many choices, and there’s always a current one like her latest, “Highest Bidder.”

Recent MIT graduate Aurora (FMC) and her roommate Charlotte live modestly. When her roommate is too sick to show up for a job one evening, she asks Aurora to go in her place as a nude server, assuring her everyone will be masked. But, of course, to Aurora’s naïveté, Aurora agrees to do it. However, the job at what she believes is a fundraiser event to support “the creative endeavors of inner-city youth” also includes an auction.

When Aurora suddenly is no longer serving drinks but becomes an auction item, she comes up with a plan to deter the bidders.

Mikhail (MMC), who hates liars, is at the auction for other reasons. Mikhail uses ruthless tactics to conduct business for the security company he and his brothers own. And Mikhail indeed uses some brutal tactics with Aurora as well. He, too, is masked, not just hiding who he is from her but hiding other lies.

Readers will experience several steamy scenes with a strong, sassy FMC and a hot alpha MMC. The Russian Mafia plot has lots of action and suspense, and perhaps more to come with Mikhail’s brothers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It is the first book in the series but Mikhail and Aurora's story is complete in this book.

Aurora and her best friend and flat mate Charlotte live life paycheck to paycheck. Charlotte is a model and sometimes goes periods with out work and Aurora has just graduated from MIT and is starting a paid internship. When Charlotte gets sick, Aurora agrees to work in her place as a nude waitress as a one off, as they needed the money with rent due. However Aurora didn't realise she would be part of an auction, or that she would have a sudden connection with an older, well hung and charasmatic man, Mikhail. Mikhail was at the event securing a new client for his cyber security firm and didn't plan on bidding, but one look at Aurora and he was hooked. The next day when Aurora starts her new internship she is shocked to discover Mikhail is the CEO.

This was such a great book, fun, steamy, suspenseful, with lots of action, double crossing and lies. A Bratvia family take over, redesign and a whole lot of cyber war fare.

Aurora is fiesty, stands up for what she believes in and is skilled in cyber security/ attacks. Mikhail treats her as an equal, praises her and falls in love with her body, mind and spirit.

Lots going on and had me hooked until the end, I finished it in one sitting.

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora is coerced into helping out her roommate by attending an art show where she is one of the servers as they need the cash for rent, but it is a show with a difference as everyone is encouraged to be naked. She is hoping to get her payment and leave as soon as possible, but that all changes when the host decides to auction off some time with some of the servers, which includes Aurora.
Mikhail is a wealthy tech CEO, he attends the art show to corner a client he has been trying to land. He has no problem with the naked theme of the show, but once his business is concluded he decides to leave. That is until he spots Aurora. He wins the bid on her auction and its not long until the sexual tension between them becomes too much.
But what happens the next day when Aurora turns up to her new temp job and finds that Mikhail is the CEO of the company, that he runs along with his brothers. Can they go on as normal and ignore the attraction they feel towards each other and what happens when Mikhail's uncle wont give up on his plan to get Mikhail and his brothers to return to the family bratva. Will he be able to keep Aurora away from the danger this presents, or will she willingly get involved to help keep him safe.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mikhail Antonov is the CEO OF CyberFort Security which he owns with his brothers and it’s a billion dollar company. Mikhail and his brothers, the twins Dimitri, Pyotr, and Luka fled Russia and the Antonov Bratva with their mother after their father betrayed his brother, Konstantin. Their father was separated from them and killed by his brother. Konstantin was in jail for 30 years but is fee now and insisting Mikhail take his spot as heir to the Antonov Bravta. Aurora Foster just graduated from MIT with her computer engineering degree and just found a paid internship at CyberFort. Aurora agrees to be a replacement server for her best friend Charlotte when she gets sick but the gig calls for the servers to be either nude or lightly covered as the event is a charity “performance art” where everyone is expected to be nude of close to it, guests and staff included. This is how Makhail and Aurora meet and heat up. Things get complicated the next day when Aurora shows up for her first day at her internship and realizes that the Makhail from last night owns the company she now works for. The complications keep coming when Konstantin shows up and makes his demands. This book has plenty of danger, betrayal, twists and action to keep you wondering just what will happen next!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitively held my attention with its wonderful characters and rather delicious and twisty story line. Aurora and Mikhail’s first encounter is very unusual and the start of a rather intense and absolutely memorable romance. Aurora is a loyal friend (why else would she take on her friend’s unorthodox assignment), brilliant but also naive, and possesses a steely strength of will that serves her very well in her relationship with Mikhail. He is a wealthy enigma with far too many secrets and a touch that dissolves Aurora’s resolve to keep her distance. He is rather growly, dominant and very possessive as well as protective. Aurora finds it impossible not be drawn to him, to resist him, and had no idea that her life will take a drastic, and potentially dangerous turn.

Mikhail is not the man he seems to be. The brutally dangerous past he thought he had put behind him ensnares him and Aurora and drags them into a chaotic situation that could be the death of them, quite literally. Through it all, Mikhail puts everything into keeping Aurora and the secret she carries safe. Their story is intense, rather dark and absolutely riveting. So much emotion, steam and supense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I started reading and thought to myself "how does this romance have a mafia connection?" Well, as I continued reading it was all revealed. The story was evenly paced and I found that the change of scenes were segued flawlessly. Also it was very descriptive. I was definitely hooked on the story from the beginning. What a start! The main characters Aurora and Mikhail are AWESOME!!! Great personalities, intelligent, loyal, dedicated and realistically emotional and had tender feeling for each other. I do wonder what the heck happened to the mother to make her such an ice queen? This is my first time reading a book from this author. I plan on checking out K.C. Crowne's other books. P.S. The extended scene at the end was the cherry on top! Excellent book, highly enjoyable, entertaining and I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Entertaining
Happily Ever After
Original
Page-turner
Romantic
Unpredictable
Wonderful characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An edge of your chair thriller like Ms. Crowne has never written before. You will not be able to put it down as the story is so gripping, you cannot wait to see what will happen next. Was it betrayal or not? You decided? When Mikhail sends his girlfriend, Aurora with his mother to keep her safe from his uncle, but his mother turns the girlfriend and herself over to the uncle as hostages to lure Mikhail back into the Batavia, but mother has a sinister plan against the uncle. The mother, three sons, and unborn son escaped Russia after her husband turned his brother in certain crimes. They fleed to the US for their lives over thirty years ago. Mikhail raised his three younger brothers and together, they built one of the largest cybersecurity businesses in the country. Their uncle was now out of prison wanting Mikhail to come back to Russia joining the family Batavia, and he would do anything to make sure that happens. You do not want to miss this one but make sure you have plenty of time to read it all in one setting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great romance and I really enjoyed that part of Aurora and Mikhail's story. They meet at a performance art auction and it just gets more crazy from there. In full disclosure, this is more of a mafia romance than an older man/younger woman or boss/intern kind of story. It is full of deceit, violence and the worst of humanity. Just so you know because I was surprised based on the synopsis. I guess I couldn't read between the lines.

The book is well done as it weaves the delicate pieces of the dangerous world of the Russian mafia while building a love story. Aurora and Mikhail scorch the pages with their passion. They are very likable characters. As they get caught in Mikhail's uncle, Konstantin's, maneuvers, the drama becomes intense. He is the head of the Antonov Bratva. You will be surprised. You will be appalled. You will be begging for a happily ever after for them. You will be on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.