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Italian Knights #3
The Claim
Rocco Mamione has possibly the best wingman in the world—his grandmother. He had no idea that when his nonna was fired from the job she’d had for thirty years, she’d demand the best employment lawyer in London. And that lawyer just happens to be his ex-girlfriend. His Nonna had been giving him the “where are my great-grandbabies goo-goo eyes for some time now. The only person he’d ever imagined having those with was Anna. To get her back will be the ultimate challenge, but Rocco is nothing if not Sicilian resilient.
Anna Taylor is not an Ice Princess. She was just burned pretty badly, and anyone can talk about it, if they want a biro in their eye. Smart enough to avoid further heartbreak and a potential conviction for murder, Anna is sure that nothing will take her down the Mamione path again. Definitely not his crazy grandmother or her crack-addictive cakes. Not Rocco’s hard body underneath those tailor-made suits. And absolutely not the fact that she’s still in love with him. The truth could just about do it.
The third book in the Italian Knights series encompasses a good sponge, endurance, redemption, and letting go so you can get what you need. If he happens to be Sicilian, then so be it.
Anna Taylor is not an Ice Princess. She was just burned pretty badly, and anyone can talk about it, if they want a biro in their eye. Smart enough to avoid further heartbreak and a potential conviction for murder, Anna is sure that nothing will take her down the Mamione path again. Definitely not his crazy grandmother or her crack-addictive cakes. Not Rocco’s hard body underneath those tailor-made suits. And absolutely not the fact that she’s still in love with him. The truth could just about do it.
The third book in the Italian Knights series encompasses a good sponge, endurance, redemption, and letting go so you can get what you need. If he happens to be Sicilian, then so be it.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
25 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Billy London
34 books270 followersAh, poor Billy. The only girl between two boys who each have nearly a foot on her. Didn't stop her from starting physical fights with them. She still thinks she can take them. So while she used to hide away in her wardrobe to read a book or four, she started to question why the heroines in those books would just lie there and take it. No, not just sex, but downright James-Bond-backhand-slapping, do-as-you're-told-woman, inappropriate lie there and take it.
She couldn't understand it. These women were just playing that mental woman from Coming to America, Miss “Whatever You Like” who barked like a dog and hopped on one foot. Billy didn't want to do that. Definitely not because one empty-headed fool with different anatomy told her to. So she started to create characters and worlds where the women could own their sexuality, their intelligence, their right to turn around and say “jog on, mate” without apology.
The small problem was that other people wanted to read what she was had written. “Er...why?” didn't cut it as an answer. After years of prodding and pleading and come on and for goodness’ sake, what's the point otherwise, she closed her eyes and pressed “submit.” Actually, she had Prosecco, limencello and white wine, then pressed “submit.” Who would have thought people would actually enjoy reading about the crazy characters who live in her head? But they have done, and Billy feels rather proud of that connection with her fellow man.
Billy lives in London with the most patient family in the world and doesn't forget for a minute how lucky she is. Well, she wouldn't mind a BBC adaptation of one of her novels... Ooh, with Richard Armitage!
She couldn't understand it. These women were just playing that mental woman from Coming to America, Miss “Whatever You Like” who barked like a dog and hopped on one foot. Billy didn't want to do that. Definitely not because one empty-headed fool with different anatomy told her to. So she started to create characters and worlds where the women could own their sexuality, their intelligence, their right to turn around and say “jog on, mate” without apology.
The small problem was that other people wanted to read what she was had written. “Er...why?” didn't cut it as an answer. After years of prodding and pleading and come on and for goodness’ sake, what's the point otherwise, she closed her eyes and pressed “submit.” Actually, she had Prosecco, limencello and white wine, then pressed “submit.” Who would have thought people would actually enjoy reading about the crazy characters who live in her head? But they have done, and Billy feels rather proud of that connection with her fellow man.
Billy lives in London with the most patient family in the world and doesn't forget for a minute how lucky she is. Well, she wouldn't mind a BBC adaptation of one of her novels... Ooh, with Richard Armitage!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 25, 2016
This is a two-star book I am giving three stars on the strength of the bite and wit of the characters.
But I can't love this book really because the romantic conflict rests solely on one of by biggest ever pet peeves, the Grand Mis. And not really even a misunderstanding -- a willful refusal to actually have a conversation.
I can't enjoy two people fully who basically waste six years over what feels like rank stupidity. On the scale of reasons why people would reasonably not talk to each other, the meter here is dead low.
Added to that, Maybe I only know really petty bitches in real life, but when asked, all of my friends pretty much agreed there was no way in hell that would happen.
Anyway. i was just kinda over's Anna's reasoning throughout this book and Rocco's refusal to push the matter.
i did like all the lawyer-y stuff though and the supporting cast was fun.
Yeah, if it hadn't been for the central conflict here this would have been a winner.
But I can't love this book really because the romantic conflict rests solely on one of by biggest ever pet peeves, the Grand Mis. And not really even a misunderstanding -- a willful refusal to actually have a conversation.
I can't enjoy two people fully who basically waste six years over what feels like rank stupidity. On the scale of reasons why people would reasonably not talk to each other, the meter here is dead low.
Added to that, Maybe I only know really petty bitches in real life, but when asked, all of my friends pretty much agreed there was no way in hell that would happen.
Anyway. i was just kinda over's Anna's reasoning throughout this book and Rocco's refusal to push the matter.
i did like all the lawyer-y stuff though and the supporting cast was fun.
Yeah, if it hadn't been for the central conflict here this would have been a winner.
May 27, 2013
Dear The Claim,
I loved your predecessors, Windows and On Caristo's Watch (which featured one of my favorite heroes of all time - Tony Caristo. That's saying a lot in comparison to all of the books I've read)
The first two books in your Italian Knights series were sexy, funny and most importantly featured some kick ass main characters. Nick & Gina? They were a rip. Their long time love was believable. Tony and Lydia? Just thinking of the two of them brings a big smile to my face. Love the series, loved the author.
But Rocco and Anna? WTF?! Their story was- what was that?
I was looking forward to reading this book because Rocco was a favorite secondary character of mine, always in the wings, saving the fellas, looking partially devious. I knew he would have to have a great back story. Or so I thought. :(
He missed his mark. Please don't give me any excuses, darling. He had no depth. But I still liked him better than Anna. She was a bitch.
What? Oh you think because she got a puppy at the end, it softened her up? I could care less. She came across as confused and shrewish. I have to say it. Don't look at me that way.
The story felt rushed. Don't give me any lip, Dear. It was sadly. The jokes were missing from the beginning half. The only time we got see Tony and Nick were in this unnecessary scene.
Huh? You forgot you were supposed to be a book about a mafia and you wanted to just stick in a bit of crime somewhere? Well too little too late, Babes. (The Tony, Nick, Beppe & Rocco scene was the best you had to offer, I wished there were more but we both know it's lacking, hmmm?)
Don't apologize or pout, you are what you are. But Honey, your lacking. From the character development, to the weird plot...you just didn't hit those high notes like you used to in the beginning of this series. You remember your sweet spots, yes?
What happened, Babes? Anna was as loving as a cold fish. Is that the best heroine for Rocco? She was flat, Hun. But then again so were you.
But cheer up. I plan to read the next book in your series. And apparently it's with new characters...let's hope for our sakes this was a one time flop, okay?
Don't pout. I'm rating you 2.5 but I'll round up, alright? Let's just pretend this didn't happen. Do you want a hug? No?
Better luck next time,
SheReadsALot
I loved your predecessors, Windows and On Caristo's Watch (which featured one of my favorite heroes of all time - Tony Caristo. That's saying a lot in comparison to all of the books I've read)
The first two books in your Italian Knights series were sexy, funny and most importantly featured some kick ass main characters. Nick & Gina? They were a rip. Their long time love was believable. Tony and Lydia? Just thinking of the two of them brings a big smile to my face. Love the series, loved the author.
But Rocco and Anna? WTF?! Their story was- what was that?
I was looking forward to reading this book because Rocco was a favorite secondary character of mine, always in the wings, saving the fellas, looking partially devious. I knew he would have to have a great back story. Or so I thought. :(
He missed his mark. Please don't give me any excuses, darling. He had no depth. But I still liked him better than Anna. She was a bitch.
What? Oh you think because she got a puppy at the end, it softened her up? I could care less. She came across as confused and shrewish. I have to say it. Don't look at me that way.
The story felt rushed. Don't give me any lip, Dear. It was sadly. The jokes were missing from the beginning half. The only time we got see Tony and Nick were in this unnecessary scene.
Huh? You forgot you were supposed to be a book about a mafia and you wanted to just stick in a bit of crime somewhere? Well too little too late, Babes. (The Tony, Nick, Beppe & Rocco scene was the best you had to offer, I wished there were more but we both know it's lacking, hmmm?)
Don't apologize or pout, you are what you are. But Honey, your lacking. From the character development, to the weird plot...you just didn't hit those high notes like you used to in the beginning of this series. You remember your sweet spots, yes?
What happened, Babes? Anna was as loving as a cold fish. Is that the best heroine for Rocco? She was flat, Hun. But then again so were you.
But cheer up. I plan to read the next book in your series. And apparently it's with new characters...let's hope for our sakes this was a one time flop, okay?
Don't pout. I'm rating you 2.5 but I'll round up, alright? Let's just pretend this didn't happen. Do you want a hug? No?
Better luck next time,
SheReadsALot
December 8, 2022
Reread 2022: give it three stars. Light fare. Entertaining still.
2012: It was...okay. In Windows (book 1) Billy London really showcased her humour, her attention to detail, her ability to write a story that had a strong dose of tension, her skill at erotic writing while giving her readers a relationship that was loving as well, and her adeptness at really building a world. Nick was a great hero, and Gina a good heroine. They were both characterised really well and three-dimensionally, as were all the secondary characters. I especially liked Sophia.
In The Claim though, all that falls to the wayside. I still don't know what Anna looks like. I remember what Rocco looks like from the first two books and I have no idea what race Imogen is...though I infer she's white and Mimi's black. But the point is, all that meticulousness Billy achieved wonderfully in the first book is gone. All that three-dimensionality disappeared.
This book was more tedious. Anna read like a stock character. She curses a lot and comes off as "the angry black woman". The epilogue was jam packed. And the book was thin. The ending read like a means to tie in the first two books in the series and their characters. And throughout there is little tension.
In short, after such a fantastic, well developed read in Windows, I am disappointed. I think Billy can do much better than this. Bring back the sarcasm and wit, the acerbic archness and the sweetness, the sexiness and the romance, and above all the STORY.
November 15, 2012
SPOILER
This the third book in the series and I feel the first one is a standout. The first two books had likeable female leads, this was not the case in The Claim. Anna came off as unrelentingly bitchy throughout most of the book. It's only towards the last few chapters she finally lightens up. For an intelligent woman her treatment of Rocco was unwarranted. Throughout all the years without trying to get to the bottom of her issue with him is ridiculous especially when it's so obvious there were holes in Imogen's story.
Overall it was too short and very little action unlike the first two books. I hope Beppe and Amelia's story returns to the same formulas as Windows which was excellent.
This the third book in the series and I feel the first one is a standout. The first two books had likeable female leads, this was not the case in The Claim. Anna came off as unrelentingly bitchy throughout most of the book. It's only towards the last few chapters she finally lightens up. For an intelligent woman her treatment of Rocco was unwarranted. Throughout all the years without trying to get to the bottom of her issue with him is ridiculous especially when it's so obvious there were holes in Imogen's story.
Overall it was too short and very little action unlike the first two books. I hope Beppe and Amelia's story returns to the same formulas as Windows which was excellent.
May 19, 2012
I loved this book Anna and Rocco were wonderful I loved how strong Anna is and the way a strong man like Rocco loves his woman. It was also good to meet up with Nick and Tony again too. I really enjoyed Nonna she was sweet in a little off but she knew exactly what she was doing she got everything she wanted. This is my 4th book by this author now I will wait for her next installment because there must be a story about Mimi and Beppe and when she writes it I will read it.
August 25, 2012
I adore this author. The first 2 books in this series were great BUT this one just wasn't up to snuff. It wasn't as funny and the main characters, with the exception of Nonna, just weren't that engaging. As for the villain? The main cause of the romantic discord? I just wasn't satisfied with that individual's comeuppance, or lack thereof. Just a disappointing read considering the last two books. I'm not sure I'll buy the next book, I love the Beppe character BUT I'm not convinced Ms. London will be able to do him justice. Hope she proves me wrong!
September 19, 2018
That green eyed monster is the devil
Imogen Barnes was supposed to be Anna Mills' best friend, until she did the unthinkable. Or so Anna thought. What I don't get is how could Anna forgive Imogen and not Rocco. She did not even dig deep to find out what a really happened. It was six years of separation and Elizabetta "Nonna" Mamione, Rocco's grandmother, who forced Anna to take a deeper look at the situation. She realized that Rocco was just trying to protect her by letting a lie stand until he was determined to win the love of his life back. In the process, Anna found out just how deceitful her so called friend Imogen was. She felt so stupid by not using her instinctive senses to understand what was going on. Thanks to Nonna Mamione and her employment fiasco with Enzo Vitale, Anna and Rocco made up for six years of lost time. Nonna is a force to be reckoned with in her own. Even DS Norcross found out how gangster she was. He had three strikes and now he was out permanently.
Billy wrote an interesting story about how a lawyer crosses between two worlds to protect the ones he loves and to what extinct he'll go to to protect his Tempesta, Anna. Anna stood her ground and made him earn her back but when she actually found out what actually happened she was all in for them to get their HEA back, no matter what other people would sayor think.
Imogen Barnes was supposed to be Anna Mills' best friend, until she did the unthinkable. Or so Anna thought. What I don't get is how could Anna forgive Imogen and not Rocco. She did not even dig deep to find out what a really happened. It was six years of separation and Elizabetta "Nonna" Mamione, Rocco's grandmother, who forced Anna to take a deeper look at the situation. She realized that Rocco was just trying to protect her by letting a lie stand until he was determined to win the love of his life back. In the process, Anna found out just how deceitful her so called friend Imogen was. She felt so stupid by not using her instinctive senses to understand what was going on. Thanks to Nonna Mamione and her employment fiasco with Enzo Vitale, Anna and Rocco made up for six years of lost time. Nonna is a force to be reckoned with in her own. Even DS Norcross found out how gangster she was. He had three strikes and now he was out permanently.
Billy wrote an interesting story about how a lawyer crosses between two worlds to protect the ones he loves and to what extinct he'll go to to protect his Tempesta, Anna. Anna stood her ground and made him earn her back but when she actually found out what actually happened she was all in for them to get their HEA back, no matter what other people would sayor think.
May 22, 2012
The third book of the Italian Knights series. I love the story , my only beef is that Anna & Rocco didnt stand up for their relationship in the beginning. I get why but very fustrating but it all works out in the end. I love grandma, she can cook and talk trash and make you spill your life story without missing a beat. I love Billy London writing style and I always enhale her books. I cant wait for Bebbe and Amelia story so Billy get to writing about them and Nicky's Dad finding a new love and marriage
May 22, 2019
This is one of those rare situations where I've read a book two or three times because I loved it so much! This book is everything! The set-up, the back story, the characters, the humor, the tension, the strong female lead, the hot and thoughtful male lead... yaaaaaaaas! Thank you for this book! Just writing this review makes me want to read it again!
June 25, 2015
Loved it. Great romance, though it would have been nice to get more interaction between Anne and Rocco's mother.
October 30, 2019
3.5 stars
July 22, 2025
Love this book.
November 25, 2012
Keep them coming, Billy! I loved all of the books in this series. I especially enjoyed the characters. I actually found Anna to be a like able heroine, contrary to many of the other reviews. I would probably behave in the same manner if I thought the love of my life cheated on me. Although I liked the book, once again I felt like the climax was kinda boring and the writing wasn't the greatest with the dialogue and point of views switching all over the place. Some of the slang was confusing as well, but overall I loved the story and the characters.
December 20, 2014
This is another good addition to the Italian Knights series. Rocco broke Anna's heart when she thought he was a cheater; revealing the truth would endanger Rocco and his father. Fast forward six years and Rocco needs the help only Anna can give. Let the groveling begin.
I love this series and hope the authors continues it for a very long time.
I love this series and hope the authors continues it for a very long time.
October 29, 2013
Not my favorite of Billy London's. But I liked Anne's personality. She's sharp tongue, she knows how to punch nasty words. Oh, and I liked Rocky, I think what his friends told was right, Anne's his master, and he would do everything for her.
February 9, 2015
Like the other books in this series, this book was absolutely fantastic!
Now I'm moving to next pot of goodness in this writers eclectic published catalog...
Giving this one: 5 stars
Now I'm moving to next pot of goodness in this writers eclectic published catalog...
Giving this one: 5 stars
January 20, 2016
This was just an okay read to me....there were a few funny moments but that was about it.... I did like Rocky and his grandmother....Nonna was a mess and help make the story....Was good to hear a little from Nick and Tony....
Read
August 16, 2014I haven't read a bad book by Billy London but before I read this book I thought I wouldn't like it. I'm glad I was wrong
December 20, 2014
Loved It
Can't say enough about this series. I loved this book. I can't wait to read Beppie's story. All the characters are awesome. No Complaints
Can't say enough about this series. I loved this book. I can't wait to read Beppie's story. All the characters are awesome. No Complaints
January 18, 2015
As usual Billy London has knocked it out of the park. I loved the banter between all the guys and relationship between Rocco and Anna. I have to say though I'm looking forward to Beppe's story.
April 18, 2015
Good read
As always a good hot fast read that makes you want the next book asap! Read in less than one day
As always a good hot fast read that makes you want the next book asap! Read in less than one day
June 4, 2018
Amazing read!
Totally hilarious, very romantic, and hot hot hot. I love the whole series all the characters are funny and relatable.
Totally hilarious, very romantic, and hot hot hot. I love the whole series all the characters are funny and relatable.
April 25, 2017
This one was a bit better than the #2, mostly because Rocco and Anna had a consistent backstory. I quite liked Anna even though I don't get why she was so clueless regrading Imogen...The Nonna plot was interesting especially because the character was fun; but the whole college misunderstanding was just annoying. I also didn't liked how the writing glossed over Rocco's shady dealings.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews