THE ALFONZO FAMILY SAGA CONTINUES IN THIS LATEST INSTALLMENT: AFTERMATH: Alfonzo Volume VII
"Forgive me father, for I have sinned...again!" -Alfonzo (Aftermath)
The families have gathered in Palermo for a final farewell to beloved Capo de tutti, Alberti Luca. During the mourning, there is discourse and a simmering feud between cousins flares into a near fatal brawl. In the aftermath, there is also a new romance blossoming and bonds once severed are united.
Once the funeral ends, it's back to business for the Mafia Kingpin. Alfonzo's decision to eliminate one of his family members may cost him the woman he loves.
Love and loyalties are tested. Is trust enough when you're in love with a corrupt Mafia man or does the heart defy reason and chooses blindly based on faith?
S. W. Frank resides in New York. Art, poetry, music and writing were always quiet joys. A former NYC emergency medical worker and contributing writer for her law school journal, the author decided to pursue the obsession of storytelling full-time. Since then she dusted off manuscripts and decided to share stories with the public.
The Guardian, 2013 article, 'The Gems of Indie Publishing' readers' have stated, "[S.W. Frank] is bold and unapologetic in her delivery."
The Alfonzo series, voted on Goodreads as 1 of the Best Mob and Multicultural/Interracial Romance's for 2012.
The author states, "I write stories with multicultural characters that are desirable, smart and intriguing. They're stories of interesting people that I wanted to read and my small contribution to literary world to include diversity."
OMGOODNESS!! That last chapter & epilogue messed me up! Whew!
This book is definitely another transition book for this series. Much like Volume II but without all the angst. There is drama, there is suspense, and of course the all too consuming man that is Alfonzo. Whew that man...
I did so love the romance that is brewing with Alfonzo's mom and Bruno. This was so sweet, sexy, and just hot. I'm so happy for Mama Maria. And I was equally amused with Alfonzo's reaction to this.
ALOT of surprises, (Nico, Geo, Shanda, Geo's mom!) in this one for me. Although this book is just paving the way for what is to come, it doesn't make the journey any less intriguing, explosive, or sexy.
I just love this deep, dark, decadent Mafia Saga and I can't wait for Volume 8! Well done Ms. Frank!
I highly recommend this series and please read this in order. You will be completely lost if you don't.
I really liked this book because it focused wasn't about Selange and Alonzo 24/7. I enjoyed the chapters that focused on the relationship amongst the brothers and Nico. While I understand Selange and Alonzo are the core of the book their relationship has been dissected and analyzed. It was a refreshing break to learn more about the other major characters. Nico and Ari's love is quite realistic. You have two strong stubborn people who are afraid to show their vulnerable sides. Geo is crazy but I love his character. It was nice to see a sensitive Geo but it would be nice if he's written has more than a hardhead with a heart. I would like to his intelligence displayed like Nico and Alfonzo.
Overall I loved the plot and character development. Oh and the focus on the relationship amongst the brothers( which I figured out by Anarchy) and Nico. The reconciliation between Nico and Geo was touching. The only reason why I did not give this 5 stars was because there too many inner monologues.
Well the ladies get into it in this book, more betrayals are uncovered and the brothers find out they are related. Even the Maria is finding love. I was happy for her. I felt her son behaved like an ass!
I have to say the books are beginning to sound very preachy to me. I would prefer much more dialogue between the characters and a lot less rhetoric.
Glad to to see that Ari and Nico finally managed to get it together. I like the action in the books, so I continue to read the series. I really want to see more about relationship between Geo and Shandra. They should get a book to themselves.
This was a 2 star book with a 4 star ending. I've gone through lots of growing pains with this series but Book 6 showed that Alfonzo is indeed a force to be reckoned with, and this trend continued in Book 7. I love the camaraderie among Nico, Geo and Alfonzo, especially because of the new found link between Geo and Alfonzo. Alfonzo is at the forefront making decisions and has truly matured. I especially liked his conversation with his cousin, Sergio, because it shows how far he's come.
Where this book suffers is that it regresses to the problems of Books 1-3. It is wayyy too Selange/Alfonzo relationship centric. It is overkill. They love each other. She is his moon, stars, sun, koolaid, grilled cheese, pasteles, platanos; we get it!!! They're dating again, now? So now I have to endure him dressed like he's going to the prom, and all kinds of nonsense?? Drop some bodies!!! The fixing of Nico and Ari's relationship is relegated to the end, which I guess worked for the dramatic ending but wasn't cool throughout.
It is still preachy in parts eg. the comments re the Catholic church during the funeral. Very 'public service announcement'
The 'Nico as Ari's co-counsel' scene was corny. Also, I was soooo glad to see the back of Shanda in Book 6. This thing with her dad and the disappearing act in this book was corny times 2. She couldn't just tell Selange what was going on?? Now I'll have to endure Guiseppe trying to find her in Book 8. Ugh
Full pages of song lyrics do not belong in serious novels. I don't even entertain lyrics in fanfiction. Skim. Skim.
The editing continues to baffle me. The plural of friend is not friend's, nor is the plural of boy, boy's. This is an ongoing problem. Three dollar words gets tossed around, but from paragraph to paragraph we can't seem to get consistent usage of the present or past tense. It is distracting and should be fixed. We still have issues with missing words and in my favorite lay/lie mixup, Solange tells Sofie that she refuses to 'lay by omission.' Actually, that made me smile lol. But seriously, we are 7 books in already! This should not still be happening.
Some good things - I REALLY liked the introduction of Alfonzo's mother as a mature, sexual being. Being a grandmother doesn't mean she's dead and she deserves some happiness. It was cute to see Alfonzo get all protective; Bruno sounds hot! I hope he's genuine.
Love the newfound relationship between Nico and his sisters and love that Nico is talking openly to his sons about what he does.
But what I REALLLLY love is the ending. I was a little skeptical about whether it really would have needed to come to that. I think it could have been fixed but let's roll with it as it's written. We all know I have a rocky relationship with Selange, but I always give her credit where credit is due - and that ending?? Selange passed that test with flying colors. People talk about standing by their man, but Selange walks the walk. Being a mafia wife isn't all expensive clothes and nice jewelry. When the shit hits the fan are you willing to hold it down with your man? Do you stand by him even when you disagree? Even when you think something he is about to do is heinous? She did and I applaud her. It's easy to be self righteous like some of these women in other series, but when your man is looking at death row; when YOU are looking at being husbandless and your children fatherless, it's time to put up or shut up. Are you a Donna or are you a sidepiece? Ride or freaking die. Death to the enemies of my family.
It doesn't matter whether the final order came down. It matters that she trusted Alfonzo and stood by him till the end. Kudos to you, chica.
This was definitely a transition book and many things happen. Nico gets a "peace" of sorts and Alfonzo is still evolving into the Don. The players in this Mafia family don't disappoint with their capacity for secrets, mistakes, transgressions, forgiveness, and most of all, LOVE.
This gets a surprising 3 stars from me. It's the first lower rating that I have given for this series. I felt as if I was reading and waiting on something, but knew it wouldn't happen til the next book. Oh I enjoyed reading this world again, no doubt. It's just that the balloon has deflated a little. It's a long ass saga. My biggest questions are:
How fullproof is the Mafia Protection Program?
How will Alfonzo and Giuseppe further complement each other as to two important heads of the Giacanti clan?
Just how ruthless is Mama Sophie?
LMAO...I will put these Qs and more up on the thread I am following for this series:Aflonzo: Volumes I-IX
I purchased all of books in the series on my kindle about 2 weeks ago b/c I was looking for a good series to read & I stumbled upon 1 of the best I have ever read! I finished them in all in about a week. these book read like a movie. I have only read 1 other series that even compares to this one. Every character was skillfully done you could feel the emotions of every one of them. The only real complaint I have was I did not understand Selange cheating with Nico it was kind of out of the blue for me.I did not see their relationship develop to the point they would sleep together, not once( that I kind of got) but to continue was where I was lost.That aside the series itself is just Magnificent! the drama, suspense,sex, love, hate, mystery,murder,twist and turns,this series had EVERTHING!!! I loved it. I really hope this author keeps up the Great work b/c they have me as a Fan for Life!!!!!
I was about to lose it during the ending! I was happy that we had a moment of calm in this one. I thought Selange wouldn't take the bait, then I was hoping Alfonzo's phone let him know from jump what was going on. The mess with her and Geo is about to get good. I can't wait for him to catch up with her. I hope Nico comes back around soon, he's too important to not come through. Not sure who took the robbery fall but I can't wait for things to kick off again and force Nico to come back. Great read!
I liked this book it was good to hear from the my favorite Mob Boss , I really liked the love scene between Selange and Alfonzo while they were in Italy that was hot! My only complaint is that this book had to many monologs and not enough action. I will wait for the next book because I just know things will pick up .
All I can say is WOW!!!! finished this one last night and can't seem to stop dreaming about these books....so you know when the author has you dreaming about the characters in a story it must be good.....Can't wait for the next story to continue the ride with Alfonzo, Selange and the rest of the family.....
There was so much going on in this book. Let's see, the deaths the pregnancies, attempts at betrayal, new and old romances and second chances. I love this series!
Don't Cry Tears for The Dead, Take Your Place In History
Whew this book left me breathless. I absolutely love this series and I need to catch up as it is now up to volume thirteen. I need more of this in my life! This is live and vivid reading at its best. With each volume I read Ms. Frank never ceases to amaze me. The storyline just keeps getting better and better. These novels seem so real; life issues at its best. Death is always lurking around the corner and some of the deaths hit home. No shortcuts are taken and when you least expect it bam you get hit with a curve ball.
I wonder how many family secrets can be revealed. Just when we thought it was all out in the open another one comes up and knocks the wind out of the characters. Family lines are drawn and sides have to be chosen. For Alfonzo to choose may put him at odds with his wife Solange. Will he do what is best for the mob family or his family? Hmmm decisions, decisions. Ariana has left a trail and the Feds are hot on trail. This puts Nico, her ex husband and mob hit man, at odds with the mob is blood thicker than water?
All the surviving characters are back. I can't wait to see how the next book is going to play out. As with each novel in this series I can wait to move on to the next one. I will be starting volume eight very soon. SW Frank has become a favorite of mines. Keep up the great work. I never thought after seven books I could still be this involved but I am. I don't want it to end and that is saying a lot for this author's writing style I am still #allin.
SiStar Tea ARC Book Club Inc. 5 star rating Feb review
The storyline is well plotted out, planned and written. Finally Selange and Alfonzo makeup and Nico and Ari are putting their dramatic lives back together. The women in this story show that they are just as tough as their men. I hope Shanda and Geo get their act together for the sake of their child. Even Maria, Alfonzo's mother is finding her HEA with Bruno.
This book was full of heart stopping drama, topped with toe curling revenge. Despite all of this Nico and Alfonzo find the love of a good woman to balance them. This was an exciting book to read. I can't wait to read the next installment.
OMG a lot happened in this book I can barely remember it all. I cried like a baby at the end im glad it didn't happen. I wonder why Shanda left it like that instead of telling them the truth. Geo is going to go crazy with that baby news and not being able to find her. I see Maria getting her groove back I hope it goes well. I don't know what will happen next for them.
I'm new to this series but I'm hooked. I'm wishing I had started it sooner. Can't wait to get to the next one. Can't wait to see what happens with Shanda and Geo