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“Five enemies of peace inhabit with us - avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.”

-Petrarch


Alfonzo's woes are many but love of family remains constant.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2013

7 people are currently reading
258 people want to read

About the author

S.W. Frank

55 books235 followers
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."

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5 stars
136 (57%)
4 stars
70 (29%)
3 stars
20 (8%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Isadora.
59 reviews
August 2, 2013

Last year I was googling "swf" to update my video player and accidentally typed "sw f." Google populated "SW Frank Alfonzo" underneath it and I clicked it by mistake. And damn if I did not enter a whole new world of... great mafia-inspired addictive entertainment with characters I love to love, love to be annoyed with and those I down right hate.

In Avarice (Alfonzo #12), S.W. Frank continues to offer up a series that keeps fans emotionally engaged, teetering on the edge, smiling, frowning, celebrating, swearing and crying with her rich and detailed style of writing where she intertwines drama, action, mystery, romance and thought-provoking pointed social commentary.
Profile Image for  ~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~.
1,193 reviews7 followers
October 28, 2013
This installment was just an alright read for me. I couldn't really get into it.

It does hold some very sexy & flat out shocking moments. Unexpected deaths this one carries also. But overall it's just a transition book moving you into the next sphere of this saga. An update of sorts, concerning what's happening in everyone's lives. And not all of it is interesting. So...
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I'm on to book 13 :)
Profile Image for Kim.
740 reviews81 followers
August 9, 2013
4.5 Stars

This is probably one of my favs in this saga. Because I've grown to know these characters so well it was very easy to follow all the different story-lines going on. In the next book I really want to read more about Sergio. I feel like there is a lot of story to tell with him. I had to take points off for Shanda....because really??? I didn't expect it to go down that way at all, and felt it didn't add anything to the story, but really took a lot away from the big picture. Just when I thought Giuseppe was going to get his act together boom another curve ball is thrown. Can't wait to see how this saga continues.
Profile Image for Mspraise50.
1,597 reviews65 followers
August 16, 2016
Again very preachy with lot of information that is not coming from the Characters.

I like how Shanda was teaching her man a lesson by cancelling the wedding and letting him learn to respect her. I thought it was awful that just when it looked like they were finding some happiness together this is snatched from them. That was so awful. I did feel for Giuseppe losing woman like that.
Profile Image for Darlene Mitchell.
5 reviews
August 15, 2013
S.w. Frank delivers a one, two knockout punch with her latest Outstanding Release, "AVARICE," Volume 12 of her Best Selling Mafia Crime Family Saga, Alfonzo! Wow, Avarice will take you there and have you laughing one moment while crying the next! It is a very emotional read that begins during the Holiday Season, with Alfonzo continuing to focus on his family, his inner circle, and finding out who the traitor is in his camp, while also showing his skills of being a devoted and loving father as he takes time out of his busy schedule to show his Allie some special fatherly Love. Selange, armed with a new outlook after Africa, decides to step up and hold a pow wow with the women in the family to put some things in proper perspective, mainly standing by her man any way she can, and regulating those going against the grain and not in attendance. However, holding true to the meaning of 'Avarice' the vices of greed, ambition, pride, and jealousy, leads to one of the most unlikely betrayals Alfonzo has ever experienced and one he never expected or saw coming. Giuseppe, Sergio and Nico each battle and fight for the things that are most important to them in their lives, but a question to ask would be, "is it too late to salvage and/or commit to love?" In true S.w. Frank fashion, the deep, committed love Alfonzo and Selange share, continues to spill off of the pages of this book, while the twists and turns of life's evils leads to death. S.w. Frank leaves no stone unturned as she incorporates current and real life social issues like mental illness as well as what happens to a child's psyche that has never been loved by a parent, but was given material things in place of love and attention, and now as an adult equates material things and money to love. Avarice is an action packed, drama filled mystery, and a no holds barred continuation of the Alfonzo Series that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until there are no more pages to be turned. It is a highly recommended Must Read that is not intended for the faint at heart! Thank You S.w. Frank for keeping it real!
Profile Image for Jasmine.
193 reviews8 followers
September 28, 2013
SPOLIERS! Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

OMG!!!!! NNOOO WAAYYYY!!!! I have really grown to love Giuseppe's character, he is funny, sexy, very alpha male - but in a very digestable way! I was really rooting for his happy ending with Shanda and that is never going to happen! Poor baby Carlos!!! I am really devastated for G and have no idea where this is all going to end!

S W Frank you are doing amazing with this series and I don't think I ever want it to end!!! I rarely write long reviews at all...but I couldn't finish this without saying - you manage to keep you readers hooked with every book! There is always a new dimension to the excitement, drama, tragedy! Love it!

Ari and Nico's love scene in the store cupboard was hilarious! Poor Darren!

Love love love this series!!!

And I guess what I love most is Alfonzo's love for Selange! Her love for him is like the air he breathes! Can't live without it! We all want that! Don't we ladies???!!!

Can't wait for the next one!!!!
Profile Image for Tanielle.
Author 0 books38 followers
May 27, 2016
Can’t say I’m mad that she’s gone. Yeah I’d like for her to stay but she was just as wreak less if not more as him. Seemed like she was too naive to understand how much danger was around even though she saw it firsthand. To run out like that just because she sees something she wants and it’s shiny, new and hers is for a fool if not and damn fool. The parents, omg! Can't believe it was that serious to not even show and put blame on them without even trying to find out.

After this one I’m kind of done with Ari. She keeps allowing the bs and she takes it on the chin every time. I think it’s the I’m old and don’t want to be alone with a toddler, too afraid to find someone else because of my ex deal. She sure didn’t pop off and smack her like she did Selange though. Thinking of that trick! Really?! After pulling that stunt you run off after you told him all that crap to trap him like that? Not Domingo, if I’d guessed I would’ve put my money on Sergio. This one was less action packed but it still packed a punch and I can’t wait to see what they find out about the crash.
Profile Image for Renita.
206 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2017
Shanda 💔

My heart has been broken. Shanda was such a beautiful mess that has now fallen. Strength will need to be found to move on. The jealousness of Domingo and his betrayal was not expected. My eyes have cried. Wonderful writing
242 reviews
July 28, 2019
Just wow

So many trials and revelations for a family to go thru add on a jealous person who wants a life that’s not his add a crazy mother then add a secret that’s coming in nine months
471 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2020
Well Damn

No Spoiler*** but Damn Shanda!
I didn't trust Bianca, and now this crap is bound to reemerge. Sri just can't catch a break, can Nico!
It's going to be interesting with Giuseppe. We'll see how the "Ladies Guild" led by Selange handle all the mess about to break loose.
Profile Image for Cherryl.
2,176 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2024
This poor family!

NOOOOOOOO.....I can't believe how this story ended. Death has slipped in the backdoor and stole someone they all came to love. How much tragedy can this mafia family take? That was not an accident, I feel it in my heart. This family has everyone and their mother and grandmother after them. Despite all of this, they remain a strong and loving family, with each one learning their own lessons in life. Geo is learning how to be a loyal and faithful man. He learned that lesson in South Africa and vowed not to be like Gamba, who was brutal and uncaring. His conversation with Kefilwe taught him a lot in that short time they talked. He finally got it. Sergio is finally growing up and maturing to take responsibility, and trying to gain the respect of the family. Nico is trying to win the war against the Giacanti men's curse, his love of women. He knows that if he doesn't act right, he will lose the love of his life Arianna.

They have learned that blood may make one related but loyalty makes one family, but betrayal of family comes with a cost of death. Both Alfonzo and Nico learned this lesson and it hurt them to their hearts. But family is where the heart of the hearth burns the strongest and for these men, it is with the love of their wives and family. Their women, both Selange and Ari are soldiers whose weapon is love battling family turmoil.

I am so enjoying this series. S.W. Frank has a fan in me. I can't wait to continue reading the journey of this family.
Profile Image for Jackson Bloom.
Author 2 books16 followers
October 17, 2015

Last year I was googling "swf" to update my video player and accidentally typed "sw f." Google populated "SW Frank Alfonzo" underneath it and I clicked it by mistake. And damn if I did not enter a whole new world of... great mafia-inspired addictive entertainment with characters I love to love, love to be annoyed with and those I down right hate.

In Avarice (Alfonzo #12), S.W. Frank continues to offer up a series that keeps fans emotionally engaged, teetering on the edge, smiling, frowning, celebrating, swearing and crying with her rich and detailed style of writing where she intertwines drama, action, mystery, romance and thought-provoking pointed social commentary.
Profile Image for Alvinia Dean.
30 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2013
Oh boy, what can I say? SW Frank has done it again. Alfonzo, Alfonzo, Alonzo. Oh how I love these series. There was a huge twist in this book i never expected which took me by surprise. To the writer: how could you? Sigh...In spite of the tragic ending, it was a good read. Alfonzo is and will always be, the man! I would have given it five stars, however, I was not please with the ending.
Profile Image for Harrietta P.
22 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2013
I have read the entire series of Alfonzo; and have read and enjoyed each and every installment. I, too, await the next installment of Alfonzo, as well as S.W. Frank's new novels. You are one of my favorite authors and I truly will continue to support you in your writing endeavors. Great story, awesome series.
Profile Image for K Nikki  Waden.
433 reviews
August 7, 2013
This series continue to be the highlight of my reading journey. With so many characters this series never has to end. Another great book
Profile Image for Mirrlees.
785 reviews
July 25, 2015
This series gets better by the book. Alfonzo still my fave character....Selange is growing back on me. Lots of enjoyable drama.
Profile Image for C.
383 reviews11 followers
August 16, 2013
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was really good, didn't see that one coming at the end whoa now I have a lot of questions hope I get answer in the next book.
Profile Image for Lisa G.
269 reviews14 followers
September 23, 2013
Another great book in the Alfonzo series. I'm looking forward to the next one
Profile Image for Yolanda.
1,343 reviews5 followers
June 6, 2014
OMG I cant say much im am so upset right now about that ending. More BS has happened and lives lost. I feel so bad for him, he was finally about to get his life together.
Profile Image for Nancy  L Thompson.
2,158 reviews15 followers
April 12, 2015
WOW!!

Talk about totally unexpected.....I never saw what happened to Shanda ,coming. I was totally in tears. All I can say is wow,........
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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