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The Laws of Kings

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Dace is one of four brothers of the Colletto crime family. His father has been running the family without issue for decades, but now someone is out to prove that the old man's time to retire has come. Dace's older brother, Michael, is far from interested in taking over. However, Ettore, the second oldest is primed and ready to seize command. Dace is forced to choose between his vivacious brother, Michael, and the malicious Ettore. No matter his choice, his prime interest is protecting his little brother Antony from getting into more trouble than he already has, all the while trying to keep himself from the beautifully tempting, female detective, Austin Reed.

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

12 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer Loren

31 books631 followers

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5 stars
67 (37%)
4 stars
59 (32%)
3 stars
33 (18%)
2 stars
16 (8%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Divas BookBlog.
139 reviews40 followers
June 15, 2014
This author never fails to amaze me.
I read The Law Of Kings and I was once again sucked into a world with characters I wish were real.
I just love criminals. Especially the ones created by this author. Dace, and his three other brothers, belong to a well respected ( and well feared ) mafia family. With their family name they have the power to get anything or do anything they want * sigh, swoon*
If I were one of the Colletto´s I´d walk in Mc Donalds and order a cheeseburger. I just know I´d get one looking exactly like the cheeseburgers they show in the TV commercials. Just like that. * double sigh* Anyways........

This family had it in them to move heaven and hell until one day the family was torn apart by awful events. After the family reunion ( years later ) all four brothers intensified in character.
Michael, Ettore, Dace and Antony couldn´t have been any more different from one another even if they tried. And as for their jobs.....well let´s say they were just as different but still connected. They all work for and against each other. How exciting..:-) I LOVED IT!

I actually got a kick out of all the characters from this book. From the mafia gang to the cops....all loveable. It´s a good versus evil kind of story. Only question is: Who is good and who is evil? Who is trying to fuck who over? This author keeps you guessing which dickhead wants who dead all the time!

Not to forget the sexy love intrest in this story. What went down between Austin ( heroine ) and Dace was something totally emotional in every way possible. I was shocked, I laughed alot, and I was hurting for these two. My God...the stuff they went through was unbelievable.

It was a dark, full of action, mafia ROMANCE ( honestly....the romance in this one nearly killed me. That´s how GOOD it was * wink wink*) with a touch of pure awesomeness. Deadly, sexy to the core!

My opinion on the author:
I´ve read every book written by this author and I can easily say she´s created a small masterpiece with this one. I hardly read a book that has everything I crave for in it. I LOVE angst, I LOVE not knowing what will happen next, I LOVE strong characters with realistic backgrounds, I LOVE to torture myself with the idea that the events I read about can happen in real life, and I LOVE when a story has a dialogue I can keep up with. Jennifer Loren creates characters who aren´t broken...they become broken ( more or less ) at some point in her stories. They´re all pretty normal until shit hits the fan. That shows me, as a reader, that this author has it in her to gradually create a disaster instead of throwing it in at the very beginning. But what I personally enjoy the most is her talent for balance. The characters in her books have their fair share of good and bad moments. Life can´t be 100% crappy, right? Jennifer Loren is a wickedly cool rockstar author with a badass talent for writing unforgettable stories.

If you´re a fan of this author´s The Devil´s Eyes series...then The Law Of Kings will blow your mind.

Would I recommend this book?
F**K YEAH!

Would I re-read this book?
Oooooh yes I would.

The Divas are giving The Law Of The Kings by Jennifer Loren 5 out of 5 champagne glasses.
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,419 followers
June 2, 2016
This book had the potential to be great.

Somehow it fell short.

The concept was amazing. Mafia family, murder mystery, betrayal, cops, politics, and somehow love found its way in there. So how could it go wrong? While in theory these elements of the story could make for an amazing read, there were some things that I found "off" while reading it.

1. The narration seemed disjointed and disconnected. If this were a picture, it would be one of those colour-by-number ones. "This happened and then this happened and now this is happening." There lacked a seamless flow of words and I found it hard to get the imagery right in my head.

2. I had a hard time connecting with the MCs. Though I found it easier with Dace, I found it virtually impossible with Austin. Dace was a badass and a computer whiz. There wasn't much not to like about him. His pov didn't do him justice and kept throwing me off. However, I based his likeability on his actions, not his words.

3. I deeply disliked Austin. With a passion. Actually, all the passion that was lacking in this book could be found behind the strength of my dislike for this character. She had no redeeming qualities and I wish Dace would have left her alone.

4. I felt like the scenes describing their mothers' murders were more clinical than emotional and failed to have an effect on me. They were horrific but something was definitely missing from them.

Obviously I enjoyed the book well enough because at some point I'll be reading book 2 - Dethroning the King.

Enjoy! xo
Profile Image for Trudy Powders.
119 reviews23 followers
February 12, 2015
Welcome to the Colletto mob family.I love this book!The four brothers are all well written.I like the romance involving Dace and a female cop named Austin.I feel like the relationship between the brothers is as important as the romance between cop and criminal.The past catches up to the present and Dace isn't sure which brother he can trust.Exciting,fast paced and well written.I want more of this family!
Profile Image for Nikki.
28 reviews
June 27, 2014
Wow Jennifer- you've done it again!! I loved this book from the beginning to the end; as well as the characters (Dace, Austin and Antony). They couldn't help but to remind me of Nick, Kayla and Ryan (The Devil's Eyes Series). This is a must read series for everyone-it will not disappointment. I can't wait for the second book.
Profile Image for Nikol.
55 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2015
When I started the book, it seemed that the dialogues and plots were scattered. It was confusing at times. But over-all, the story was good. It made me smile anyway, which is good.
Profile Image for Anna-Marie Buchner.
933 reviews7 followers
June 26, 2014
Wow Just Wow what an amazing read!!!

The Laws of Kings Jennifer Loren

Wow what can I say? This is a brand new series by Jennifer Loren and it started off with a major bang. I would normally go into a little detail with a teaser or two but with this read I absolutely will not. Let’s put it this way. You need to experience all the tension, drama and emotion this read offers.
I’ve always been fascinated with the Mafia. I know I know they are the bad guys, but if you remember the Godfather they made it so glamorous and romantic.
Well Ms. Loren gives us an up close and personal look inside one of the most (fictitious) Powerful Mafia families. The Colletto’s. The men, their power and their women. You are thrown into a world of intrigue, suspense, deceit, manipulation, family loyalty and cold blooded murder. And believe it or not love.
The story revolves around Dace and his one brother Antony. It seems they’ve really never had the approval or attention of their father like they’re older brothers Michael and Ettore, (and you will be shocked why) both who have been groomed to take over the family business. Although Dace wanted nothing to do with the family or the family business he took the first opportunity to get out (run away) and take Antony with him. When Antony decides years later to return home to the family he somehow convinces Dace to return to help him. Ah ha and so he does and this is when he meets Austin. Talk about one badass female. Austin is ex-military trained and is now a Detective along with her twin brother Aaron. Her driving force or mission in life is to bring the men that murdered her mother to justice. When she meets Dace she has no idea he is part of the Colletto family. There is instant attraction but she’s a control freak and does not like Dace at all. Dace is intrigued by this woman and goes out of his way to get a rise out of her. I loved the interaction between the two of them. All the while they both keep information from each other. When all the secrets come out, all hell breaks loose in a matter of speaking.
Dace being a Colletto is loyal to his brothers so when he finds out Michael’s intentions towards Austin he feels the need to back away from her. BUT can he. Will he?
The story has several twists, and some I was totally blindsided by. When I thought I knew what was coming, BAM totally wrong. I’ve read this twice and picked up things I missed the first time around because I was so engrossed in the read. Some of the things that are revealed take you by surprise. The one’s you think may be the good guys turn out to be the worst. Jennifer what does KRT stand for LOL. I loved Peter and his cool. Loved the nickname he gives Antony, heartbreak. I know this is going to sound wrong but I so want Ettore to be the good bad guy and I want Michael taken down. I really didn’t think you could top “The Devil’s Eyes” but I think you have another great hit on your hands. No one will take the place of Nick in my eyes BUT Dace is running a really really close 2nd. Hate to admit this he may come out on top. I totally totally loved this read. 5* Stars lady and I so can’t wait for the next release.


Profile Image for Khanique McDaniel.
1,199 reviews36 followers
July 10, 2014
With every novel there are good and bad moments and this one is no different. The problem with this one is that not all the moments are in sync with the story line or the reader. If I hadn't ever read a book by Jennifer Loren then I would probably not be so inclined to read a next but I know she normally has rocky starts but eventually finds her footing.

There are extremely corny moments of action, confrontation and love. My eyes got a work out occasionally from all the MacGyver moments that had me rolling them uncontrollable. They even got his kits -_-

There is a constant and delicate balance between too much information and not enough conviction. There are tons of unnecessary conversations and as to when they fell in love? I don't know.

Dace's team seem to be the original 'A team' as they channel everything action packed and corny from 80's action-adventure sitcoms. This story had two parts and I liked both. Dace the mercenary was just as entertaining and corny as Dace the mob prince but I mostly like Dace when he's just kicking back with Austin.

There is something about the characters of this novel that I adore, especially when they aren't trying to kill each other. Everyone has their signature traits that differentiate and assist the story line. Michael holds little to no interest for me but Sage makes me take a second look at this complicated but heartbroken man; Ettore is elusive but interesting; Antony is hilarious and just the right guy to have around for everything while Dace is the perfect leader who never wants and also never actually leads.

There are many elements to this story but unfortunately not all of them gel. While there are good and bad moments the story line isn't cohesive at times and their are a few discrepancies with the flow but I still enjoyed the overall body of work even when I knew what to expect next.

Austin and Aaron are unexpected additions but I think they bring their own contribution to this plot. One thing I am looking forward to is Leandra and Austin together as Dace recovers. While I don't know if that will be happening, I think it would make for good entertainment.

There is a lot of violence and killing in this novel to the point where it borders on corny but I love that Dace doesn't second guess his decisions and though it's too late, I could see the Colletto boys as an unstoppable force, if they could just stop trying to kill each other for a minute.

I leave this story not knowing who to trust and not knowing who will be alive by the end of the next but I am also excited for the potentials that lay ahead.

There is a certain edge and roughness to this novel that doesn't lend to the softer side of romance so you might not be able to understand or know when love came into play but I like them so much as a couple that I don't even care. It's hot when a woman can take care of herself and there is no weak women in this novel.

It's a rocky start to a series but I have faith in this story and it's ability to get it all together for the next installment, so as to give us an action packed, drama filled, intellectually executed plan that will lead to an even better book 2.
Profile Image for Amedeea.
48 reviews11 followers
August 25, 2014
Yes i truly enjoyed reading this book, and i will be objective ofcourse, even though i won this in a giveaway created by Jennifer Loren.The laws of Kings is the first book in a series and the genre is mafia romance, it is my first book of this type.I do not want to create spoilers so i am keeping this review as simple as possible, but i gotta start with the characters i enjoyed the most:Dace, Austin and Antony.So, we learn about the Colletto family, powerful and feared by many.There are 4 brothers in this family:Michael, Ettore, Dace and Antony, each with their own distinctive features and wishes.The action is fast paced and makes the reader curious as to what happens next.It all starts when their mom is brutally killed one night, so the youngest brothers, Dace and Antony get sent away for a so called protection , to an awful aunt.Antony and Dace are really close to each other, they try to pull away from the rules of the family, so Dace remains an outsider trying to set things right with a bunch of loyal friends, punishing many bad guys, while Antony decides to go back in the family for the sole purpose of finding who killed their mom when they were just kids.Dace eventually comes to help him and from here on there will be many secrets to be revealed, Dace and Antony will have to figure out who is friend and who is enemy.What if the one that wants all the power to himself is actually inside the family, someone who knows nothing but to betray and kill?! The other 2 older brothers, Michael and Ettore have their own agenda.Michael wants to be elected governor and Ettore, the one with no emotions, well, he is interesting also cause i have not figured out what his true plans are, and who he is loyal to.Ofcourse we have a romance too, between the sexy biker Dace and the amazing female detective Austin Reed.Austin and Dace have many things in common, many secrets which at first they are reluctant to reveal to each other and a spider web that keeps them prisoners in a game that could lead to many victims.I also enjoyed Austin”s twin brother, Aaron, who , together with Dace and Antony , will make a great team.Read the book and find out the darkest secrets of the Colletto family , who will survive eventually.I was never bored while reading this book, it kept me entangled in the story and i cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Anjee.
381 reviews44 followers
July 1, 2014
A fast paced mafia thriller. Oh yes it is. I really enjoyed this fast paced mystery all the way to the end. Dace is basically the black sheep of the family so to speak, but he plays it off so well. Quite a few twists and turns as expected from the author. If you are into Gangsters and corruption with a bit of steam in between then this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Jackie.
7 reviews
June 30, 2014
Loved it. Jennifer Loren has given us a brilliant new series following the end of Devil's Eyes.
The Colletto family. Dace and Austin are smoking hot.
This is super fast paced and chock full of suspence and intrigue on every page and the sex is fabby too.
Great start to a new series Jennifer.
When's the next one out (whines)
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,848 reviews20 followers
February 27, 2018
Wow what a read!
So this book tells us the story of Dace Colletto who is 3rd in line of 4 brothers not exactly working on the right side of the law... when Dace returns to town after being away for years after the murder of his mother he turns up at youngest brother Antonys house only to come face to face with a woman who instantly gets his heart going ..little does he know that shes a cop!
This book seriously has so many twists and turns that you have to read fast to keep up!
Who can Dace trust? Who should Austin be with?
These pair together are full of chemistry and such hotness that you just hope they get together in the end.
Dark twisted full surprises and gangsters what else could you want???
Straight onto book 2 to see what happens next for the Colletto family.
Profile Image for Deb.
428 reviews24 followers
March 10, 2015
Another novel involving organized crime from Jennifer Loren? Yes please!

Dace is the 3rd son of the Colletto family. On night when he and the youngest brother, Anthony, had snuck out of the house to see a movie, hell broke loose. In the chaos, their mother was killed. Not knowing what else to do, their father, Dominic, carted them off to live with their aunt. After living a hellish life there, all the while learning just how much power the Colletto name had when it was used, Dace took off to fend for himself - forsaking all infamy and the fortune that went with it. He joins a crew, and they move around constantly, doing very well for themselves. They give Dace an opportunity to fine-tune his computer and stealth skills.

When he finds out his brother Anthony has joined the family business, Dace races home to intercede. Their oldest brother, Michael, has his eye on the Governors office, while Ettore is the business-savvy brother who is now in charge of the family business. Dace finds this fishy, since the family knows Anthony is gay and consider it to be a liability.

The first evening home, Dace meets Austin. They don't hit it off at first, but Dace is determined to win her. He does not know she is a cop, and she doesn't know he's a Colletto...yet! Well, sparks fly, then words fly, bullets fly, and as often happens in a Jennifer Loren book, chaos breaks out. Austin and her twin brother, also a cop, get caught up in the maelstrom of competing families, on top of Austin's attempts to find her mother's murderer. Her police-chief father refuses to offer the support she could use - after all, she's not her 'golden child' brother!

Loyalty is questioned at every turn. Trust is lost. There is betrayal, murder, people are framed, and blood flows as we read to find out what is REALLY going on, who is actually in charge, clue as to who murdered their mothers arise, and evidence begins to pile up...but is the evidence real or planted?
28 reviews
June 30, 2014
LOVED IT! (some spoilers...tried not to detail the spoilers)

After the Devil's Eyes Series (which is one of my very favorites ever) I wasn't sure what to expect. But, this is action packed, full of emotions, twists and turns & leaves you feeling satisfied yet excited for more! Some books have cliffhangers that are unbearable but Jennifer knows how to write a sequel without keeping her fans suffering for the outcome. I loved the character Dace as I expect most will and the villains in this are still not all reveiled. I'm still very excited to see where the next novel goes. Honestly, this is full of sexual tension and action, what's not to love? I would like to know a bit more about the "mafia side". I know we are just getting to know the characters, but there is a lot more we have to learn. Just how powerful is this family? And who is the real father? Are both sets of brothers at war or is it just Michael? So many questions left and so much more to see what happens.

Thanks Jennifer...you never disappoint!
Profile Image for Lin ( Nerdy Bookworm).
1,049 reviews4 followers
May 26, 2015
First, it starts out kind of slow. Not much happens but there does seem to be something building but it is about eighty percent into the story that it get interesting and grabs the reader attention. The storyline was weak and entrench with unrealistic characters however; had great potential.There are many family betrayal and mostly a shocking twist to the story which gave it the potential to be good but the long drawn-out of UNREALTIC events take away the true plot. Dace and Antony was half siblings to Michael and Ettore with Michael the leader in all the deception. I have read many mafia novel and this one did not fit the description nor history was giving. The readers was left with lots of questionable activity unanswered. I was expecting it to be more like the authors other work, but it WASN'T!!!
Profile Image for Erinn Giblin.
2 reviews
June 23, 2014
Jennifer doesn't disappoint with the Colletto boys! The Laws of Kings is full of details, twists, and the unique ability to put readers in the front row of an action-packed plot, romance, mafia intelligence, and undeniably memorable characters. You'll fall in love with Dace! His handsome good looks, charming wit, talent, and bad boy persona will captivate you into learning more about his role in the Colletto family and leave you eager to fill in the details of an intriguing story. Get ready to smile, laugh, sit on the edge of your seat, and maybe even sweat a little. ;)

I can't wait to see what comes next!
Profile Image for Lacie.
149 reviews18 followers
July 8, 2014
WOW! I had to flip back to the beginning and reread immediately because I just knew there were tidbits I had missed while devouring it through the first read. The Laws of Kings was so full of lies and conniving manipulative bastards but loyalty as well. I still don't know if I trust some of the players and can't wait to Dethrone the King! Great job Jennifer!!
781 reviews7 followers
August 25, 2015
Lawlessness!

I was attempting to read four books at once, so I was a bit distracted. When I finally got into this novel, I didn't stop until I had read the whole story. An excellent read, brother against brother, with unexpected twists and turns! The fact that both Austin and Dace were badasses was just icing on the cake!
Profile Image for Joyce.
417 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2014
I am really not surprised that this is another great book by this author! You will fall in love with Dace and especially Antony!! Great read!
32 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2014
Loved it!! Can't wait for the next one. Hopefully we'll find out more about Ettore I feel like he's the only one we dont really know a lot about.
Profile Image for Julie C.
60 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2015
Absolutely loved it. This has a great storyline and the characters are very well written. Can't wait to read book 2
Profile Image for Alexandra G..
930 reviews1 follower
could-not-finish
July 12, 2016
Waaay too chaotic and fast-paced. The story jumps from the present to the past constantly and it's confusing my mind.
Profile Image for Sammy.
59 reviews
Read
October 12, 2016
Dnf @30%

I tried. I mean some parts were interesting but overall I just couldn't get into this.
Profile Image for Saadiya 🍉.
135 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2014
DNF - 40%
Everything was just moving too slow for me, plus no real interest in the characters.
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