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Alfonzo #13.5
Luzo: Reign of a Mafia Don
"There are times when reading that I know why I love books. Luzo's story is heart-wrenching, relevant to the times and enlightening!" -Taneka (Reading Bug) There are wars between men in fancy suits and polished shoes. They are ruthless soldiers. When they kill, battlefields are bloodied to protect family. 'Men of Honor,' are their whispered titles. Salvatore Giacanti wears the crown of mafia royalty. When Salvatore's famiglia is murdered while he studies abroad, he returns to the shores of Italy focused on revenge. Under the assumed identity, Luzo Palazzo, he rebuilds his family's empire and adheres to the motto; 'Death to the Enemies of My Family.' But, when a man lives only for vengeance, he is apt to die loveless. Read Luzo's story and then ride along in the crime romance series about his son, Alfonzo. For more novels by S.W. Frank, visit the Author's website.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2013
23 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
S.W. Frank
55 books235 followersS. 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."
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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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 26, 2016
QUICK REVIEW - mature content reader discretion advised.
4 STARS out of 5
S.W. Frank far from disappoints with this book which is more of a precursor to her Alfonzo series which I adore.
In Luzo we get some background on the man himself and an up close and personal look at how he along with two other siblings was left orphaned as children. Luzo Giacanti was sent to France for schooling and was not home when armed men stormed in to his childhood home and massacred his family in Italy. Being the eldest he was left to look after his two younger brothers the only survivors as they each assumed new identities and grew up separately.
Eventually the boys come together as men to avenge the deaths of their loved ones in a battle that is still is taking place within the families. Thus the Alfonzo series ALFONZO.
I can't say much without spoiling the book or the series that follows it. But I will say this.. Luzo starts in the 1940's and goes up to present day. However the time span more so catches you up to date with what is read in book 1 of the Alfonzo series. And is not so much a play by play of his life.
The Writing- S.W. Frank is an AWESOME writer she pulls you in and in some instances spits you out with her writing depending on how she chooses to end a book. She captures the troubled America so well as it fights injustice at one of our low points in history.
The Book itself- Luzo is more of a companion novel to go with her established series and I was sad to see it end. Btw, the ending was beautifully written and brought tears to my eyes.
The Characters- One thing Frank showed was how deep love for a sibling can truly be. Luzo was a proud man with an iron will and he did whatever was necessary for those he loved. I was a tad disappointed that I did not get little more of Maria but this was not about her the focus was more so the man himself. Getting to know Sophie in the past just made me love her that much more. And her love for Carlo bounced right off the pages it was so endearing.
I think it is safe to say that this author gave us what we needed to know and see for now because I am sure more of the past will be revealed in due time.
One thing I really REALLY would have liked
4 STARS out of 5
S.W. Frank far from disappoints with this book which is more of a precursor to her Alfonzo series which I adore.
In Luzo we get some background on the man himself and an up close and personal look at how he along with two other siblings was left orphaned as children. Luzo Giacanti was sent to France for schooling and was not home when armed men stormed in to his childhood home and massacred his family in Italy. Being the eldest he was left to look after his two younger brothers the only survivors as they each assumed new identities and grew up separately.
Eventually the boys come together as men to avenge the deaths of their loved ones in a battle that is still is taking place within the families. Thus the Alfonzo series ALFONZO.
I can't say much without spoiling the book or the series that follows it. But I will say this.. Luzo starts in the 1940's and goes up to present day. However the time span more so catches you up to date with what is read in book 1 of the Alfonzo series. And is not so much a play by play of his life.
The Writing- S.W. Frank is an AWESOME writer she pulls you in and in some instances spits you out with her writing depending on how she chooses to end a book. She captures the troubled America so well as it fights injustice at one of our low points in history.
The Book itself- Luzo is more of a companion novel to go with her established series and I was sad to see it end. Btw, the ending was beautifully written and brought tears to my eyes.
The Characters- One thing Frank showed was how deep love for a sibling can truly be. Luzo was a proud man with an iron will and he did whatever was necessary for those he loved. I was a tad disappointed that I did not get little more of Maria but this was not about her the focus was more so the man himself. Getting to know Sophie in the past just made me love her that much more. And her love for Carlo bounced right off the pages it was so endearing.
I think it is safe to say that this author gave us what we needed to know and see for now because I am sure more of the past will be revealed in due time.
One thing I really REALLY would have liked
May 30, 2016
That’s why I enjoy these, they’re really thought out and you get a full picture of what’s going on in the story. Following along with Luzo I really felt bad for him. After the first read I thought he was just a pig and didn’t care about any of his kids or the women he ran over. He may not have but I really thought his intentions with Marie were genuine, but why did he have to be married? He should’ve cut Gina loose when he found out they played him. She was no good from the jump and he spent too much time letting her get away with it. Seemed like he lived his life trying to protect everyone but himself and when he did take for his self he didn’t go about it the right way. In the end he died before his enemies which was even worse. He set out to find out who was behind the murders and ended up dying before he could get what he sought all those years. No wonder Carlo was taken out, even though I didn’t want to see him go I understand him wanting to go out on his own then waiting on his body to shut down. On to the next one.
January 13, 2021
This one was a struggle. Didn't really care for it, and it read like someone with ADHD wrote it. It didn't really feel like a novel my SW Frank would write 🤷♀️
February 19, 2024
Family must be protected
In this prequel to the Alfonzo series, we see how and why the Giacanti family became the Palluzzo, Dichenzo and the Luca family. The assassination of Sergio Giacanti's family left its marks on the survivors who were thought to be dead. Each boy grew into his own depending on how he was affected by the loss of the family.
Luzo greed for power and influence sent him into a loveless marriage to a heartless harpy who was equally eaten by the desire of power and money. The Sicilian society over looked certain aspects of men's lives but Gina did not. She would make sure she kept her hard-earned power in society. When Luzo fell in lust/ love with Maria, is when all hell broke lose. The under world brotherhood that was responsible for Sergio's family demise is determine to rid any evidence of the family.
This story is full of action and drama and mystery.
In this prequel to the Alfonzo series, we see how and why the Giacanti family became the Palluzzo, Dichenzo and the Luca family. The assassination of Sergio Giacanti's family left its marks on the survivors who were thought to be dead. Each boy grew into his own depending on how he was affected by the loss of the family.
Luzo greed for power and influence sent him into a loveless marriage to a heartless harpy who was equally eaten by the desire of power and money. The Sicilian society over looked certain aspects of men's lives but Gina did not. She would make sure she kept her hard-earned power in society. When Luzo fell in lust/ love with Maria, is when all hell broke lose. The under world brotherhood that was responsible for Sergio's family demise is determine to rid any evidence of the family.
This story is full of action and drama and mystery.
October 1, 2017
Great Read, Quite Frankly
"Luzo" is my first S.W. Frank read. It is a story of lifelong vengeance that Luzo wanted for the slaughter of his parents and twin sisters. It's different in the fact that even though it is a mafia story, there wasn't much violence. And while Luzo and his brother Carlo were able to reunite with their younger brother, he was able to attain brief happiness with his true love, and the vengeance he sought eluded him.
"Luzo" is my first S.W. Frank read. It is a story of lifelong vengeance that Luzo wanted for the slaughter of his parents and twin sisters. It's different in the fact that even though it is a mafia story, there wasn't much violence. And while Luzo and his brother Carlo were able to reunite with their younger brother, he was able to attain brief happiness with his true love, and the vengeance he sought eluded him.
September 20, 2018
Death to the Enemies of My Family!
Wow! I knew this the backstory for Alfonzo but my goodness! My heart is heavy because to see the hero die is truly bittersweet. I fell in love with the Giacanti brothers. I wanted Luzo/Salvatore, Anthony/Carlo and Giuseppe/Alberti to have their revenge. They deserved it!
It’s good to have this backstory before reading the full Alfonzo series.
Wow! I knew this the backstory for Alfonzo but my goodness! My heart is heavy because to see the hero die is truly bittersweet. I fell in love with the Giacanti brothers. I wanted Luzo/Salvatore, Anthony/Carlo and Giuseppe/Alberti to have their revenge. They deserved it!
It’s good to have this backstory before reading the full Alfonzo series.
July 23, 2017
The start of it all
The Alfonso series this is a love/hate read for me. Mainly bcuz I'm on book 18up to this point six books were smoking hot and the others were.... Any way I had to take a break and read something else... Hence Luzo glad I did... Now I can get back to Alfonso
The Alfonso series this is a love/hate read for me. Mainly bcuz I'm on book 18up to this point six books were smoking hot and the others were.... Any way I had to take a break and read something else... Hence Luzo glad I did... Now I can get back to Alfonso
June 20, 2017
OK
This book was OK to read. It provided background of Luzo and his family. It discuss how Alfonzo came to be.
This book was OK to read. It provided background of Luzo and his family. It discuss how Alfonzo came to be.
December 1, 2013
This is a brilliant origin story for fans of the Alfonzo series or a newcomer coming to the series. the book can be read before r after the other installments. It begins with telling the story of the three remaining Giacanti brothers who are the sole survivors of a masacre of their family the eldest Salvatore who is then named Luzo(of the title)Carlo and Alberti- it delves on stories of their formative years in France and their drive for retribution of their families death as they assert and insert themselves back in to the fold of their family business. it deals with their loves; lost and growth as young men and men of power. We get to see certain characters as babies which was nice and characters that are now coming in to the fold of the present Alfonz story. The book also delves in Civil rights movements; feminism; the quest of doing right even by doing wrong- and the most important the love and loyalty of family. If you haven't read the other installments that this story is linked to and is briefly mentioned this book fills the gaps and answers questions- i wanted it to be longer but it still was satisfiying.
September 21, 2014
I rather enjoyed Luzo, but I still felt that there were missing pieces. But from his youth to his rise was interesting. However, how did he achieve what he did as he rose in power? In my mind, just a few missing pieces that did not, in my humble opinion, tell the WHOLE story of Luzo. I was able to get a very good bird's eye view of a younger Sophie and Carlo, and how things came to be, however. Still a good read.
November 26, 2013
For all the lover's of the Alfonzo series by S.W. Frank, Luzo is a must read. This is where it all began. Questions are answered in the informative history of the Giacanti's. Ms. Frank does it again with a wonderful story of revenge, loyalty, and unconditional love to one's family.
June 7, 2014
When i began reading this book i didnt think i would be interested but it turned out pretty good i give it a 3.5. The history of there story was good to here from the 1st generation. Im not looking forward to the ending of this series because I am still pissed about the previous books.
December 29, 2013
Very interesting to read how it all begawan. If you enjoy the Alfonzo series this story will shed a lot of light on the Giacanti family.
January 11, 2014
My Blogging Book Review will be coming soon for "Luzo: Reighn of a Mafia Don." (via: booksmoviesfandoms.wordpress.com)
My Star Rating for this novel: 4 stars our of 5 stars! :)
My Star Rating for this novel: 4 stars our of 5 stars! :)
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March 28, 2014Luzo is a must read
November 11, 2016
Love it. Couldn't put the book down. Intense
December 4, 2014
I enjoyed the backstory.
August 11, 2015
Good easy read .... good to go back in time and learn more about the people who started things.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews