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Devil's Dominion #1
Idle Hands and the Devil's Dominion
Cas : She killed my brother. At least, that is what I have believed for the months I followed her, learning her habits, likes, and dislikes. The moment I’m about to pull the trigger is not the time to second-guess myself. In my line of work, I don’t have the luxury to wonder about guilt or innocence. The fact is, I’ve been paid to do a job. Mercenaries don’t get to pick and choose who they put down. I’m one of the best, and my reputation is on the line. She may or may not have killed my brother, but she’s certainly not innocent, with the things she’s done.
There’s just one problem… she’s so different behind the scenes than the person she plays in public. I’m curious about a target for the first time. As much as I hate everything she stands for, I hate the idea of letting her go without getting what I want from her even more.
Mara : Rich, powerful, beautiful – part of the elite. Everyone thinks I love this life - the role I’m forced to play. But they’re wrong. I don’t want much – freedom? A sense of purpose? I’m not even sure I know. But I’m certain of one I’m tired of playing this role. I’m tired of this game.
Unfortunately, the game doesn’t want let me go. There’s a lot of danger out there, and I’m in no position to refuse protection. I’m forced to comply with a hulking, cranky stranger. I suppose when he isn’t being so hateful, it isn’t the worst way to spend my time. I can’t pretend he isn’t gorgeous, or that I don’t find some strange thrill in his acrimonious demeanor. But there’s so much more that I want, as well. I want to break out of this life. I want to save myself and be free.
There’s just one problem… she’s so different behind the scenes than the person she plays in public. I’m curious about a target for the first time. As much as I hate everything she stands for, I hate the idea of letting her go without getting what I want from her even more.
Mara : Rich, powerful, beautiful – part of the elite. Everyone thinks I love this life - the role I’m forced to play. But they’re wrong. I don’t want much – freedom? A sense of purpose? I’m not even sure I know. But I’m certain of one I’m tired of playing this role. I’m tired of this game.
Unfortunately, the game doesn’t want let me go. There’s a lot of danger out there, and I’m in no position to refuse protection. I’m forced to comply with a hulking, cranky stranger. I suppose when he isn’t being so hateful, it isn’t the worst way to spend my time. I can’t pretend he isn’t gorgeous, or that I don’t find some strange thrill in his acrimonious demeanor. But there’s so much more that I want, as well. I want to break out of this life. I want to save myself and be free.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2023
118 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
About the author
Christina B. Rose
11 books218 followersChristina B. Rose lives in the New York suburbs with her hubby, her daughter, and her son. When she’s not nurturing the minds of America’s tiny humans, she’s writing dark romance stories with vivacious, tragic heroines and the deep, dark heroes that love them. She realizes that this is quite the contrast.
She loves to teach, sing, read, and make dumb jokes. She believes that life is simply too short not to have fun and be ridiculous most of the time.
She loves to teach, sing, read, and make dumb jokes. She believes that life is simply too short not to have fun and be ridiculous most of the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
August 27, 2023
I don’t know where to begin with this review. I finished reading this book days ago and my mind hasn’t stopped with everything I can say about it. It has left me craving the next books in the series hard! This is the story of Cas and Mara and it is set in the the underworld of mafia bosses, hit men, and all sorts of other dark elements. On the surface, Mara seems like an overly spoiled rich girl, princess to a big time mafia boss. But as the story plays out, her story is heartbreaking. Cas is a hitman who isn’t aligned with any one particular mafia boss but he is just as dark and brutal as the rest of them. He worms his way into our hearts as we get to know him.
The feels from this book, reach out and grab you. You fall in love with these characters while they fall in love with one another. You feel their anger, their angst and their steam! There were times I yelled out loud at these characters and the ending gutted me. This mafia read is dark, it’s steamy and the plot just sucks you in. I highly recommend you one click this now!!
The feels from this book, reach out and grab you. You fall in love with these characters while they fall in love with one another. You feel their anger, their angst and their steam! There were times I yelled out loud at these characters and the ending gutted me. This mafia read is dark, it’s steamy and the plot just sucks you in. I highly recommend you one click this now!!
July 26, 2023
I could relate to both of these characters so easily.. they were so well written and developed! Mystery, steam/spice, thrill, and so engaging. I could not put it down!
I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are my own!
I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are my own!
August 18, 2023
This book was so far from what I expected. I really thought it was going to be a sci-fi or fantasy book just looking at the title. This is mafia at its finest. Casca, Cas, Scutari is a a hit man. His next job is Mara Whitney. Mara is a spoiled, little rich girl. She has made a name for herself on social media and just may be the person that killed Cas' brother. Someone wants her dead but this job is personal. Cas has to find out what really happened that night. Unfortunately, when Cas is ready Mara is in no condition to answer any of his questions. He finally sees the real her. Instead of killing her, he protects her because he is not the only one who wants to kill her.
Mara Whitney does what she is told. Her public persona is nothing like who she really is. Her dad sent Cas to keep her safe, right? The lies that bring these two together are the lies that will tear them apart. Cas needs to know what happened to his brother. Mara is the only one that could know. There is something about the real Mara that draws Cas to her. She is beautiful and he will not be able to stay away for too long. When he gives in to his desires, it is everything he thought it would be and more. Now Cas is just hoping that the lies stay buried. Will she stay with him if she knows the truth?
This book was so surprisingly good. The characters are real. Readers will feel their pain, joy and happiness. I can't wait for the next book in this series. After reading the book, I understand the title and think it is well suited. Christina knows how to pull readers in her world.
Mara Whitney does what she is told. Her public persona is nothing like who she really is. Her dad sent Cas to keep her safe, right? The lies that bring these two together are the lies that will tear them apart. Cas needs to know what happened to his brother. Mara is the only one that could know. There is something about the real Mara that draws Cas to her. She is beautiful and he will not be able to stay away for too long. When he gives in to his desires, it is everything he thought it would be and more. Now Cas is just hoping that the lies stay buried. Will she stay with him if she knows the truth?
This book was so surprisingly good. The characters are real. Readers will feel their pain, joy and happiness. I can't wait for the next book in this series. After reading the book, I understand the title and think it is well suited. Christina knows how to pull readers in her world.
August 22, 2023
Amazing book. I don’t really know where to begin. So much happened in this book. First Mara was thought to be a spoiled princess of a mafia family. And that turned out to be so wrong. I love Mara. She is a strong woman even though she portrayed something else entirely because that is what her family wanted. She is a smart woman. Then Cas came into the picture for all the wrong reasons but then his feelings changed and he didn’t follow through with what he was supposed to do. He found out more about a certain situation that Mara was involved in. It took time to get the answers he needed even though he only got some of them. He had enough to piece more together about Mara’s involvement in it. I hope he gets the answers he needs in the next book. Can’t wait to read it.
January 27, 2024
This book has pointed out a trope I do not like....I despise slow burns, however, I am glad I kept reading as it helps me understand the characters. I am off to read book 2 but if you are a lover of slow burns with very little smut, you will love this.
September 9, 2023
Wow!
What a book!!!
Christina made me hate Mara and Cas soooooooo much and then fall in love with them so it’s only right that I give this 5 stars for the feels trip this took me on!
I honestly feel like I can’t say much without spoiling it so I’ll just say this:
If you like mafia, this is for you.
If you like criminals, this is for you.
If you like suspense, this is for you.
If you like some mystery or who dun it, this is for you.
If you like high spice levels, this is for you.
If you like alphaholes, this is for you.
If you like characters who aren’t what they seem, this is for you.
If you like a book to take you on a feels trip and fuck you up emotionally, this is for you.
What a book!!!
Christina made me hate Mara and Cas soooooooo much and then fall in love with them so it’s only right that I give this 5 stars for the feels trip this took me on!
I honestly feel like I can’t say much without spoiling it so I’ll just say this:
If you like mafia, this is for you.
If you like criminals, this is for you.
If you like suspense, this is for you.
If you like some mystery or who dun it, this is for you.
If you like high spice levels, this is for you.
If you like alphaholes, this is for you.
If you like characters who aren’t what they seem, this is for you.
If you like a book to take you on a feels trip and fuck you up emotionally, this is for you.
September 5, 2023
Cliffhanger Delux, this book has left me dangling on the edge of sanity!!!! Now that Mara has unraveled the events leading to her being with Cas, now he locks her up..... For her protection 😱the spice is nice and the writing is well done and detailed. Thoroughly enjoyed it, just please don't leave me on this cliffhanger, I need the next book please.... Congrats on a book well done.
August 30, 2023
“ He won’t do it. He won’t kill me. He can’t. He feels my pain, I know it. He gets me in some strange way that neither of us understand.”
Cas is hit man who next target is Mara. She is the person who supposedly kill his brother but things don’t add up when he see her crying over his memorial. Mara is knew to be a spoiled rich mafia princess who does what is told of her. When he “rescue” her his next job is to find the killer of his brother and find out why her family wants her died. Mara is pulled to Cas and soon will have to try and save her heart instead of her life. Even though they have lots of things and people standing in their way and in the way of their journey they will find love. But will their love survive the cliffhanger ending? I can’t wait for the next book to find out.
Cas is hit man who next target is Mara. She is the person who supposedly kill his brother but things don’t add up when he see her crying over his memorial. Mara is knew to be a spoiled rich mafia princess who does what is told of her. When he “rescue” her his next job is to find the killer of his brother and find out why her family wants her died. Mara is pulled to Cas and soon will have to try and save her heart instead of her life. Even though they have lots of things and people standing in their way and in the way of their journey they will find love. But will their love survive the cliffhanger ending? I can’t wait for the next book to find out.
September 2, 2023
A deliciously twisted dark romance read
Cas, an independent fixer, has been trailing Mara, the youngest daughter of the Boston Russian Mafia boss, after she had a contract put on her life. As the story progresses he is not the only danger out there, they start to find themselves somewhere, and as they grow closer the lies piling up could be more than they can bear. Idle Hands is a deliciously twisted dark romance read.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Cas, an independent fixer, has been trailing Mara, the youngest daughter of the Boston Russian Mafia boss, after she had a contract put on her life. As the story progresses he is not the only danger out there, they start to find themselves somewhere, and as they grow closer the lies piling up could be more than they can bear. Idle Hands is a deliciously twisted dark romance read.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
August 25, 2023
What a ride
From stalker to un@liver to capter to savior to capter again. Throw in a little deceit, a sprinkling of drama, a few confusing feelings, some steamy scenes, a bit of love, and you might come close to all that's packed into this book. Absolutely can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
From stalker to un@liver to capter to savior to capter again. Throw in a little deceit, a sprinkling of drama, a few confusing feelings, some steamy scenes, a bit of love, and you might come close to all that's packed into this book. Absolutely can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
August 27, 2023
This book was highly addictive to read and entertaining. Being a mafia story it instantly hooked me in and the interactions between the characters made it even better.
Overall it was a great book and I can't wait to read the second one.
Overall it was a great book and I can't wait to read the second one.
August 19, 2023
A different take on the usual mafia book, the story is unique (to me anyway), it is brilliantly written. It has so many layers to it, and we’re getting glimpses here and there about who/what/why but it still leaves you guessing lol. Love the banter and sarcasm between the main characters too. Can’t wait for the next book
August 16, 2023
Cas is an assassin who is given a job: to get revenge on the celebrity that killed his brother. However, when he gets her alone, he finds out that there is someone else that wants her dead too. Instead of finishing the job, Cas decides to bring her home in hopes of finding out some information he needs.
Mara is living the rich celebrity life when she accidentally kills a man while on the influence of drugs and alcohol. Now, she must face the consequences of her actions and help Cas figure out who else is trying to kill her.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mara is living the rich celebrity life when she accidentally kills a man while on the influence of drugs and alcohol. Now, she must face the consequences of her actions and help Cas figure out who else is trying to kill her.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
This is a very complex story. It's has so many in and out of the different mafia families and crime organizations levels. Where you think your getting just story your getting a more complex story that you really have to pay attention to for it all to make sense. It's also happens to be a slow burn.
July 29, 2023
✨Arc Review✨
The hit man and the Mafia Kingpins daughter! I absolutely love the banter between Cas and Mara! The relationship though it’s enemies to lovers is so cute even in the beginning. I truly fell in love with their story. Ugh god what a way to end the book..now I have to bide my time til September wondering how this story ends!
The hit man and the Mafia Kingpins daughter! I absolutely love the banter between Cas and Mara! The relationship though it’s enemies to lovers is so cute even in the beginning. I truly fell in love with their story. Ugh god what a way to end the book..now I have to bide my time til September wondering how this story ends!
July 19, 2024
Hmmmmm, I'm not sold on this book, especially since discovering it's a four part series. It was interesting enough to finish, but I kind of wish it was just wrapped up here and now. I already have book 2 handy, so mayyyybe I'll get around to checking it out, but as of right now I don't really care about Cas and Mara. Lol. Which is really unusual for me with a series. I normally devour them, one book after another like an addict.
April 25, 2024
I have (slowly) been working through the books I got for free on Stuff Your Kindle Day, and this one was next on the list! It’s definitely not as dark as I thought for a mafia romance book. It’s a slow-burn-until-it-explodes romance between a hit man and his mafia daughter target that ends up taking on a bodyguard romance vibe. Spice hits hard at the 50% mark.
I was more invested in Mara than Cas, mostly because we get way more information about her. Even the chapters from Cas’ POV only give us slightly more info than what Mara ends up figuring out on her own. It does help the reader understand why they are in this safe house situation to begin with, but it may have had more mystery and twists if we only had Mara’s POV for the first half and Cas’ history was revealed later? I also found Cas’ feelings for Mara very cold then very hot without any buildup. Their love didn’t feel earned.
I did like the ending, and it was intriguing enough that I will read book two (which I also snagged for free on Stuff Your Kindle Day). If you want to lightly dip your toes in darker romances, this may be a good starting point!
I was more invested in Mara than Cas, mostly because we get way more information about her. Even the chapters from Cas’ POV only give us slightly more info than what Mara ends up figuring out on her own. It does help the reader understand why they are in this safe house situation to begin with, but it may have had more mystery and twists if we only had Mara’s POV for the first half and Cas’ history was revealed later? I also found Cas’ feelings for Mara very cold then very hot without any buildup. Their love didn’t feel earned.
I did like the ending, and it was intriguing enough that I will read book two (which I also snagged for free on Stuff Your Kindle Day). If you want to lightly dip your toes in darker romances, this may be a good starting point!
August 20, 2023
I’m a dark romance/ mafia dark romance girl at heart and I love when I start a book that draws me right in..
idle hands has all the ingredients that had me turning the pages so fast…
It starts with action when we meet Cas who has been given a job to take out the leader of a mob families daughter.. but all isn’t what it seems..
Mara is the kind of girl that gets everything she wants and lives the most perfect life… or does she?
The night she is almost killed chances her life for ever!!
Cas learns that you should never judge a book by its cover, Mara is more broken by secrets that get revealed at the story goes on…
There is spice and Cas is definitely book boyfriend material.. of the morally grey kind..
Enemies to lovers
Dark romance
Mafia romance
Dub con
BDSM
alpha male..
It ends on a cliffhanger, but when the ending is this good! I’m not mad…
idle hands has all the ingredients that had me turning the pages so fast…
It starts with action when we meet Cas who has been given a job to take out the leader of a mob families daughter.. but all isn’t what it seems..
Mara is the kind of girl that gets everything she wants and lives the most perfect life… or does she?
The night she is almost killed chances her life for ever!!
Cas learns that you should never judge a book by its cover, Mara is more broken by secrets that get revealed at the story goes on…
There is spice and Cas is definitely book boyfriend material.. of the morally grey kind..
Enemies to lovers
Dark romance
Mafia romance
Dub con
BDSM
alpha male..
It ends on a cliffhanger, but when the ending is this good! I’m not mad…
August 23, 2023
Definitely worth reading!
Mara is a spoiled rich girl to everyone that sees her online presence, but there's a lot more to her story. She's a good actress for her family and followers and does just about everything that she's asked to do. Along comes Cas, who has his own job to do. However, that quickly changes when he meets her in an alley for the first time.
Of course I won't be giving anything away, but I will say that I loved this book and it's twists. I need to know more of their story now.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
🔥 🔥 🔥
Mara is a spoiled rich girl to everyone that sees her online presence, but there's a lot more to her story. She's a good actress for her family and followers and does just about everything that she's asked to do. Along comes Cas, who has his own job to do. However, that quickly changes when he meets her in an alley for the first time.
Of course I won't be giving anything away, but I will say that I loved this book and it's twists. I need to know more of their story now.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
🔥 🔥 🔥
August 29, 2023
Cas is a hit man that works in the dark underworld of the mafia. When he’s hired to place a hit in Mara, celebrity/Instagram socialite spoiled rich girl, Cas realizes that life might just not be quite as it seems and the whole world (including him) might have completely the wrong impression of who Mara truly is.
As the relationship between Cas and Mara evolves, Cas tries to figure out if Mara was involved in his brother’s past killing. Mara thinks that Cas was hired by her family to protect her.
This book had me wanting more and I couldn’t put it down. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
As the relationship between Cas and Mara evolves, Cas tries to figure out if Mara was involved in his brother’s past killing. Mara thinks that Cas was hired by her family to protect her.
This book had me wanting more and I couldn’t put it down. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 6, 2023
This book had me intrigued. At first I wasn't sure about this book but the more I read the better it got. Cas is hired to kill Mara, the Mafia princess. Until she breaks down and starts crying and then someone else tries to kill her and Cas. He takes her to his safe house. He is a grumpy person and she is a star of the social media, They Batter back and forth till things go to far. Some secrets come out and the whole story changes. Can't wait for the next to see what happens
January 25, 2024
Oh. My. Lord. Its not often i give a book a five star review! The writing style is absolutely amazing and exactly what i look for in a book. The plot is fantastic and I could easily distinguish what it is. The spicy scenes are chef’s kiss 🤌🏼 and the public trail scene absolutely got me😍😍 The ending definitely took me for a surprise but I hope it sets up for book 2. Can’t wait to start the next one!
August 29, 2023
Wow! That cliff hanger! Idle hands will lead you into more trouble than you could ever imagine. Hands down a page turned with a few very unexpected twist. Definitely can’t wait to read the next book!
August 6, 2024
SO GOOD. I got this book for a Stuff Your Kindle Day not knowing anything about it and I was not disappointed! This book had me from the beginning and I loved every second of it and can’t wait to read the second one!
August 22, 2023
This is pretty complex but good and I can't wait for book 2. The storyline hooked me instantly and I couldn't put it down. The chemistry was great and it was well written
September 11, 2023
Idle Hands and the Devil's Dominion: A Dark Mafia Romance
I’m so glad the author reached out to me to read her book. Do not sleep on this book!
I’m a sucker for dark mafia romance, enemies to lovers, stalker, & hidden secrets. The storyline hooked me instantly and I couldn't put it down. Cas & Mara characters will make you hate them, yet love them at the same damn time. This book has suspense with twist and turns. I can’t help but want more especially when it leaves you on a cliffhanger. Over all I loved it. The book cover doesn’t do the book justice!
Rating: 4/⭐️ 2/🌶️
Book 2 : Tragic Bindings and The Devil Dominion. Which is available on KU.
I’m so glad the author reached out to me to read her book. Do not sleep on this book!
I’m a sucker for dark mafia romance, enemies to lovers, stalker, & hidden secrets. The storyline hooked me instantly and I couldn't put it down. Cas & Mara characters will make you hate them, yet love them at the same damn time. This book has suspense with twist and turns. I can’t help but want more especially when it leaves you on a cliffhanger. Over all I loved it. The book cover doesn’t do the book justice!
Rating: 4/⭐️ 2/🌶️
Book 2 : Tragic Bindings and The Devil Dominion. Which is available on KU.
August 6, 2024
4.5 🌟
December 22, 2024
This was actually so good I couldn’t put it down and I’m so happy it’s a finished series so I can binge it
August 22, 2023
Cas was hired to do a job that he couldn't do after he met Mara. Instead he takes her and protects her.
did-not-finish
March 3, 2024Hitman abducts an influencer from a mafia family who was somehow involved with his brother's murder.
DNF @ 62%. The writing was pretty solid, but the pace was a little too disjointed to hold my interest. I really liked the initial premise where Cas (the hitman) lies to Mara (the heroine) and claims her family hired him to keep her safe, when he was actually hired to kill her and decides to hold her hostage instead. It was an interesting setup and I wish it had contributed more tension to the plot.
CW: mentions of eating disorder
DNF @ 62%. The writing was pretty solid, but the pace was a little too disjointed to hold my interest. I really liked the initial premise where Cas (the hitman) lies to Mara (the heroine) and claims her family hired him to keep her safe, when he was actually hired to kill her and decides to hold her hostage instead. It was an interesting setup and I wish it had contributed more tension to the plot.
CW: mentions of eating disorder
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews