Mind Control

by Staci Troilo

Three decades. Two continents. One secret that could cost him everything.

Too. Many. Secrets... and Vinnie Falco is buried in them.
He works undercover day and night to keep watch over Jo Notaro, whose fiery temperament matches her boundless energy and unparalleled beauty. Jo's is unable to withstand the endless scrutiny and constant surveillance, so when Vinnie's ever-watchful gaze lingers too long, she can feel his touch—and she doesn't know if she loathes it or loves it.

Vinnie's job to watch Jo goes much deeper. He's a vice president of an international corporation, a front for a secret organization—the Medici Protectorate—which continues a tradition going back nearly 500 years to guard the Medici line. Jo and her sisters are the descendants of the Medici and someone wants them dead.

But Vinnie has another secret he's desperately trying to hide. A secret that could push Jo too far away for even him to save her.

Kindle Edition

About the author

I grew up knowing family is paramount. I was blessed to spend time with extended family daily, not just on holidays or weekends. Because of those close-knit familial bonds, every day was full of love and laughter, food and fun.

Life took me away from that extended family for twenty years before I finally made it back. And while I'd done my best to keep the traditions alive across the miles, I realize there truly is no place like home.

Through my fiction, I share those traditions and the importance of relationships with you. Mystery or suspense, romance or mainstream, sci-fi or thriller—in my stories, family (however you define it) is paramount.

To learn more about me, visit me at http://stacitroilo.com or connect with me on social media.

Reviews

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the “Medici Protectorate” Series. It continues the story of the brothers whose job it is to protect the bloodline of the Medici family or the Notaro sisters. The focus in “Mind Control” is on Vinnie and Jo and the secrets they both have. Drawn to each other they let their fears get in the way, which only adds to their attraction. Their past keeps them from trusting and in Jo’s case makes her want to run away. I found myself rooting for them to get past themselves. With the enemy one step behind the group, Vinnie and Jo’s steamy romance takes over the story. There were some surprises I wasn’t expecting, which I always appreciate. I loved the Italian culture infused into the storyline along with the magic, family, relationships, betrayal and coming to terms with the past. I’m enjoying this series and can’t wait to read the next book. If you love a steamy romance, adventure, history, strong characters, and family, you’ll love this series, but start with book one and take the whole journey.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I'm jumping from an addiction to another. It seems I'm so lucky in choosing books to read that I have a never-ending supply of compelling and gripping readings.

In truth, usually it's difficult to find a reading so absorbing, with such a perfect pace, and the right mix of external and internal conflict as Mind Control.

After reading Bleeding Heart, somehow I knew what to expect from the Medici Protectorate series, but this novel was a surprise nonetheless, and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.

I'm hopelessly in love with Vinnie (I'm not sure, but I could have said the same about Gianni in my review of Bleeding Heart). Jo is so impossibly stubborn I wished I could slap her more than once while reading the novel, but her stubbornness made the reading unique and compelling.

I had severe problems in putting Mind Control down, and now the dilemma is: should I jump right into Body Armor, number 3 in the Medici Protectorate series, or should I read Type and Cross also by Staci Troilo (there's an excerpt at the end of Mind Control and, OMG, it really starts with a bang!)?

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book that continues the story of the Notaro sisters, descendants of Italian royalty, and the Brotherhood of the Medici Protectorate, who are sworn to protect them. This time the focus in on Vinnie and Jo, a couple with complex backgrounds and old wounds that return to haunt them. They both have major obstacles to overcome—not only in their growing attraction, and the fact that killers are after Jo and her sisters, but there are psychological hurdles each has to face in order to move forward.

Vinnie and Jo are both damaged by incidents in their past, yet both are courageously strong and fierce in their devotion to those they love. From the moment they appear together on the page, they’re a couple who demand attention, all the while enmeshing the reader in their story. The writing is flawless, and all of the characters—there is a wonderful secondary cast—are well developed. The action had me flipping pages and the ups and downs of the romance are believable from start to finish. Best of all, there were several surprises at the ending that I never saw coming. WOW! I can’t wait for the next book in this fabulous series!

[Michele Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continued the Notaro sisters’ story. And it didn’t disappoint. Ms. Troilo creates believable characters, well developed scenes, and delivers on the action. There are steamy love scenes, and several thriller scenes with elements of magic. As the series progresses, we learn more about each sister, and the brothers who protect them. Although you could read this book before reading Bleeding Heart, I recommend you start with book one. There are too many details that would be missed if you don’t.

This book pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. Ms. Troilo balanced action, drama, and romance artfully. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys novels with a bit of magic, mystery, suspense, and romance. Something for almost everyone. Body Armor is definitely on my reading list.

[Julie Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book of the Medici Protectorate series, and just as enjoyable as the first! Another adventure with the Brotherhood and the sisters descended from the Medici dynasty brings another of the guardians closer to his ward, each with their own wounds to heal. This book gives us a deeper look into Vinnie and Jo, and their troubled pasts. Loved the action, loved the skill with which the author builds the relationship between the two. This book also brings the story another step closer to finding out what is really going on in the Italy of the series, and the machinations of an unknown organization bent on ending the Medici line.


P.S.: Love the shout-out to Supernatural fans (yes, I did catch that one about the prophet :D )

[Harmony Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the Medici Protectorate series continues the story from Bleeding Heart, only now we move on to Jo and Vinnie's adventures. It doesn't work as a standalone because book one holds too much key information for the reader to miss. However, both books are nicely rounded off at the end with no loose threads while remaining open enough to lead into the next story. I love the mix of steamy (sexy scenes) and thriller. The characters are well developed, enough for Jo to annoy the hell out of me sometimes, lols ... only the best drawn characters can evoke positive and negative reactions like that. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable series so far.

[Abby Shimpeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollercoaster of Emotions with this Book

Coming off of reading Bleeding Heart, I was very excited to read this book.
Despite the extreme emotions I had reading Jo & Vinnie's story (which trust me, everyone one who reads this book will have) I was quite surprised with the juicey secrets that come unraveled.

Not to mention the steamy scenes where Jo finds out what it means to be loved right. -fans self-

A truly amazing read.
Warning though, anyone who reads this will need a glass of wine, stress ball, and a tall tall TALL glass of water.