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Bloody Lace
My dreams went up in smoke. Then he walked in and offered me a marry him, and he’d give me the miracle I needed.
For six years, I’ve carved out a small and happy life for myself. A dress boutique of my own, a comfortable living, and friends I love. Then one night, my shop becomes a target, and it all goes up in flames.
Until the heir to the Chicago Bratva, a man I’ve met in passing once before, walks into the ruins and offers me a deal.
He needs a temporary bride. I need money. He hasn’t forgotten the dance we shared once, even if I’ve tried my best to. And he’s willing to help me, if I’m willing to play his game.
It’s not supposed to be real. But this man has tempted me from the moment we met, and from the moment we say I do, the flames between us burn as hot as the ones that destroyed my dreams.
My world is lace and silk. His is blood and violence. But together? We might just make something beautiful.
For six years, I’ve carved out a small and happy life for myself. A dress boutique of my own, a comfortable living, and friends I love. Then one night, my shop becomes a target, and it all goes up in flames.
Until the heir to the Chicago Bratva, a man I’ve met in passing once before, walks into the ruins and offers me a deal.
He needs a temporary bride. I need money. He hasn’t forgotten the dance we shared once, even if I’ve tried my best to. And he’s willing to help me, if I’m willing to play his game.
It’s not supposed to be real. But this man has tempted me from the moment we met, and from the moment we say I do, the flames between us burn as hot as the ones that destroyed my dreams.
My world is lace and silk. His is blood and violence. But together? We might just make something beautiful.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2025
168 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
M. James
65 books410 followersPrepare to be captivated by the sensational world of M. James, the mastermind behind a genre-defying realm of romance and intrigue. With a pen dipped in passion and a heart that beats to the rhythm of forbidden desires, M. James weaves tantalizing tales that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.
Follow her to the dark side where strong heroines fearlessly navigate treacherous paths and damaged heroes find solace in their darkest corners. Her words will wrap around your senses like a seductive embrace, transporting you to a world where love and danger dance a wicked tango.
M. James resides in the suburbs of Chicago but lives for the big moments that make life interesting. Although writing brings her passion and darkest fantasies alive, watching suspenseful thrillers with her two dogs and loving husband brings her excitement in the most exhilarating way. Nonetheless, getting lost in a dark mafia romance along with a tall glass of wine makes any day a bit juicier.
From enemies to lovers to forbidden romances, M. James' stories of passion, intrigue, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very end. If your appetite craves the intoxicating prose of Rina Kent or the allure of Sophie Lark, prepare to be entangled in M. James' captivating new series. But be warned, dear reader, for her world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world where inhibitions are shed, and inhibitions are tested. It is a world where passion reigns supreme, and where the pursuit of love can ignite a blaze that consumes all in its path.
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Follow her to the dark side where strong heroines fearlessly navigate treacherous paths and damaged heroes find solace in their darkest corners. Her words will wrap around your senses like a seductive embrace, transporting you to a world where love and danger dance a wicked tango.
M. James resides in the suburbs of Chicago but lives for the big moments that make life interesting. Although writing brings her passion and darkest fantasies alive, watching suspenseful thrillers with her two dogs and loving husband brings her excitement in the most exhilarating way. Nonetheless, getting lost in a dark mafia romance along with a tall glass of wine makes any day a bit juicier.
From enemies to lovers to forbidden romances, M. James' stories of passion, intrigue, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very end. If your appetite craves the intoxicating prose of Rina Kent or the allure of Sophie Lark, prepare to be entangled in M. James' captivating new series. But be warned, dear reader, for her world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world where inhibitions are shed, and inhibitions are tested. It is a world where passion reigns supreme, and where the pursuit of love can ignite a blaze that consumes all in its path.
FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIALS
BUNDLES & MORE
EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK GROUP
TIKTOK
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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January 27, 2025Started out great then the heroine got annoying.
January 19, 2025
I love a mafia romance & M.James does them so well.
This is a story of an arranged marriage of convenience & not of the usual Bratva kind you expect.
Evelyn has a dress shop & designs her own gowns for the New York elite. Dimitri is a Bratva heir. Their paths cross at a Met Gala & then not again for another year.
Dimitri is due to be engaged to a match organised by his father, the Pakan. Someone he does not wish to marry.
3 businesses on his families patch are burned down by a rival gang, one being Evelyn’s shop. Crossing their paths again. Consumed with guilt at Evelyn’s loss & knowing she will struggle to come back from this, Dimitri offers marriage, as a business arrangement to get out of his impending engagement in return for protection as his wife & rebuilding the business no expense spared with no strings attached.
Except there has always been sparks …
I loved this and consumed it in no time. Dimitri was full of touch my wife & 💀 vibes & Evelyn was the feisty independent wife Dimitri never imagined having.
This is a story of an arranged marriage of convenience & not of the usual Bratva kind you expect.
Evelyn has a dress shop & designs her own gowns for the New York elite. Dimitri is a Bratva heir. Their paths cross at a Met Gala & then not again for another year.
Dimitri is due to be engaged to a match organised by his father, the Pakan. Someone he does not wish to marry.
3 businesses on his families patch are burned down by a rival gang, one being Evelyn’s shop. Crossing their paths again. Consumed with guilt at Evelyn’s loss & knowing she will struggle to come back from this, Dimitri offers marriage, as a business arrangement to get out of his impending engagement in return for protection as his wife & rebuilding the business no expense spared with no strings attached.
Except there has always been sparks …
I loved this and consumed it in no time. Dimitri was full of touch my wife & 💀 vibes & Evelyn was the feisty independent wife Dimitri never imagined having.
January 29, 2025
3.5 Alex and Evelyn's story possessed some things I really liked and others that I just rolled my eyes for hundredth time. The crux of the story had merit and a decent plot, but there were some issues with how the story played out. There was obvious typo's and repetitious dialogue that could have shortened the length of the story.
I enjoyed Alex's character much more than Evelyn's. Initially Evelyn's character was sassy and self determined only to later find it childish and annoying as the story progressed. She whined too much and never really understood all that Alex was doing for her in their fake arranged marriage. She by far was getting the better deal and yet she spent too much time feeling sorry for herself and chastising Alex every time she had a melt down, which was often. He was always trying to protect her from getting herself killed, but she never really got it until the very end. She evaded her security and acted like a spoiled child throughout too much of this story resulting in her almost getting killed and attacked frequently. For a woman that was supposed to be so business savvy as an up an coming designer, she made some stupid mistakes. She was not a woman who had very many friends or family. She was a loaner who never felt like anyone had ever really cared about her or would go to bat for her, even when it was very clear that Alex was doing just that.
She and Alex had a kryptonite/lust attraction which she tried to deny throughout the book. It was on again and off again as both characters weren't adult enough to tell the other person how they felt and ended up just hating each other after sex. Geez that became annoying and repetitive.
Alex had a toxic father that wanted to control his son by telling him who he was going to marry. Thank goodness this author brought this story to the 21st century as Alex pushes back against not only daddy dearest but Nicci, daddy's chosen bride.
The ending truly brings closure to both Alex's father intrusion into his life and Nicci's involvement throughout the book while bringing our two characters full circle by books' end.
I enjoyed Alex's character much more than Evelyn's. Initially Evelyn's character was sassy and self determined only to later find it childish and annoying as the story progressed. She whined too much and never really understood all that Alex was doing for her in their fake arranged marriage. She by far was getting the better deal and yet she spent too much time feeling sorry for herself and chastising Alex every time she had a melt down, which was often. He was always trying to protect her from getting herself killed, but she never really got it until the very end. She evaded her security and acted like a spoiled child throughout too much of this story resulting in her almost getting killed and attacked frequently. For a woman that was supposed to be so business savvy as an up an coming designer, she made some stupid mistakes. She was not a woman who had very many friends or family. She was a loaner who never felt like anyone had ever really cared about her or would go to bat for her, even when it was very clear that Alex was doing just that.
She and Alex had a kryptonite/lust attraction which she tried to deny throughout the book. It was on again and off again as both characters weren't adult enough to tell the other person how they felt and ended up just hating each other after sex. Geez that became annoying and repetitive.
Alex had a toxic father that wanted to control his son by telling him who he was going to marry. Thank goodness this author brought this story to the 21st century as Alex pushes back against not only daddy dearest but Nicci, daddy's chosen bride.
The ending truly brings closure to both Alex's father intrusion into his life and Nicci's involvement throughout the book while bringing our two characters full circle by books' end.
January 21, 2025
This was a pretty solid read, something like 3.8 stars for me. Evelyn is a fashion designer and seamstress, working on growing her business, when she gets caught in the crossfires of a Bratva conflict with an upstart gang vying for Bratva territory. Without giving away too much of the plot, I can say she enters into a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience with the Bratva heir Dimitri, whom she also happens to have met and shared a chemistry-filled moment with a year ago. Evelyn is driven, independent, and stubborn to a fault, which gets her in serious trouble several times and occasionally makes her come across as petulant rather than endearingly feisty. Dimitri is a pretty great romance hero, especially for a crime lord. Smoking hot, determined, and ruthless when he needs to be, he tries very hard to do right by Evelyn despite his own overpowering lust and her insolence that puts everyone in danger. The spice is excellent, as it always is in M. James books, and comprises the common repertoire, some backdoor action, plus M. James staples (punitive-turned-arousing spanking and a little bondage). The writing is smooth and engaging throughout. I appreciate strong female friendships in romance books and loved the bond between Evelyn and Dahlia. My main qualms were Dahlia's irrational behavior and a bit too much internal monologue, some of which got repetitive. However, I enjoyed the read overall and look forward to Dahlia's story next.
January 27, 2025
3.5
I actually liked both characters in this book immediately. That feeling did not last for the main chick. Her continuous whining about her situation and choices caused me to grow a frustrated hatred for her.
This book reminds me of why I hate slow burns. Some authors just can't execute it to the point things aren't repetitive or drag on.
The chick didn't know the word accountability or truly understand the danger until she was physically harmed. He was the perfect future pakhan and she drove us both bonkers. I would have dropped her, he deserved someone with a self-preservation mindset.
After the halfway mark I took a break so I wouldn't DNF. It was just nothing but their thoughts and I grew tired and wanted things to just happen. 😩 😩 Then the farther it got the more the errors were just blatant. On top of the repetitive sequence of sentences in one single paragraph.
I would love you forever
I would love you for eternity
I would love you if you'd be honest with yourself about this type of writing.
The dad, his ex, and the rival twists were nice. The aspects of her parents was completely ignored after they were mentioned at the beginning. I can't put myself through this again to figure out about Alek.
I actually liked both characters in this book immediately. That feeling did not last for the main chick. Her continuous whining about her situation and choices caused me to grow a frustrated hatred for her.
This book reminds me of why I hate slow burns. Some authors just can't execute it to the point things aren't repetitive or drag on.
The chick didn't know the word accountability or truly understand the danger until she was physically harmed. He was the perfect future pakhan and she drove us both bonkers. I would have dropped her, he deserved someone with a self-preservation mindset.
After the halfway mark I took a break so I wouldn't DNF. It was just nothing but their thoughts and I grew tired and wanted things to just happen. 😩 😩 Then the farther it got the more the errors were just blatant. On top of the repetitive sequence of sentences in one single paragraph.
I would love you forever
I would love you for eternity
I would love you if you'd be honest with yourself about this type of writing.
The dad, his ex, and the rival twists were nice. The aspects of her parents was completely ignored after they were mentioned at the beginning. I can't put myself through this again to figure out about Alek.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
Now that’s a love story!
I loved reading about Dimitri and Evelyn! I loved how they met, and then met again! How he wanted her from the beginning! How he needed to protect her when she was threatened! He offered her an arranged marriage to keep her safe. I especially loved how they fought. Evelyn is not afraid of him, even though she should be, and Dimitri is enthralled by her! It was so much better than I thought it would be. I loved it!
I loved reading about Dimitri and Evelyn! I loved how they met, and then met again! How he wanted her from the beginning! How he needed to protect her when she was threatened! He offered her an arranged marriage to keep her safe. I especially loved how they fought. Evelyn is not afraid of him, even though she should be, and Dimitri is enthralled by her! It was so much better than I thought it would be. I loved it!
February 23, 2025
It was good
M james writes some way tooo stubborn FMC...it comes off as annoying...don't get me wrong I love her writing...such a good plots...everything is great even if the books are way too long for a mafia book... but the FMC gets too annoying at times... but great book overall
M james writes some way tooo stubborn FMC...it comes off as annoying...don't get me wrong I love her writing...such a good plots...everything is great even if the books are way too long for a mafia book... but the FMC gets too annoying at times... but great book overall
January 23, 2025
I liked it. Dual POV with HEA.
Though I think if it's a bit shorter by removing some of the internal dialogues and repetitiveness, it would be much better.
Though I think if it's a bit shorter by removing some of the internal dialogues and repetitiveness, it would be much better.
September 3, 2025
Ohh wow what a great story this was , you never know when life will change, hopefully for the better, loved how strong she was too
October 28, 2025
Epic Romance!
New to me author. I enjoyed this story so much. Evelyn and Dimitri were perfectly created. I look forward to reading more from this author.
New to me author. I enjoyed this story so much. Evelyn and Dimitri were perfectly created. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 12, 2025
What do you do when your business burns down and you don't have anywhere to turn (and it's 'his' fault)?
What do you do if your father wants you to marry someone you dislike?
You marry each other, of course!
Business arrangement that turns real... the cold-hearted Pakhan and the dress shop owner send sparks flying. Evelyn is independent and a woman with her own mind that doesn't hesitate to express her thoughts. Does it get her into trouble? Yes. Does Dimitri end up loving it? Yes. Is it hot and spicy? Yes.
This book has everything - a great story, action, love, spice! Another fantastic book by M. James!
What do you do if your father wants you to marry someone you dislike?
You marry each other, of course!
Business arrangement that turns real... the cold-hearted Pakhan and the dress shop owner send sparks flying. Evelyn is independent and a woman with her own mind that doesn't hesitate to express her thoughts. Does it get her into trouble? Yes. Does Dimitri end up loving it? Yes. Is it hot and spicy? Yes.
This book has everything - a great story, action, love, spice! Another fantastic book by M. James!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews