Mafia Queen

The DiLustro Arrangement #3

by C.D. Reiss

What doesn’t kill you makes you a killer.

Santino DiLustro changed me. You can’t spend time in bed with the devil without getting addicted to the heat.

Before him, I was a girl. Innocent and weak.

Now, I’m a woman. A fighter. A killer.

I’ll burn the world down for him. Shatter the sky. But I will not break.

No. I will rise up and destroy whoever dares to threaten what my king has built, because I am forever his queen.

Book three of three in the The Dilustro Arrangement.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Erotica, Adult

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2021

About the author

CD Reiss is a New York Times bestselling author. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets.

Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.

She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping a single cord of wood.

If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.

***NONE OF MY BOOKS ARE SAFE***

Reviews

[Taylor H · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 80%
I kept telling myself just keep going, you're almost at the end, you've already read through the series but I just don't care.
I don't care about their relationship, Violetta particularly since I've hated her character from the beginning and this Queen & King shit since neither of them acted like they deserved the status. When they finally caught up to the villains I was like oh ok cool, that's it?? So anticlimactic.
This series could have been one to two books MAX. It was dragged out and had a lot of boring filler.


ALSO, They should have killed Gia. She deserved to die for all she did. The fact that Violetta let her go pissed me off and with that I was done.

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Between us, he rules me with love, and my love for him rules my life.

Talk about ending a trilogy with a bang. What a twisty, action packed, high octane ride this book was. My head is still spinning.

Love rules without rules. You are outside expectations. Bigger than the law or tradition. A filthy sinner like me can never reign over a woman like you.”
“The only place I want to be reigned over is the bedroom...”
“This, I can do.”

Each book in this trilogy brought a little something different. And in this one, as the title already implies, is the full evolution of Violetta. She started out as a bit of a petulant child bride in book one. We saw her evolve a bit and come to some hard realizations in book two. But this one truly brought her in full force. We get to see this young woman grow into the queen that she is, and man was it satisfying.

Santino and his uber alpha qualities were always my favorite thing about this story. I loved his cold detachment almost as much as I loved his singleminded obsession with his wife. But what I appreciated was finally seeing his true devotion and feelings come out in this installment and seeing a different side of him. A softer side that did nothing to take away from his savage one.

There's a lot that happens in this book, and at times it always felt a bit much with all the twists and turns. The pacing at times felt a little bit off for me as well. There's so much happening, and some of it felt like it was happening all at once, that it was hard to wrap my mind around it. But that didn't stop me from devouring this book. It was a bloody, violent bang of an end, and I was so here for it. What I loved the most was seeing Violetta's savage and ruthless side come out. This is a mafia queen that doesn't shy away from pulling the trigger when it comes to protecting those she loves. There's twists you never see coming, and turns that leave your mind reeling. There's also a hook for a new book with a secondary character that I'm practically salivating to get my hands on.

I've missed this side of CD's writing and I lived for it with this trilogy. I'm even more thrilled to see we'll be getting more in this world. If you're looking for a sexy and gritty mafia romance with bite, look no further! Read this one!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[Snow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nah, it all went downhill for me, when the alleged "supernatural" premonition/tradition/superstition shite was interwoven in the whole "game of thrones" kind of mash up...

And then the "crazy" cousin thing just took the tool...

Book 1 turned out to be the best of the three... :/
Ah well...I'm being generous here, just sayin'

[Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 “Forzetta My Queen” Stars

Santino and Violetta’s story comes to an end and boy was it a doozy. Picking up right where book 2 left off, the author proceeded to take her readers on an emotional, drama filled, angsty, intriguing, gut wrenching, highflying rollercoaster of a ride. It was crazy fast paced and full of twists and turns.

As the book is titled Mafia Queen, Violetta’s journey to becoming her full potential is front and center. And Santino also evolves as he is old school but appreciates the Queen that he has married. The growth in their personal relationship is loving, passionate, and filled with trust. They had to ultimately fight others to be together but that love and desire is what could not keep them apart.

*advanced copy provided by Candi Kane PR in exchange for an honest review*

[🅙𝔲𝔩𝔷 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much mention of his past f*buddy Loretta. 🤮 he is still to close to her and protective. No thanks

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, How Will This Come Together...
Know We Are Anxiously Waiting...
October 12, 2021 Cannot Come Soon Enough...

Mafia Bride (The DiLustro Arrangement Book 1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mafia King (DiLustro Arrangement, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mafia Queen (DiLustro Arrangement, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Damn I love mafia books

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. CD Reiss did the damn thing!

For everyone that has been waiting for this trilogy to be complete before starting it, NOW is the time. Time to BINGE!! Books 1 and 2 of The DiLustro Arrangement left off with major cliffhangers that left me (and probably other readers) with our hearts in our throats and dying to know WHAT THE HECK WILL HAPPEN?! We now get our answers.

C.D Reiss created a mafia world that seemed realistic, intense and full of upside-down worlds I know exist elsewhere. One in where we got to see Santino take a wife because of an arrangement. A promise he made to Violetta's father to get and keep the crown. And while this whole journey centered around an arranged marriage and a crown, it was so much more mafia deliciousness.

In book one, we get to fall in love with Santino. He is rough around the edges, but he's a man in charge and he evokes power and sensuality just by being himself. Meanwhile, Violetta is a young woman that cannot say no. It's the world she lives in now. She seems a little weak, but you could feel she had more to offer. Book 2 centers around them as a couple. Santino begins to understand he needs someone on his side and he can't do it alone, no matter how much he tries. Violetta is learning she actually likes the man behind the suit. She wants to have more say in them as partners in life and they begin to come together. But Book 3? THIS is the book I've been waiting for. To see Violetta become the Queen she was always meant to be. She is empowering and is learning her worth.

His blood is payment for a debt, and every drop reweighs the scales of justice. I am righteousness and law. I am power and fire.

Mafia Queen took us full throttle ahead with this war and all the violence, lies and secrets that come to a head in a explosion of madness that will satisfy the mafia romance reader.

I loved this whole journey of this trilogy and the way we got to see Violetta grow and come into her own. This is HER trilogy, no matter how much Santino is the King…she is the MFing Queen!! She fought for herself and for family all throughout and she will continue to do it. She is one badass young woman that kept fighting no matter the consequences. She knew what she had to go to battle to bring what was rightfully hers back into her hands. I love how CD Reiss took a lot of mafia history/life and included it in the story and gave it her own spin. It felt real and brutal and full of bloody life.

This was an epic conclusion to Santino and Violetta's story and I couldn't have asked for more. We got forbidden, age gap, arranged marriage and all within the Mafia life that can ruin the best lives. To take two characters and give them connected pasts and do it in an exciting and dangerous way was remarkably well done. I became connected to the life and to characters and wanted to fight the war along with them. This fictional world became real and I can't wait to see what else will come from it because.....It looks like Ms Reiss will continue to write in this world and I will be here for it. She brought this world alive with guns blazing and more characters need their stories told. Are you ready for it??

I am grief and I am rage, but I am also vengeance.

[Karen_Lee_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia Queen
(DiLustro Arrangement #3)
Written by: C.D. Reiss

The DiLustro Arrangement series is one of my top series of 2021!

Mafia Queen pulls you back into the story where Mafia King left off.
Violence, lies, betrayal and revenge, this is what readers and the characters of Mafia Queen will deal with. The maze that Reiss has set out in this book will have Violetta and Santino making their way through an emotional journey to find the Crown, to find the truth and to solidify their love of one another.

C.D. Reiss writes mafia that is realistic. She pulls her readers into epic stories, she plays with emotions and she gives us characters that will take a long time to fade from our memories.

Be prepared because Mafia Queen is going to make you want to throw things, cry and celebrate with Violetta and Santino.

“Love Rules without rules.”

[TeriLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Two was my clear favorite of the trilogy but I highly enjoyed all three books. It’s been a long while since I’ve read a trilogy and I missed it. The writing of CD Reiss kept me hooked for a week with this and both characters were great. Definitely recommended dark, erotica reading.

[Kashaf Rafique · Rating 1 out of 5]

despite the best efforts of Reiss, Violetta remained a spineless till the end of the book. to be honest, I stopped expecting her to turn a corner and find her power. stupid and boring book that should not have been written in the first place.

[Adeola · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️⭐️🌦

Just glad to be done with the series to be honest. 😮‍💨

[Cleo Santamarina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was way too boring! I skipped a lot of pages and it was too repetitive 🤮🤮🤮🤮

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

<3.5 Stars> What a rollercoaster this trilogy has been- not only for these characters, but for me as a reader. CD Reiss has delivered some truly epic, genre defining mafia stories in her career, so I have had high hopes and anticipation of this series, and much like the characters in this winding, twisting plot, I’ve had my ups and downs. Moments where I’ve really enjoyed and been capture by this story, and moments where I’ve felt more frustrated or perplexed. I had high hopes that the finale would wow me- after I felt a bit lukewarm about the prior book.

And there are aspects I love- some real character growth at last, some page turning action, tons of intensity, and lots of twists. Where this series has been more challenging for me is actually feeling complexity, and attachment, to these characters. Santina’s one track mind has felt really one note through much of the series. In the finale, I appreciated his focus broadening to focus on his love for Violetta. I was initially entranced by his alpha bravado, but ultimately like Violetta I chafed under it as the story progressed, needing more evolution from him faster, sooner. This finale book finale delivers on some evolution- and fortunately that aligned with Violetta’s growth, which is clearly the focus given the title. We see more strength from her, more of her steering her own ship. I finally felt the chemistry I’d been hoping for but that only felt lukewarm to me in book 2. But like the other books, I just felt like the story lacked focus and the pacing wasn’t great for me personally - so many elements coming together, at times twists felt overkill.

Certainly glad I read the series, but not my favorite from Reiss, even though the final book did deliver on the steamy character chemistry we all came for. And in that, it excelled.

[Endjoying · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cool book! Repetetive? Yes. But I loved seeing her grow into her power and decisions. Nothing too mind blowing just okay

[Sharon Thérèse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The queen of Mafia romance is for me, Reiss. I thoroughly enjoyed the two previous books in The DiLustro Arrangement; however, the conclusion to this nail-biting trilogy is the author at her very best. So full of excitement, not only was it impossible to put down until I’d reached the finale, but it also felt like a race against the clock. And what an ending!

Each book’s title fits perfectly with whom Reiss deemed to put the spotlight on. First came Mafia Bride, then Mafia King and now, Mafia Queen. Long gone is the young woman we saw taken out of her comfort zone. Violette has flowered into a no-nonsense woman; she’s out to protect what’s hers and won’t let anyone get in her way. More importantly, she’s seething with anger, and oh boy, did I get her vibes or what! I got the answers that Reiss had cannily held back. I got to know a smitten Santino with even more depth than I’d thought possible. And if I swooned over him in his book, his gestures regarding his wife’s wishes showed me that he was all in; that he takes special pains to live up to her expectations, and mine—he surpassed them with flying colours.

Pretty hair-raising scenes abound. Balancing out the protagonists’ steadfast devotion, if you’re familiar with Reiss’ writing, all the twists and turns she offers shouldn’t just blow your mind, they’ll make you think hard about what you’ve read. Me? I loved it. I can’t put into words how I felt about the antagonists. Although there are more than I could count on my fingers, I’d expected more benevolence from one of them. I was there egging Violette and Santino on regardless of their history, doings, or the weight of an heirloom. That said, I found this last aspect mentioned a tad convoluted, but it never dampened their story.

Everything has a reason, but I have to admit that my patience to get down to the nitty-gritty felt like it would, sooner or later, wane. Reiss, however, considers this. She feeds the reader exactly what she wants when she sees fit, and most likely what you don’t want to hear is after a fashion, said without remorse. But that is the beauty of her storytelling. It’s addictive. You can’t let go until the last word is read.

The three books coming together are nothing less than explosive. Once again, Reiss has shown me that her exploring the relationship between organised crime, love and all that it entails is what she does exceedingly well. Throw scorching hotness into the mix—my word, to say it’s explicitly suggestive would be putting it mildly. Also, the solid plot, grounded characters, and brilliant usage of Italian and non-stop action make for a reading experience that mustn’t be missed. Simply bravo, Reiss!

[Mysti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm leaving my original review info in here, and adding a few details. This will have SPOILERS.

I don't know WTF happened to CD Reiss with this book but I'm so freaking MAD about it. I would say that she must have smoked crack while writing it - but then I think that's an insult to crack addicts everywhere.

Violetta is still bitching about how Santi stole her from her life and forced her to get married.

Last book, she was beaten up and kidnapped and he was shot. When they reunite, Santino sees his wife and doesn't even ask if she's ok or how the baby is?

Then - she kills someone that was going to kill her - and she spends about 20 chapters crying about it.

"The blood," is all I can say. My husband takes my chin and makes me face him. He inspects my expression and makes a sharp tsk.
"No," he says. "You did what you had to do."
"I’m still a murderer."

Then she says this stupid shit.

"I don’t have the right to worry about the baby," I whisper. "Not after what I just did."

"So you’re not mad at me?"
"Why would I be?" He runs his hands under my knees and clasps my hands.
"Because I killed someone, and I’m sad about it....

Then her stupid internal thoughts:

How vulnerable is the pregnancy this early? What’s the chance I can carry it? Will the baby be broken? What will be the effect of having a murderer for a mother? Is it my fault? Is this why I want to run away so badly?

Then this is how the miscarriage is described.

"This is the baby?"
"Yes."
"It’s coming out?"
She nods, sniffing as if she’s going to cry.

Then you already know this is about the crown. She ends up getting it and putting it on her head and then all the men trying to kill her bow down. FML so stupid.

Also - at the very end, we find out that Her mom had her dad killed and she may actually be the daughter of someone else. Which is also stupid.

I just hated this book.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was anticipating this one after how the second book ended. But this almost felt anti-climatic for me. I found myself just skimming through the pages especially about the mafia business part. There were just a lot of things going on but I think it was insignificant and just confusing.

I still think Violetta and Santino's love story is amazing, or maybe even better than before. It's because, in this one, Santino tries to be better so you can clearly see his character development. He was still an alpha, but for his wife, he would just do anything for her. He really treated her like a queen. I loved that part of the story.

Kind of disappointed by the ending but I still enjoyed the whole trilogy.

[B. C. Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to end this amazing trilogy!!🔥🔥🔥

Mafia Queen is the 3rd and final book in the rollercoaster ride that is The DiLustro Arrangement, written so skillfully by an author that leaves me on the edge of my seat every time. CD Reiss has created another complicated, exciting and sexy story to fall deeply into and I never wanted it to end. The main characters had already put me through the angsty, emotionally charged wringer in Mafia Bride with that 'out of the blue' arranged marriage. They were oil and water-their volatile beginning had them ready to boil over with every heated word and the wild, passionate power struggles that followed were hot enough to fog up your windows. Santino was old school and dominant, expecting absolute subservience when it came to his wife and feisty, fire breathing Violetta would have enjoyed strangling her dangerously powerful husband if given half a chance.

Santino learned the hard way in Mafia King that his new bride was never going to bend easily and he welcomed the chance to break her.  Violetta was trouble in the making- so stubborn, willful and could hold a wicked grudge but he began to admire her tenacity even when it drove him completely crazy which she did so well!!!  Not everyone admired Santino's opinionated bride and questioned his control over his young wife, wondering if he was too weak to lead as capo of the Secondo Vasto.

Violetta realized much too late, that Santino was protecting her while trying to stay one step ahead of those vicious, scheming enemies who would stop at nothing, violence included, to grab his power for themselves. Now with a heart completely broken here in Mafia Queen, she stopped fighting against her rightful place in her family's violent hierarchy- the power to lead and be who she was always meant to be was hers for the taking. Santino, her king and her love, would want her to rise up, be stronger, smarter and more daring than all of their enemies combined to get back in control and land on other side of this violent, messy madness.

What a wild, chaotic and crazy conclusion to this series Mafia Queen was!!! That heart pounding action kept on coming. The loss, danger and backstabbing betrayals were waiting around every corner.  Can Violetta trust her own instincts to save the larger than life man she now can't imagine living without???  This is CD Reiss at her absolute best, a must read trilogy, now complete. It's dark, twisted, suspenseful and as bingeworthy as you might expect anything from her to be.  You can't help but fall in love with Santino and Violetta, so strong and determined, and you'll love to hate the villainous ones as well. I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book. Now I'm waiting patiently for one particular nefarious character to spin off and begin his story next time around!!

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

There is a reason that this author is a favorite of mine. After the whopper of a cliffhanger, in both books one and two, I was ready to get answers. Boy, was I ready. This book gave me those answers and then some.

Through this series, the author has left me gobsmacked by her ability to create a mafia-inspired romance full of traditional and modern elements. In addition, there was just the right amount of suspense, mystery, chemistry, and steam. In the first book, Santino stole the show. He was delicious in all the ways one would expect from this author. In a nutshell, he was mesmerizing. In book two, it was the combination of Violetta and Santino that held the allure of keeping me captivated. In this book though, Violetta owned the story in a way that I was not expecting. She went through so much hell, physically and mentally. I felt her heartbreak and confusion. There was nothing weak or tenuous in this book. I loved watching her soar. Factor in the connection that these two have together and the way that their love has forged a bond that I am not sure even the hottest of fires could melt and it was the perfect conclusion to this story.

There were a few parts of the story, mainly about the crown, that I struggled with but other than that, this was a trilogy that is fantastic. I highly recommend this trilogy for anyone that is looking for a book that is filled with a love story that defies the odds. There is a reason that this author is a favorite.

[Nina ~ Meleth Bookaddicted ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here it is, the final instalment in Violetta and Santino’s story. And, whew, in typical CD Reiss fashion, she takes no prisoners. This last part is full of suspense, angst and intrigue, having me wanting to turn the pages at rapid speed.

It starts right where book two left off – in a rather tense situation, and it kept being that way for most part of the story. Plot twist after plot twist, shock after shock after shock … they just kept coming.

The best part though was Violetta’s growth and her character arc in general. As the book title indicates, she truly comes into her own here, evolves her full potential – it’s was beautiful to witness. But her relationship with Santino progresses a lot too, blooming into a mature, loving and trusting relationship. And the sex scenes … whew. Ms. Reiss truly knows what she’s doing writing those. Have a bucket of ice water handy, you just may need it.

Now that this crazy, fast-paced rollercoaster of a trilogy is over, I am anxious to find out what will come next.

[sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

her books are doesn't meet my taste. so dull

[Pachy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely in love with these characters and their story. Fire.

[Leina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Girrrrlyyy pop why are you so delusional and sticking your head out of a sunroof like a drunk prom girl??? That’s not how this works how are you not shot? Idk this suuuper fizzled out for me but was so short that I finished. C. D. Reiss do know her spice though, I’d read more

[Bookish Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 3.5/5
Spice level: 3/5
Tropes: Mafia, arranged romance, dark romance

The finale of the trilogy came with more twists and turns, but also answers. It contains violence and death, so trigger warnings. I would've rated it 4 stars but I honestly got confused about who was with what family. It was a lot to keep up with, even with a diagram at the end. I got a little lost at times.

The storyline with our main characters resolved itself beautifully though, the way they needed it to.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book I had really high expectations having waited months for it. I will say it met my expectations but it didn't exceed them. I finished it and was like meh.

Until 80% in I felt like I knew what was happening but I didn't at the same time like it didn't make any sense.

The ending took a weird turn and I didn't feel like it was dramatic enough. It could have been but I don't think the writing was vivid enough.
However, I do feel like the book ends quite nicely not just for Santino and Violetta but for other characters too.

I probably wouldn't read a spin off of this series. I'm not interested in any of the other characters enough to pique my interest to read about them.

[Jackie (Jackie's Book World) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***

C.D. Reiss delivers an action packed and suspenseful story in Mafia Queen. The conclusion to The DiLustro Arrangement comes to an emotional end that will leave you wanting for more.

Violetta never expected for her life to change the way it did the minute she married Santino DiLustro. After being forced to marry him so that he could collect her inheritance, the last thing she was expecting was to fall in love with him. But it’s just when they were starting to start a new chapter in their lives that things go south and he gets shot right in front of her eyes. Someone has broken their trust and has turned against them. While there is someone else out there wanting Violetta’s inheritance. He won’t stop until he gets what he believes is his, no matter how he goes about getting it. Violetta has been through so much in her life already, has lost so many people close to her heart and this gives her the strength to keep going. She is going to get her revenge for what others have caused her if the it’s the last thing she does.

As the last book in the trilogy, we have seen the characters go through ups and downs all throughout the series. This was the most emotionally intense book as we get to see Violetta suffer a tragic loss. At the beginning of the series we see her having fun and being excited to start nursing school. She had heard of the people running the town of Secondo Vastro, but never imaged that she would end up marrying the mafia king himself. That’s when her life truly changed and she started to see the world her husband runs. It’s in that moment that she discovers all the secrets that Santino had kept from her and we witness her go through more changes. Which leads to the last book and how we see Violetta come to accept her new life and use her power to save the love of her life. It’s her inheritance that truly makes her a queen and Santino sees that too. There is a lot more action in this book and the ending fit them really well. I would highly recommend checking out the whole trilogy, if we love a good mafia romance with a twist. I cannot wait to read any other works by the author in the future. :)

**I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own**

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully escaped reality into these books and I couldn't put my phone down. I’m gutted the next is not out until October, soon come 🙏🏽

[Ladynikiw · Rating 2 out of 5]

God this series started out so damn good and to have this last book be like this. End the series like this? I’m so disappointed. I know it’s hard to finish a series but wtf? 😭

[Tana [MT] · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got an hour into this and just couldn’t really find any fucks to give about any of it.