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Thorns of Omertà #7
Thorns of Deceit
An innocent witness to brutality. A twisted and deviant plan. Two lives forever scarred.
Aiden Callahan was a lethal, disarmingly beautiful man. A mobster forged in blood, betrayal, and sin.
Worst of all… he was my husband.
Five years ago, I did something unforgivable. Now, my past has come to collect its debt.
I told myself I did what I had to in order to survive. That he wouldn’t hurt me. That carrying his heir made me untouchable.
I was wrong.
The man I ran from no longer exists, and I’m no longer the woman he married.
His demons raged, loud and unforgiving. Mine refused to bow.
Together, we were chaos. Beautiful and deadly chaos.
Aiden Callahan was a lethal, disarmingly beautiful man. A mobster forged in blood, betrayal, and sin.
Worst of all… he was my husband.
Five years ago, I did something unforgivable. Now, my past has come to collect its debt.
I told myself I did what I had to in order to survive. That he wouldn’t hurt me. That carrying his heir made me untouchable.
I was wrong.
The man I ran from no longer exists, and I’m no longer the woman he married.
His demons raged, loud and unforgiving. Mine refused to bow.
Together, we were chaos. Beautiful and deadly chaos.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2025
212 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
Eva Winners
53 books4,111 followersEva released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.
She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches.
Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.
Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you'll never want to leave.
Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!
She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches.
Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.
Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you'll never want to leave.
Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!
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November 22, 2025Thorns of deceit
The main plot revolves around Aiden seeking revenge for Raven and their reunion, that's pretty much the gist of it. Sure, there's some romance in there, but I didn't really care for it. 🤷♀️
Anyway, there were some pretty dark themes in this book, and the author actually gave a heads-up about it at the start. But I think it would've been really useful to include those TW/CW in the warnings or maybe even have a link for them, especially for readers who want to go in blindly.
So, Aiden (36, present) and Raven (24, present) crossed paths (h19/H31) when she saw something she shouldn't have. After doing a bit of digging into her background, they found she's connected to someone powerful, and that connection was used to push her into marrying Aiden. Well, she basically had two choices: either face death or get married. But since she's still young and had just started living her life, she went with the second option.
Both of them obviously didn't want this marriage, but both want to make something good out of it. It probably helped that they were mutually attracted to one another, that Aiden, despite his reputation, was actually kind when it came to her, and that Raven wasn't ungrateful or acting like a brat towards him. They were only married for two weeks when something happened that led to their separation.
That said, this is a safe second-chance romance. They were separated for five years and had both been celibate throughout that time. I think that's one of the good things you can expect from this author. There will always be celibacy and faithfulness in her second-chance stories.
I still couldn't be bothered by the romance, though, because this features one of my most hated tropes, which is the virgin x manwhore pairing.
Tbf, Aiden's history wasn't overly emphasized to the readers. There were brief mentions here and there of his sexual preferences and the fact that he has been with MANY women. Those reminders lived rent-free in my head and they totally ruined my mood while reading this.
It also didn't help that there's too much glorification of Raven's innocence and how Aiden gloats about getting to have her firsts, because ugh! 🤧
So as not to worsen my already pissed-off mood, I just skipped all the spicy scenes, because ick!
Moving past that, they met by accident after five years. And Aiden made sure Raven won't be able to run from him again. If readers are expecting a strong-headed FMC, they're not going to find it here. Sadly, she's a victim of BBS and always ends up becoming a puddle of goo around him. Disappointing but not really surprising.
As for the revenge, I wish the comeuppance of the bad guy was long and brutal; unfortunately, he had it far too easy.
Overall, it was okay, but I'm still not going to rate it. This might or might not work for some, but I do hope it finds its intended audience.
Book info:
- Second chance romance (5 yrs)
- Age gap (12)
- Dual timeline
- Organized crime
- Alcoholism
- Abused (side char)
- Forced marriage
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- Virgin h x Manwhore H 😤
- Pregnancy (later part)
- HEA (1 yr later, married, with 2 sons (adopted and biological))
The main plot revolves around Aiden seeking revenge for Raven and their reunion, that's pretty much the gist of it. Sure, there's some romance in there, but I didn't really care for it. 🤷♀️
Anyway, there were some pretty dark themes in this book, and the author actually gave a heads-up about it at the start. But I think it would've been really useful to include those TW/CW in the warnings or maybe even have a link for them, especially for readers who want to go in blindly.
So, Aiden (36, present) and Raven (24, present) crossed paths (h19/H31) when she saw something she shouldn't have. After doing a bit of digging into her background, they found she's connected to someone powerful, and that connection was used to push her into marrying Aiden. Well, she basically had two choices: either face death or get married. But since she's still young and had just started living her life, she went with the second option.
Both of them obviously didn't want this marriage, but both want to make something good out of it. It probably helped that they were mutually attracted to one another, that Aiden, despite his reputation, was actually kind when it came to her, and that Raven wasn't ungrateful or acting like a brat towards him. They were only married for two weeks when something happened that led to their separation.
That said, this is a safe second-chance romance. They were separated for five years and had both been celibate throughout that time. I think that's one of the good things you can expect from this author. There will always be celibacy and faithfulness in her second-chance stories.
I still couldn't be bothered by the romance, though, because this features one of my most hated tropes, which is the virgin x manwhore pairing.
Tbf, Aiden's history wasn't overly emphasized to the readers. There were brief mentions here and there of his sexual preferences and the fact that he has been with MANY women. Those reminders lived rent-free in my head and they totally ruined my mood while reading this.
It also didn't help that there's too much glorification of Raven's innocence and how Aiden gloats about getting to have her firsts, because ugh! 🤧
So as not to worsen my already pissed-off mood, I just skipped all the spicy scenes, because ick!
Moving past that, they met by accident after five years. And Aiden made sure Raven won't be able to run from him again. If readers are expecting a strong-headed FMC, they're not going to find it here. Sadly, she's a victim of BBS and always ends up becoming a puddle of goo around him. Disappointing but not really surprising.
As for the revenge, I wish the comeuppance of the bad guy was long and brutal; unfortunately, he had it far too easy.
Overall, it was okay, but I'm still not going to rate it. This might or might not work for some, but I do hope it finds its intended audience.
Book info:
- Second chance romance (5 yrs)
- Age gap (12)
- Dual timeline
- Organized crime
- Alcoholism
- Abused (side char)
- Forced marriage
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- Virgin h x Manwhore H 😤
- Pregnancy (later part)
- HEA (1 yr later, married, with 2 sons (adopted and biological))
November 25, 2025
I loved this book!!!! We see strong characters, a lot of believable actions and interconnected stories!
It’s worth reading!
It’s worth reading!
November 26, 2025
FLOVED it!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: forced marriage, second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥1\2
Eva completely knocked it out of the park with this one. Fantastic characters in a story that was super fast paced, with lots of action, angst, and super hot smexy times. Will definitely be going in my best of 2025 pile - highly recommend!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: forced marriage, second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥1\2
Eva completely knocked it out of the park with this one. Fantastic characters in a story that was super fast paced, with lots of action, angst, and super hot smexy times. Will definitely be going in my best of 2025 pile - highly recommend!
November 21, 2025
5 ⭐️/ 2.5 🌶️
This was hands-down the best book in the entire series!🙌🏼
I’ve been curious about Aiden and Raven since the earlier books, and their story did not disappoint. Raven is the sweetest, feistiest FMC, you can’t help but love her. And Aiden? That man is pure obsession in the best way. Their dynamic was everything I hoped it would be 💕
What I loved most was how deeply in love they were, how quick they were to forgive, and how the story didn’t rely on unnecessary drama to keep things moving. Sometimes you just need a low-drama, feel-good romance, and this book delivered that perfectly.
I’m already excited to see what Eva writes next!🙃
This was hands-down the best book in the entire series!🙌🏼
I’ve been curious about Aiden and Raven since the earlier books, and their story did not disappoint. Raven is the sweetest, feistiest FMC, you can’t help but love her. And Aiden? That man is pure obsession in the best way. Their dynamic was everything I hoped it would be 💕
What I loved most was how deeply in love they were, how quick they were to forgive, and how the story didn’t rely on unnecessary drama to keep things moving. Sometimes you just need a low-drama, feel-good romance, and this book delivered that perfectly.
I’m already excited to see what Eva writes next!🙃
December 24, 2025
I loved Raven and Aiden’s story these two were fire together! Great chemistry fast paced and some spicy scenes not as much as I’m used to from Mrs. Winners but still approved. This is a must read and definitely gets my 5 star rating!
Tropes : second chance , arraigned marriage , mafia romance , age gap
Story 5/5 ⭐️
Angst ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes : second chance , arraigned marriage , mafia romance , age gap
Story 5/5 ⭐️
Angst ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice🌶️🌶️🌶️
November 26, 2025
Now this book may be one of my favorites from Eva! Raven always seemed like a spitfire and I was so glad she lived up to that in this book! She gives her mafia man, Aiden a run for his money. They enter the ever favorite marriage of convenience trope although this is more necessity than convenience. I love they formed a true emotional bond and gave their odd pairing genuine effort. Aiden was so patient and enchanted by Raven. He was easily likable and I love that his character became a little rougher around the edges in the five year time jump. I never stopped rooting for him in their game of cat and mouse. This book captivated me and made me sleep deprived the next day as I rushed to finish it.
December 17, 2025
I wasn't feeling like I was in a slump, but I wasn't feeling satisfied by much before this one. Plus, it was interesting to learn Raven's backstory. She'd been in the background of so many of the other books but we didn't know much about her beyond her friendship with the girls.
Aiden Callahan and his family are part of the Irish mob. While on a break from her studies in Paris, Raven finds herself working in his club. While her friends come from well-off families, Raven has received scholarships to attend the same schools.
One night, Raven witnesses something she wasn't supposed to see. She and Aiden don't have much choice and must marry. As she gets to know her husband, she starts to like the man.
When her mother's building is attacked, she's encouraged to run.
That was five years ago. She's been living in Paris with her best friends, hiding in plain sight.
Aiden has spent the last five years mourning his wife and now that he's found her, he's never letting her go.
Especially as he tries to figure out who set in motion the events that lead to Raven running away.
Thanks so much to the author and CandiKanePR for this ARC to review.
Aiden Callahan and his family are part of the Irish mob. While on a break from her studies in Paris, Raven finds herself working in his club. While her friends come from well-off families, Raven has received scholarships to attend the same schools.
One night, Raven witnesses something she wasn't supposed to see. She and Aiden don't have much choice and must marry. As she gets to know her husband, she starts to like the man.
When her mother's building is attacked, she's encouraged to run.
That was five years ago. She's been living in Paris with her best friends, hiding in plain sight.
Aiden has spent the last five years mourning his wife and now that he's found her, he's never letting her go.
Especially as he tries to figure out who set in motion the events that lead to Raven running away.
Thanks so much to the author and CandiKanePR for this ARC to review.
November 25, 2025
3.5 stars ⭐️
November 23, 2025
My Rating: 4.5 stars!
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
This just straight up got me in the feels. OMG, I’m still reeling from Aiden and Raven’s story. Winners has written another exceptionally gripping mafia read that I would definitely go back to time and again!
Once I started, it was unputdownable. It’s fast-paced, constantly developing, and with a gradual build-up of suspense that totally had me invested in seeing how things would play out between Aiden and Raven.
I love that whilst it is a mafia romance, it focused more so on the MCs sudden, yet budding relationship. 70% romance, 30% dark mafia elements, and 100% a must-read!
But in saying that, this book is not all heart-eyes and swooniness. It involves certain subject matters that some readers may find disturbing and/or triggering, such as, graphic violence, torture, domestic abuse, substance abuse, SA, and death. As with the adult content and dark themes included, proceed with caution. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
Although it’s not as overly complex as some of the previous books in the series, it still captures your attention with its relatable and truly likable characters, and the relationships present in this book—not just between the MCs, but with the secondary cast of characters as well. The friendships and familial dynamics displayed throughout are amongst some of the highlights to look forward to. They not only add further dimension to the story, but also well-timed light-heartedness, and genuine support and sounding board.
It can easily be read in one sitting. I was left sighing in happy contentment, yet it also had a thought-provoking aftereffect. I wasn’t expecting to experience anxiety, shock horror, heartbreak, and slight disappointment before acceptance and a sense of comfort settled in for these characters.
Aiden and Raven have one of my favourite second-chance romance stories from Winners’ mafia-verse I’ve ever read. It’s a mixture of sweet torture and a deep-seated love that makes this fictional romance just the type readers daydream about. These characters are raw, relatable, and pull at your heartstrings.
It could’ve been a bit more in-depth, but their story still comes across well, with Raven’s backstory an integral plotline in the main narrative and the reasoning behind how the characters feel and navigate through certain situations. Some moments felt abrupt, but at least resolved. Although this can be read as a standalone, it is part of an interconnecting world, and certain timelines with certain secondary characters coincide. I suggest readers follow the authors recommendation of which books to read alongside this one for a fuller reading experience.
I adored reading it. I am completely giddy for Aiden and Raven. It was refreshing to see MCs who organically connected, balanced each other out, and genuinely wanted the same end game. They are such a dreamy couple, and their story is a nice change of pace from some of the super angsty, mafia-heavy books from this world. It’s vivid, beautifully written, flowed well, and is emotionally moving. A romance read within a mafia backdrop that has an amazing amount of sweetness, spice, and grittiness.
🚨 Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
This just straight up got me in the feels. OMG, I’m still reeling from Aiden and Raven’s story. Winners has written another exceptionally gripping mafia read that I would definitely go back to time and again!
Once I started, it was unputdownable. It’s fast-paced, constantly developing, and with a gradual build-up of suspense that totally had me invested in seeing how things would play out between Aiden and Raven.
I love that whilst it is a mafia romance, it focused more so on the MCs sudden, yet budding relationship. 70% romance, 30% dark mafia elements, and 100% a must-read!
But in saying that, this book is not all heart-eyes and swooniness. It involves certain subject matters that some readers may find disturbing and/or triggering, such as, graphic violence, torture, domestic abuse, substance abuse, SA, and death. As with the adult content and dark themes included, proceed with caution. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
Although it’s not as overly complex as some of the previous books in the series, it still captures your attention with its relatable and truly likable characters, and the relationships present in this book—not just between the MCs, but with the secondary cast of characters as well. The friendships and familial dynamics displayed throughout are amongst some of the highlights to look forward to. They not only add further dimension to the story, but also well-timed light-heartedness, and genuine support and sounding board.
It can easily be read in one sitting. I was left sighing in happy contentment, yet it also had a thought-provoking aftereffect. I wasn’t expecting to experience anxiety, shock horror, heartbreak, and slight disappointment before acceptance and a sense of comfort settled in for these characters.
Aiden and Raven have one of my favourite second-chance romance stories from Winners’ mafia-verse I’ve ever read. It’s a mixture of sweet torture and a deep-seated love that makes this fictional romance just the type readers daydream about. These characters are raw, relatable, and pull at your heartstrings.
It could’ve been a bit more in-depth, but their story still comes across well, with Raven’s backstory an integral plotline in the main narrative and the reasoning behind how the characters feel and navigate through certain situations. Some moments felt abrupt, but at least resolved. Although this can be read as a standalone, it is part of an interconnecting world, and certain timelines with certain secondary characters coincide. I suggest readers follow the authors recommendation of which books to read alongside this one for a fuller reading experience.
I adored reading it. I am completely giddy for Aiden and Raven. It was refreshing to see MCs who organically connected, balanced each other out, and genuinely wanted the same end game. They are such a dreamy couple, and their story is a nice change of pace from some of the super angsty, mafia-heavy books from this world. It’s vivid, beautifully written, flowed well, and is emotionally moving. A romance read within a mafia backdrop that has an amazing amount of sweetness, spice, and grittiness.
🚨 Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...
November 23, 2025
4.25 stars-THORNS OF DECEIT is the seventh instalment in Eva Winners’ contemporary adult THORNS OF OMERTA dark, erotic, organized crime romance series -a spin off from the author’s KINGPINS OF THE SYNDICATE. This is thirty-two year old Irish mobster Aiden Callahan, and twenty-four year old, Raven Croft’s story line. THORNS OF DECEIT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
For fans and followers, THORNS OF DECEIT crosses over with, and runs parallel to the several instalments in the author’s The Stolen Empire Trilogy.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Aiden and Raven), dual timelines, and memories from the past, THORNS OF DECEIT focuses on the forced marriage of convenience between our story line couple. Five years earlier, after having witnessed something she should not have seen, a then nineteen year old, college student and waitress Raven Croft is forced into marriage with Irish mobster Aiden Callahan but Raven and her mother Blair have spent most of their lives on the run, and the past is about to catch up with Raven and Blair, and Raven and her mother will disappear. Fast forward five years, Aiden continues to mourn the loss of his wife only to discover she has been living her life in Paris France., attending college and creating a life in the world of art. Determined to reclaim what they had lost, Aiden goes on the offensive when he discovers the darkness that continues to haunt and stalk our story line heroine.
The world building is complex and detailed as the reader is pulled into the past, in an effort to understand what is happening and why. There is more to Raven Croft than Aiden could have possibly imagined, and the family is forced into a war to regain power. As Raven began a new life without our story line hero, Aiden would take control, ensuring the world knew who was in charge.
The relationship between Aiden and Raven is one of forced proximity and marriage in an effort to save the life of our story line heroine but Raven is oblivious to the reality of her family history, and in this, our heroine and her mother will become pawns in the fight for power. Raven and Aiden never wanted to marry but their union was about to become a much larger part of the impending war. The $ex scenes are erotic, provocative and intense.
There is a large ensemble cast of energetic, questionable and controversial secondary and supporting characters including several from the author’s The Stolen Empire Trilogy: Raven’s friends Reina, Phoenix and Athena, all with familial connections to the criminal underworld. We are introduced to Raven’s mother Blair, as well as father Duncan Lyon and Aiden’s twin brothers Kyran and Tyran.
THORNS OF DECEIT is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, more dysfunctional family dynamics and values, grief and loss, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is thought provoking, dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is gritty and twisted; the characters are desperate, determined and dangerous.
copy supplied for review
For fans and followers, THORNS OF DECEIT crosses over with, and runs parallel to the several instalments in the author’s The Stolen Empire Trilogy.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Aiden and Raven), dual timelines, and memories from the past, THORNS OF DECEIT focuses on the forced marriage of convenience between our story line couple. Five years earlier, after having witnessed something she should not have seen, a then nineteen year old, college student and waitress Raven Croft is forced into marriage with Irish mobster Aiden Callahan but Raven and her mother Blair have spent most of their lives on the run, and the past is about to catch up with Raven and Blair, and Raven and her mother will disappear. Fast forward five years, Aiden continues to mourn the loss of his wife only to discover she has been living her life in Paris France., attending college and creating a life in the world of art. Determined to reclaim what they had lost, Aiden goes on the offensive when he discovers the darkness that continues to haunt and stalk our story line heroine.
The world building is complex and detailed as the reader is pulled into the past, in an effort to understand what is happening and why. There is more to Raven Croft than Aiden could have possibly imagined, and the family is forced into a war to regain power. As Raven began a new life without our story line hero, Aiden would take control, ensuring the world knew who was in charge.
The relationship between Aiden and Raven is one of forced proximity and marriage in an effort to save the life of our story line heroine but Raven is oblivious to the reality of her family history, and in this, our heroine and her mother will become pawns in the fight for power. Raven and Aiden never wanted to marry but their union was about to become a much larger part of the impending war. The $ex scenes are erotic, provocative and intense.
There is a large ensemble cast of energetic, questionable and controversial secondary and supporting characters including several from the author’s The Stolen Empire Trilogy: Raven’s friends Reina, Phoenix and Athena, all with familial connections to the criminal underworld. We are introduced to Raven’s mother Blair, as well as father Duncan Lyon and Aiden’s twin brothers Kyran and Tyran.
THORNS OF DECEIT is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, more dysfunctional family dynamics and values, grief and loss, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is thought provoking, dark, dramatic and edgy; the romance is gritty and twisted; the characters are desperate, determined and dangerous.
copy supplied for review
November 22, 2025
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
Thorns of Omertà, book seven in the series, is the story of Raven and Aiden. It spans five years and is
dark and gritty. Beautiful chaos was how their relationship was described in the book, and it is spot-on.
I love how different every book in this series is, how each relationship has a few similarities but a lot more interesting variations. In this book, it truly is an amazing story where there’s an age gap between the lead characters, the alpha male is extremely protective, the female main character is strong and determined, and some outside influences throw a spanner in the works.
Raven is extremely honest in her outlook on life, for instance here when Aiden explains her options after witnessing something she shouldn’t have.
“…I had so many bad decisions left to make. That was the point of life… wasn’t it?”
I love her logic, completely the reverse of most young nineteen-year-olds who’d have said something about having so many good things to experience in life. Raven didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth and had quite a few issues to deal with but I believe this made her stronger. She is a fantastic character whom I immediately liked when I was first introduced to her in previous books.
Aiden intrigued me as well and I honestly thought he was going to be almost brutish… spoiler alert (well, not really) he isn’t. He definitely is an alpha male who is the head of the Irish mob so as expected can be violent. His view on marriage is skewed but then so is Raven’s. Aiden knows what he wants and sets out to get it, failure is not a word in his vocabulary.
The chemistry between Aiden and Raven is incredibly strong and I admire how patient Aiden was in the beginning. 🔥🔥🔥 is an adequate way to describe their passionate scenes.
I am always impressed by an unpredictable storyline and was totally blown away by a few twists in the story and this just demonstrates how clever Ms Winners is with her plotting.
This book can be read as a standalone but the whole series is sensational so I recommend you read them all.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Thorns of Omertà, book seven in the series, is the story of Raven and Aiden. It spans five years and is
dark and gritty. Beautiful chaos was how their relationship was described in the book, and it is spot-on.
I love how different every book in this series is, how each relationship has a few similarities but a lot more interesting variations. In this book, it truly is an amazing story where there’s an age gap between the lead characters, the alpha male is extremely protective, the female main character is strong and determined, and some outside influences throw a spanner in the works.
Raven is extremely honest in her outlook on life, for instance here when Aiden explains her options after witnessing something she shouldn’t have.
“…I had so many bad decisions left to make. That was the point of life… wasn’t it?”
I love her logic, completely the reverse of most young nineteen-year-olds who’d have said something about having so many good things to experience in life. Raven didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth and had quite a few issues to deal with but I believe this made her stronger. She is a fantastic character whom I immediately liked when I was first introduced to her in previous books.
Aiden intrigued me as well and I honestly thought he was going to be almost brutish… spoiler alert (well, not really) he isn’t. He definitely is an alpha male who is the head of the Irish mob so as expected can be violent. His view on marriage is skewed but then so is Raven’s. Aiden knows what he wants and sets out to get it, failure is not a word in his vocabulary.
The chemistry between Aiden and Raven is incredibly strong and I admire how patient Aiden was in the beginning. 🔥🔥🔥 is an adequate way to describe their passionate scenes.
I am always impressed by an unpredictable storyline and was totally blown away by a few twists in the story and this just demonstrates how clever Ms Winners is with her plotting.
This book can be read as a standalone but the whole series is sensational so I recommend you read them all.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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November 21, 2025
img class="align one size-medium wp-image-16702" HD src="https://srokk1.files.wordpress.com/20...? Aw=212" alt="" width="212" height="300"
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
Thorns of Omertà, book seven in the series, is the story of Raven and Aiden. It spans five years and is
dark and gritty. Beautiful chaos was how their relationship was described in the book, and it is spot-on.
I love how different every book in this series is, how each relationship has a few similarities but a lot more interesting variations. In this book, it truly is an amazing story where there’s an age gap between the lead characters, the alpha male is extremely protective, the female main character is strong and determined, and some outside influences throw a spanner in the works.
Raven is extremely honest in her outlook on life, for instance here when Aiden explains her options after witnessing something she shouldn’t have.
“…I had so many bad decisions left to make. That was the point of life… wasn’t it?”
I love her logic, completely the reverse of most young nineteen-year-olds who’d have said something about having so many good things to experience in life. Raven didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth and had quite a few issues to deal with but I believe this made her stronger. She is a fantastic character whom I immediately liked when I was first introduced to her in previous books.
Aiden intrigued me as well and I honestly thought he was going to be almost brutish… spoiler alert (well, not really) he isn’t. He definitely is an alpha male who is the head of the Irish mob so as expected can be violent. His view on marriage is skewed but then so is Raven’s. Aiden knows what he wants and sets out to get it, failure is not a word in his vocabulary.
The chemistry between Aiden and Raven is incredibly strong and I admire how patient Aiden was in the beginning. 🔥🔥🔥 is an adequate way to describe their passionate scenes.
I am always impressed by an unpredictable storyline and was totally blown away by a few twists in the story and this just demonstrates how clever Ms Winners is with her plotting.
This book can be read as a standalone but the whole series is sensational so I recommend you read them all.
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
Thorns of Omertà, book seven in the series, is the story of Raven and Aiden. It spans five years and is
dark and gritty. Beautiful chaos was how their relationship was described in the book, and it is spot-on.
I love how different every book in this series is, how each relationship has a few similarities but a lot more interesting variations. In this book, it truly is an amazing story where there’s an age gap between the lead characters, the alpha male is extremely protective, the female main character is strong and determined, and some outside influences throw a spanner in the works.
Raven is extremely honest in her outlook on life, for instance here when Aiden explains her options after witnessing something she shouldn’t have.
“…I had so many bad decisions left to make. That was the point of life… wasn’t it?”
I love her logic, completely the reverse of most young nineteen-year-olds who’d have said something about having so many good things to experience in life. Raven didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth and had quite a few issues to deal with but I believe this made her stronger. She is a fantastic character whom I immediately liked when I was first introduced to her in previous books.
Aiden intrigued me as well and I honestly thought he was going to be almost brutish… spoiler alert (well, not really) he isn’t. He definitely is an alpha male who is the head of the Irish mob so as expected can be violent. His view on marriage is skewed but then so is Raven’s. Aiden knows what he wants and sets out to get it, failure is not a word in his vocabulary.
The chemistry between Aiden and Raven is incredibly strong and I admire how patient Aiden was in the beginning. 🔥🔥🔥 is an adequate way to describe their passionate scenes.
I am always impressed by an unpredictable storyline and was totally blown away by a few twists in the story and this just demonstrates how clever Ms Winners is with her plotting.
This book can be read as a standalone but the whole series is sensational so I recommend you read them all.
November 24, 2025
A return to the Thorns of Omerta series for Raven’s story and who would’ve guessed what secrets she was keeping from her friends, the most important of all being she was married to the head of the Irish mob…... oh, and he believed she was dead. They’d met when Raven witnessed Aiden Callahan and his brothers brutally interrogating a politician and for Aiden, he was left with two options for silencing her – kill her or marry her whether she was willing or not and once his uncle uncovered her family connections, well the decision was made. But her mother wasn’t about to let her daughter, the child she’d spent twenty years hiding from a brutal father face the same fate she had and set in motion a plan to set her daughter free. Until five years later and Aiden, doing a favour for his brother-in-law walked into a fashion show where he was shocked to see a ghost. The man who has spent years blaming himself for the death of his wife and grieving her isn’t about to let her escape him again.
With the story overlapping several of the earlier books from the series it was also good to see characters and events from a different perspective. The overall flow of this book was consistent throughout with a fantastic plot spanning several years. Full of mystery and suspense; intrigue and danger; heartbreak, angst and new beginnings, Thorns of Deceit had me completely absorbed right from the opening chapters. I’ve a personal weakness for Irish mobsters and despite appearances Aiden was an all bark and no bite type of hero …... well not unless his wife wanted him to but only when it came to Raven. Despite a small age gap of around twelve years, the attraction between them had been deep and intense right from the start with some deliciously wicked banter between them with Raven giving as good as she got but deep-down she’d instinctively known she could trust him, but her mother, after a life time of fear had taken matters out of her hands. And Aiden proved later in the book her trust wasn’t misplaced when he helped her settle an old score along with the help of his twin brothers, Kyran and Tyran, who are both psychopaths, loveable ones but clearly deranged and I can’t wait for their books.
With the story overlapping several of the earlier books from the series it was also good to see characters and events from a different perspective. The overall flow of this book was consistent throughout with a fantastic plot spanning several years. Full of mystery and suspense; intrigue and danger; heartbreak, angst and new beginnings, Thorns of Deceit had me completely absorbed right from the opening chapters. I’ve a personal weakness for Irish mobsters and despite appearances Aiden was an all bark and no bite type of hero …... well not unless his wife wanted him to but only when it came to Raven. Despite a small age gap of around twelve years, the attraction between them had been deep and intense right from the start with some deliciously wicked banter between them with Raven giving as good as she got but deep-down she’d instinctively known she could trust him, but her mother, after a life time of fear had taken matters out of her hands. And Aiden proved later in the book her trust wasn’t misplaced when he helped her settle an old score along with the help of his twin brothers, Kyran and Tyran, who are both psychopaths, loveable ones but clearly deranged and I can’t wait for their books.
November 22, 2025
Thorns of Deceit
Thorns of Omertà #7
by Eva Winners
Aiden Callahan, my goodness I would dump my husband for Aiden Callahan any day. He’s Irish Mafia, and he’s part of Omertà. It was the biggest mistake Raven Croft had ever made going into the club early that night. But what she saw was putting her between a rock and a hard place. That particular hard place was, end her or marry her! What could go wrong!
Lots! Lots could go wrong and it did. At first Raven was treating the marriage as a bit of a game, and it was not the game she wanted to play…that game was about to start in Paris…but she needed money, but she realized that Aiden really was a good guy, in a mobster kind of way. Her next biggest worry was her mother….yeah! Frankly I think Aiden was the safest but what do I know!
It turns out Lyons was out of prison, and Raven and her mother were on his agenda!
Honestly, this was one of the most beautiful mobster love stories I’ve ever read. Adien and Raven had that special thing, you know the kizmet, the fairy dust, the love, the passion the whole nine yards and then she was gone! It was five years since she had been gone. Five long years for Aiden. Five years of Duncan Lyons raiding the Callahan warehouses. Five years since he’d gotten a full nights sleep. Five years grieving.
Often Mob wars can bring history back to the forefront and this war was about to bring back the past!
Thorns of Deceit is one of Author Eva Winners mobster books. A trip to Paris, four friends who had no idea what had been happing in the US and a surprise at the end of a fashion runway! We are finally getting a story line that has been sitting in the shadows and just waiting to be told!
This was a five star read for me! This is one of those books you read again and again just to spend time with Aiden and Raven!
Thorns of Omertà #7
by Eva Winners
Aiden Callahan, my goodness I would dump my husband for Aiden Callahan any day. He’s Irish Mafia, and he’s part of Omertà. It was the biggest mistake Raven Croft had ever made going into the club early that night. But what she saw was putting her between a rock and a hard place. That particular hard place was, end her or marry her! What could go wrong!
Lots! Lots could go wrong and it did. At first Raven was treating the marriage as a bit of a game, and it was not the game she wanted to play…that game was about to start in Paris…but she needed money, but she realized that Aiden really was a good guy, in a mobster kind of way. Her next biggest worry was her mother….yeah! Frankly I think Aiden was the safest but what do I know!
It turns out Lyons was out of prison, and Raven and her mother were on his agenda!
Honestly, this was one of the most beautiful mobster love stories I’ve ever read. Adien and Raven had that special thing, you know the kizmet, the fairy dust, the love, the passion the whole nine yards and then she was gone! It was five years since she had been gone. Five long years for Aiden. Five years of Duncan Lyons raiding the Callahan warehouses. Five years since he’d gotten a full nights sleep. Five years grieving.
Often Mob wars can bring history back to the forefront and this war was about to bring back the past!
Thorns of Deceit is one of Author Eva Winners mobster books. A trip to Paris, four friends who had no idea what had been happing in the US and a surprise at the end of a fashion runway! We are finally getting a story line that has been sitting in the shadows and just waiting to be told!
This was a five star read for me! This is one of those books you read again and again just to spend time with Aiden and Raven!
December 1, 2025
Aiden and Raven
ARC REVIEW
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
WHEW Aiden Callahan everyone🥵! I’ve been looking forward for his and Raven’s book forever!! And once again, the GOAT @evawinners delivered🙌🏻!
I highly recommend you read the Thorns of Omertà series to know these characters since they are all featured upon the series.
Raven grew up with her single mother and worked at a dance club to make extra money for Paris. She decided to show up a little early for work and stumbled across something she shouldn’t have that sealed her fate..death or marriage. The only problem is, she has no idea who her father was and Aiden and his uncle discovered she’s the daughter of a mobster. That set off a chain of events from there. One day, Raven and her mother were involved in an accident and Raven faked her death for 5 years…until running into her husband Aiden. Ahhhh the spice, the chemistry was hotttt 🫠!! Aiden was not going to let his girl go and he would do anything to keep her. Raven was just a lost girl but she was also a fierce one. Eva knows how to write plots with secrets that leave you wanting more!! I highly recommend Thorns of Deceit!!
Blurb:
An innocent witness to brutality. A twisted and deviant plan. Two lives forever scarred.
Aiden Callahan was a lethal, disarmingly beautiful man. A mobster forged in blood, betrayal, and sin.
Worst of all... he was my husband.
Five years ago, I did something unforgivable.
Now, my past has come to collect its debt.
I told myself I did what I had to do in order to survive. That he wouldn’t hurt me. That being the future mother to his heir would make me untouchable.
I was wrong.
The man I ran from no longer exists, and I’m no longer the woman he married.
His demons raged, loud and unforgiving.
Mine refused to bow.
Together, we were chaos. Beautiful and deadly chaos.
ARC REVIEW
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
WHEW Aiden Callahan everyone🥵! I’ve been looking forward for his and Raven’s book forever!! And once again, the GOAT @evawinners delivered🙌🏻!
I highly recommend you read the Thorns of Omertà series to know these characters since they are all featured upon the series.
Raven grew up with her single mother and worked at a dance club to make extra money for Paris. She decided to show up a little early for work and stumbled across something she shouldn’t have that sealed her fate..death or marriage. The only problem is, she has no idea who her father was and Aiden and his uncle discovered she’s the daughter of a mobster. That set off a chain of events from there. One day, Raven and her mother were involved in an accident and Raven faked her death for 5 years…until running into her husband Aiden. Ahhhh the spice, the chemistry was hotttt 🫠!! Aiden was not going to let his girl go and he would do anything to keep her. Raven was just a lost girl but she was also a fierce one. Eva knows how to write plots with secrets that leave you wanting more!! I highly recommend Thorns of Deceit!!
Blurb:
An innocent witness to brutality. A twisted and deviant plan. Two lives forever scarred.
Aiden Callahan was a lethal, disarmingly beautiful man. A mobster forged in blood, betrayal, and sin.
Worst of all... he was my husband.
Five years ago, I did something unforgivable.
Now, my past has come to collect its debt.
I told myself I did what I had to do in order to survive. That he wouldn’t hurt me. That being the future mother to his heir would make me untouchable.
I was wrong.
The man I ran from no longer exists, and I’m no longer the woman he married.
His demons raged, loud and unforgiving.
Mine refused to bow.
Together, we were chaos. Beautiful and deadly chaos.
November 20, 2025
✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5✨
✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - November 24, 2025
✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• Mafia Romance
• Obsessed MMC
• Runaway Wife
• Still Married
• Protective but Dangerous Hero
• Tortured Hearts
• Emotional & Dark Past
• Fated but Damaged Love
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 –
This story follows a girl named Raven, who witnesses a brutal incident committed by Aiden Callahan. After that, she’s left with only two options - either he kills her, or she marries him. But Raven discovers a few things about Aiden, and because of that, she decides to fake her own death.
Now, five years later, when he sees Raven — the girl whose “death” he lived with in guilt, everything changes again.
Honestly, I loved how intense this book felt. Aiden’s obsession had this silent, dangerous heat that never went away. Even when she wasn’t with him, it felt like he was still chasing her, still watching her, still claiming her in his own broken way. He was lethal, protective, possessive, and every scene with him carried this heavy tension like he would burn the whole world before letting her disappear again.
And Raven wasn’t weak at all. She was tired, hurt, but so strong in her own quiet way. Their connection felt raw, messy, and painfully real. The way they pushed and pulled at each other made the whole story feel emotional and addictive. Every chapter had that aching feeling of two people who were never meant to be apart, even when life kept tearing them down.
The writing was dark, dreamy, and so beautifully chaotic. It felt like a love story built out of bruises, fire, and secrets. I loved the intensity, the obsession, the quiet moments, the loud heartbreak everything. Highly recommended to all my dark romance readers.
Thank you so much candi kane for the free ARC!
✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - November 24, 2025
✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• Mafia Romance
• Obsessed MMC
• Runaway Wife
• Still Married
• Protective but Dangerous Hero
• Tortured Hearts
• Emotional & Dark Past
• Fated but Damaged Love
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 –
This story follows a girl named Raven, who witnesses a brutal incident committed by Aiden Callahan. After that, she’s left with only two options - either he kills her, or she marries him. But Raven discovers a few things about Aiden, and because of that, she decides to fake her own death.
Now, five years later, when he sees Raven — the girl whose “death” he lived with in guilt, everything changes again.
Honestly, I loved how intense this book felt. Aiden’s obsession had this silent, dangerous heat that never went away. Even when she wasn’t with him, it felt like he was still chasing her, still watching her, still claiming her in his own broken way. He was lethal, protective, possessive, and every scene with him carried this heavy tension like he would burn the whole world before letting her disappear again.
And Raven wasn’t weak at all. She was tired, hurt, but so strong in her own quiet way. Their connection felt raw, messy, and painfully real. The way they pushed and pulled at each other made the whole story feel emotional and addictive. Every chapter had that aching feeling of two people who were never meant to be apart, even when life kept tearing them down.
The writing was dark, dreamy, and so beautifully chaotic. It felt like a love story built out of bruises, fire, and secrets. I loved the intensity, the obsession, the quiet moments, the loud heartbreak everything. Highly recommended to all my dark romance readers.
Thank you so much candi kane for the free ARC!
November 21, 2025
Eva Winners is the writer who pulled me into Dark Romance, the mafia world, and villains with soft hearts. I started with a single story, and it turned into an obsession. I devoured every book I could find by her. She writes mobsters who would burn the world for the women they love and heroines who are never, ever damsels in distress. She is the queen.
Thorns of Deceit gave me one of my favorite tropes: second chance romance. A forced marriage, a faked death, five years apart, and a reunion against all odds. Raven witnessed something she should never have seen and had an impossible choice: marry Aiden Callahan or die. What followed was survival, sacrifice, and a heartbreaking lie that kept me on edge. When they meet again, Raven expects cruelty and vengeance. Instead, she finds the same dangerous man with a heart of gold who once made her feel safe. Aiden is protective, possessive, and an incredible lover. He would do anything to make her feel safe after years on the run. Their connection is raw, emotional, and addictively intense. Their scenes are extra spicy and had me blushing nonstop. And the ending... It was totally unexpected and perfect.
I also loved Raven’s circle of friends, each woman strong and beautiful. It was so special seeing them again after already knowing their stories. I loved Aiden's twin brothers too and I can't wait for their stories!
Reading her ARC is not just a privilege, it is an honor I cherish deeply. Eva Winners never disappoints. Highly recommended to every dark romance lover who craves intensity, obsession, and a love that survives even death.
Thorns of Deceit gave me one of my favorite tropes: second chance romance. A forced marriage, a faked death, five years apart, and a reunion against all odds. Raven witnessed something she should never have seen and had an impossible choice: marry Aiden Callahan or die. What followed was survival, sacrifice, and a heartbreaking lie that kept me on edge. When they meet again, Raven expects cruelty and vengeance. Instead, she finds the same dangerous man with a heart of gold who once made her feel safe. Aiden is protective, possessive, and an incredible lover. He would do anything to make her feel safe after years on the run. Their connection is raw, emotional, and addictively intense. Their scenes are extra spicy and had me blushing nonstop. And the ending... It was totally unexpected and perfect.
I also loved Raven’s circle of friends, each woman strong and beautiful. It was so special seeing them again after already knowing their stories. I loved Aiden's twin brothers too and I can't wait for their stories!
Reading her ARC is not just a privilege, it is an honor I cherish deeply. Eva Winners never disappoints. Highly recommended to every dark romance lover who craves intensity, obsession, and a love that survives even death.
December 1, 2025
Thorns of deceit
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5/5)
I loved this so so much. I don't know what magic Eva Winners put in her books, but the way I gobble them up, I love the version of me that comes up when I read her books, and also that I'm so picky about mafia reads, these books just hit the perfect balance of being crazy, spicy with men who kidnapp and worship the ladies 😂
• And also the author definitely is obsessed with kids and unplanned pregnancy 😂, which is justifiable by the way these people behave (SPICY!)
•Is this melodramatic? Maybe! (I don't care!!) Even though the books feel slightly (veryy slightly~) familiar to other books in the series, I enjoyed this a lot.
• The vibes were super fun, the plot- solid, the writing flowed, easily digestible and veryyy atmospheric.
• I love Raven, she was intelligent, strong and knew what she wanted. Supported, loved and stood up for her friends and was very sassy and hilarious 😂
• Aiden- welp..HE WAS OBSESSED! In the best way, I enjoyed reading about him, his POV was really fun!
• I was engrossed in the book, and loved it so much how the story picked up from where it was left off, like how we saw Athena, Pheonix, Reina's story also progressing. Gorgeous!
• The dynamics between Aiden and Raven, the tension, the chemistry was holyfkin delicious!! I loved how they conversed, how the age gap was played well enough that it didn't give me the ick, the easy banter between them and all was really enjoyable.
💌Over-all
I love love this series, this is one my fav mafia reads and series that I really enjoyed!
Thanks Candikane PR for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5/5)
I loved this so so much. I don't know what magic Eva Winners put in her books, but the way I gobble them up, I love the version of me that comes up when I read her books, and also that I'm so picky about mafia reads, these books just hit the perfect balance of being crazy, spicy with men who kidnapp and worship the ladies 😂
• And also the author definitely is obsessed with kids and unplanned pregnancy 😂, which is justifiable by the way these people behave (SPICY!)
•Is this melodramatic? Maybe! (I don't care!!) Even though the books feel slightly (veryy slightly~) familiar to other books in the series, I enjoyed this a lot.
• The vibes were super fun, the plot- solid, the writing flowed, easily digestible and veryyy atmospheric.
• I love Raven, she was intelligent, strong and knew what she wanted. Supported, loved and stood up for her friends and was very sassy and hilarious 😂
• Aiden- welp..HE WAS OBSESSED! In the best way, I enjoyed reading about him, his POV was really fun!
• I was engrossed in the book, and loved it so much how the story picked up from where it was left off, like how we saw Athena, Pheonix, Reina's story also progressing. Gorgeous!
• The dynamics between Aiden and Raven, the tension, the chemistry was holyfkin delicious!! I loved how they conversed, how the age gap was played well enough that it didn't give me the ick, the easy banter between them and all was really enjoyable.
💌Over-all
I love love this series, this is one my fav mafia reads and series that I really enjoyed!
Thanks Candikane PR for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
November 22, 2025
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Thorns of Deceit is book seven in the Thorns of Ometrà series. This book features a forced marriage, age-gap, second-chance Mafia romance. The story centers around Aiden Callahan and Raven Croft (Lyons).
Aiden was portrayed as a villain in the beginning, but he’s far from it. By the end, he’s actually the hero! The book was spicy, though it didn’t quite live up to the kink that was hyped and alluded to in the first half regarding Aiden. One thing remained consistent, however: that man was utterly obsessed with Raven.
Raven had endured so much in her short life. She was never truly able to live freely. We see many sides to her—vulnerable, protective, chaotic, resilient, and more. Although at times she seemed lost, she stepped into her roles as needed and almost flawlessly (except for cooking, ha ha).
Their journey was filled with angst, violence, betrayal, and ultimately love. The plot was fast-paced and intertwined the past and present seamlessly. Aiden and Raven had explosive chemistry from beginning to end.
Winners has built quite the Mafia empire with her interconnected worlds and stories. It was fascinating to see what all the girls in the friend group were experiencing at the same time without each of them knowing. Winners skillfully weaves in information from previous books without being repetitive, making it possible to enjoy these novels as standalones. Still, for maximum enjoyment, the series is best read in order.
December 1, 2025
More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
It feels like we waited forever for Raven’s story, but it was so worth it. This is one of my favorite series ever and I never get enough of this world. Poor Raven was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it cost her dearly. She’s only a teenager when she’s forced to marry Aiden Callahan, the older, powerful stranger from a mafia family. But it turns out Aiden isn’t so bad, and she actually likes her husband quite a lot. Her world gets turned inside-out when the father she’s never known tracks down Raven and her mother, thanks to Aiden’s sleazy uncle.
Raven’s mother led her astray and forced her to run. They both believed they were doing the best thing to keep Raven safe, but if only she’d gone to Aiden instead of listening to her mother. Raven’s spent the last five years living her best life as a student and artist in Paris with her besties but her world goes upside-down yet again when her eyes meet Aiden’s across a crowded club.
Can Aiden forgive her? Can Raven trust him again? Well, you’ll have to read it for yourself because I’m not telling but trust me when I say you won’t regret it. Raven and Aiden are absolute fire and I loved everything about their story.
November 20, 2025
Thorns of Deceit the 7th book in the Thorns of Omerta series by a new to me author, Eva Winners. It's an age gap, forced marriage, surprise pregnancy, Mafia filled tropes that grab your attention and keeps it until the end. The dirty talk and dark vibes gives it a 4.25 star rating.
TW: violence, blood, guns, murder, dark elements, explicit sex scenes, blackmail, kidnapping, OTT hero, J/P.
I would like to Thank Candi Kane PR and Eva Winners for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Aiden Callahan is in line to take over the family's crime syndicate business and when he walked into the Velvet Desire to take care of someone he never expected it would lead to marriage.
Raven Croft was at work early at the Velvet Desire and witnessed something that she shouldn't have and now it's either marry Aiden or be killed.
They are married and she's now living in his penthouse. Aiden and Raven are getting to know one another and are surprised that they are actually attracted to each other and that feelings are developing.
Raven goes to visit her Mama and her apartment blows up, her Mama fakes her death & makes her promise to run and don't look back.
Aiden is in Paris 5 years later and who does he spot walking on a fashion show runway...his dead wife! He forces her to go with him and they consummate their vows.
Can they pick up where they left off or will her father take them both out when he finds out he's been lied to?
TW: violence, blood, guns, murder, dark elements, explicit sex scenes, blackmail, kidnapping, OTT hero, J/P.
I would like to Thank Candi Kane PR and Eva Winners for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Aiden Callahan is in line to take over the family's crime syndicate business and when he walked into the Velvet Desire to take care of someone he never expected it would lead to marriage.
Raven Croft was at work early at the Velvet Desire and witnessed something that she shouldn't have and now it's either marry Aiden or be killed.
They are married and she's now living in his penthouse. Aiden and Raven are getting to know one another and are surprised that they are actually attracted to each other and that feelings are developing.
Raven goes to visit her Mama and her apartment blows up, her Mama fakes her death & makes her promise to run and don't look back.
Aiden is in Paris 5 years later and who does he spot walking on a fashion show runway...his dead wife! He forces her to go with him and they consummate their vows.
Can they pick up where they left off or will her father take them both out when he finds out he's been lied to?
November 24, 2025
Thorns of Deceit delivers a dark, emotional mafia romance centered on Aiden and Raven, whose relationship begins under impossible circumstances. After Raven witnesses something she should not, her only choices push her straight into Aiden’s world and into a forced marriage neither of them truly asked for but both try to navigate. The dual timeline works beautifully, slowly revealing what their brief marriage meant, why it fell apart, and how five years of distance shaped them into the people they are when they finally cross paths again.
Raven’s quiet strength and Aiden’s mix of danger, loyalty, and intense protectiveness create a dynamic that feels raw and magnetic. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, and the emotional pull between them hits even harder in the present timeline. The book balances the gritty mafia backdrop with softer moments, including Raven’s friendships, Aiden’s family, and their attempts to trust each other again after so much silence and hurt. There are dark themes throughout, including violence, trauma, and organized crime, so clear content warnings would have been appreciated.
Overall, this is a powerful second chance romance that delivers intensity, emotion, and a gripping connection between two people who were never meant to be apart. The mix of grit, tenderness, and high stakes makes it incredibly addictive from beginning to end, and it fully earned its five star rating from me.
Raven’s quiet strength and Aiden’s mix of danger, loyalty, and intense protectiveness create a dynamic that feels raw and magnetic. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, and the emotional pull between them hits even harder in the present timeline. The book balances the gritty mafia backdrop with softer moments, including Raven’s friendships, Aiden’s family, and their attempts to trust each other again after so much silence and hurt. There are dark themes throughout, including violence, trauma, and organized crime, so clear content warnings would have been appreciated.
Overall, this is a powerful second chance romance that delivers intensity, emotion, and a gripping connection between two people who were never meant to be apart. The mix of grit, tenderness, and high stakes makes it incredibly addictive from beginning to end, and it fully earned its five star rating from me.
December 1, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
Raven and Aiden's story has been in the works for a few years, we all knew it when reading Thorns of death back in 2023, we just didn't know how deep the connection between the two went. Eva has brought us a fantastic forced marriage mafia romance, and we all know how great these tropes can be Mafia, forced marriage, what more can we ask for?
The story starts with Raven at 19, just before the girls go to Paris to study at university. She sees something she shouldn't have and instead of killing her, they find out she's a mafia princess and the head of the Callahan family tells Aiden he needs to marry her. The only thing Raven knows about her father, is that he's not a nice person and needs to be protected from him. When Raven's mother finds out she's married into the mafia all hell breaks loose, knowing they've been found, Raven's mom tells her to disappear and pretend she's dead. Flash forward 2 years and Aiden finds her in Paris and is livid. And that's when everything hits off.
You need to be patient for the start, but what we're given is so much more! This book is spicy, suspenseful, action packed! All great qualities of Eva's writing. Couldn't have been happier when reading this, and had to give credit where credit is due. :)
Thank you to Candy Cane PR and Eva Winners for the opportunity to read and review Thorns of Deceit.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
Raven and Aiden's story has been in the works for a few years, we all knew it when reading Thorns of death back in 2023, we just didn't know how deep the connection between the two went. Eva has brought us a fantastic forced marriage mafia romance, and we all know how great these tropes can be Mafia, forced marriage, what more can we ask for?
The story starts with Raven at 19, just before the girls go to Paris to study at university. She sees something she shouldn't have and instead of killing her, they find out she's a mafia princess and the head of the Callahan family tells Aiden he needs to marry her. The only thing Raven knows about her father, is that he's not a nice person and needs to be protected from him. When Raven's mother finds out she's married into the mafia all hell breaks loose, knowing they've been found, Raven's mom tells her to disappear and pretend she's dead. Flash forward 2 years and Aiden finds her in Paris and is livid. And that's when everything hits off.
You need to be patient for the start, but what we're given is so much more! This book is spicy, suspenseful, action packed! All great qualities of Eva's writing. Couldn't have been happier when reading this, and had to give credit where credit is due. :)
Thank you to Candy Cane PR and Eva Winners for the opportunity to read and review Thorns of Deceit.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
November 30, 2025
Until about a little more than halfway through I probably would’ve rated this book a 3-3.5. I loved Aiden so much and I absolutely had so many laughs and giggles over his twin brothers, but Raven I did not like. I thought she heartless and a bitch for how she acted and what she did to Aiden. And I stated disliking her even more when after Aiden found her she tried to deny it was her, and then she tried running for the second time. That man mourned her death, held so much guilt, and was living to avenge her death. I felt so sorry for him and after she tried running from him the second time I seriously felt like he should’ve just left her go. He didn’t deserve what she was putting him through. But, somewhere after they discovered she was pregnant and she stopped fighting him and the connection they shared I really started to like her. I still didn’t agree, or like, what she did and I thought it was selfish of her mom to make her promise what she did and even more selfish of Raven to actually uphold that promise, but I did start to like her. And I loved the ending. It was sad, emotional, sweet, heartbreaking and left me excited for the next generation! In the end I loved both Raven and Aiden and I can’t help but root for these two! Their connection was infectious and their chemistry was off the charts hot!
November 23, 2025
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thorns of Deceit is the book I’ve been waiting for since the early days of the Thorns of Omertà series, and Eva Winners did not disappoint. After a long stretch without diving into her writing, slipping back into this world felt like coming home,dark, dangerous, and beautifully messy.
Raven and Aiden’s story is exactly the kind of stormy, angst-heavy romance I hoped it would be. Their dynamic is volatile in the best way: two people shaped by trauma, pride, and impossible choices, colliding with all the force of their shared history. Winners really leans into the emotional wreckage they’ve both been carrying, and it gives their second-chance arc so much weight. Aiden is every bit the lethal, obsessive, morally gray husband we were promised, but Raven holds her own, and watching her refuse to be the girl she once was made this book hit even harder.
The plot kicks off fast, and the tension never loosens. Betrayal, secrets, past sins,this is one of the most addictive installments of the series. There were a few moments where I wanted a little more time sitting with their reconciliation, which is the only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars. Still, the emotional payoff absolutely delivered.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thorns of Deceit is the book I’ve been waiting for since the early days of the Thorns of Omertà series, and Eva Winners did not disappoint. After a long stretch without diving into her writing, slipping back into this world felt like coming home,dark, dangerous, and beautifully messy.
Raven and Aiden’s story is exactly the kind of stormy, angst-heavy romance I hoped it would be. Their dynamic is volatile in the best way: two people shaped by trauma, pride, and impossible choices, colliding with all the force of their shared history. Winners really leans into the emotional wreckage they’ve both been carrying, and it gives their second-chance arc so much weight. Aiden is every bit the lethal, obsessive, morally gray husband we were promised, but Raven holds her own, and watching her refuse to be the girl she once was made this book hit even harder.
The plot kicks off fast, and the tension never loosens. Betrayal, secrets, past sins,this is one of the most addictive installments of the series. There were a few moments where I wanted a little more time sitting with their reconciliation, which is the only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars. Still, the emotional payoff absolutely delivered.
November 24, 2025
Thorns of Deceit is a fast paced action packed story.
I loved Raven and Aiden.
She is such a feisty and sassy young lady.
Raven is big hearted, loves fiercely and tough.
Aiden is head of the head of the Callahan Family.
He’s cool, calm and collected and very dangerous.
Raven is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Resulted in an arranged marriage.
Where once his ring is on her there’s no way out.
These two were a dynamic couple.
Their banter is fun and flirty.
The sexual tension and attraction was intense.
Everything between is explosive.
Their feelings, their attraction, their worries and doubts.
I enjoyed the way Ms. winners laid out the story.
And the way things unfolded and were revealed.
I appreciated how Aiden looked at his marriage to Raven.
I was already falling for him.
But the way he took his time with her and the care he gave, he was a class act.
Don’t get me wrong that side of him was only reserved for his mo cuishle.
The twists and turns were exciting and stunning.
The book is a standalone. And can be fully enjoyed and understood without reading the previous books. But I highly recommend reading them because they are absolutely worth reading.
**4.5 stars**
I loved Raven and Aiden.
She is such a feisty and sassy young lady.
Raven is big hearted, loves fiercely and tough.
Aiden is head of the head of the Callahan Family.
He’s cool, calm and collected and very dangerous.
Raven is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Resulted in an arranged marriage.
Where once his ring is on her there’s no way out.
These two were a dynamic couple.
Their banter is fun and flirty.
The sexual tension and attraction was intense.
Everything between is explosive.
Their feelings, their attraction, their worries and doubts.
I enjoyed the way Ms. winners laid out the story.
And the way things unfolded and were revealed.
I appreciated how Aiden looked at his marriage to Raven.
I was already falling for him.
But the way he took his time with her and the care he gave, he was a class act.
Don’t get me wrong that side of him was only reserved for his mo cuishle.
The twists and turns were exciting and stunning.
The book is a standalone. And can be fully enjoyed and understood without reading the previous books. But I highly recommend reading them because they are absolutely worth reading.
**4.5 stars**
November 26, 2025
My Gosh Guys !!! This Series truly is phenomenal!! So dark and delicious and romantic and just utterly addictive. But then again it’s written by the Queen herself, Eva Winners !!! So really what expect anything less !! I cannot believe we’re on book seven already . Like how do you even choose a favorite installment or couple ? It’s almost impossible. That being said , something about Aiden and Ravens story really did resonate with me, touch my heart and make me feel so many unexpected emotions I never ever saw coming. One of the things I adored most about this book is that it takes place over a span of 5 years . These two could not be more different but watching them fall for each other , the way they were brought together in the most unexpected of ways , we’ll no words can even start to express how 100 % invested I was , the way I could not devour it fast enough and all the sleep I lost along he way . . Thorns Of Deceit is Dark Mafia at its best . It’s intriguing and suspenseful, it’s raw and gritty and emotionally charged . It’s filled with drama and love and passion and moments that will have your jaw hitting the floor . Moments that will make you smile , make you yell and cry and keep you rooting from start to finish. In short , it’s chefs kiss 💋
November 28, 2025
Buckle up for this book, it is a fun and exciting ride!!! Eva Winners has done it again in this exciting series, Thorns of Omerta. Thorns of Deceit is filled with drama, suspense, betrayal(not the cheating kind), and all the angst and scorching hot spice anyone can ask for. I was captivated by the first chapter and couldn’t put it down, needing to know what was going to happen next. This book is a dark mafia romance and touches on dark themes and topics. I loved the tropes that were in this book, the arranged marriage, the MMC who falls hard and first, the FMC that takes measures to survive, the touch her and be...; it was perfect!! I thought the storyline was exciting and had me turning the pages. The characters were complex and had an intense and undeniable chemistry. This book is a standalone, but I recommend diving into the Stolen Empire and Belles and Mobsters series. You will love them all!!! I know I do, and I go back to read a few of the books in each of these series. This book had me laughing, crying, and fist-pumping while reading. I love a good book that has twists and turns and ups and downs, and this book had it all. I can’t wait for what comes next in this series!!!-By Brooke
December 4, 2025
Thorns of Deceit is book seven in the Thorns of Omertà series and is the story of Raven and Aiden Callahan.
It can be read as a standalone but there is a lot of carry over from other books.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it’s a bit different with the tie in of the Irish mafia. The Callahan brothers are something else and their banter was hysterical at points.
Raven finds herself thrown into the world of the Irish mafia after stumbling onto a particular intense interrogation at the strip club where she waitresses. Of course, being the mafia there’s only two choices the Callahans come up with; either kill Raven or she has to marry Aiden.
Raven has had a hard upbringing where her Mom would have them move every couple of years and refused to tell Raven why. Raven never knew her father but always knew that he wasn’t any good, according to her mother. But now that she’s been pretty much thrown into a marriage she can’t move away again, when her mother demands it.
This book had me intrigued from the very start. The twists and turns that Eva Winners is known for are definitely front and center and I LOVED it! So much mystery and not knowing where the story was going to take you next.
Aiden’s character definitely kept my attention as he’s not your typical mafioso. He goes into this forged marriage with a different mindset than one would think. I actually found myself really liking his character.
I honestly can’t wait to read about the other brothers’ stories when they come out!
It can be read as a standalone but there is a lot of carry over from other books.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it’s a bit different with the tie in of the Irish mafia. The Callahan brothers are something else and their banter was hysterical at points.
Raven finds herself thrown into the world of the Irish mafia after stumbling onto a particular intense interrogation at the strip club where she waitresses. Of course, being the mafia there’s only two choices the Callahans come up with; either kill Raven or she has to marry Aiden.
Raven has had a hard upbringing where her Mom would have them move every couple of years and refused to tell Raven why. Raven never knew her father but always knew that he wasn’t any good, according to her mother. But now that she’s been pretty much thrown into a marriage she can’t move away again, when her mother demands it.
This book had me intrigued from the very start. The twists and turns that Eva Winners is known for are definitely front and center and I LOVED it! So much mystery and not knowing where the story was going to take you next.
Aiden’s character definitely kept my attention as he’s not your typical mafioso. He goes into this forged marriage with a different mindset than one would think. I actually found myself really liking his character.
I honestly can’t wait to read about the other brothers’ stories when they come out!
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