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“One word. You must learn it, before we begin,” he traced his finger now across the outline of her lip. “Say it with me. Rallenti.” – Renaldo Cracchiolo

The year is 1993. Life as an enforcer for one of the most notorious crime bosses in Italy isn’t easy. Renaldo Cracchiolo is a Sicilian who takes pride in the oaths of omerta to honor and obey the wishes of his Don. It’s the reason why he was chosen to cross the Atlantic to New York City. However, the woman he meets and the time they share changes his heart and destiny.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2014

95 people are currently reading
665 people want to read

About the author

Sienna Mynx

81 books1,017 followers
Sienna Mynx is your naughty writer of Paranormal, Contemporary, and Historical Interracial Romance for readers that love the bad boy's but desire to be the women that tame them. A current resident of south of Georgia, Sienna Mynx has just emerged into the e-publishing arena. Her novellas reflect her thirst for romance told from a fresh perspective with the diversity she craves in erotic Romance. Explore and Enjoy.

Also writes under the pen name T.A. Ford

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5 stars
320 (47%)
4 stars
210 (30%)
3 stars
109 (16%)
2 stars
30 (4%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Paganalexandria .
1,464 reviews
January 26, 2019
Updated 05/27/16: Currently free https://www.amazon.com/Rallenti-Mafia...


Kyra is receptionist at Mirabella's Fashion House with dreams of having her designer talent noticed. An opportunity presents itself, when the Battalglia women travel to the New York office to ponder future plans for the company. Renaldo comes along to supervise the protection detail, and handle any job required of an enforcer for The Family. Though the other women in the office are intimidated by the questionable men infiltrating their fashion bastion, Kyra finds herself drawn to one in particular. The attraction is mutual, but both are unsure about where this will eventually lead.

At first, I was leery about starting this since novellas aren't really my thing. Should have known Ms. Mynx would never fail to deliver in any portion of the Battaglia series. Kyra being a Nigerian beauty was a nice change of IR pace. Though this was a little insta-lovish, it felt like a complete read.

01/26/19 Re-read: Everything mentioned in my original review still stands. I do want to add this installment is special because of the viewpoint. For the first time, readers get to see how all the previous drama, and attempted media spins are digested by those on the outside of the character bubble.
Profile Image for Kim.
740 reviews80 followers
July 21, 2014
I enjoyed this novella. It was nice reading about characters that weren't directly in the Battaglia family. The story had a good flow, and of course the classic Sienna Mynx love scenes. Can't wait to read the next chapter in this saga.
Profile Image for Willow Brooks.
Author 3 books58 followers
June 7, 2016
This was better than I expected. I really liked the story the plot the transgender bestie who could kick butt if he, I mean she had to. I'm at work so I can't do my review like I want to but the plot to this story was a little different. Usually the Hero is the mob boss, but in this one it's the Hit Man and believe me this Hit Man was hitting all the right spots with his big Hong Kong Ding Dong. poor heroine was like a virgin when he hit her hard to reach depths.

I dropped the story a star because there were a few things in the story that bug the crap out of me, not that I couldn't handle it but I have my own personal preferences. First of all, let the big dick come to you. If you ARE going to chase it, can you not be so obvious?! That part made her seem like a desperate

Still, I loved the story line of this book and I understand that authors can't please everybody. I also enjoyed this authors writing especially since I hated the few books in this genre that I tried before this one. I can't wait to read the second book in the series. That's something I don't do often anymore.
1,268 reviews
December 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and the continuation of the family's saga. Rallenti is excellent! I thought from previous books in this family saga that Renaldo and Carlos were scene stealers and it was great to learn a little of Renaldo's story here. I read La Famiglia last Saturday and did not move until I read it from beginning to end. I had seen it listed on a suggested readings list and did not know it was a series. What I love about the books is how drawn in you get so quickly and that you did not have to start from the beginning of the saga to enjoy the books and story. This book was shorter than the rest of the series and I wish there was more length and fleshing out of characters in the book. More of a back story for Renaldo was definitely needed he was definitely more interesting than the heroine. I admired Kyra's talent and devotion to her friend who is different yet she loves her, uplifts her and supports her anyway, but Kyra was very flighty, a little immature, a little cold in her treatment of men and hard to like to begin with. She fleshed out a bit more near the end and I warmed to her, but I loved Renaldo and needed to know more about him and what makes him tick. I also needed more of Mirabella and Giovanni my favorite couple although it was cool to hear other members of the crews stories as well. I just love my main characters - Mirabella and Giovanni and their daughter Eve. The characters in this series are so well written and vibrant that you feel like you truly know this family and want them to win. Another great addition to the saga and I cannot wait for the next book!
34 reviews
October 2, 2014
I was a bit disappointed with this novella. I am a huge fan of the Battaglia Mafia Series but this one just did not do it for me. My main problem was the characters in which Mynx decided to focus on in the novella. Renaldo...(who???) I would have wanted a novella with some characters that actually feature more in the previous books but who are not main characters. The other thing that irritated me to no end was the sex; big man, big p***s, ow..ow...ow. It just seemed a bit too much for Kyra and then had me thinking is that what would have to happen all the time, Slow, Slow, rallenti.Uggghh!! Disappointed.
Profile Image for Flip.
209 reviews
April 9, 2015
I'm totally reading this out of order didn't mean for it happen it just did. I enjoyed this book I'm glad that Kyra got her big break, I don't know about the rest of ya'll but I wanted every pair of shoes that they mention in the book, I am a sucker for some shoes.
Profile Image for Bennita.
1,041 reviews31 followers
May 31, 2015
This novella was a nice break in this series, giving a taste of what enforcer life was like in the Battaglia clan. Renaldo is a hulking, brooding, loyal enforcer who takes his job very seriously, but the intriguing, persistent Kyra immediately catches his attention. He tries his best to ignore her, but her tenacity slowly broke him down. Kyra was quite different from the other women in this series. She's your average young woman, trying to make a name for herself in the fashion industry but can't seem to catch a break. She's talented and motivated, but in the fashion industry, it's about who you know, not what you can do. She decides to use Renaldo to get closer to her fashion icon, but Renaldo was more than she bargained for. Their unlikely friendship was sweet and sad at the same time because it was forbidden. This was pretty good as far as novellas go, but I expect nothing less from Sienna Mynx.
Profile Image for DeeReads.
2,284 reviews
June 30, 2018
It's all in who ya' know in the world of fashion!

Loving this series as we get a better view into the cut-throat fashion world of Mirabella's! Heroine, Kyra Ikeeno has given up on her parent's dream for her becoming a doctor and now estranged from them trying hard to make a name for herself in fashion. She's working at Mirabella's Fashion as a temporary receptionist hoping to get noticed by the owners. She has a crush on the bodyguard/enforcer, Renaldo Cracchiolo and one thing leads to the other and boom its a night, then days they both will never forget! But there was a stalking alert for Kyra where Renaldo possessively protects and saves the day!

Honorable mention: Jamie, the fiercest best friend ever!

5 brilliant stars *****
Profile Image for Sharon.
797 reviews48 followers
July 19, 2016
I love this series and this was another great addition. I love this author and totally enjoy her writing style and how she brings her characters to life. They feel like I know them and I am having a conversation with them why they tell me their life story. I can't wait to see if we get any more from these characters in this series
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,528 reviews322 followers
November 12, 2015
This was a really hot book and I love this series. Renaldo Cracchiolo is an enforcer for Don Giovanni Battaglia and the family. Renaldo comes to NYC with Marietta and Catalina to close the NYC store of Mirabella's to move the company to Paris and Italy. Kyra Okeeno is the receptionist for Mr. Tate she is also a shoe designer who defied her parents who wanted her to be a doctor when she learns that the Battaglia coming and that they will be moving the company she sees this has her opportunity to get into the business. This was a really good book Kyra was attracted to Renaldo when she first sees him. Mr. Tate invites Kyra to a reception for Catalina and Marietta but he wants her to spy for him because he knows that he will be fired she doesn't she learns that they will be doing interviews for jobs in Paris and Italy it doesn't goes well she gets drunk instead. Kyra ask Renaldo if he wants to have sex he says no so she goes to his room and they get naughty. Renaldo is hung like a horse and she is not sure he will fit. This was a really good book Kyra's ex is stalking her. I really loved her best friend Jamie who is trans. The sex scenes were hot and I really liked that he gave her a word to say when he needed her to stop "Rallenti". Marietta tells Kyra no to the job because she used Renaldo to get the interview she is really hurt she gets attacked by her ex and he almost killed her so Renaldo shots him and after he takes her and Jamie to the hospital he is ordered to leave NYC by Giovanni. This book was well written like the rest of the books well written no errors in grammar or spelling.
207 reviews5 followers
June 5, 2016
If this is too long to read just know that having my wisdom teeth pulled was more entertaining than this book...and less painful. How on earth did this get a 4 star average? One of the weakest stories I've read in a long time. Forced myself to finish and the only reason it got 2 stars instead of 1 is because it wasn't riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes. Although it could have used better editing. How many times can someone use the term 'tickling the ivories' in one small paragraph? Three. I counted.
Also the entire book was so wishy-washy:

On top of that, none of the characters were likable to me. Kyra was immature and obnoxious and everyone else was either just as annoying or a complete bitch.
And why is this referred to as a dark romance? The book barely touched on the mafia aspect, there was very little violence and the sex scenes were boring. The darkest part of the book was where the author felt the need to tell us it 'stung when Kyra peed' because Renaldo was SO enormous!
Okay. I'm done ranting.
Profile Image for Lebrondae Shei.
150 reviews
November 25, 2016
Seducing my mind with wetting my appetite

I wanted more, no, I needed more of this storyline, but I suppose Sienna Mynx know's how to wet an appetite to get you to buy into this Sicilian mafia series and she knew how to infused a juicy preliminary short story Rallenti (slow down) to use, which I have bought into, well and truly. I'm really not one to like foreign accent, but I am intrigued and I have been enticed to start buying up this whole sequel to read, as Sienna Mynx has suckered me into with this introduction of this prelude to the series. This is not my first time reading a book by this author and Sienna Mynx is one of my favourite authors, her writing skills are very much, top notch! And reading this book has proven to me how skilled she is at her art, as she has teased my imagination into wanting more information about the Battaglia mafia storyline. If you want more info on this book, get it! It is free! Read for yourself, I most certainly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Tanielle.
Author 0 books38 followers
January 8, 2016
Good but kind of a let down. I really wanted to keep going with the last book, this was a side read that took place over the course of the last book. I'm ready to get to the master plan that Isabella is working up with all of their enemies. Overall, this was a good read but not much to really go on. We don't see the characters have a go at it. The foundation for their relationship is pretty weak and the timing is limited so you don't really get much out of the story. I enjoyed Myra but it seems pretty far fetched that they'd work out seeing her issues with violence of the slightest. The mess with Teddy seemed drastic for someone who Mira considered a friend. It's the same as she did with Kei which is not a good look for her character.
Profile Image for KayB000.
11 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2015
Ugh, I love this mini book! Renaldo is one of the males in the Battaglia series that I love completely. I was annoyed at first when I noticed it was more like a spin off about a member of the Battaglia clan rather than the usually characters we read about but that soon changed to interest. I dreaded the ending of the book (its a short book) and I loved the sex scenes. I think Kyra and Renaldo have some of the best intimate encounters out of the whole series. I wouldn't mind another book about these two.
2,670 reviews23 followers
December 28, 2016
Fantastic!!

I love when you can get a glimpse of the lives of the people who surrounds the main cast of characters.This was not only a wonderful set but it covered so much in a short period.The attraction between the two main characters is realistic you feel as if you know them and you are experiencing some of events.This was a very well written story and so very entertaining,nice addition to a stunning series.
Profile Image for Monique.
329 reviews9 followers
September 15, 2014

I am a huge fan of The Battaglia Mafia Series and this short story involving Renaldo a Battaglia enforcer and Kyra a temporary employee at Mira's NewYork based company had me glued to the pages.Sienna Mynx knows how to capture a readers attention right away,her mixture of love, intrigue ,and violence is a winning formula.I LOVED this short story and I can't wait for more of this series.
Profile Image for Nicole Sealey.
46 reviews24 followers
September 23, 2015
Cute and sweet...

Cute story, the heroine was realistically flawed. Hope to get to know more about the hero and that their relationship progresses. Also, it was nice to see a historic take on a transgendered character who reminded me of someone in my life. Revealing perspective that is still true (regarding police and transfer women of color). Thanks for being inclusive!
4 reviews
May 18, 2016
This story is an extension to the awesome Battaglia series. And I was not disappointed; it was hot, exciting, and so bad (meaning in a good way). This author made me her no.1 fan for 3 years now, and every time she puts out a book, I'm on it. The Battaglia Series is one to not miss out on. I high recommend this book and if you're smart you start with the Series first.
30 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2016
Love this book!

This book is one of my favorites because I love Renaldo but I was not happy with Marie's interference with his love life. Like it was totally none of her business, the fact that Renaldo asked them for a favor and she rejected it was bad character on her part. But the overall story was good and kept me on my toes all the time.
Profile Image for Shaquaila.
237 reviews33 followers
July 22, 2014
I never read this series, but that will all change now. I really enjoyed this story about a young woman with a dream, other then what her family wants for her. She has loss her family, so her dream and her friend is all she has. Till the game is charged by a bodyguard with a safe word "Rellenti".
Profile Image for Cynthia.
42 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2015
I just started this book, but anything that Ms. Mynx writes is ok by me. I love her writing style and how intense and erotic her characters are. I always feel I am right in the room with the characters.
Profile Image for **ActuallyAshley**.
147 reviews5 followers
September 1, 2017
Too short! Too short!! Loved this novella so much. I was kinda hesitant to reading it because of some the reviews. But, I am so glad I read it! Loved Renaldo and Kyra. Loved Jamie. Just a really good read!
Profile Image for V.
66 reviews6 followers
September 29, 2016
Loved it! I will never get tired of re-reading this book.
Profile Image for Carmen.
841 reviews23 followers
September 12, 2014
This series is captivating! It is intoxicating to immerse yourself in this dark, erotic, Mafioso saga where life, and interracial love have no boundaries. Brilliant epic story telling as always!
58 reviews14 followers
January 30, 2015
Liked the book although I don't know how it's gonna connect to the Battaglia series. I can't wait for Amore so I can get me some family drama. Nice job Sienna!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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