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The Diplomat #2
Savage Reckoning
The truth didn't set her free—it shattered her world.
Reeling from betrayals that redefined her past, journalist Lea Song runs from the ruthless mafia diplomat who held her captive. But Nico Varela doesn't let go of what's his. Dragged back into his orbit, Lea is no longer just an observer; she's a prisoner in his gilded cage, isolated and under his complete control. The dangerous attraction that simmered between them now burns hotter, tainted by secrets and suspicion.
As Nico demands her submission, testing her limits in ways she never imagined, Lea must play his dark games while desperately seeking answers about her mother's hidden life. Can she survive the savage reckoning demanded by the man who holds her captive, or as more devastating secrets are revealed, will the FINAL truth destroy her completely?
Don't miss Savage Reckoning , the thrilling conclusion to Nico and Lea's story in The Diplomat Duet!
Reeling from betrayals that redefined her past, journalist Lea Song runs from the ruthless mafia diplomat who held her captive. But Nico Varela doesn't let go of what's his. Dragged back into his orbit, Lea is no longer just an observer; she's a prisoner in his gilded cage, isolated and under his complete control. The dangerous attraction that simmered between them now burns hotter, tainted by secrets and suspicion.
As Nico demands her submission, testing her limits in ways she never imagined, Lea must play his dark games while desperately seeking answers about her mother's hidden life. Can she survive the savage reckoning demanded by the man who holds her captive, or as more devastating secrets are revealed, will the FINAL truth destroy her completely?
Don't miss Savage Reckoning , the thrilling conclusion to Nico and Lea's story in The Diplomat Duet!
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
143 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
M.S. Parker
256 books2,094 followersStep into the seductive and suspenseful world of M. S. Parker, a USA Today Bestselling author where dark romance meets thrilling suspense. If you crave stories that are both steamy and intricate, with characters that are as dangerous as they are desirable, you've found your next obsession.
M. S. Parker specializes in crafting addictive series that push boundaries and keep you guessing until the very last page. Expect to find dangerous mafia bosses and intense, grumpy billionaires clashing with smart, witty young women who, though perhaps out of their element, are quick to adapt and hold their own. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, where passion is a weapon and love is the ultimate prize. Dive into the darkness. You might just find your new favorite escape.
Connect with M. S. Parker on Facebook at http://facebook.com/msparkerauthor
M. S. Parker specializes in crafting addictive series that push boundaries and keep you guessing until the very last page. Expect to find dangerous mafia bosses and intense, grumpy billionaires clashing with smart, witty young women who, though perhaps out of their element, are quick to adapt and hold their own. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, where passion is a weapon and love is the ultimate prize. Dive into the darkness. You might just find your new favorite escape.
Connect with M. S. Parker on Facebook at http://facebook.com/msparkerauthor
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 4, 2025
Very Disappointed and Disgusted 🙁
I really loved book one, I was so excited waiting for book two's release and I had high hopes for it. Unfortunately I was sorely disappointed. As much as I loved Nico I never would have thought he would have actually become a sadistic monster and that's exactly what he became after what he did to Lea.
Spoiler Alert ⚠
Nico let his jealousy, obsession and rage get the better of him. I was so disgusted by what he did to Lea and the way he treated her. The fact that he beat her to the point where he broke her skin all over and left welts and bruises everywhere literally almost made me puke. He could have killed her if he hadn't stopped. I honestly don't understand how the author could write something so brutal and downright horrific between the MMC and the FMC who somehow after all that toxicity they supposedly fell in love with each other. I wouldn't even describe their feelings as love, it was more like a toxic and abusive obsession that Nico had for Lea and she was such a masochist. She literally enjoyed the pain and humiliation that Nico made her go through. He actually exposed her naked body with her legs wide open in front of Blake (his right hand man) and Julian (the bartender). Absolutely disgusting 🙁🙁🙁 I really regret reading this after being so excited and having such high hopes for the second book. I'm so so so disappointed 🙁😣
If you enjoy this kind of brutality then this is right up your alley. I was kind of wondering if Sienna and Blake would have their own story. However, after reading this I'm not sure I would read it even if they did get a book after having read this.
I really loved book one, I was so excited waiting for book two's release and I had high hopes for it. Unfortunately I was sorely disappointed. As much as I loved Nico I never would have thought he would have actually become a sadistic monster and that's exactly what he became after what he did to Lea.
Spoiler Alert ⚠
Nico let his jealousy, obsession and rage get the better of him. I was so disgusted by what he did to Lea and the way he treated her. The fact that he beat her to the point where he broke her skin all over and left welts and bruises everywhere literally almost made me puke. He could have killed her if he hadn't stopped. I honestly don't understand how the author could write something so brutal and downright horrific between the MMC and the FMC who somehow after all that toxicity they supposedly fell in love with each other. I wouldn't even describe their feelings as love, it was more like a toxic and abusive obsession that Nico had for Lea and she was such a masochist. She literally enjoyed the pain and humiliation that Nico made her go through. He actually exposed her naked body with her legs wide open in front of Blake (his right hand man) and Julian (the bartender). Absolutely disgusting 🙁🙁🙁 I really regret reading this after being so excited and having such high hopes for the second book. I'm so so so disappointed 🙁😣
If you enjoy this kind of brutality then this is right up your alley. I was kind of wondering if Sienna and Blake would have their own story. However, after reading this I'm not sure I would read it even if they did get a book after having read this.
August 7, 2025
Could not finish
The book started out so good the plot and the writing were intriguing and Drew you in and held you until it got abusive. If the author had had the decency to give proper trigger warnings I would have never started this book.
These are lines taken directly out of the book:
I Ipause, tracing the welts with my fingers, feeling the heat rise. The crop snaps against her pu$$y, light but shocking, making her yelp and buck. The first smack lands brutally, her cry piercing. Welts deepen to purple. “Who owns you?”Instead, a guttural sob rips from her depths, raw and primal, body curling fetal despite restraints, waves of agony crashing. She applies antibiotic cream where the skin is broken.
I cannot condone this kind of abuse of women even in a fantasy novel. Too many women are abused and it's not okay. I'm sure she forgave him and they had a happily ever after. I think what he did was Unforgivable and I would never trust young children around him. I know it's not real but I don't read romance novels to hear about abuse of women. I the author seemed very talented what I did read . Ijust wish they could tone it down a little bit it would make the book more tolerable . I don't mind an alpha male who can be a little rough as long as he's protective and loving. For these reasons I would not recommend this book.
The book started out so good the plot and the writing were intriguing and Drew you in and held you until it got abusive. If the author had had the decency to give proper trigger warnings I would have never started this book.
These are lines taken directly out of the book:
I Ipause, tracing the welts with my fingers, feeling the heat rise. The crop snaps against her pu$$y, light but shocking, making her yelp and buck. The first smack lands brutally, her cry piercing. Welts deepen to purple. “Who owns you?”Instead, a guttural sob rips from her depths, raw and primal, body curling fetal despite restraints, waves of agony crashing. She applies antibiotic cream where the skin is broken.
I cannot condone this kind of abuse of women even in a fantasy novel. Too many women are abused and it's not okay. I'm sure she forgave him and they had a happily ever after. I think what he did was Unforgivable and I would never trust young children around him. I know it's not real but I don't read romance novels to hear about abuse of women. I the author seemed very talented what I did read . Ijust wish they could tone it down a little bit it would make the book more tolerable . I don't mind an alpha male who can be a little rough as long as he's protective and loving. For these reasons I would not recommend this book.
August 11, 2025
This book for the most part was a very well written, deep story with strong characters and strong personalities. Book two began with Nico and Lea embedded in a calculated game that resembled a dark chess game with each playing the other person. Lea tried to escape only be to captured after overhearing the truth about her mother.
What follows between these two characters is a well written portion of this book that delves deep into the female psyche of Lea, an investigative journalist and a crime lord whose character is well laid out to play both the villian and the hero. Their sexual attraction isn't love but another way of gaining control, even if its for just a few minutes. The actions of their relationship begin to morph into some deviant acts as Nico sexually abuses Lea. She willingly normalizes the abuse and behavior as a way of standing up to him by refusing to show any emotion other than that in the height of an organism. Nico straddles a line between being a sadist and a man hell bent on breaking Lea as he beats and marks her during sex, until she finally breaks down and cries. Then a childhood memory from Nico's own mother changes all of that.
The war of their minds still silently rages between Lea and Nico but the edges begin to fray and something distant begins to manifest, something neither thought was even a possibility. Lea begins to have feelings for Nico and Lea begins to become more than an asset to Nico; Lea begins to become a woman he can't explain his obsessive attraction too, but is unable to deny his attraction to.
This book was easily a 5+ until I got to the portion of the book that our deep thinking investigative journalist falls prey to a very obvious plot by Isabel, Dante and her mother. For a woman that was a savvy deep thinker in the rest of this series, fell for a simple set-up hook, line and sinker. Her willingness to accept what they told her without any real validation on her part as well as her willingness to carry out what they proposed, dropped the book rating by a point. I didn't feel like it was the response from the character that had spent a large portion of the book trying to find the truth in an almost clinical way, but from a woman who was tired and just sold out to what she was being told.
The rest of the story was good even though I honestly had a difficult time thinking that these two were a love match by books end, but I did see how the author chose to bring that possibility full circle. It wasn't the usual love story, but one built on common truth and collaboration in accepting the other person for who they were. It was a relationship based on communication, support and respect for the other person that made this a love story. Their connection was always below the surface, ready to be cultivated. Lea accepted and loved Nico for the man he was and what he was capable of, while Nico loved Lea because she became the person who made his life worth living.
What follows between these two characters is a well written portion of this book that delves deep into the female psyche of Lea, an investigative journalist and a crime lord whose character is well laid out to play both the villian and the hero. Their sexual attraction isn't love but another way of gaining control, even if its for just a few minutes. The actions of their relationship begin to morph into some deviant acts as Nico sexually abuses Lea. She willingly normalizes the abuse and behavior as a way of standing up to him by refusing to show any emotion other than that in the height of an organism. Nico straddles a line between being a sadist and a man hell bent on breaking Lea as he beats and marks her during sex, until she finally breaks down and cries. Then a childhood memory from Nico's own mother changes all of that.
The war of their minds still silently rages between Lea and Nico but the edges begin to fray and something distant begins to manifest, something neither thought was even a possibility. Lea begins to have feelings for Nico and Lea begins to become more than an asset to Nico; Lea begins to become a woman he can't explain his obsessive attraction too, but is unable to deny his attraction to.
This book was easily a 5+ until I got to the portion of the book that our deep thinking investigative journalist falls prey to a very obvious plot by Isabel, Dante and her mother. For a woman that was a savvy deep thinker in the rest of this series, fell for a simple set-up hook, line and sinker. Her willingness to accept what they told her without any real validation on her part as well as her willingness to carry out what they proposed, dropped the book rating by a point. I didn't feel like it was the response from the character that had spent a large portion of the book trying to find the truth in an almost clinical way, but from a woman who was tired and just sold out to what she was being told.
The rest of the story was good even though I honestly had a difficult time thinking that these two were a love match by books end, but I did see how the author chose to bring that possibility full circle. It wasn't the usual love story, but one built on common truth and collaboration in accepting the other person for who they were. It was a relationship based on communication, support and respect for the other person that made this a love story. Their connection was always below the surface, ready to be cultivated. Lea accepted and loved Nico for the man he was and what he was capable of, while Nico loved Lea because she became the person who made his life worth living.
October 23, 2025
The mystery is solved
Lea thought she knew the story she wanted to write, she just needed the whys and wherefores. Little did she know that that the real facts would rock her world in ways that she never imagined. Her biggest concern now is survival.
Nico, The Diplomat, always 2 steps ahead or so he thought. He choreographed everything from the hiring to the story to be written but something changed along the way. He suddenly realizes that he isn’t in. Complete control anymore and that will not stand!!! That is not how his world works, control is everything.
What will they do with chaos surrounds them?
The story finds a completely different ending than either would have foreseen.
Lea thought she knew the story she wanted to write, she just needed the whys and wherefores. Little did she know that that the real facts would rock her world in ways that she never imagined. Her biggest concern now is survival.
Nico, The Diplomat, always 2 steps ahead or so he thought. He choreographed everything from the hiring to the story to be written but something changed along the way. He suddenly realizes that he isn’t in. Complete control anymore and that will not stand!!! That is not how his world works, control is everything.
What will they do with chaos surrounds them?
The story finds a completely different ending than either would have foreseen.
August 4, 2025
A brilliant end to a very good story. We really see the real Nico Varela. Not only that we see a new Lea Song emerging. She is a strong character. Who is so different from the girl we met at the start.
I wont give the story away. Just that Lea even though she was held prisoner very much isolated. She doesn't break. Her conviction to own every decision. Her ability to learn her truth. Learning that her mother is also not who she thought she was.
Can they survive the truths as they come flying at them? Will Alessandro accept Lea?
Its an explosive story with a whole lots of steamy scenes . Loved it
I wont give the story away. Just that Lea even though she was held prisoner very much isolated. She doesn't break. Her conviction to own every decision. Her ability to learn her truth. Learning that her mother is also not who she thought she was.
Can they survive the truths as they come flying at them? Will Alessandro accept Lea?
Its an explosive story with a whole lots of steamy scenes . Loved it
September 7, 2025
What a conclusion! I loved every word of this intense, mind blowing story! I was on the edge of my seat as to where this couple was going to go…with betrayal or acceptance. Well done, MS Parker!😃❤️👏🏼
I do not want to give too much away; this second book was very well written. Parker’s writing for both Lea and Nico’s realities were spot on. I enjoyed reading while feeling Lea’s betrayal and acceptance. As for Nico, one of my favorite MC’s, he is very complex and brilliant man. I also loved reading into his mind. I was hooked! This story is a must read!
I do not want to give too much away; this second book was very well written. Parker’s writing for both Lea and Nico’s realities were spot on. I enjoyed reading while feeling Lea’s betrayal and acceptance. As for Nico, one of my favorite MC’s, he is very complex and brilliant man. I also loved reading into his mind. I was hooked! This story is a must read!
August 4, 2025
Loved the conclusion to this story! This read has so many secrets and lies, it's hard to figure out which is the truth. Nico and Lea's relationship changes into captive and captor, the rules have changed until they change again. What these two are building, can turn into something amazing except there is always someone on the sidelines trying to take that from them. Absolutely loved this read, I devoured it today.
August 6, 2025
Book 2 of The Diplomat series, takes right off!
It becomes a story of who can get who first with Lea and Nico. She's easily led astray and gullible by people Nico knows. Nico also is also led astray by what he's hearing about Lea. It almost cost Nico and her their lives. She definitely "grew up" in this story. Although, I must admit, I got so upset with her and was rooting for Nico. I'm so glad it all worked out in the end!
Great story, great characters!
It becomes a story of who can get who first with Lea and Nico. She's easily led astray and gullible by people Nico knows. Nico also is also led astray by what he's hearing about Lea. It almost cost Nico and her their lives. She definitely "grew up" in this story. Although, I must admit, I got so upset with her and was rooting for Nico. I'm so glad it all worked out in the end!
Great story, great characters!
August 27, 2025
Truth
Lea continued thinking she could get the upper hand on Nico. But she never did. The part she was not expecting was that she was being used by everyone. She wanted closure. If you think you can beat the devils, you become a devil.
No surprises. What happened with Matteo?
Lea continued thinking she could get the upper hand on Nico. But she never did. The part she was not expecting was that she was being used by everyone. She wanted closure. If you think you can beat the devils, you become a devil.
No surprises. What happened with Matteo?
October 18, 2025
Nico and Lea mob boss and journalist, suspenseful romance!
Let me tell you, so many feels from the first page to the last in two books! I switched sides so many times! This couple taught each other how to love. Thank you Ms. Parker your writing talent is phenomenal!
Let me tell you, so many feels from the first page to the last in two books! I switched sides so many times! This couple taught each other how to love. Thank you Ms. Parker your writing talent is phenomenal!
August 5, 2025
Rating 3.5 stars
September 7, 2025
Fantastic!
Fantastic finale for Nico and Lea. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. These two and their crazy world will be re-read countless times!
Fantastic finale for Nico and Lea. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. These two and their crazy world will be re-read countless times!
September 14, 2025
Savage Reckoning (The Diplomat Book 2)
What a fantastic story. It was filled with sex, lies and intriguing action. Your books always have me guessing who is loyal and who's not.
What a fantastic story. It was filled with sex, lies and intriguing action. Your books always have me guessing who is loyal and who's not.
October 26, 2025
Love it... 🫶🏻
Please, 🙏🏻 Will there be more... 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😁🥰
Children perhaps.?? 😂
I loved this book and read it in record time, hours. 😂🥳
Please, 🙏🏻 Will there be more... 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😁🥰
Children perhaps.?? 😂
I loved this book and read it in record time, hours. 😂🥳
October 27, 2025
fantastic series
Thrilling at times shout out loud series with my heart in my mouth but eyes wide open definitely another fabulous set from M.S. Parker
Thrilling at times shout out loud series with my heart in my mouth but eyes wide open definitely another fabulous set from M.S. Parker
November 7, 2025
Exceptional!!
Intensely good…. Thrilling ride to the end…. Need more books like this…. A total must read…. Couldn’t put it down till finished….
Intensely good…. Thrilling ride to the end…. Need more books like this…. A total must read…. Couldn’t put it down till finished….
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews