Scandal

by Grace Kagni

Alessia Ferrara is assigned to work for H.E. Alessandro Medici-Visconti, a young politician of the leading political party in Italy. He finds his new assistant very attractive and immediately makes her submit to his every whim. Their relationship becomes intense and complicated until he lets her into his personal life. He opens his heart to her after having experienced tragedy and falls in love. Alessia feels she's on top of the world knowing that the man she loves adores her. Everything changes when he attends a political conference in Milano and is accused of having sex with a minor at a Bunga-Bunga party. Alessia's life changes again, confused and angry she leaves town to think about her future. Will her future be with His Excellency?

207 pages, ebook

First published November 9, 2014

About the author

I'm an Italian living in Rome, Italy and I write romance novels. I write about events that are reported on the Italian news such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, femicide, political scandals, organised crime rings and terrorism. These topics give me the inspiration to create scenes full of conflict and then I add romance, giving readers a taste of the Italian lifestyle.

Go to my website to find out more about my romance novels: http://www.gracekagni.weebly.com

I have recently started writing Italian Holiday Romance Novellas under a pen name Rita Gracie.

Go to my Rita Gracie website to find out the release date of my next holiday novella. http://www.ritagracieauthor.weebly.com

Reviews

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good idea, atrocious execution

Reviewed copy supplied by Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb intrigued me, the cover was nice, the setting was great and I loved the names. So far so good. Then I started reading the book…

The prologue starts with Alessia(the heroine) being transferred to be the hero’s(Alessandro) assistant. She gets there, he starts asking her about herself and then he feels her up. Whaaa? Yes, he really does and then she’s ordered to drop her panties. I kept reading hoping that is was a pre-arranged consensual non-consent scene to spice up their sex life. It wasn’t. I kept reading hoping it will make more sense, it didn’t really: she didn’t protest(at all) because she feared for her job. And then(less then 24h in the timeline of the story) this gem happens:
"Alessandro, please tell me you're not married!" she barely whispered, suddenly feeling weak from the realization that he may not have been honest with her.
"No, I'm not married," he said.
"Are you engaged to be married?" she asked hoping that he's say no but his hesitation sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach as the worry crept up to her throat. When he didn't answer she felt tears building up in her eyes but she fought hard to control them. She didn't want to show him her weakness.
"I'm not engaged but there was a women in my life over two years ago that went around publicly announcing our eminent engagement but I promise you that it is a farce. I had no intention of marrying her and I've never talked to her about a future together," he said softly, fearing that this would change their arrangement.
He suddenly felt his whole world grasping at his throat and he turned to look at Alessia. "Please believe me when I tell you that she meant nothing to me. I'm here with you because I want to be with you tonight," he said as he took her warm hand in his.
"Ok but I'm warning you that if I find out you're lying to me, I will leave because there's one thing that I will not accept and that is to be lied to," she said as she tried to keep her voice calm as she told him how she felt.
"I promise that I will not lie to you and that you are the only woman in my life at this moment," he said.
After this I skimmed hoping it would get better, but, unfortunately, it wasn’t my lucky day. I also stopped taking notes after 20%.

Disregarding the rushed and sometimes absurd plot, the writing felt wooden:
"He slept a little while and then woke while she still slept in his arms. He looked at the time and noticed it was late afternoon. They had a dinner to get to so he slipped out of bed without waking Alessia and walked to the bathroom to have a shower. He stood under the spray for quite a long time while his mind went back to Alessia's naked body. She had the power to weaken him and she didn't know it but as he noticed his arousal growing, he turned the water to cold and finished off with an ice-cold spray to calm his desire."
Sometimes it was also awkward(“he did some mind craving things", "She laughed a good hearty sound from her belly as she looked at him and saw his eyes turn to a smoky haze as he growled at her.") and repetitive(“[...]gently kiss her neck. His kisses were soft and gentle[...]”; "He leaned down and rested his mouth on the wetness and started to lave the wetness dripping out.") To make matters worse there were grammatical errors in the prologue: “shook his head in a displeasing way”, “she pressed on her stiletto's”.

All in all, this book gave me a headache, it really needs a content editor and a proof reader.

Rating: 1.5* rounded to 2* because it had potential

PS: I didn’t get how the condoms worked here: 1st time he doesn't use one, 2nd time it's unclear, 3rd time he does. What’s with that? Did I miss some parts?
PPS: All the quotes are from a reviewers copy

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will not address the sex scenes. You can find that in any smut novel or magazine. What I will address is the life of an Italian politician which I found most intrigue sort of like the mob but, more stylistic and sophisticated. Finding out Alessandro had a wife who died from cancer six years ago, humanized the character a refreshing contrast to the dominating, controlling and possessive nature of the character. This brought the character down to earth which made me want to read on, where otherwise I wouldn't have, since at first sex seemed to dominate this novel throughout and it made it hard to find any redemption in it. It showed finally that Alessandro and Alessia had a real honest relationship and not so much a poor parody of one. They were really delving into each others personalities on a spiritual level with their clothes on, standing erect. I found poignancy here also when Alessia is heartbroken over her father not remembering her, and how Alessandro makes her feel better by pampering her. A classy sentiment. I would recommend this book, if only for the redeeming quality of the characters and the well written expression of the Italian language, heritage and life of the Italian politician.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alessia Ferrara (Sapienza University) has been reassigned to work for H.E. H.E. Alessandro Medici-Visconti (Minister of Labor, bisexual). Not something she was looking forward to, she had heard rumors about him.

Goodness, Wow, pretty steamy hot right off the bat. Oh that was just the Epilogue, I can’t wait.

Alessia (personal assistant) was going to Milano with Alessandro & his 2 bodyguards.
They checked in to the Hotel Principe di Savoia.

Alessandro had a charity fundraiser to attend in the evening for Italian Cancer Society at the Palazzo Visconti. Alessia would accompany him elegantly dressed of course.

His next stop to see the Mayor at his office in the Comune di Milano.

Alessia was taken somewhere else & met Valentina Medici-Visconti (sister).

She was going to fit her with another formal gown.

The next day it was on the way to Florence. The will stay at the Palazzo Pitti. This event was at the Hotel St. Regis. The 2 never made it.

The 2 went to visit the Uffizi (gallery).

Like it was mentioned it took a while but there is romance.

I don’t need to imagine but this is just not in my vocabulary “folds.”

Not a whole lot of politics going on.

Wow, the turn of events for Alessia.

Just read that classic Pride & Prejudice last week.

Will Alessia & Alessandro fall in love & get married?

What will happen at the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie?

What will happen at the Villa San Carlo Borromeo?

Who is Valentina Medici-Visconti?

What did the TV news media reveal about Alessandro?

Who is Emilia?

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written hot, hot erotic Italian romance book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great sex (BDSM. heterosexual, anal, bisexual, masturbation) & Italian romance movie, or paid-per-view mini TV series. This was defiantly different not what I expected. I’m defiantly not Gay or like BDSM or anal. But it still was very easy for me to rate it at 5 stars. To be continued.

Thank you for the free book (Author)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Msdvolvetgmail.com · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Mixed Feeling

Reviewed copy supplied by Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book.
I spent 3/4 of the book waiting. Waiting to be pulled in, waiting for a big moment, waiting to like the charters, and waiting for it to become believable.
The pace of this book really doesn't work for me. They met and are in a sexual act within 10 minutes. You have no idea what the H is thinking and the h just goes along with what he says, for weeks! The relationship starts with xtream sexual harassment and the next step is marriage! Really? There were so many times when I thought 'perfect spot to give dialogue and pull me into the relationship' but the event would just be skimmed over. By the last 1/4 of the book when the conflict starts both the H/h feel wishy washy. The h only make one decision in the whole book that she seems sure of, most of her actions just had me going 'what?' My feelings for the H are love/hate. He is a self centered a$$ at the beginning. Then let's her walk all over him. Just what personality type is he?
The book could be really good if we skipped hearing every detail of each day, had more dialogue, and we're steady with the personalities.

[TinaMarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received in exchange for an honest review from BDSMReviews.com. *Spoilers* Lots of editing issues. This is a serial story so the end isn't really the end. Alessandro is a politician who makes sexual demands within minutes of meeting his new assistant, her only consenting because she needs the job, according to her inner dialogue, then they go on to having unprotected sex and BDSM with no discussion . REALLY?? Storyline gets worse before it gets better, almost didn't finish this book.

[Victoria Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Story!

Scandal is the first book in the Italian Politics (The Billionaire’s Affair) series by Grace Kagni.

Alessia Ferrara is assigned to be H. E. Alessandro Medici-Visconti personal assistant. However upon meeting him their relationship spirals out of control and Alessandro’s dominate tendency’s come out. They had problems until Alessandro lets Alessia into his heart. While they both have feelings for each other, sometimes life throws a curve ball.

The beginning of the story leaves you wanting to know more. By the end of the first chapter, I could not wait to finish the book. The author did a good job of drawing the reader in to her world, setting a time and location. The world she created was very realistic. The pace of the story was a steady pace all the way through, not too fast or too slow. The main characters and the secondary characters were interesting and realistic. I liked that both Alessia and Alessandro were not perfect and that each had faults they had to deal with.

The point of view mainly stayed with Alessia all the way through. Every once in a while we got a glimmer into Alessandro. I would have like to see more of the story from his point of view. The main conflict of the story is the relationship between Alessia and Alessandro. I was not fond of how the book started. The beginning pushed the levels of what is consent. While I had a hard time at first understanding why Alessia falls for Alessandro but I eventually was won over by his feelings for Alessia. The dialogue between the characters was genuine and distinctive. The characters voice matched not only the setting but fit their overall personality. The ending of the story is a cliffhanger, while I am not a fan of cliffhangers this one ends in way that if there was not another story series it still have a good ending. I will be picking up the next book in the series just to see what happens next.


Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

[Saleh Radaideh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, Alessia Ferrara, surely is one hell of a girl. What she does in the promiscuous scenes, is just so staggering. This girl seriously has no limits. Her passion behind her wild actions in the erotica scenes just mesmerizes you. It’s kind of hard to find novels with a story line as gripping as this one. Alessia, and all the wild and free adventures she goes through, reminds us just how free and limitless a person’s life can be.
It is said that description is very important in a novel. To me, the description matters even more when it’s an erotica novel. The novel’s description of the promiscuous scenes is very eloquently worded. Besides the scenes, the story line is very solid and keeps supporting the increase of intensity of each scene, as the plot moves along. Sex surely is a powerful motivator, and the author has proven this with such vivid imagery and an interesting story line filled with wild scenes. The description covers every little single detail while making it visually understandable. The description was so spot on, that a movie projector was playing inside my head, literally! I know that sounds weird, and it is. But to give you a weird, promiscuous, arousing experience is what a skillful erotica author is all about.

[Lou LaJeunesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is novel takes place in Italy. You have two main characters.
Alessia, a woman struggling to take care of herself and her father whom she has placed in a nursing faciliiy. She has a job but gets transferred to a high ranking politicians office.
Alessandro, is a high ranking politician. He is also a member of the nobiity and very wealthy. With a bit of a twist her is also Alessia's boss.
On day one, within the first few moments of arriving at her new desk she is in Allesandros off ce and the erotica begins. There is a relationship developing between the two of them but where will it lead.
To throw a complication into the story, enter Alessandro's ex-fiance with a little girl she says is his. The ex has a determination to use the child to worm her way back into Alesandro's life and home. This sends the relationship between Alessandro and Alessia into a tailspin.
Once the media gets wind of this, the scandal begins.
This is a well written novel, not the normal erotica. It has a good lot within it. I would recommend this book to anyoone who does not mind erotica. It will leave you wanting to read the next part of the story in the series.

[Giulia Torre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scandal is a contemporary romance set in Italy. The hero of the story is H.E. Alessandro Medici-Visconti, who is not only a high-ranking politico in Italy, but an aristocrat with family ties to the Medici. He's got wealth, power, castles...and his eye on his new assistant, Alessia. It takes only five minutes in his office before he tells her to shut the door, take off her panties, and spread her legs on his office chair. Another day at the office! Alessandro is both a dom with Alessia and sub with a male partner. A homoerotic torture scene is one turning point in the tumultuous relationship between Alessia and Alessandro. Alessandro is a complicated hero. Alessia has her work cut out for her. The story ends in a cliff hanger of sorts, with an HEA delayed until (let's assume) the next book in the series.

I enjoyed the initial steamy scenes in the introductory chapters most of all the love scenes in the book, though there were others that had me engaged and agog!

(Book was provided free of charge for review.)

[Lorine Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I was a bit unsure if i would like it due to the opening chapter and the boldness and audacity of Alessandro. I mean for an employer to behave like that within minutes of meeting them was something that I couldn't understand. But I kept reading and I am very happy that I did because after his heart opened up to Alessia, so did mine towards him. I loved the fact that it actually developed into a relationship for both of them. I especially loved the struggle between the two of them to find a balance in this new and exciting relationship. Between the sex scenes and the weird room behind the wall, holy cow! If you liked Fifty Shades, you will definitely love this. Great job Grace, can't wait to read the next one!

[Mary Bernsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy hotness! This book starts right off with the good stuff. Really saucy and well paced. It was very well written, with great attention paid to the editing. If you enjoyed 50 shades, you'll be into this for sure, as it had the same type of appeal. The young, less-experienced girl from down the street gets taught a lesson by the wealthy man-whore. A trope that's been a little overdone IMO, but Grace pulls it off.

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because of the beginning. Alessia seemed a little too unwilling for my taste, a subject I'm a little sensitive about for personal reasons.

[Jessica Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I couldn't put it down for a second. There's so much detail and feeling in these pages that I would recommend it to anyone who is a passionate lover of books. Beautifully written and intense, I'd rate it an A++

[A.S. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the novel to be fast paced and plenty of sex to keep the reader entertained. Nicely written. Cliffhanger ending. Quick holiday/vacation read.