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Heights and Shadows: A Closed-Door Mafia Romance
In a world of crime and lawlessness, Heights & Shadows stands as an institute for mafia royalty to hone their craft. This is the stomping grounds of future mob bosses, assassins, and smugglers. Enrollment is invite-only, and 18-year-old Sunny O'Rourke just received hers. She is the daughter of a mafia hitman who left the world of crime when he became a born-again Christian. Sunny was raised to live a quiet life of faith, but when her parents face a dangerous threat, she has no choice but to pick up the crown her father left behind.
She joins the mafia to save her family. But Sasha Petrov returns to reclaim his honor. Sasha is a disowned mafia prince with a heart as conflicted as Sunny's and a mission just as serious. He is her only ally and their connection is immediate--but also forbidden. Loyalties are put to the test as faith and desire wage war inside them both. In a place where love is a weakness and trust can get you killed, how much are they willing to risk or sacrifice?
Heights & Shadows is a closed-door mafia romance for adult Christian women. It is Book 1 in a duet and is based on characters from previous mafia romance novels. Catch up with the rest of the Dark Christian Romance universe with the novels below.
Publishing
Withered Rose (trilogy)
Fractured Diamond
Beautiful Lies
Run, Darling
Heights & Shadows
She joins the mafia to save her family. But Sasha Petrov returns to reclaim his honor. Sasha is a disowned mafia prince with a heart as conflicted as Sunny's and a mission just as serious. He is her only ally and their connection is immediate--but also forbidden. Loyalties are put to the test as faith and desire wage war inside them both. In a place where love is a weakness and trust can get you killed, how much are they willing to risk or sacrifice?
Heights & Shadows is a closed-door mafia romance for adult Christian women. It is Book 1 in a duet and is based on characters from previous mafia romance novels. Catch up with the rest of the Dark Christian Romance universe with the novels below.
Publishing
Withered Rose (trilogy)
Fractured Diamond
Beautiful Lies
Run, Darling
Heights & Shadows
471 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
32 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Valicity Elaine
36 books654 followersI love fantasy and magic and quirky high school stories. Writing is my passion, Jesus is my life.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 29, 2025
A semi long rant:
Sasha, my darling, needs to be freed from the filthy grasp of his uncles. He didn’t even ask to be here and yet he’s forced to endure so much. When I read Beautiful Lies I didn’t even think of how Luca’s actions could affect him and his mom so much. It seriously broke my heart to see. For 19 years this kids life has been hell, and it’s literally just the beginning. I’m glad his mom was able to find solace in God. I just wish Sasha did too instead of seeking it through other things.
Nothing breaks my heart more than a character who desires to be loved but gets done wrong by people. Especially the ones they thought would never betray them.
Which brings us to dear Sunny aka Sunflower. Girl ain’t no way you had all that martial arts training just to get your own room key snatched right out your hands. Don’t even get me started on what happened in self-defense class. I love her, but she seriously needs to start punching people in the face. Like take a page from Sasha’s book and start breaking facial bones. I’m sure she could do it. She was definitely a little too dependent on Sasha. Anyways, I’m glad she stopped him from killing Mario, but the fact that she became the target now oh boy... Without realizing I asked God how could he let that happen to her forgetting this was in fact fiction. But still my poor girl did not need to go through that AT ALL!!! She’ll need some serious therapy in the next book because I know I do.
Now, on to Uwe and Mario, I like their cute dynamic. Mario was literally a lost boy—he did not belong in that school. I was so sad when he had to end things with Priya:( Glad he didn’t die.
Uwe,though, fit right in which was surprising. I seriously expected him to crash and burn, but he thrived. Mainly because of his background. He was not too happy about that, but he’ll get over it. He pissed me off so much in chapter 24. But he redeemed himself later on. Still pretty pissed.
Overall, book 1 was heartbreaking. Hoping book two will be different, but not really I’m kinda here for the pain.
Sasha, my darling, needs to be freed from the filthy grasp of his uncles. He didn’t even ask to be here and yet he’s forced to endure so much. When I read Beautiful Lies I didn’t even think of how Luca’s actions could affect him and his mom so much. It seriously broke my heart to see. For 19 years this kids life has been hell, and it’s literally just the beginning. I’m glad his mom was able to find solace in God. I just wish Sasha did too instead of seeking it through other things.
Nothing breaks my heart more than a character who desires to be loved but gets done wrong by people. Especially the ones they thought would never betray them.
Which brings us to dear Sunny aka Sunflower. Girl ain’t no way you had all that martial arts training just to get your own room key snatched right out your hands. Don’t even get me started on what happened in self-defense class. I love her, but she seriously needs to start punching people in the face. Like take a page from Sasha’s book and start breaking facial bones. I’m sure she could do it. She was definitely a little too dependent on Sasha. Anyways, I’m glad she stopped him from killing Mario, but the fact that she became the target now oh boy... Without realizing I asked God how could he let that happen to her forgetting this was in fact fiction. But still my poor girl did not need to go through that AT ALL!!! She’ll need some serious therapy in the next book because I know I do.
Now, on to Uwe and Mario, I like their cute dynamic. Mario was literally a lost boy—he did not belong in that school. I was so sad when he had to end things with Priya:( Glad he didn’t die.
Uwe,though, fit right in which was surprising. I seriously expected him to crash and burn, but he thrived. Mainly because of his background. He was not too happy about that, but he’ll get over it. He pissed me off so much in chapter 24. But he redeemed himself later on. Still pretty pissed.
Overall, book 1 was heartbreaking. Hoping book two will be different, but not really I’m kinda here for the pain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2025
I haven’t read a single Valicity Elaine book that I haven’t loved, and Heights and Shadows is no exception. This installment was so good—gripping, emotional, and impossible to put down. Valicity Elaine has a true gift for storytelling, and once again she delivered a story that pulled me in from the very first page.
Sunny, Sasha, Uwe, and Mario were all such strong, well-written characters. Each one brought something unique to the story, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know them. Their personalities, struggles, and connections felt real, layered, and engaging. I found myself invested in each character, rooting for them, and feeling every high and low right alongside them.
The tension and depth in this book were incredible, but I cannot talk about this installment without mentioning that ending. I absolutely hated how it ended on a cliffhanger—but only because it was done so well. It left me stunned, emotional, and desperate for answers.
I am beyond ready for the final book and cannot wait to see how everything comes together. Valicity Elaine continues to prove she is an incredibly talented author, and Heights and Shadows is another standout read I highly recommend.
Sunny, Sasha, Uwe, and Mario were all such strong, well-written characters. Each one brought something unique to the story, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know them. Their personalities, struggles, and connections felt real, layered, and engaging. I found myself invested in each character, rooting for them, and feeling every high and low right alongside them.
The tension and depth in this book were incredible, but I cannot talk about this installment without mentioning that ending. I absolutely hated how it ended on a cliffhanger—but only because it was done so well. It left me stunned, emotional, and desperate for answers.
I am beyond ready for the final book and cannot wait to see how everything comes together. Valicity Elaine continues to prove she is an incredibly talented author, and Heights and Shadows is another standout read I highly recommend.
January 14, 2026
4.75⭐️ I am very surprised at how much i loved this story! I can't wait for the next book to come out so that I can find out how it ends! if you enjoy mafia, heirs, or anything along the lines of enemies to lovers mixed with a Christian them, you will love this story as much as I did!
January 14, 2026
Literally screamed out loud in the break room at work because of that ending !!
And I have to wait until 2026 to find out what happens. That’s how I know the book was amazing because it’s physically painful having to wait for more. I absolutely loved the way all of Valicity’s characters and their stories all tied into this one story. She’s such an incredible story teller, and my favorite author.
I was rooting for Sasha from the beginning.
Sasha has so much depth- all of the characters really do, but he was my favorite. I know he’s going to come through in the end.
And honestly… love a “toxically masculine” MMC.
🤷♀️ something about them
Definitely swoon worthy as all of her books are.
I swear I will not rest until I have read everything she has written. Then my heart will break and I’ll beg her for more.
And I have to wait until 2026 to find out what happens. That’s how I know the book was amazing because it’s physically painful having to wait for more. I absolutely loved the way all of Valicity’s characters and their stories all tied into this one story. She’s such an incredible story teller, and my favorite author.
I was rooting for Sasha from the beginning.
Sasha has so much depth- all of the characters really do, but he was my favorite. I know he’s going to come through in the end.
And honestly… love a “toxically masculine” MMC.
🤷♀️ something about them
Definitely swoon worthy as all of her books are.
I swear I will not rest until I have read everything she has written. Then my heart will break and I’ll beg her for more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews