Crown of Blood

Bound by Blood #1

by Jennifer Smith

He built an empire on loyalty and blood.
She built her life on truth.
When their worlds collide, neither will survive untouched.

Dante Moretti rules New York’s underworld with precision and control—until an investigative journalist starts digging into his past. Isabella DeLaurentis isn’t afraid of powerful men, but she didn’t expect the infamous Don to show up at her door with a warning that feels a lot like a promise.

What begins as a game of secrets becomes something neither can walk away from.
She should hate him.
He should destroy her.
But when love finds its way into the fire, it demands everything—loyalty, lies, and the crown he swore he’d never surrender.

Crown of Blood is a steamy, emotional mafia romance about power, trust, and the kind of love that conquers even the darkest empire.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2025

About the author

I live in a beautiful river town in North Carolina with my husband, kids, in-laws and fur babies. I love to travel and books. If I am not reading one I am writing one. I love how a book can give you an escape from our normal world. You can be anywhere and become anyone.

I want anyone reading one of my books to remember this....
you are worthy, you are loved, you are wanted!

Reviews

[Celina Walsh]

Dante ruthless yet an adoring father
Isabella such a determined and strong woman
Even after chapter 3 it has me on edge of my seat. Isabella is playing a dangerous game her curious brain
I love little Sofia she's adorablely sweet
Wow chapter 8 and such chemistry already and they haven't even kissed yet. 2 strong individuals yet together they're explosive - like sugar and spice
He believes she's his weakness but it's the complete opposite. She makes him come alive after grief & guilt have eaten away at him since the death of his wife
Omg Alessandro is cutthroat!
Their first time being intimate i thought would have been longer and explained in more vivid detail so I was a little disappointed that part didn't connect with me half as much as it had been upto that point (65% in)
Blood betrayal god wasn't expecting that!
Their reconnecting in the bedroom after everything she went through was much better delivered than their first time together
All in all a very very good read, author kept me captivated throughout i felt all the emotions portrayed.

[Cafedarc]

ARC Review

This book swept me away with its fast pace, emotional depth, and mafia romance tropes I can never resist. Dante Moretti is a single father and Mafia Don whose quiet grief is shaken when Isabella DeLaurentis enters his world—and his daughter Sofia’s heart.

The banter between Dante and Isabella feels natural and sharp, and little Sofia is an absolute scene-stealer with her sweetness and insight. The tension builds beautifully, with a clear external threat that tests the couple’s trust, but the ending delivers a satisfying HEA.

Though it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, the story hints at deeper twists still to come in the next installment. I’m already eager to see what Jennifer Smith has planned for book two.

If you love mafia romance with heart, heat, and a heroine who won’t bow, Crown of Blood is worth adding to your TBR.

[Dana]

I was hooked from the beginning and read this in one sitting. This is a mafia, single dad, forced proximity romance with a MMC that will burn the world down for her and a fierce FMC that won't bow down to anyone... add an adorable 8 yr old going on 18, and you've got the perfect recipe for a quick spicy read.

Dante is the Don of the Italian mafia in NYC. Isabella is an investigative journalist. Events transpire that put them on each other's radar and eventually in the same physical space. There's a plot twist I did not predict, and another surprising situation that sets up the next book.

I can't wait to read Alessandro's story!

[Jennifer Smith]

Now Live!!! Come enter the Bound in Blood world with Book 1!! You will meet the Don (Dante) and the woman who threatens to expose his world (Isabella)

https://a.co/d/5yNc6VF

[Mel]

Not bad for a freebie

[Ashton]

The perfect quick, addictive read with incredible chemistry between Dante (the intense, protective Mafia Don) and Isabella, the fearless reporter who turns his world upside down. I loved how Dante threw out all of his rules the moment he meets her.
Instant "Touch her and die" chemistry. 🫠
Their story is electric, the danger feels real, and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish.... with a twist I didn't see coming.
A perfect dark romance binge and I cannot wait to continue this series!

[Adriana Maria]

*ARC READER*

Hands down one of my tops reads of the year! I devoured this book! I loved everything about Dante and Isabella! From the connection to the banter it was perfect! J.D. Smith has knocked it out of the park yet again!!!!

[Jaimie]

This is a short mafia novella, single dad, forced proximity romance, and my first read from this author. Thank you to the author for sharing this with me for an early read.

Isabella (FMC) is an investigative journalist who is working on a big story that involves the mayor. Dante (MMC) is a ruthless mob boss, the Don who runs the city. Isabella is fierce, not afraid of anybody, and is not going to back down. Isabella's story lands her in some trouble and into the lap of Dante (not literally) and she is instantly under his skin. He wants to protect her. I loved his relationship with his daughter, Sofia, who is 8 and lost her mom several years prior. Sofia instantly takes a liking to Isbella and that relationship is heart melting too.

The story moves quickly. There's lots of drama, danger, emotions, and the twist at the end is NOT what I was expecting at all!

I am giving this a 3-star rating because for me, I felt there was something that just wasn't doing it. There was a lot of description and detail into talking about the city and other things and I think at times it was a little much and felt like filler. I also feel like sometimes the story jumped.

Overall, it was a good story and if you like a good mafia read, I recommend you check it out!

[Shonna Johnson]

*ARC Review*
Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! ❤️

If you were betrayed by the one you least expected, what would you do?

With the theme of betrayal, Dante (MMC) and Isabella (FMC) both experience it. Isabella is forced to choose between her career and her life. The stakes are high, but Isabella quickly realizes the danger of the mafia leader does not extend to her.

Characters are developed nicely and a medium pace - so not too fast or too slow for a novella!

A must read if you’re looking for a quick read and if you’re a fan of a morally gray MMC who will burn the world down to protect what is his.

•Slow Burn
•Exposé journalist x head of mafia
•Opposites Attract
•Widowed Single Dad
•🌶️🌶️

[Holli D.W.]

This story was dangerous and delicious! 🫦

We meet Dante the Mafia Don, and journalist Isabella who is determined to reveal corruption in the city. Two worlds collide when Dante discovers someone intends to silence Isabella— permanently.
Dante has a fortress around his heart, he doesn’t let anyone in. So why does it feel like Isabella belongs beside him- wearing a crown? 👑
Their chemistry is incendiary, danger lurks in every alleyway, and betrayal earns ultimate consequences.

This Mafia series is perfect for fans of “Touch her and Die” MMCs.

If “who did this to you?” Makes your heart pitter patter, better get started on “Crown of Blood”

I’m so excited for book 2, Alessandro’s story. 💍

[Melissa Wright]

From page one this book had me hooked. I read it in one sitting. I just could not put it down. Dante! To see him all mafia alpha boss then go home and make me swoon was just too much. Single Dad has to be one of my top 3 favorite tropes! His love and gentleness towards Sofia was just so heartwarming. I loved Isabella with her strong take know spit attitude. She was fierce and did not back down. Her relationship with Sofia also pulled my heart strings. This is a slow burn mafia romance that was a twist I did not see coming in the end. This book has the beginning of a great world and good characters. Looking forward to book 2 of the series.

[Taylor Shasteen Russell]

This was a good read! I would’ve been a super quick read for me, but life. 😂
HOWEVER, this is a quick read. It grabs your attention fast and gets going. I felt like there were some missing pieces that made somethings feel maybe rushed, but it did not take away from the story. FMC is definitely a stubborn girl and I love that! The MMC is just as stubborn and I loved that as well. Then here you have this sweet innocent little girl (the MMC’s child) and she’s just adorable! 😍 I’m excited for the next book!!

[KimJH]

GODD DAYUMM THIS BOOK WAS SOOO GOODDD!!!!

Lovedddd ittt!!!! AGHHHHH😭😭😭

Loveddd Dantee!! He is literally the sweetest, most considerate mannn
Especially to his princess 😭😭🥹🥹🥹
Soo cuteee🥹♥️

And Isabella!!!
DONT EVEN GET ME STARTEDD!!!
That women is pureee badassss🔥🔥🔥🔥

Loved how sofia anfd dante called isabella ‘My bella’
I swooneddd😭😭😭

Danny was reallllyyyy shocking tbh!! I was soooooo shocked 💀💀💀

[Erin]

Crown of Blood is such a good book, from chapter one I was hooked I felt like I was inside the story as the mfc every word I read I was able to see it happening in my mind. If you like slow burners, single dad, ill burn the world down for you type of romance then this is definitely the book for you, dont walk, RUN to get ahold of this amazing book.

[Virginia Mae Benedict]

I really enjoyed this Mafia Romance. Getting betrayed by the last person you would think would do it because they are family. Being protected and falling in love with the person you least expect to. And falling in love with his child at the same time. If you enjoy books where he falls for her and will end up burning the world down for her you're going to enjoy this one.

[Skye Loter-Campen]

ARC Read. For me it was a 3.75 but I rounded it up. While I did enjoy reading this book it took me a while to get through it. Didn’t hold my interest as I was hoping. Dark mafia is my jam and this just didn’t scratch the itch. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna know more, I really do, so I do look forward to the next book.

[Emily]

When I read the description of this book, I jumped at the chance to read and review!

Isabella is a journalist who gets caught in the mafia world and comes face to face with the Boss, Dante. Cue the sparks! If you love mafia romance, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, Crown of Blood should definitely be on your TBR.

[Toni Foust]

I had the pleasure of snagging an ARC. It's being published this month! If you like the genre, you should add it to your tbr! I didn't see the twist coming and am looking forward to book 2. I read it in one sitting. The pacing was good, and I enjoyed the character dynamic.

[Katrina Payne]

This book was so amazing!!!! Definitely a page turner, the plot just kept getting better and deeper. I finished in one day. Absolutely can not wait for the continuation of the other characters in the book.

[Lori Smith]

I'm typically not in to mafia books but this is a great book. Can't wait for the next book. So far I have read all of her books, I have not been disappointed in any of them. Most leave me wanting more! Highly recommend!!

[Sammye]

This is book one in the Bound By Blood series. Dante and Isabella have an amazing connection and I loved their story. It’s emotional and passionate. It’s an engaging enemies to lovers love story filled with drama and suspense. An excellent read.

[Desiree Arick]

Jennifer never disappoints and her books just keep getting better! I can’t wait for the next one!!!

[Peggy]

Great chemistry between the main characters. Hidden surprises throughout the book. I enjoyed it and I am hoping for a sequel!! There is no way that this is how their story ends!

[Lysa Lawrence Erbacher]

If you love Mafia trope, Single Dad, Enemies to Lovers, Burn the World for Her then you MUST read this book!
I loved it and read it in one sitting, I could not put it down.
Kidnapped and held captive…but was she really ? Isabella felt the fire start between them and couldn’t betray Dante, sizzling and smouldering.
Sofia was a gorgeous character, full of spark and an entertaining bundle of joy.
Blood Betrayal …..wowsers……I did not see that coming!
I am excited for Book 2, I hope it’s ready to go Jennifer Smith , coz I am!!

It’s live and available NOW!!

[Melissa Royston]

Sooooo good!

If you enjoy a really good mafia romance full of suspense, protective alpha male energy and a strong, independent FMC, then Crown of Blood is for you.

[albitis]

Rápido y furioso

[Jess]

New to me author the book was a quick easy read. I will definitely be reading book 2.

[Spoons]

Such a great novella! I listened to the audio and loved every bit of it. I listened to the whole book in on sitting.

[Michelle]

This is one of those rare books that you stay up late for and read in one sitting! This has everything I needed in a book! Thriller, suspense, enemies to lovers. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Go add this to your TBR now!!

[Holly Towe]

I really enjoyed this quick mafia romance! The don instandly became obsessed with Bella! She’s a head strong woman who challenges him but is soft towards his daughter. He takes her to help save her, but they end up in love. The plot was fun and kept me engaged in the story. It was very fast paced but well writing and didn’t leave out any important details!