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Vows & Vengeance #1
Dark Vows
She was never meant to be his.
Now, she belongs to him—body, mind, and soul.
Janelle Carter walked away from Boston’s elite and built her life from scratch. But fate doesn’t care about boundaries—or bloodlines.
When a powerful shipment lands in her flower shop by mistake, she collides with the Irish king of Boston’s
Cormac “Mac” O’Connell—brutal, calculating, and dangerously possessive.
Now, she belongs to him—body, mind, and soul.
Janelle Carter walked away from Boston’s elite and built her life from scratch. But fate doesn’t care about boundaries—or bloodlines.
When a powerful shipment lands in her flower shop by mistake, she collides with the Irish king of Boston’s
Cormac “Mac” O’Connell—brutal, calculating, and dangerously possessive.
Unknown Binding
First published May 1, 2025
621 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Raven DeNoir
46 books20 followersSign up for my newsletter to stay in the know of all things in the House of DeNoir: https://tally.so/r/3ERlvq
I write BWWM romance across four lanes: dark mafia, contemporary, paranormal, and erotic short stories—all built on obsession, power, and the kind of love that leaves bruises on your pride (in the best way).
My stories live where leverage matters. Where desire is a decision. Where the man doesn’t chase—he claims. And the woman isn’t a prize—she’s the one who can burn the whole operation down if she’s pushed wrong.
My debut novel, Dark Vows, released May 1, 2025, and it set the tone for what I do: high heat, hard choices, ruthless devotion, and heroines who don’t fold just because a powerful man wants them. Whether I’m writing mafia wars and bloodline politics, a contemporary romance that hits like a confession, a paranormal world with teeth, or a fast, filthy short meant to be read in one breath—my focus stays the same:
competent Black women, dangerous men, clear consent, and HEAs that are earned.
If you like romance with edge, intensity, and consequences—welcome.
If you want sweet, soft, and polite… you’re probably in the wrong place.
Start with Dark Vows. Then pick your poison.
I write BWWM romance across four lanes: dark mafia, contemporary, paranormal, and erotic short stories—all built on obsession, power, and the kind of love that leaves bruises on your pride (in the best way).
My stories live where leverage matters. Where desire is a decision. Where the man doesn’t chase—he claims. And the woman isn’t a prize—she’s the one who can burn the whole operation down if she’s pushed wrong.
My debut novel, Dark Vows, released May 1, 2025, and it set the tone for what I do: high heat, hard choices, ruthless devotion, and heroines who don’t fold just because a powerful man wants them. Whether I’m writing mafia wars and bloodline politics, a contemporary romance that hits like a confession, a paranormal world with teeth, or a fast, filthy short meant to be read in one breath—my focus stays the same:
competent Black women, dangerous men, clear consent, and HEAs that are earned.
If you like romance with edge, intensity, and consequences—welcome.
If you want sweet, soft, and polite… you’re probably in the wrong place.
Start with Dark Vows. Then pick your poison.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 1, 2025
I went into Dark Vows expecting heat, but I wasn’t prepared for the emotional gut punch. This story gripped me from the first page, not just because of the brutal world of the Irish mafia, but because of how real Mac and Janelle felt. Their chemistry is instant, volatile, and impossible to look away from.
Mac is dangerous, unrelenting, and yet there’s this undercurrent of tenderness that makes every scene between them feel like a collision. Janelle? She’s the kind of heroine I’ve been waiting for, fierce, smart, soft when she wants to be, and unafraid to challenge a man like Mac on his own turf.
The writing is rich and cinematic, full of tension, betrayal, and that kind of violent devotion that defines a great mafia romance. There’s no sugarcoating here. You bleed with these characters. You burn with them. You hope with them, even when hope seems like a mistake.
And that ending? I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say I already preordered Book Two. This story is far from over.
If you love morally gray men, heroines who don’t back down, and plots layered with secrets, heat, and heart
Mac is dangerous, unrelenting, and yet there’s this undercurrent of tenderness that makes every scene between them feel like a collision. Janelle? She’s the kind of heroine I’ve been waiting for, fierce, smart, soft when she wants to be, and unafraid to challenge a man like Mac on his own turf.
The writing is rich and cinematic, full of tension, betrayal, and that kind of violent devotion that defines a great mafia romance. There’s no sugarcoating here. You bleed with these characters. You burn with them. You hope with them, even when hope seems like a mistake.
And that ending? I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say I already preordered Book Two. This story is far from over.
If you love morally gray men, heroines who don’t back down, and plots layered with secrets, heat, and heart
May 28, 2025
I wish there was a pre-established relationship before he tries to swoop in, be her knight in shining armor & start bossing her around. Because realistically who is going to allow a random man to just waltz into their life & start telling them what to do right out of the gate. They have barley known each other for 24hrs.
& why would a “mafia boss” go out of his way to go to a floral shop to pick out flowers for a funeral of one of his men. Do you see how dumb that sounds. How is the reader meant to take this character seriously.
& why would a “mafia boss” go out of his way to go to a floral shop to pick out flowers for a funeral of one of his men. Do you see how dumb that sounds. How is the reader meant to take this character seriously.
May 10, 2025
I will start by saying I received an ARC of this book.
I read this twice, the ARC and the published version. I can see the updates made from feedback given. There is a story in there that could be interesting but this needs to be trimmed down. I see the world being built but the story gets convoluted. There’s too many characters and I don’t feel a connection to any of them, let alone our MCs. Also I think some plot lines were updated or changed but then later character arcs still reflected the old plot lines. Also people learn things in one chapter and then 2 chapters later act like it’s their first time hearing the news.
Overall, I think this author has some interesting ideas and as her writing goes the stories will get tighter.
I read this twice, the ARC and the published version. I can see the updates made from feedback given. There is a story in there that could be interesting but this needs to be trimmed down. I see the world being built but the story gets convoluted. There’s too many characters and I don’t feel a connection to any of them, let alone our MCs. Also I think some plot lines were updated or changed but then later character arcs still reflected the old plot lines. Also people learn things in one chapter and then 2 chapters later act like it’s their first time hearing the news.
Overall, I think this author has some interesting ideas and as her writing goes the stories will get tighter.
May 2, 2025
When florist Janelle Carter took a simple order of a floral arrangement for a funeral little did she know that her life would be upended and she would be caught quite literally between a rock and a hard place or in her case the Irish Mob and the Bratva. The minute ruthless mob boss Cormac 'Mac' O'Connell lays eyes on Janelle both their fates were sealed. But is she just an innocent caught up in a mob war or is she something else?
I must admit that Dark Vows started off a bit confusing to me but I persevered and I'm so glad I did. If dark obsession, powerful alpha males and an intriguing storyline is your thing then look no further. There's spice, heat, betrayal, secrets and lies and the promise of more to come in future books.
I was given an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I must admit that Dark Vows started off a bit confusing to me but I persevered and I'm so glad I did. If dark obsession, powerful alpha males and an intriguing storyline is your thing then look no further. There's spice, heat, betrayal, secrets and lies and the promise of more to come in future books.
I was given an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
July 19, 2025
Wow and wow
This was a mission of a book with some powerful and brutal characters! The protagonists are strong and totally committed to each other . The antagonists are savage without a redeemable trait. The action starts as soon as you open the book!! You but the characters but the ground running. There is so much happening one doesn't know where to start except when Mac meets Janelle, that is it!! The chapters are short and numerous so one doesn't want to miss anything. You will meet the other characters who will appear in subsequent books. I have already ordered the next two books!! Great read Ms. deNoir. My only criticism is that the editing is a minor issue. In one section of the narrative. Volkov's name was interchanged for Victor which was crucial in that particular scene.
But a great novel. It does need to be checked but this is a suspenseful novel with many grey characters!! What do you expect? It's a Mafia romance!! Thoroughly engaging with a vast if future protagonist awaiting their own story but the overall arc will not be finished until book 7!!
This was a mission of a book with some powerful and brutal characters! The protagonists are strong and totally committed to each other . The antagonists are savage without a redeemable trait. The action starts as soon as you open the book!! You but the characters but the ground running. There is so much happening one doesn't know where to start except when Mac meets Janelle, that is it!! The chapters are short and numerous so one doesn't want to miss anything. You will meet the other characters who will appear in subsequent books. I have already ordered the next two books!! Great read Ms. deNoir. My only criticism is that the editing is a minor issue. In one section of the narrative. Volkov's name was interchanged for Victor which was crucial in that particular scene.
But a great novel. It does need to be checked but this is a suspenseful novel with many grey characters!! What do you expect? It's a Mafia romance!! Thoroughly engaging with a vast if future protagonist awaiting their own story but the overall arc will not be finished until book 7!!
June 26, 2025
I was very disappointed in this book. First off, if it was edited or proofread at all the person who did so should be terminated. The author should return to school to learn how to set up proper English sentence structure. The punctuation, which should help with the continuity of the reading material is awful. There are commas where they don't belong and none where they do, and tons of misspelled words throughout the story. There are 90 chapters, but everything is so repetitive it could have been cut by half. She must mention that war is coming or war is here at least 40 times. In order to finish I had to skim read a great deal.
Now, let's talk about the problems with the story. First an Irish mob boss does his own shopping for a floral arrangement for a funeral. Ridiculous. As he himself said, why would he waste his time choosing the flowers. He has more important things to do, but he goes anyway. From the back seat of his car he develops some sort of instalove for a woman he hasn't even spoken to and knows nothing about. Then she, an independent business owner almost immediately falls in line with all his demands. I guess it was instalove for her too, because she clearly lost all of her sense of self as the independent person she was. Then we find out that she is the illegitimate daughter of a Russian mob boss. Due to her being a mixed race child, her grandfather wants to put her mother and the baby six feet under. Instead he makes a pact that this child will wed the male child of another Russian mob boss when they come of age. So her father makes her mother run away with the baby, change her identity, and get away from the mob life. How does this make any sense. If the old man didn't want to taint the bloodlines, then why is he making a pact where she is promised to another Russian with the intent of uniting the bloodlines. The premise is preposterous. Either it doesn't matter or it is a dealbreaker. It can't be a dealbreaker and a solution for the future generation all in one. Plus, why is this marriage pact so all important to the guy she was promised to, when he fully intends to move against her father and his sector of the Bratva and take it over. Since this is his intent, the marriage contract shouldn't matter and she shouldn't be a lynchpin or a focal point.
Then there are these supposedly super smart women that the whole Irish mob has gone to extreme lengths to protect making the dumbest move in the history of mankind. Why would you even think of leaving with absolutely no protection and making no attempt to tell anyone, when your protectors have spent weeks making sure you are safe, fully protected and aware of what is at stake. Saints preserve us from dumbass women who knowingly put themselves in precarious situations, without a moment of forethought and no method of defense other than hands untrained in martial arts. I personally am tired of authors trying to make us believe these women are strong intelligent, smart and admirable, because actions speak louder than words, and nothing about the actions where you allow yourself to be kidnapped reflects any of those characteristics.
Now, let's talk about the problems with the story. First an Irish mob boss does his own shopping for a floral arrangement for a funeral. Ridiculous. As he himself said, why would he waste his time choosing the flowers. He has more important things to do, but he goes anyway. From the back seat of his car he develops some sort of instalove for a woman he hasn't even spoken to and knows nothing about. Then she, an independent business owner almost immediately falls in line with all his demands. I guess it was instalove for her too, because she clearly lost all of her sense of self as the independent person she was. Then we find out that she is the illegitimate daughter of a Russian mob boss. Due to her being a mixed race child, her grandfather wants to put her mother and the baby six feet under. Instead he makes a pact that this child will wed the male child of another Russian mob boss when they come of age. So her father makes her mother run away with the baby, change her identity, and get away from the mob life. How does this make any sense. If the old man didn't want to taint the bloodlines, then why is he making a pact where she is promised to another Russian with the intent of uniting the bloodlines. The premise is preposterous. Either it doesn't matter or it is a dealbreaker. It can't be a dealbreaker and a solution for the future generation all in one. Plus, why is this marriage pact so all important to the guy she was promised to, when he fully intends to move against her father and his sector of the Bratva and take it over. Since this is his intent, the marriage contract shouldn't matter and she shouldn't be a lynchpin or a focal point.
Then there are these supposedly super smart women that the whole Irish mob has gone to extreme lengths to protect making the dumbest move in the history of mankind. Why would you even think of leaving with absolutely no protection and making no attempt to tell anyone, when your protectors have spent weeks making sure you are safe, fully protected and aware of what is at stake. Saints preserve us from dumbass women who knowingly put themselves in precarious situations, without a moment of forethought and no method of defense other than hands untrained in martial arts. I personally am tired of authors trying to make us believe these women are strong intelligent, smart and admirable, because actions speak louder than words, and nothing about the actions where you allow yourself to be kidnapped reflects any of those characteristics.
May 1, 2025
Dark Vows is a fantastic read!!! Great story!!! Great characters!!! It keeps you on your toes from beginning to end, delivering a perfect mix of excitement and intrigue. The fast-paced narrative is easy to follow, striking just the right balance between intensity and immersion. From high-octane fight scenes to steamy, sensual moments, the world of Dark Vows pulls you in and makes you feel like you're right there. I highly recommend it!!!!
May 2, 2025
Obsessed!!!!!
I love this version, as well as I love the 1st edition of this story 😉😊. Again, the twist and turns. The passion, the drama, possessiveness. All of it was exciting to read and I cannot wait to read more. I’m so pumped for this saga. Bravo Queen!!!!
I love this version, as well as I love the 1st edition of this story 😉😊. Again, the twist and turns. The passion, the drama, possessiveness. All of it was exciting to read and I cannot wait to read more. I’m so pumped for this saga. Bravo Queen!!!!
May 6, 2025
Masterful
I cannot put this book down. It has so many twists and turns that I just couldn’t figure out what was what You will definitely enjoy this read and I can’t wait for part two to see what else is gonna happen in this series
I cannot put this book down. It has so many twists and turns that I just couldn’t figure out what was what You will definitely enjoy this read and I can’t wait for part two to see what else is gonna happen in this series
June 9, 2025
Potential Present Needs Work
I would not recommend until tremendous edits occur, there were two chapters the same back to back, not to mention just too much narrative that often made no sense and character movement was repetitive in chapters and also not aligning from scene to scene very hard to follow. Admittedly, I had to stop reading and return several times just to get through. I wanted to finish because the characters , were interesting. The dialogue was boring and repetitive in places but I was hopeful it would get better. I think the writer spent no time to set up the characters so the reader would know who were the sons and who were brothers. I think words like shadow and ghost were way overused and just made reading difficult. Organization of the story was so off, and disjointed, at one point Janelle reveals her pregnancy to Mac, then another scene he is finding the pregnancy test and acting like he never knew. The other part that was aggravating was how long they took to the Irish and Russians to confront each other, it seemed like nobody knew what they were doing to be Mob bosses, very dumb behavior. I feel like the writer wants to tell Ava and Liam's story next but I can't say this story inspires me to read it, even though I think those two characters were more interesting than Mac and Janelle.
I would not recommend until tremendous edits occur, there were two chapters the same back to back, not to mention just too much narrative that often made no sense and character movement was repetitive in chapters and also not aligning from scene to scene very hard to follow. Admittedly, I had to stop reading and return several times just to get through. I wanted to finish because the characters , were interesting. The dialogue was boring and repetitive in places but I was hopeful it would get better. I think the writer spent no time to set up the characters so the reader would know who were the sons and who were brothers. I think words like shadow and ghost were way overused and just made reading difficult. Organization of the story was so off, and disjointed, at one point Janelle reveals her pregnancy to Mac, then another scene he is finding the pregnancy test and acting like he never knew. The other part that was aggravating was how long they took to the Irish and Russians to confront each other, it seemed like nobody knew what they were doing to be Mob bosses, very dumb behavior. I feel like the writer wants to tell Ava and Liam's story next but I can't say this story inspires me to read it, even though I think those two characters were more interesting than Mac and Janelle.
April 23, 2025
Absolutely loved this book.
April 13, 2025
The innocent encounter of the florist and the crime boss, was anything but. It was planned down to the last T, unbeknownst to them. The encounter awakened enemies both old and new. It was a who will survive as more secrets and lies came to light, There is more to come.
May 5, 2025
I really appreciate a good Mafia Romanc. Dark Vows has a protective MC and FMC, found family, MC will 🔥 🔥the world down for what's his!!! Mac wasn't expecting to see his future when he walked into the floral shop. Janelle's day at her floral shop was the same as any other until the sexy Irishman walked into her shop. After her shop mysteriously catches 🔥, she is rescued by none other than Mac. When they are within eachother sights they can't keep their ✋️ off of eachother. I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review...
May 13, 2025
I love this book cover and I love a good vengeance tale ...
Just know that this story is nearly 500 pages and it isn't completely wrapped up, there will be three additional books.
Janelle is a flower shop owner whose World is turned upside down when Mac (a mafia don) enters her business to buy flowers, people are watching and less than 24 hours later she narrowly misses being kidnapped, hours after that her business is burned to the ground.
Mac tells her he can keep her safe but she needs to stay with him. Of course, they are attracted to one another—he's older, widowed with two grown sons that work with him. We find out they and others work in the business. We also find out there are traitors in their midst, and it took entirely too long to serve justice.
Mac's shipments are robbed and we're not talking chump change and the answer is surveillance and keeping an eye on the Russians. When Mac is faced with the concrete evidence of one of the traitors, he decides he wants to catch them in the act. Why, he needed more proof, I don't know.
The story is long so I ended up losing track of where Janelle is supposed to be hiding out between the mansion and the penthouse, both of which were compromised. Janelle quickly becomes Mac's everything and Janelle frankly has a thankless role where she vacillates between my flower shop is destroyed and how can Mac keep me safe.
We find out why his enemies want her so bad and it didn't entirely make sense to me. Of course, she does something stupid and how she pulls it off is a mystery to me since she's supposed to have an entire army of men watching her. Janelle has a best friend named Ava who is supposed to be her anchor (ride or die) and she keeps appearing and disappearing from the story, so the timeline is off.
I loved the comeuppance scene but there is more to come but I'm not entirely sure if I'll continue on with the series. Your opinion may differ, you may love it, so don't let this review deter you.
Just know that this story is nearly 500 pages and it isn't completely wrapped up, there will be three additional books.
Janelle is a flower shop owner whose World is turned upside down when Mac (a mafia don) enters her business to buy flowers, people are watching and less than 24 hours later she narrowly misses being kidnapped, hours after that her business is burned to the ground.
Mac tells her he can keep her safe but she needs to stay with him. Of course, they are attracted to one another—he's older, widowed with two grown sons that work with him. We find out they and others work in the business. We also find out there are traitors in their midst, and it took entirely too long to serve justice.
Mac's shipments are robbed and we're not talking chump change and the answer is surveillance and keeping an eye on the Russians. When Mac is faced with the concrete evidence of one of the traitors, he decides he wants to catch them in the act. Why, he needed more proof, I don't know.
The story is long so I ended up losing track of where Janelle is supposed to be hiding out between the mansion and the penthouse, both of which were compromised. Janelle quickly becomes Mac's everything and Janelle frankly has a thankless role where she vacillates between my flower shop is destroyed and how can Mac keep me safe.
We find out why his enemies want her so bad and it didn't entirely make sense to me. Of course, she does something stupid and how she pulls it off is a mystery to me since she's supposed to have an entire army of men watching her. Janelle has a best friend named Ava who is supposed to be her anchor (ride or die) and she keeps appearing and disappearing from the story, so the timeline is off.
I loved the comeuppance scene but there is more to come but I'm not entirely sure if I'll continue on with the series. Your opinion may differ, you may love it, so don't let this review deter you.
July 18, 2025
Listen. These are great bones. It seems like the author was writing the scenes multiple ways and all variations accidentally made it to the final draft. Please read through your work. Make sure it makes sense. Because you could have something really great.. & whoever your editor is? Either fire them or tell them to step their pussy up. 90% of these issues should have been caught in editing.
P.S. stop making instant love a thing. It takes away your ability to build a connection between your audience and the couple. & it makes the story immediately unbelievable. Love isn’t instant. It’s work. These characters should have known one another at least 6 months.
Further information::
Shelving a book as DNF is never my goal. I got to chapter 14 and just couldn’t take it any longer. The author has the imagination to create a really good baseline but the execution isn’t there. It’s a lot of narration not a lot of dialogue. So there are scenes where something is being described that you don’t actually have context for.
* Example: Ch.13 - in one paragraph she goes from narrating they had instant chemistry the day before at the flower shop to the MMC is unexpectedly talking about his late wife. Mind you… these people have only known one another about 12 hours at this point. *
The information is also very repetitive MMC was described the same exact way, (something like Dangerously Magnetic) multiple times in the first 10 chapters. Or that he tells her “careful three times while sitting at the table in ch. 13.
P.S. stop making instant love a thing. It takes away your ability to build a connection between your audience and the couple. & it makes the story immediately unbelievable. Love isn’t instant. It’s work. These characters should have known one another at least 6 months.
Further information::
Shelving a book as DNF is never my goal. I got to chapter 14 and just couldn’t take it any longer. The author has the imagination to create a really good baseline but the execution isn’t there. It’s a lot of narration not a lot of dialogue. So there are scenes where something is being described that you don’t actually have context for.
* Example: Ch.13 - in one paragraph she goes from narrating they had instant chemistry the day before at the flower shop to the MMC is unexpectedly talking about his late wife. Mind you… these people have only known one another about 12 hours at this point. *
The information is also very repetitive MMC was described the same exact way, (something like Dangerously Magnetic) multiple times in the first 10 chapters. Or that he tells her “careful three times while sitting at the table in ch. 13.
June 26, 2025
Kingpin and his Queen??
Mac abd Janelle
Janelle is a florist with her own shop. Her clients are from high society. One evening while working a man comes in demanding that she come with him.
Mac is the head of an Irish family. He is encograged to go her flower shop to place an order.
Now, unknown to Janelle and Mac she is being watched by another family and because Mac goes to her shop, they assumes he knows her true identity.
Janelle does not know about the powerful connections that she has. Mac saves her fromm being abducted and this is the beginning of their drama. This puts them on the path of learning her true identity.
Mac learns of betrayal from his inner circle. He has been the head for years, so I dont understand how he was slow to the game.
Then you have Janelle and her mama running off from there protection, only to have to be rescued.
Then the tech team is slow to surveilence. I would have thought they would have the best gadgets.
Some phrases and lines were repeated into other chapters and I almost thought I was rereading the same chapters.
The plot is alright, but I still dont understabd why Janelle is much more important than her brother. I feel like her character started out strong becuase she was combative and pushed back. But somewhere along the story this got lost.
Mac abd Janelle
Janelle is a florist with her own shop. Her clients are from high society. One evening while working a man comes in demanding that she come with him.
Mac is the head of an Irish family. He is encograged to go her flower shop to place an order.
Now, unknown to Janelle and Mac she is being watched by another family and because Mac goes to her shop, they assumes he knows her true identity.
Janelle does not know about the powerful connections that she has. Mac saves her fromm being abducted and this is the beginning of their drama. This puts them on the path of learning her true identity.
Mac learns of betrayal from his inner circle. He has been the head for years, so I dont understand how he was slow to the game.
Then you have Janelle and her mama running off from there protection, only to have to be rescued.
Then the tech team is slow to surveilence. I would have thought they would have the best gadgets.
Some phrases and lines were repeated into other chapters and I almost thought I was rereading the same chapters.
The plot is alright, but I still dont understabd why Janelle is much more important than her brother. I feel like her character started out strong becuase she was combative and pushed back. But somewhere along the story this got lost.
April 30, 2025
Dark Vows by Raven DeNoir is a complex mafia themed dark romance, pitting several opposing factions in a sweeping and unrelenting conflict. At the center of this conflict is florist Janelle Carter. Janelle has lived an unassuming low-key life, focusing on her business. She does not have a close relationship with her mother and her father is unknown to her. When Cormac “Mac” O’Connell picks her shop to purchase flowers, their encounter starts a connection that is greater than both of them. Their attraction is instant and explosive. Unfortunately, Mac has more enemies than one can count, and it appears that Janelle has unwittingly become a target. However, the more he tries to protect her the more enemies are revealed. Ms. DeNoir’s complicated story has many moving pieces and as the narrative unfolds, readers are in on some of the secrets plaguing our main characters. I enjoyed this lively story and look forward to the next book in the series.
https://theretiredreader.com/read-for...
https://theretiredreader.com/read-for...
May 3, 2025
Raven DeNoir understood the assignment and is currently on my perpetual 1 click list without reading the blurb. She write it i'm getting it. We know we gonna eat fr. What Ms. Raven say, "My books are about obsession, power, loyalty, and survival. They bleed. They fuck. They love hard and kill harder. "Frenn, you stood on business throughout the book. A page turner. Let me say this, the cover is phenomenal let's start there. This book was not like watching the paint dry on the wall. Janelle and Mac didn't mix words did they, forget the paint yall they burned the walls down, and i digress smh. If obsessively,dark, steamy, mafia silver fox who will burn the universe to cinders bout messing with His Dark Vows should be on your TBR list. OmG and the sons are like the daddy. I know they are coming like Mac but to the 10th power. I can't wait, hint hint lol. I appreciate the opportunity to receive the ARC. Chile, these folks don't think twice about taking what they want, wives included, and termimating indiscriminately. Loved it, bravo queen. Til next time!
May 6, 2025
disappointed (contains spoilers)
First the book needed a better editor. There were a lot of repetition, name mistakes and more importantly the story was too convoluted. For instance, Elena was a 19 year old undercover FBI agent? Really ? And Viktor never knew? The book was also making so much of Janelle, However by right in the Bratva, Luka as the eldest son should be Pakhan. It was never explained why he wasn’t.
It was also frustrating that the women, Elena and Janelle, would just walk out without telling anyone after all Mac and crew had done to keep them safe for months, loosing people and assets in the process. To turn around and call them strong was laughable.
As an aside, I still don’t know what happened to Elena and Viktor . Did Janelle and Viktor build a relationship ? A lot of holes.
First the book needed a better editor. There were a lot of repetition, name mistakes and more importantly the story was too convoluted. For instance, Elena was a 19 year old undercover FBI agent? Really ? And Viktor never knew? The book was also making so much of Janelle, However by right in the Bratva, Luka as the eldest son should be Pakhan. It was never explained why he wasn’t.
It was also frustrating that the women, Elena and Janelle, would just walk out without telling anyone after all Mac and crew had done to keep them safe for months, loosing people and assets in the process. To turn around and call them strong was laughable.
As an aside, I still don’t know what happened to Elena and Viktor . Did Janelle and Viktor build a relationship ? A lot of holes.
May 2, 2025
Dark Vows is much more than a great read! From the moment rugged Cormac “Mac” O’Connell walks into sassy Janelle Carter's florist shop to purchase flowers, their encounter is an instant, erotic, primal passion that is undeniable! Their attraction is immediate and steamy (whew!); the kind that will have you fanning yourself while trying not to squeeze your thighs together.
Their story will leave you unhinged as it carries you over to a “dark side” filled with plots, high-action fighting, intrigue, pleasure, and an UNFATHOMABLE LOVE!!! Well-rounded, powerful, rich characters who will draw you in to all the ways that matter. So buckle up as each chapter leaves you visualizing every sensual, volatile ride!
I cannot wait to read the next book!!!!
Their story will leave you unhinged as it carries you over to a “dark side” filled with plots, high-action fighting, intrigue, pleasure, and an UNFATHOMABLE LOVE!!! Well-rounded, powerful, rich characters who will draw you in to all the ways that matter. So buckle up as each chapter leaves you visualizing every sensual, volatile ride!
I cannot wait to read the next book!!!!
June 4, 2025
Just ok
I liked where the author was going with the plot of the book, but there were many distracting issues throughout. I was confused when I started reading the book. I felt like I was missing information about why Mac actually went to the flower shop and why she was about to be kidnapped. I thought that the drama was redundant and never-ending. The MMC seemed to be behind the ball most of the book, then comes out victorious in the end? There was too much detail about irrelevant things and not enough dialogue that moved the story forward with clarity. I would love to enjoy the rest of this series. There just needs to be better meat on the pages that brings understanding as well as the feels.
I liked where the author was going with the plot of the book, but there were many distracting issues throughout. I was confused when I started reading the book. I felt like I was missing information about why Mac actually went to the flower shop and why she was about to be kidnapped. I thought that the drama was redundant and never-ending. The MMC seemed to be behind the ball most of the book, then comes out victorious in the end? There was too much detail about irrelevant things and not enough dialogue that moved the story forward with clarity. I would love to enjoy the rest of this series. There just needs to be better meat on the pages that brings understanding as well as the feels.
September 17, 2025
This book was undeniably intense—packed with action, drama, and even a touch of comic relief. While many might rate it a solid four stars, I personally couldn’t get there. My frustration stemmed from some of the supporting characters, especially the father. His presence genuinely got under my skin and left me feeling angry. On the flip side, the mother was a standout—compassionate, layered, and compelling. I’m genuinely excited for her story to be told in a future book.
I’ll admit, I may have focused too much on the parents, considering they weren’t the central figures this time around. But their impact was hard to ignore. If you’re a reader who values strong emotional reactions and complex family dynamics, this one will definitely stir something in you.
I’ll admit, I may have focused too much on the parents, considering they weren’t the central figures this time around. But their impact was hard to ignore. If you’re a reader who values strong emotional reactions and complex family dynamics, this one will definitely stir something in you.
May 7, 2025
Listen. Dark Vows is not your typical mafia romance. This shit right here? It grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn’t let go. Mac is the kind of man your mama warned you about—cold-blooded, obsessive, and violently loyal. And Janelle? She’s not some damsel. She’s fire. She’s survival. She’s that woman.
The story moves like a freight train—raw, emotional, and full of heat. I’m talking real stakes, real trauma, real power. It’s brutal and tender all at once. And when I tell you the twists had me pacing the room? Whew.
This ain’t a love story wrapped in flowers. It’s a war dressed in silk. And somehow, it still made me feel everything. I can’t wait for the next book!,,
The story moves like a freight train—raw, emotional, and full of heat. I’m talking real stakes, real trauma, real power. It’s brutal and tender all at once. And when I tell you the twists had me pacing the room? Whew.
This ain’t a love story wrapped in flowers. It’s a war dressed in silk. And somehow, it still made me feel everything. I can’t wait for the next book!,,
June 3, 2025
This is going in my read over collection
At first I thought I don’t know if I want to read this, but I am glad I did. Once started I didn’t want to stop, this was, messy, sexy, mixed with a lot of violence and mayhem. Jealousy in brothers is a beast, because I have my sister back, it did make me think of something my daughter said, before she betrays her sister she would jump in to make sure her sister didn’t get hurt. Than she would turn around and beat her sisters butt for putting her in that position. That makes more sense than betrayal & jealousy. But this is a great read go for it.
At first I thought I don’t know if I want to read this, but I am glad I did. Once started I didn’t want to stop, this was, messy, sexy, mixed with a lot of violence and mayhem. Jealousy in brothers is a beast, because I have my sister back, it did make me think of something my daughter said, before she betrays her sister she would jump in to make sure her sister didn’t get hurt. Than she would turn around and beat her sisters butt for putting her in that position. That makes more sense than betrayal & jealousy. But this is a great read go for it.
June 11, 2025
needs work
I would love to read this as a heavily edited re-written version. This is like a wattpad mafia romance. Easily could’ve been written by some 15 year old girl. 91 chapters?!??? It could have been 40 and conveyed the same thing. I lost interest at chapter 21 the rest was skim reading. It all just read like some bad parody mafia movie. There also needs to be a O’Connell family tree at the beginning or something. The mention of all these characters and their roles in the family were hard to remember. I thought sons were brothers and brothers sons which confused the heck out of me.
The story has potential it needs serious work though.
I would love to read this as a heavily edited re-written version. This is like a wattpad mafia romance. Easily could’ve been written by some 15 year old girl. 91 chapters?!??? It could have been 40 and conveyed the same thing. I lost interest at chapter 21 the rest was skim reading. It all just read like some bad parody mafia movie. There also needs to be a O’Connell family tree at the beginning or something. The mention of all these characters and their roles in the family were hard to remember. I thought sons were brothers and brothers sons which confused the heck out of me.
The story has potential it needs serious work though.
August 15, 2025
The story had great potential but this was missed and could have been great if the author left out the dramatic writing, it didn't fit.
Also there's a part in the story when she mentions Elena had a Glock when she was going to meet Viktor "She dressed in silence—black jeans, black boots, a soft knit sweater that hugged her like a second skin. No perfume. No jewelry. Just a matte-black Glock tucked into her side holster and a folding knife slipped into her boot."
But later says "Her hand drifted toward her coat pocket, not for a weapon—she didn’t carry one—but for the letter. Something real. Something she could grip while the ground shifted beneath her feet". The book lacks coherence.
Also there's a part in the story when she mentions Elena had a Glock when she was going to meet Viktor "She dressed in silence—black jeans, black boots, a soft knit sweater that hugged her like a second skin. No perfume. No jewelry. Just a matte-black Glock tucked into her side holster and a folding knife slipped into her boot."
But later says "Her hand drifted toward her coat pocket, not for a weapon—she didn’t carry one—but for the letter. Something real. Something she could grip while the ground shifted beneath her feet". The book lacks coherence.
May 4, 2025
Mac O’Connell, the Irish mob king, is made of steel and has hard edges.
Janelle Carter, a businesswoman, is living a quiet, no-fuss life.
When Mac and Janelle meet, it is instant attraction at first sight. They think this is it, but outside forces seem to have other ideas.
Family secrets bubble to the surface and leave no one unscathed.
Loved this story. Mac and Janelle are meant to be even if their love will burn down the city when enemies try to attack them. Can’t wait for book 2.
Janelle Carter, a businesswoman, is living a quiet, no-fuss life.
When Mac and Janelle meet, it is instant attraction at first sight. They think this is it, but outside forces seem to have other ideas.
Family secrets bubble to the surface and leave no one unscathed.
Loved this story. Mac and Janelle are meant to be even if their love will burn down the city when enemies try to attack them. Can’t wait for book 2.
June 2, 2025
Repetitive, Repetitive !!!
I thought it was ok. I'm not sure if the author has read mafia stories, but this was definitely not it!! The story just kept repeating itself. They stayed in the war rooms more than anything. And if you have been in the game for over 30 years and to have some, many close snakes in your organization is unreal. I thought Mac was just ok. However, he did not scream Don/Kingpin at all. The security around those he was supposed to protect was straight trash!!! The story also ended on a cliffhanger, so beware.
I thought it was ok. I'm not sure if the author has read mafia stories, but this was definitely not it!! The story just kept repeating itself. They stayed in the war rooms more than anything. And if you have been in the game for over 30 years and to have some, many close snakes in your organization is unreal. I thought Mac was just ok. However, he did not scream Don/Kingpin at all. The security around those he was supposed to protect was straight trash!!! The story also ended on a cliffhanger, so beware.
May 5, 2025
Mac was ready for anything but Her. Janelle thought she could handle anything life threw at her until He walked into her florist shop. Their meeting was by no means accidental but the sparks and flames that ignited would burn several worlds down.
This is a new author for me and I am glad I took the chance to read her story.
It is an intense story that will grip your attention and take you on a ride of sultry danger, lust and love. There were several players on the board and some were too close to Mac and Janelle. These unsuspected players would bring danger, death and pain to them while their attraction grew.
This is a story you need to read and will have yo on the edge of your seat. I can't wait for the next book.
This is a new author for me and I am glad I took the chance to read her story.
It is an intense story that will grip your attention and take you on a ride of sultry danger, lust and love. There were several players on the board and some were too close to Mac and Janelle. These unsuspected players would bring danger, death and pain to them while their attraction grew.
This is a story you need to read and will have yo on the edge of your seat. I can't wait for the next book.
May 2, 2025
Dark Vows is a must read!!! I went into the book looking for dark romance and was not expecting the emotional gut feeling I got. Mac was definitely ready for everything…. Except Janelle. The chemistry between the two was amazing and difficult to look away from. Mac being the dangerous guy he was and Janelle was smart and definitely not afraid to challenge a man. A great mafia romance read! I’m soooo ready for the next book!!!
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