What do you think?
Blaze Of Shadows #3
Broken Promise
When shadows come calling, survival demands sacrifice.
Penny Manselle has lived her life in hiding—running from a past she doesn’t fully understand and protecting the one person she cannot afford to lose.
But one reckless decision drags her into the Mafia’s underworld. She believes she can slip in unseen… and escape untouched.
She’s wrong.
Donovan Bianchi is a man forged by control—over his empire, his enemies, and himself. Breaking promises is not an option. Until Penny crashes into his life, testing his restraint and awakening a darkness he keeps tightly leashed.
She needs his protection.
He should walk away.
Because in their world, love isn’t soft.
It’s violent.
Consuming.
And once claimed, it never lets go.
Some promises aren’t meant to be kept.
They’re meant to be broken.
Penny Manselle has lived her life in hiding—running from a past she doesn’t fully understand and protecting the one person she cannot afford to lose.
But one reckless decision drags her into the Mafia’s underworld. She believes she can slip in unseen… and escape untouched.
She’s wrong.
Donovan Bianchi is a man forged by control—over his empire, his enemies, and himself. Breaking promises is not an option. Until Penny crashes into his life, testing his restraint and awakening a darkness he keeps tightly leashed.
She needs his protection.
He should walk away.
Because in their world, love isn’t soft.
It’s violent.
Consuming.
And once claimed, it never lets go.
Some promises aren’t meant to be kept.
They’re meant to be broken.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2026
About the author
J.D. Ray
4 books19 followersHi, I’m J.D. Ray, a spicy romance author with a love for happily-ever-afters and stories that leave you breathless. My tales weave together dark romance, secret agents, espionage, and the dangerous allure of the mafia, creating passionate, suspense-filled adventures.
While I’m drawn to the shadows of crime and forbidden love, my heart also beats for the supernatural. Paranormal romance holds a special place in my soul, and I can’t wait to bring you stories that merge the seductive and the otherworldly.
Reading has always been my escape, and now, I invite you to escape with me.
As a daydreamer, I’m constantly creating new characters and twists, thrilled to share them with you. Where anything is possible—and nothing is off-limits.
Ready to dive into a world of spice, suspense, and romance? Let’s get lost in a story together!
You can find me on
Instagram @jdrayauthor
TikTok @jdrayauthor
While I’m drawn to the shadows of crime and forbidden love, my heart also beats for the supernatural. Paranormal romance holds a special place in my soul, and I can’t wait to bring you stories that merge the seductive and the otherworldly.
Reading has always been my escape, and now, I invite you to escape with me.
As a daydreamer, I’m constantly creating new characters and twists, thrilled to share them with you. Where anything is possible—and nothing is off-limits.
Ready to dive into a world of spice, suspense, and romance? Let’s get lost in a story together!
You can find me on
Instagram @jdrayauthor
TikTok @jdrayauthor
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 24, 2026
Broken Promise gave me the danger and suspense I wanted from a mafia romance, but Penny and Donovan’s story had more heart than I thought it would!
Penny is smart, stubborn, and willing to take some huge risks to protect her brother Luke. I loved that she could hold her own with Donovan, even when everything around them got crazy and messy even. And Luke, he definitely had a special place in my heart.
There’s plenty of tension, secrets, and spice, but it was the connection between the characters that kept me reading. If you like your romance dark with some emotional moments mixed in, this one is worth picking up!
Penny is smart, stubborn, and willing to take some huge risks to protect her brother Luke. I loved that she could hold her own with Donovan, even when everything around them got crazy and messy even. And Luke, he definitely had a special place in my heart.
There’s plenty of tension, secrets, and spice, but it was the connection between the characters that kept me reading. If you like your romance dark with some emotional moments mixed in, this one is worth picking up!
September 13, 2026
The plot. The yearning. The betrayal, adventure, mystery. All. Of. It. 👏🏼 Hands down a 5 star read. I couldn’t love Penny and Don’s story more. And Luke?! His character absolutely stole my heart. This book is heart breaking and beautiful with the loveliest of endings.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dangerous, Dirty and Surprisingly Sweet
I expected danger, obsession and plenty of spice; I did not expect this romance to have so much genuine tenderness.
⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 5/5
Broken Promise by J.D. Ray is a fast-paced dark Mafia romance and romantic suspense novel featuring a talented hacker, a controlling CEO, dangerous secrets and a relationship that is every bit as tender as it is filthy. It is an interconnected standalone in the Blaze of Shadows series and is told primarily through Penny and Donovan’s dual first-person perspectives.
Penny—known in the hacking world as GhostByte—has spent years doing whatever it takes to support herself and protect her brother, Luke. When an illegal job takes her to a hedonistic Mafia party in New York, she discovers and steals Sadaa, a powerful programme capable of causing devastating damage in the wrong hands.
That same night, she meets Donovan Bianchi, the CEO of Jidar Tech and the head of an influential Italian Mafia family. After Donovan intervenes when another man refuses to accept Penny’s “no”, their encounter takes an unexpectedly intimate turn. They part believing it was a one-night stand, neither realising that they already know each other as the anonymous opponents behind a fiercely competitive series of online chess games.
From the opening chapters, Penny’s intelligence, resourcefulness and morally complicated choices made her an engaging heroine. Even when she took enormous risks, I understood the love and desperation driving her decisions, which made her easy to empathise with. I particularly appreciated that her hacking remained important to both her character and the central mystery instead of becoming a convenient skill that disappeared whenever Donovan needed to take control.
Penny begins the story believing that protecting Luke means carrying every burden herself and remaining ready to run whenever their lives become unsafe. Her growth does not require her to lose her independence or protective instincts; instead, she learns that accepting support does not make her weak. Watching her begin to trust others, express her own needs and imagine a permanent home was incredibly satisfying.
Donovan is powerful, possessive and accustomed to maintaining absolute control over his company, family and emotions. However, much of that control is rooted in grief, responsibility and the weight of protecting his family’s legacy. His relationship with Penny forces him to accept care as well as provide it, share burdens he would normally carry alone and reveal the vulnerable man beneath the intimidating Mafia boss. His softer side quickly became one of my favourite parts of the story.
Their chemistry is immediate, believable and HOT, but their connection grows far beyond physical attraction. The dominant/submissive relationship is explicit and intense, yet it is also built around trust, communication and boundaries. I loved seeing the balance gradually shift as Penny learns that she can rely on Donovan while Donovan discovers that surrendering some control is not the same as losing it. The pace stayed fast without rushing the emotional moments, and I loved getting both sides of their attraction, distrust and growing vulnerability.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Donovan’s relationship with Luke. Luke has Down’s syndrome, but he is never reduced to a diagnosis or used only to motivate Penny. He has his own job, interests, opinions and decisions, and his friendship with Donovan develops independently of the central romance. Their interactions reveal Donovan’s patience and tenderness while allowing Luke to remain a capable, fully developed character in his own right. Honestly? Donovan and Luke’s friendship completely stole my heart.
I stayed invested in the romantic suspense from beginning to end, especially as my suspicions shifted between several characters and the corporate threats, family secrets and attacks began to connect. Although I guessed parts of the mystery, the way those threads came together still managed to surprise me. The action-packed final stretch delivered a huge payoff while leaving enough room for the emotional aftermath, and the quieter family and found-family moments gave the story space to breathe between the danger.
My only real criticism is that the wider politics surrounding the Fives remained more abstract than the personal conflict. The immediate danger, corporate intrigue and relationship stakes all felt vivid, but I occasionally wanted a clearer understanding of the wider Mafia power structure and its different factions.
Broken Promise worked for me as an interconnected standalone, although readers familiar with the previous books may find the returning characters and established relationships even more rewarding. The central mysteries are resolved, the characters receive space to recover from the climax, and Penny and Donovan’s romance ends with a satisfying happily ever after.
Tropes
Anonymous Online Rivals to Lovers
One-Night Stand to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forced Team-Up
Boss × Employee
He Falls First
Mutual Obsession
Protective and Possessive MMC
Touch Her and Die
Who Did This to You?
Hurt/Comfort
Secret Identity
Found Family
Content Warnings
BDSM and dominant/submissive dynamics
Impact play, choking and restraints
Attempted rape/sexual assault
Non-consensual restraint and confinement
References to human trafficking, prostitution and grooming of minors
Physical violence and beatings
Gun violence and shootings
Blood, serious injury and torture
Hostage situations and threats of death
Past parental death, grief and trauma
Ableism towards people with Down’s syndrome
I would recommend Broken Promise to readers who enjoy dark Mafia romance, fiercely protective heroes, intelligent and capable heroines, high-stakes romantic suspense, found-family tenderness and intensely passionate romance. Its greatest strength is the contrast between dangerous, action-packed stakes and the unexpectedly soft relationships at its centre.
The romance balances 5/5 spice with genuine emotional intimacy, the mysteries connect satisfyingly, and Donovan and Luke’s friendship gives the story so much heart. I would absolutely read more from J.D. Ray, and I’ll definitely be continuing with this series.
Thank you to J.D. Ray for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I expected danger, obsession and plenty of spice; I did not expect this romance to have so much genuine tenderness.
⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 5/5
Broken Promise by J.D. Ray is a fast-paced dark Mafia romance and romantic suspense novel featuring a talented hacker, a controlling CEO, dangerous secrets and a relationship that is every bit as tender as it is filthy. It is an interconnected standalone in the Blaze of Shadows series and is told primarily through Penny and Donovan’s dual first-person perspectives.
Penny—known in the hacking world as GhostByte—has spent years doing whatever it takes to support herself and protect her brother, Luke. When an illegal job takes her to a hedonistic Mafia party in New York, she discovers and steals Sadaa, a powerful programme capable of causing devastating damage in the wrong hands.
That same night, she meets Donovan Bianchi, the CEO of Jidar Tech and the head of an influential Italian Mafia family. After Donovan intervenes when another man refuses to accept Penny’s “no”, their encounter takes an unexpectedly intimate turn. They part believing it was a one-night stand, neither realising that they already know each other as the anonymous opponents behind a fiercely competitive series of online chess games.
From the opening chapters, Penny’s intelligence, resourcefulness and morally complicated choices made her an engaging heroine. Even when she took enormous risks, I understood the love and desperation driving her decisions, which made her easy to empathise with. I particularly appreciated that her hacking remained important to both her character and the central mystery instead of becoming a convenient skill that disappeared whenever Donovan needed to take control.
Penny begins the story believing that protecting Luke means carrying every burden herself and remaining ready to run whenever their lives become unsafe. Her growth does not require her to lose her independence or protective instincts; instead, she learns that accepting support does not make her weak. Watching her begin to trust others, express her own needs and imagine a permanent home was incredibly satisfying.
Donovan is powerful, possessive and accustomed to maintaining absolute control over his company, family and emotions. However, much of that control is rooted in grief, responsibility and the weight of protecting his family’s legacy. His relationship with Penny forces him to accept care as well as provide it, share burdens he would normally carry alone and reveal the vulnerable man beneath the intimidating Mafia boss. His softer side quickly became one of my favourite parts of the story.
Their chemistry is immediate, believable and HOT, but their connection grows far beyond physical attraction. The dominant/submissive relationship is explicit and intense, yet it is also built around trust, communication and boundaries. I loved seeing the balance gradually shift as Penny learns that she can rely on Donovan while Donovan discovers that surrendering some control is not the same as losing it. The pace stayed fast without rushing the emotional moments, and I loved getting both sides of their attraction, distrust and growing vulnerability.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Donovan’s relationship with Luke. Luke has Down’s syndrome, but he is never reduced to a diagnosis or used only to motivate Penny. He has his own job, interests, opinions and decisions, and his friendship with Donovan develops independently of the central romance. Their interactions reveal Donovan’s patience and tenderness while allowing Luke to remain a capable, fully developed character in his own right. Honestly? Donovan and Luke’s friendship completely stole my heart.
I stayed invested in the romantic suspense from beginning to end, especially as my suspicions shifted between several characters and the corporate threats, family secrets and attacks began to connect. Although I guessed parts of the mystery, the way those threads came together still managed to surprise me. The action-packed final stretch delivered a huge payoff while leaving enough room for the emotional aftermath, and the quieter family and found-family moments gave the story space to breathe between the danger.
My only real criticism is that the wider politics surrounding the Fives remained more abstract than the personal conflict. The immediate danger, corporate intrigue and relationship stakes all felt vivid, but I occasionally wanted a clearer understanding of the wider Mafia power structure and its different factions.
Broken Promise worked for me as an interconnected standalone, although readers familiar with the previous books may find the returning characters and established relationships even more rewarding. The central mysteries are resolved, the characters receive space to recover from the climax, and Penny and Donovan’s romance ends with a satisfying happily ever after.
Tropes
Anonymous Online Rivals to Lovers
One-Night Stand to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Forced Team-Up
Boss × Employee
He Falls First
Mutual Obsession
Protective and Possessive MMC
Touch Her and Die
Who Did This to You?
Hurt/Comfort
Secret Identity
Found Family
Content Warnings
BDSM and dominant/submissive dynamics
Impact play, choking and restraints
Attempted rape/sexual assault
Non-consensual restraint and confinement
References to human trafficking, prostitution and grooming of minors
Physical violence and beatings
Gun violence and shootings
Blood, serious injury and torture
Hostage situations and threats of death
Past parental death, grief and trauma
Ableism towards people with Down’s syndrome
I would recommend Broken Promise to readers who enjoy dark Mafia romance, fiercely protective heroes, intelligent and capable heroines, high-stakes romantic suspense, found-family tenderness and intensely passionate romance. Its greatest strength is the contrast between dangerous, action-packed stakes and the unexpectedly soft relationships at its centre.
The romance balances 5/5 spice with genuine emotional intimacy, the mysteries connect satisfyingly, and Donovan and Luke’s friendship gives the story so much heart. I would absolutely read more from J.D. Ray, and I’ll definitely be continuing with this series.
Thank you to J.D. Ray for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2026
This book is even better than the first two! This book focuses on Donovan, the Don of the Bianchi family & fierce friend of both Karina & Annalise, and Penny, also known as GhostByte, Karina & Dimitris number one contact when they needed information.
The amount of secrets and lies and just straight up betrayal in this book is CRAZY! Penny is going so many secrets in, from not only Donovan, but also from everyone else - afraid to let anyone get even a little bit close to her, and from Luke, afraid to upset him.
Donovan is keeping secrets from everyone, thinking he needs to handle everything on his own, no matter how many times he’s been told otherwise.
The magnetic pull that Penny & Donovan have on one another, no matter how hard they try to fight it, it’s useless. The way he is with Luke? Sigh 😍 That right there is everything. Through brutal attacks, secrets that neither want to give up easily, a hunt to find who is after Penny, and who is after Donovan’s business they they can’t deny what Cecelia has drunkly stated & everyone else already knows.
The plot twists that came at the end? Shocking. Thought i saw the one coming. The other one - nowhere close. At all. And the outcome? Truly beautiful.
I still have questions on who the Black Bear is cleaning up Alphabet City though?
I received this book as an ARC & am writing this review voluntarily
The amount of secrets and lies and just straight up betrayal in this book is CRAZY! Penny is going so many secrets in, from not only Donovan, but also from everyone else - afraid to let anyone get even a little bit close to her, and from Luke, afraid to upset him.
Donovan is keeping secrets from everyone, thinking he needs to handle everything on his own, no matter how many times he’s been told otherwise.
The magnetic pull that Penny & Donovan have on one another, no matter how hard they try to fight it, it’s useless. The way he is with Luke? Sigh 😍 That right there is everything. Through brutal attacks, secrets that neither want to give up easily, a hunt to find who is after Penny, and who is after Donovan’s business they they can’t deny what Cecelia has drunkly stated & everyone else already knows.
The plot twists that came at the end? Shocking. Thought i saw the one coming. The other one - nowhere close. At all. And the outcome? Truly beautiful.
I still have questions on who the Black Bear is cleaning up Alphabet City though?
I received this book as an ARC & am writing this review voluntarily
September 19, 2026
I received an ARC copy of Broken Promises from the author J.D Ray for my honest review.
Penny: Running is what Penny knows best. Her only goal is to keep her brother Luke safe at all costs. Unfortunately for Penny and Luke it only takes one mistake for their lives to be turned upside down.
Donovan: Control is all Donovan knows. Since becoming Don he’s kept his secrets close and his emotions intact. Until her…
“No hand that’s meant to harm you will ever reach you, and that includes my own.”
First off I loved all the characters in this book. I wish I would have read the first two books prior to reading Broken Promises. That being said it is not necessary if you want to start with this book. The author does a great job filling in the little holes of information needed throughout the story.
There was a few things that threw me off about this book. That’s when the masked bear comes in. I almost put the book down because I wasn’t feeling it. I’m so glad I kept going. The pace was good. I do feel like sometimes the story dragged or felt repetitive in a few areas but not enough to throw me off. Overall I enjoyed Penny and Donovan’s story. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for future books from this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Penny: Running is what Penny knows best. Her only goal is to keep her brother Luke safe at all costs. Unfortunately for Penny and Luke it only takes one mistake for their lives to be turned upside down.
Donovan: Control is all Donovan knows. Since becoming Don he’s kept his secrets close and his emotions intact. Until her…
“No hand that’s meant to harm you will ever reach you, and that includes my own.”
First off I loved all the characters in this book. I wish I would have read the first two books prior to reading Broken Promises. That being said it is not necessary if you want to start with this book. The author does a great job filling in the little holes of information needed throughout the story.
There was a few things that threw me off about this book. That’s when the masked bear comes in. I almost put the book down because I wasn’t feeling it. I’m so glad I kept going. The pace was good. I do feel like sometimes the story dragged or felt repetitive in a few areas but not enough to throw me off. Overall I enjoyed Penny and Donovan’s story. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for future books from this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, hacker FMC + morally gray mafia Don?! 👀
Penny and Donovan’s dynamic was captivating. Penny, intelligent, stubborn, secretive, and capable of standing her ground, contrasted with Donovan’s controlling, dangerous, protective, and completely consumed by his feelings once they took over.
What surprised me was the depth of the story beyond the romance. Hacking, a dangerous program people are willing to kill for, betrayal within Donovan’s circle, questions surrounding his parents’ deaths, Penny’s mysterious past, mafia politics, and a vigilante storyline all interwove seamlessly.
And then, there’s the spice. 😮💨
Their power dynamic definitely set the tone for the heat, but I appreciated that trust and boundaries remained important between them. While Donovan may dwell in the darkness, Penny emerges as one of the few people capable of pulling him back from it.
Luke was another favorite character, adding a lot of heart to the story.
I had a few pacing moments that prevented this from being a full five star read, but overall, it was a truly enjoyable dark mafia romance filled with suspense, secrets, and an MMC who takes “she’s mine” very seriously.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Penny and Donovan’s dynamic was captivating. Penny, intelligent, stubborn, secretive, and capable of standing her ground, contrasted with Donovan’s controlling, dangerous, protective, and completely consumed by his feelings once they took over.
What surprised me was the depth of the story beyond the romance. Hacking, a dangerous program people are willing to kill for, betrayal within Donovan’s circle, questions surrounding his parents’ deaths, Penny’s mysterious past, mafia politics, and a vigilante storyline all interwove seamlessly.
And then, there’s the spice. 😮💨
Their power dynamic definitely set the tone for the heat, but I appreciated that trust and boundaries remained important between them. While Donovan may dwell in the darkness, Penny emerges as one of the few people capable of pulling him back from it.
Luke was another favorite character, adding a lot of heart to the story.
I had a few pacing moments that prevented this from being a full five star read, but overall, it was a truly enjoyable dark mafia romance filled with suspense, secrets, and an MMC who takes “she’s mine” very seriously.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Chemistry: 💣💣💣💣💣
Humor:😂😂😂
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Penny has one goal in life: do whatever it takes to protect her big brother, Luke, who has special needs. Donavan's life goal is to find out who caused the events that put him in charge of the Bianchi mafia. An unexpected altercation leads them to each other. While they initially start off strictly physically attracted to each other, they find an appreciation of one another's intelligence.
This book is high on the spice and on the plot twists. One plot twist seemed pretty obvious through the book, but another related to Penny completely threw me off.
The most glaring unresolved issue I found in the book was ChessGhost and Bishop never found out who the other was. That would've been nice to see.
This was the first in the series I've read, but I'll definitely be getting the first two. Karina's story especially sounds interesting to me. Overall, well worth the read!
Chemistry: 💣💣💣💣💣
Humor:😂😂😂
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Penny has one goal in life: do whatever it takes to protect her big brother, Luke, who has special needs. Donavan's life goal is to find out who caused the events that put him in charge of the Bianchi mafia. An unexpected altercation leads them to each other. While they initially start off strictly physically attracted to each other, they find an appreciation of one another's intelligence.
This book is high on the spice and on the plot twists. One plot twist seemed pretty obvious through the book, but another related to Penny completely threw me off.
The most glaring unresolved issue I found in the book was ChessGhost and Bishop never found out who the other was. That would've been nice to see.
This was the first in the series I've read, but I'll definitely be getting the first two. Karina's story especially sounds interesting to me. Overall, well worth the read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2026
I received an ARC copy of Broken Promises from the author J.D Ray for my honest review.
Penny: Running is what Penny knows best. Her one and only goal is to keep her brother Luke safe no matter the cost. Unfortunately for Penny and Luke it only takes one error for their lives to be flipped upside down and inside out.
Donovan: Control is all Donovan knows. Since becoming the Don he’s kept his secrets close to his chest and his emotions sealed until her…
“No hand that’s meant to harm you will ever reach you, and that includes my own.” Oh my I melted
I loved all the characters in this book. I wish I would have read the first two books before reading Broken Promises. With that being said it is not a compulsory must if you want to start with this book. The author does a great job filling in the little holes of information needed throughout the story. This book was fantastic and I cannot wait to read more of jd ray
Penny: Running is what Penny knows best. Her one and only goal is to keep her brother Luke safe no matter the cost. Unfortunately for Penny and Luke it only takes one error for their lives to be flipped upside down and inside out.
Donovan: Control is all Donovan knows. Since becoming the Don he’s kept his secrets close to his chest and his emotions sealed until her…
“No hand that’s meant to harm you will ever reach you, and that includes my own.” Oh my I melted
I loved all the characters in this book. I wish I would have read the first two books before reading Broken Promises. With that being said it is not a compulsory must if you want to start with this book. The author does a great job filling in the little holes of information needed throughout the story. This book was fantastic and I cannot wait to read more of jd ray
September 25, 2026
I was really looking forward to Donovan and Penny's story! Things start off super spicy so it gets a bit repetitive, but I liked how her past was handled. I loved Luke's representation and his story was done well! There were a handful of things in the story that didn't make sense and took me out of it, such as Donovan wearing a silk velvet suit. Silk and velvet are completely different textures. I couldn't picture how they could or would go together. Penny's constantly falling down was a bit annoying. Girl, get some flats! I liked the surprises although I saw the mystery coming a mile away. So this story was a bit of a mixed bag but overall I liked it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy from the author and just finished. It was good! It is part of a series however it can be read on its own! I have not read any other books by this author.
This book checked many boxes for me as a romance reader. I would encourage you to check trigger warnings as there are some darker elements that could be unsettling.
Dominic and Penny meet in an unconventional manner. Their story unfolds with some twists and turns. I love that Penny’s brother, Luke is portrayed in a respectable manner. I was kind of hoping to know more about the other characters but perhaps they are highlighted in the other two books? I didn’t love the ending.
This book checked many boxes for me as a romance reader. I would encourage you to check trigger warnings as there are some darker elements that could be unsettling.
Dominic and Penny meet in an unconventional manner. Their story unfolds with some twists and turns. I love that Penny’s brother, Luke is portrayed in a respectable manner. I was kind of hoping to know more about the other characters but perhaps they are highlighted in the other two books? I didn’t love the ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This fast-paced, high-spice romance wastes zero-time diving into the action, pairing a hacker FMC and her brother—who brings endearing disability representation—with a fiercely protective, surprisingly soft mob boss.
This book was packed with high heat, fun, themes of sexual discovery, and standout lines like, "I like finding you where you shouldn't be, makes my blood heat when I catch you," it delivers an entertaining mix of thrill and heart.
This book was packed with high heat, fun, themes of sexual discovery, and standout lines like, "I like finding you where you shouldn't be, makes my blood heat when I catch you," it delivers an entertaining mix of thrill and heart.
October 4, 2026
Penny was always behind the scenes managing tech while on the run. When she finally takes a moment to pause not only do things catch up to her but her boss from and unexpected night brings its own set of trouble. I loved their dynamic in this book with how they both slowly opened up to something more and shared. Donovan’s relationship with her brother was also a beautiful component I loved a lot. Found family in all sorts of ways wrapped it up!
September 24, 2026
Donovan & Penny's story. Who doesn't love a spicy mafia romance with lots of back stabbing, violence, with a heaping pile of touch her and die. Plus a protective sister who will do anything to keep her special needs brother safe. All in all makes for a page turning tale that keeps you entertained.
September 24, 2026
I was given an arc from the author of this book. If you love dark romance, enemies to lovers, yearning, and good plot, then this is definitely the series for you. I do recommend reading the whole series. The plot was plotting. The characters were brought to life so good that I felt like I knew them personally. Luke was my favorite. Definitely gonna read any and all works this author puts out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Broken Promise was full of suspense & yearning. I loved the dynamic with Donovan & Penny. From the way they met, to how he immediately includes Luke, and how they get the answers they've been searching for. Luke was a great addition to the story! He brought depth and fun which was so refreshing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3½ stars rounded up. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Parts were a little repetitive. And I really hope the typos/errors get fixed in the final version. But I did like the plot, and the FMC & MMC weren't terrible.
September 25, 2026
This is the third book in the Blaze Of Shadows series. Donovan and Penny's story is a page turner. Lots of danger, suspense, deceit and spice. It’s very well written and end engaging. A great read
September 26, 2026
This is a new one for me! I’ve never been the biggest fan of BDSM, but this is more mild/light but still dark romance and I loved it! I enjoyed the story line and all the dark secrets kept that unravels in the end!
September 29, 2026
Mafia and tech combine for an amazing story. Her past is coming for her and her future is mixed with it. Loved the fight she gets when she found who she wants to fight for, from protecting her brother to fighting for love. This was a great book.
September 7, 2026
Full of action, full of spice! This one had a twist I have not seen in any other mafia book. Could not put down.
September 26, 2026
Was expecting just typical Mafia romance. This was so much more. Loved Penny's background and the romance that grows between them.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews