Heated Redemption

Enduring Vendettas #1

by Kaya Sable

This is not a story where the silver fox mafia boss wants the twenty-year-old innocent heroine.
I’m in my forties, and the mafia boss wants me.

Bianca
My husband is dead—and the man who killed him is his rival.
I thought his rival wanted my daughter.
Instead, he wants me.
He claims our marriage will solidify his place in our cold, dangerous world. But when he looks at me with those dark, simmering eyes, I wonder if he remembers the spark we felt years ago, before the world showed us its cruelty…
He’s my only savior, and I’ll marry him for protection, not for love.

Michael
She was the only woman I ever wanted, and the one who married my rival.
For years, I waited, methodically planning for the day when she would be mine.
Now, Victor Rossi is dead, and I’ll stop at nothing to take over his empire…
And his gorgeous wife will help me, whether she intends to or not.
In the end, Bianca matters more than any empire, and I’ll stop at nothing to build a world where she can feel safe enough to open herself to me…in all the ways I desire…

If you enjoy a sizzling second chance mafia romance with a feisty heroine and a hero who will stop at nothing to claim her, settle in and enjoy Bianca and Michael’s story. Content information is listed in the beginning of the book and on the author’s website.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2026

About the author

Kaya Sable writes steamy romance with powerful men, passionate women and love that consumes.

Reviews

[readingromancehea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Kaya Sable for this arc in exchange for an honest review

When Michael saw Bianca it was love at first sight. He knew no one else would ever compare to her. The problem with that is she’s forced to marry someone else. Michael wants to save her but he knows he can’t. How will Michael survive without her? Determination to ruin her husband.

I love that Michael calls Bianca “Stella”. Stella means Star in Italian. Michael and Bianca’s first meeting was cute. The way Michael was so smitten with her so fast was nice to see. Michael knew he would be able to treat Bianca better than Victor. The plan Michael had was a good one. That night when Bianca went to meet Michael broke my heart. Bianca went through so much pain with Victor. It’s so sweet how after all that time Michael was still so in love with Bianca.

[Tay (Read With Tay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY COW.

I got this book this afternoon and I literally finished it just now… I binged the heck outta it. This is what I would call a “mafia-lite” romance that isn’t heavy on the violence and tells the story of second chance lovers. I loved Kaya’s writing style and I cannot wait to read book 2!

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is from a new author, well, their pen name is new. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out who it was 🤐

Heated Redemption: A Mafia Second Chance Romance (Enduring Vendettas Book 1) by Kaya Sable delivers exactly what its blurb promises, a steamy, intense tale of long simmering desire, power plays, and reluctant redemption in a dangerous mafia world.

The story centers on Bianca, a woman in her forties who’s recently widowed after her husband (a mafia figure) is killed by his rival, Michael. Far from the typical “innocent young heroine” trope, Bianca is mature, feisty, and fiercely protective of her daughter.
She enters a marriage of convenience with Michael for protection, believing it’s purely strategic. ( 😉 yeah, right)

Michael, the obsessive “silver fox” mafia boss (though the blurb cleverly flips the age dynamic), has waited years to claim her after she given to his rival. His pursuit blends ruthless ambition to seize her late husband’s empire with a deeper, almost reverent longing for Bianca herself.

What stands out is the second chance element, there’s history between them, a spark from years ago that’s never fully extinguished. The tension builds from mutual wariness and old wounds to explosive chemistry.

Michael’s possessiveness is intense, he’ll burn the world for her safety, but the story gives Bianca a voice. She’s no passive damsel, her feistiness shines through in sharp banter and moments where she challenges him, making their dynamic feel earned rather than one-sided.

The romance is sizzling, with plenty of heat that lives up to the “heated” title. Expect dark, passionate scenes that explore desire, vulnerability, and trust building amid danger.

The mafia backdrop adds stakes, rivalries, power grabs, threats to family, but it doesn’t overshadow the emotional moments.

Themes of redemption, healing from past cruelty, and creating safety in a brutal world gives it something more than pure spice.

Pacing keeps things going, the initial forced proximity ramps up quickly, leading to confrontations and revelations.

If you love alpha heroes who are obsessed, heroines who push back, and that addictive blend of danger and devotion, this hits the spot. I loved his pet name for her (makes a refreshing change from baby or sweetheart)

If you’re craving a mature take on the trope (no barely legals here), with feisty chemistry and a HEA that feels right, settle in.
Bianca and Michael’s story is addictive, steamy, and surprisingly heartfelt.

Looking forward to more in the Enduring Vendettas series!

🦋

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ALL of this author’s books and when I found out she was writing mafia romance under a new pen name, I could not run to pre-order fast enough! Heated Redemption was SCORCHING, y’all! We have rival mafia families who are battling for control of the east coast. When we open the story, Bianca is a young woman in her early 20’s, about to be given by her father to the head of another mafia family to cement and alliance—a much older man who she does not want to marry. She has one night of an intense connection with Michael Caruso, who is trying to bring his family’s name into prominence, but these star-crossed lovers don’t get their chance… yet! I love that this is a second chance romance, and I love that this story, like many of this author’s stories feature middle aged characters. When we catch back up to Michael and Bianca, they’re both in their 40’s, and this silver fox and this hot mafia wife definitely scorch the pages. Bianca has a daughter that she will do anything to protect, and Michael is equal parts hot, possessive and a good guy you want to root for. The steamy scenes are grab your fire extinguisher hot, and the pacing stays good and quick, making this the perfect length read to enjoy in just a day or two. I was totally cheering for these two, and also for two more couples I hope we are going to see get books! 5/5 stars!

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heated Redemption, book one in the Enduring Vendetta’s series follows Michael Caruso and Bianca Santoro. Michael and Bianca first meet when both are still young, and for Michael he is instantly attracted to the younger beauty even though he knows her father has plans to marry her off to a rival mafia family leader, Victor Rossi’s. Michael promises to save her, but things don’t go as planned and it takes him far too long to kill Victor and claim Bianca as his own, and in return for marrying him, he will help keep Bianca’s daughter Alexis safe. But can Michael get her to remember the feelings they once shared that fateful night long ago? Or will Bianca only use Michael to keep her and her daughter safe?

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. Bianca's life has not been the easiest. Her daughter is her one focus in a world of violence. And when the unthinkable happens: her husband dies and leaves her with nothing, she turns to the one man she had a brief connection with 20 years previous. But Bianca's strength comes from her ability to take things in stride. Her calmness and even-tempered realism hides a depth of emotion that she draws from. Her willingness to find solutions where only problems present make her a FMC that can be connected to. This story ends on a cliffhanger, so I will need to wait to see if Bianca and Michael are able to rekindle their flame in book 2.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a ARC from the author, the following review is my honest opinion:

AHHHH we LOVE a man who yearns!

This was Kaya's first mafia romance book and god I hope it won't be her last. It was a nice, short little jammer that would only take you a few hours to finish but you'll definitely want more books after reading this one!

I had so much fun with this book. The characters were fun, the banter was funny and the storyline was great. Michael is the doting, yearning, romantic silver fox daddy everyone needs. I also love Bianca's sass.

I CANNOT wait to read the next book with Alexis and Nick ASAP

[Rosa Dunahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance mafia romance. Micheal and Bianca love journey doesn’t start out easy. She is committed to an arrange marriage to someone else and he vows to protect her even from a far. He keeps his promise and when she and her daughter are in danger she turns to the one man who she thinks betrayed her. She would do anything to protect her daughter. And he would burn down anything that treats her.

This is a mafia light story. Both mc are older and more badass together than apart.
It’s an incredible beginning to the series. I can’t wait to read Nick and Alexia story next.

[GroceReadsAfterDark · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Read your trigger warnings**

Michael has such a kind heart when it comes to Bianca. Loving her from a distance without being noticed. Who knew a strong Mafia man would wear his heart on his sleeve. Bianca was strong and stubborn. She only cared about her daughter just like any mother would. She had a strong heart no matter what. I truly enjoyed this book. It kept me question what will happen. I felt every emotion reading this. Even though it left me on a cliffhanger. Totally not okay lol, I need book 2 Asap.I have so many questions that need answered.

[Owella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this mafia romance! I really liked that the FMC was in her 40's as well. Spice, drama, angst, ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ I couldn't put this book down and finished it quite quickly.

Bianca and Michael have a history that no one knows about and it finally all comes to a head. Michael has waited long enough but is Bianca on board? She has more than herself to worry about now.

I can't wait for the next book, I just know the characters are going to keep me on my toes when reading!

[Brenda Satlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start with the second chance genre is not my favorite but I did really enjoy this one- it has has suspense, intrigue and spice!!
Michael fell for Bianca the moment he laid eyes on her- but the Mafia life had other plans for them.
It takes decades but Michael is able to eliminate Bianca's husband which then paves the way for them to finally get their HEA!!
I absolutely LOVED how Kaya has set us up for book 2!! Nick and Alexis's book can not come soon enough for me!!!

[FeralForFiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an honour to ARC read this book, it was easy to get into and kept my attention, I enjoyed reading it.
It's a Mafia, second chance, spicy romance but not too heavy on the violence.
It does end on a cliffhanger, setting up nicely for book 2! Looking forward to reading the next one!
Make sure to check the triggers 🖤

[Cindy Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. By the third sentence I was hooked. Michael fell hard for Bianca making me fall for him. The obstacles they had to go through broke my heart. I can’t wait for the second installment to come out.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story about finally getting the love of your life after so many struggles. What an endearing story about everlasting love mixed in with some mafia wars.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is on the shorter said so it only too me a few hours fly through it. I love Bianca and Michael's story. It was definitely worth the read for me and cant wait to read the next book.

[M S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do i begin what an amazing read fell in love instantly with all the characters loved every bit of if it bianca and michael are a perfect it is an emotional need book 2 like now kaya ahaha

[Danielle Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance Romance. Obsessive love. Marriage of convenience.
All of the above!

[Brandi Venema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. This is a Mafia romance with the MMC being morally gray but merciful to people. The FMC is very feisty and out spoken about the unfairness of her situation. They are separated for over 20 years before they are reunited. She had been married and had a child who just turned 20. Her husband is killed by Michael and mother and daughter find that their husband/father made sure they got nothing in the end. After finding and hiding delivery information for future shipments they end up running to Michae and the stiry unfolds from therel. I loved the book and can't wait to read the second one I need to know what happened to the daughter and nephew.