Reap

Scarred Souls #2

by Tillie Cole

Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.

Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...

Genres: Dark, Romance, Dark Romance, Abuse, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fighters

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2015

About the author

Amazon & USA Today Best Selling Author, Tillie Cole, is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother -- a farmer's daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.
Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.

Having been born and raised as a Teesside Smoggie, Tillie, at age nineteen, moved forty miles north to the 'Toon', Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where she attended Newcastle University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Religious Studies. She returned two years later to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching High School Social Studies. Tillie, regards Newcastle to be a home from home and enjoyed the Newcastle Geordie way of life for seven 'proper mint' and 'lush' years.

One summers day, after finishing reading her thousandth book on her much loved and treasured Kindle, Tillie turned to her husband and declared, "D'you know, I have a great idea for a story. I could write a book." Several months later, after repeating the same tired line at the close of another completed story, she was scolded by her husband to shut up talking about writing a novel and "just bloody do it!" For the first time in eleven years, Tillie actually took his advice (he is still trying to get over the shock) and immediately set off on a crazy journey, delving deep into her fertile imagination.

Tillie, ever since, has written from the heart. She combines her passion for anything camp and glittery with her love of humour and dark brooding men (most often muscled and tattooed – they’re her weakness!). She also has a serious side (believe it or not!) and loves to immerse herself in the complex study of World Religions, History and Cultural Studies and creates fantasy stories that enable her to thread serious issues and topics into her writing -- yep, there's more to this girl than profanity and sparkles!

After six years of teaching high school Social Studies and following her Professional Rugby Player husband around Europe, they have finally given up their nomadic way of life and settled in Calgary, Alberta where Tillie spends most of her days (and many a late night) lost in a writing euphoria or pursuing a dazzling career as a barrel-racing, tasselled-chap wearing, Stetson-sporting cowgirl... Ye-haw!

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!!!

“I fell for our greatest enemy. I fell in deep, and gifted him all of my heart.”

Last year when I read Raze, I went from a normal fan of Tillie Cole’s to super fan girl status. It was one of my favorite books of the year. Then I get the sequel, and I’m nervous. Will it be as good as the first? Not as good? Better? While reading, I was so impressed with Tillie’s writing, the characters and the storyline. I can say with absolute certainty that this book was just as good as Raze. I actually liked it more (which I wasn’t sure was possible).

Talia Tolstaia is a Bravata Princess, the daughter of a boss, and the sister to Luka. She is strong willed and independent. Even though she’s used to being alone, that’s not the way she wants it. She wants love like everyone else.

I’m on my own, have always been on my own. I’d give anything to have that soul-shattering type of love. But how that’ll ever happen in this life is beyond me. Who the hell’s going to date the daughter of a Bratva boss?

Zaal Kostava doesn’t ever remember being a name. Only a number. He’s 221. But he had a life once, a family. And Luka feels he owes that family, one person in particular. Luka does what he has to do. He gets 221 out of the death fighting and tries to help him.



Talia never imagined this Kostava would be someone she would feel anything towards, someone she would show compassion too. The Kostava’s have always been enemies to their family. There is bad blood there. It doesn’t stop Talia from caring for Zaal.

Zaal cant’ ever remember being cared for. He doesn’t know what to think about this woman showing kindness towards him. She cares. Her caring makes him feel things he’s never felt before. Instead of feeling rage, he feels calm when she’s around.

Something inside of me cooled. The rage that always ran through my veins calmed. It was still there, I could feel it bubbling under the surface, but her warm hand had calmed it. I took a deep breath. There was no pain, no poison, just the feeling of her.

This story is connected to Raze in many ways and can in no way be read as a standalone. Not only do you get Zaal and Talia’s POV, you also get some chapters that are Luka’s POV and I think that adds a lot to the story.

Zaal was a character with such strength and beauty. Through all the torment he endured, he was able to move past that damaged past, sacrifice and survive. The fact that he is able to trust or love at all is baffling to me. Talia was also an incredibly special character. She was willing to put everything on the line for love and I adored her for it.

Reap is a fast paced, highly emotional, beautifully written story of true love conquering all. It’s raw, dark and gritty, but also stunning and romantic. Reap is an addictive book you won’t want to put down. I can’t recommend these books enough! Tillie Cole has an amazing series here and after that sneak peak into the next book, I think the best may be yet to come! I cannot wait for it!

“You are… for me. No other male. Just me. And me… for you. This is my ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only.”

I was his universe. Like he was the Earth and I was his sun.

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Super Meh Stars

So...

Once again, I feel cast adrift away from all my friends in the GR sea of reviews on this one.



Seriously though, there must be something wrong with me...



...because I myself can't believe I didn't love this thing.

But, alas, this was me at the end:

*
*
*



And I have no idea why.



Maybe I'm just doomed to fail with this series.



Because I usually LOVE everything Tille Cole writes.

Legitimately though, I just went and looked.

And I have rated EVERY SINGLE Tille Cole book I've ever read (11 in total) 4-5 stars.

Except for Raze, this book's predecessor.

Coincidence?

Maybe.

Or maybe this series just isn't in my wheelhouse of love?



Who knows.

But I digress.

On the surface, this book had all the ingredients that I love.

Tortured badass hero?



Awesome mafia/organized crime backdrop?



Tillie Cole's signature brand of psychological awesomeness?



Possessive Alpha male?

YOU.



BET.



YOUR.



ASS.

221/Zaal's possessiveness of Talia was off the chain awesome.



For real though.

The whole "You are...for me?" thing?



Seriously heart-melting.

And the sexy times?



So why didn't I love it?

It's a conundrum, really.

Because for two characters who had sizzling chemistry and an awesome "connection..."

...they also just didn't.

Don't get me wrong, their connection, while definitely palpable, just never translated past the physical/feral level for me.

And while that's awesome and I usually love that, it also just didn't seem to work for me here.

It just never...got going for me.



They never really talk.

Or actually get to know each other at all.

And while sometimes that works for me, it just didn't in this case.



Right?



Yeah, I don't even understand myself...

Anyway, like I said.

I am TOTALLY in the minority here; so take this review with a grain of salt and PLEASE don't let it deter you from reading this book.

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FIVE YOU ARE FOR ME STARS*****
(ARC Generously Provided by Author in Exchange For An Honest Review)
{BR with my BESTIE Dee}


Talia Tolstaia. My Talia Tolstaia.
I tried to find hate. I tried to despise.
I found only warmth. She was mine.
She had cleansed me. Cared for me. Cried for me. She
was...for me.





This book literally floored me!! I loved it so much more than book one. There's something about a man who has brutal strength and is almost like a wild animal, but at the same time, has the innocence of a young child! I'm a sucker for them!! Also this book was so SMOKING HOT, I actually went and re-read some of the steamier scenes!!! Honestly, I don't think I've ever done that until this book!!!


Luka, aka "RAZE", is on a mission to seek revenge for his friend that he was forced to kill in a death match. Fighter 362. He promised to seek vengeance on the man who had destroyed his friend's family. He learns the name of 362 and that he had a twin brother, who also was made into a slave and fighter in the Gulag. He also finds out that his friend was a member of the Kostava family, which were his family's mortal enemy. Luka doesn't care about past rivalries and conflicts. He's been tortured by the guilt for killing 362 and all he wants to do is make things right. So he sets off to find 221 and free him from the evil man who has been drugging him and keeping him enslaved.



221 aka Zaal Kostava has been given a drug daily for years that makes him a violent killer but also 100% loyal to his master. He does whatever his master tells him to. He is always kept locked in a dark prison. Never allowed outdoors to walk in daylight, and he's never allowed to talk. All he does is kill who his master commands him to, and has sex with the female slaves his master owns, only when ordered to do so for an audience. He has no recollection of his past. He has forgotten his true name, his family, and what has become of them.



Luka manages to save Zaal, and brings him to New York, to his parents beach house. His sister, Talia, has been staying at the beach house, enjoying her extended vacation. Zaal is kept in the basement where there is an actual prison cell installed. He's very volatile because of the drugs that are still in his system. Every day, Talia is captivated by the beautiful man who seems to be very violent and dangerous.



After watching him on a surveillance monitor for days, Talia decides she wants to meet this man face to face. The sparks fly almost instantaneously, and HOLY HELL that scene where she gives him a sponge bath??!! Yea, that was one I went back and re-read and I melted in a puddle of desire!! LOL



As Talia spends more time with Zaal, she sees that he is very much like a young child. He has this endearing innocence about him. Her heart breaks for him when she learns how he has lived most of his life and damn if my heart didn't break as well. The very first time he utters..."You are..for me?", I was a goner for him!!! I swooned so hard!!






Luka and Kisa are in this story quite a bit. They really played huge roles and I think I liked them both so much more in this book!


There's a lot of steam, some swoon worthy moments, and indeed some highly intense action as well! This story had it all. I definitely am so in love with Zaal, and whoa what a cliffy!!!! I had a feeling that was going to happen and I'm sitting here thinking of how the new development will play out in the next book!!!


This one is a MUST READ!! Tillie Cole is such a gifted author. I really don't think she has it in her to write anything that's less than stellar!!

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Our desperate gazes met.
He took a deep breath.
Then he whispered, "You are...for me?"

God. That one line. Who would have thought that my heart could melt and break at the same time from just 4 little words? But when 221; killing machine, savage with no memories of his previous life and raised to be a cold blooded killer, utters those four words to Talia....I was absolutely done for.

Reap is book 2 in Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls series, and while you may read it as a standalone since it focuses on a different main couple and their HEA, I highly recommend you start with book 1. Because while Reap tells the story of Zaal and Talia, it also gives the readers a continuation of Luka through his POV. It builds up on what has begun in Raze and it would connect you to the story that much more having previously read that.

And in that moment I knew- I was losing my heart to the object of my family's deepest hatred.

I have to admit that I was in the minority of not enjoying Raze as much as I'd hoped for so I went into Reap with no expectations and enjoyed it so much more! Most of what bothered me in the first book was not an issue here. The writing was much better; it flowed and the repetitiveness that bothered me in Raze was no where to be found.

I swallowed at the sight of him. I fought for breath at his savageness; his brutal, primitive presence, and I lost all sensibilities.

221 was raised as a prototype for the Georgian mafia's obedience drug. He's a stone cold killer with a bloodlust that only death can appease. He fails to thing, act, or live for himself. He lives for his master's commands and doesn't remember life before or beyond that.

Luka Tolstoi is continuing to deal with the demons of his past. But the thing that haunts him the most is the death of his only friend, at his own hands. When he figures out the connection between 221 and 362, he knows he will stop at nothing until he frees him from his sadistic captors. Having accomplished his task, he brings him to recover at his family's estate where Talia is currently taking a break from the Bratva's stifling leash.

He looked every inch the unpolished savage I'd believed him to be.

When Talia discovers 221's true identity, she knows that he's not only forbidden. He's something else entirely. There's a history there that he's not aware of and she knows all too well. But that doesn't stop her from being intrigued by the savage. During his recovery from the drug that stole his thoughts and memories, she cares for him....but something else begins to develop between them.

Reap is not quite as dark as it's predecessor was. While still leaning on the side of gritty, it wasn't as brutal. It was definitely a whole lot more emotional, however. I think this is in part due to the fact that I had a true connection to Talia and Zaal together. Talia isn't exactly my favorite heroine, but she was much more memorable than Kisa. I loved how she cared for Zaal and the way she fought for him.

Zaal Kostava, you've stolen my forbidden heart."

Reap was absolutely gut wrenching for me. What truly made it as emotional as it was was the connection between Zaal and Luka. There was a particular part at the end between them that actually brought a tear to my cold black heart. It was devastating to read about.

The story flowed smoothly and it was captivating from the very start. My picky self did get stuck on the incorrect translations once again, but luckily the story and the romance was enough for me to turn a (mostly) blind eye to it.

We'd bared our pasts, we'd fought our fates. And at the end, left over was only the purest form of love. Of need. Of US.

There was a tease at the end that has me practically salivating for the next book. So while I got off to a rocky start with Raze, I'm definitely now a fan of the series and can't wait to see what's in store next.

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book I wasn't sure how I would like it. I did like the first book to this series Raze except for the female 'channel talk' was taking away from my sexy time enjoyment. Spoiler-she doesn't use that in this one! Hallelujah!!!
So I had a back up plan in place for this one.


This story is the story of the brother of the guy that saved Luka's life in the first book. He had been taken by the same bad-guy as his brother and Luka/Raze, but he responds well to an experimental drug that makes him a killing machine. These Russian mafia prisons have a way of really putting a guy in a bad mood.

The guy doesn't talk, bathe, do anything except what "the Master" tells him to do. And the Master wants him to kill.
The Master is an asshole.

Luka goes in and gets him out just as Luka's sister Talia is needing a break from the day old shit of being a Russian Bratva's bosses daughter. It's tiring watching all these guys trying to kill each other. So she heads off to the house in the Hamptons. Just happens to be where Luka is bringing the new guy. The new guy by the way is 221.
Once there Talia starts watching him through the house's security cameras.
She finally decides that he needs a bath.


At this time I thought she might be off the deep end. I read lots of books where there is a stalker guy involved but this time I felt like Talia might be headed into stalker chick territory.

She does go down to clean him up and manages..well I'll leave that to your imagination.
*insert me yelling stalker chick right here*

221 is pretty helpless as he is coming off the powerful drugs. He still knows that "master" is coming for him. Honestly, I kinda felt sorry for the guy. Yes, I know I'm acting like I have a heart. I must correct this immediately.
*flushes warm thoughts and concentrates on sexy times*


He is a way bigger tiger than Raze/Luka was in the first book.


Then, I don't know what the hell happened, but I started really liking this book.


It weaves in Luka and Kisa's story and actually made me like them more than I did in the first book. Plus when Talia quit acting like "stalkers are us" I actually liked her story too. *my gawds I don't even know who I am anymore*
There is one question that confused me though...and I may be remembering wrong. Didn't Luka/Raze and Kisa have a baby already at the end of the first book?

In the end I'm recommending this one for smexy time loving readers.


Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.


I'm featuring my friend Suzanne's review in this one. She has some hawt sexy times gifs going there. I think I'm gonna go take a cold shower after that one.

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My affection for this man swelled to fill my every cell. He was perfect for me. In every single way."-Talia



Reap is the second book in Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls Series. Once again, Tillie Cole has brought me to my knees and I enjoyed every single second of it! I am in awe of Ms. Cole's ability to weave action, romance, steamy sex, and a touching story of perseverance in one read. She hits the magical blend every single time! Fans of Raze will be thrilled to be back in the dungeon with the Bratva men and their women.



Talia is a Russian Bratva Princess. She works hard to help support the family business. Although she seems to have it all together, it is simply a facade. She is playing the role she should play as the daughter of a powerful man. But, as her best friend Kisa has found love (with her brother Raze), the void in her life begins to consume her. Talia decides a much needed trip away is exactly what she needs to clear her head from the violent life of the Bratva.

"I needed this break. I'd earned this break. I wanted to be normal. I wanted to be plain old normal Talia from Brooklyn, if only for a little while."-Talia

Raze, Talia's brother (and the damaged hero from the first book in the series), is working hard to avenge the death of his friend. Additionally, he is trying to make peace with himself so that he can become the new Bratva Boss. Before he can move forward with his life, he must locate his friend's twin brother and rescue him from the clutches of an evil captor. However, as fate would have it, the man he is trying to save is a member of the Georgian Mafiya Family and therefore an enemy to the Bratva Family.

"I gutted. I culled. I fucking slaughtered them all."-221

Fighter 221 is being forced to battle to death in the cage, rape women, and face deplorable physical abuse from his master. He lives in the darkness and has no memories of his life before captivity. When Raze rescues 221, he is violent and dangerous as he begins to detox from the drugs that are in his system. Raze delivers Zaal (221) to the Bratva family home in the Hamptons in hopes that he can become human again. Talia is there on vacation and comes face to face to the enemy of her father. Yet, all she sees is a broken man that needs her help.



Despite her fears, Talia begins to heal Zaal. They form an instant bond. Although it begins physical, it rapidly transforms into a deep emotional connection. Zaal and Talia have many barriers to break through. Their story is painful and yet so very beautiful!



"Zaal roared into my mouth. He devoured me with his mouth. He dominated me with his strength."-Talia

"Zaal was in my whole heart."-Talia

Reap is a stunning read full of maximum steam, action, and just enough darkness to enhance the characters within the walls of the Bratva Mafiya world. I adore the dialogue in this series because the Russian language is so beautiful. The plot is well developed and the multiple POV gives us a panoramic view of the emotions felt by each character. The pacing is spot on with enough intensity to keep you on the edge of your seat but it is not in excess where you feel uncomfortable or "angsty" about the outcome.



"Zaal Kostava, you've stolen my forbidden heart."-Talia



Overall, Reap is a must read! It has something for everyone! Tillie Cole is an automatic buy for me and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series! If you haven't met Raze or Zaal yet, get your kindle ready because this is a must read for 2015!


***Scarred Souls Series***


~ARC graciously provided via publisher via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review!~

For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!!

“I was his universe. Like he was the Earth and I was his sun.”

“Reap” is the second installment in Tillie Cole’s ‘Scarred Souls’ Series and it can be read as a standalone since it features two different characters. Since in this second book we met again some characters from the previous installment and their story continue here, I recommend you to read the first one as well. This second book in the series was as fantastic as the first. It was gripping from start to finish, is was dark and raw, twisted, but it was also romantic and emotional.

“He looked every inch the unpolished savage I'd believed him to be.”

221 was raised as a prototype for the Georgian Mafia’s obedience drug. He’s a fighter, a killing machine, a damaged man who doesn’t remember who he is or that a long time ago he had a family. He knows only his master’s face and voice. The drugs destroyed him and he practically lives as a slave. He doesn’t speak or think for himself. He knows he’s 221, just a number.



221’s life change when he is freed from his ‘master’ by Luka Tolstoi (the male main character from book1). Luka has his own demons and his own regrets. He still thinks about 362, his only friend when he was just a number, a prisoner. He still feels guilty for what happened with him, so when he finds out who 221 really is, he’s more determined than ever to do the right thing, to help him become a man.

“Yes, he was vicious. Yes, he was wild, but in that split second there was something more. Something of the real Zaal Kostava still lived inside him.”

Talia Tolstoia is Luka’s sister and the daughter of one of the Russian Bratva boss. She’s a Bratva Princess working as a sponsor recruiter for the Dungeon. She’s strong and independent and she always had been on her own. She wants to be ‘normal’, to be ‘plain old normal Talia’ and to find love.

When Luka brings 221 at the Tolstoi’s estate where Talia is, Talia feels sympathy towards this damaged man. She is drawn to him from the start. He intrigues her.

“…he mirrored how I felt. Especially of late, I felt broken and scarred on the inside. He looked broken and scarred on the outside.”

But when she finds out that this savage man is Zaal, the only living heir of the Kostavas, a sworn enemy of her family she doesn’t know what to do or how to act. He’s forbidden. She knows she should stay away from him, but as the days pass and she cares for him their connection grows and she realizes that he’s the only man for her.

All these years Zaal was alone. No one cared for him, no one spoke to him, no one touched him. But Talia cares for him, she tries to help him how she can. She has a power over him. She takes his pain away and she makes him feel safe.



“Reap” was beautifully written and like the previous book in the series is a story about survival, love and healing. Fast-paced, raw and gritty, gut-wrenching and touching, this story held my attention from start to finish. I enjoyed the plot a lot, but what captured my heart was the relationship between these two characters. I loved them together. And their connection was so wonderful, palpable and they simply melt my heart. They made me swoon so many times. They were perfect together and their tenderness towards each other was fantastic and it simply made me happy.

“I’d showed him the sun, but he’d shown me true freedom. He’d shown me what it was to feel wanted, needed, vital to someone else’s happiness.”

Talia was an endearing character from the start. I liked her much more than Kisa’s character, the female MC from book1. She was so kind and attentive with Zaal and I loved how she cared for him. I also loved how compassionate she was with him and how she truly believed that he was the one for him, fighting for him and doing anything in her power to be his.

Zaal’s story broke my heart. I felt so much for him. He was such a broken soul, but Talia was there for him from the beginning, giving what he needed and so much more. With Talia he was sweet and gentle even if he was ‘just a savage’. I loved how their relationship progressed, how they became ‘more’.

“He devoured me with his mouth.
He dominated me with his strength.
But my heart, my heart was giving itself to him. With every thrust he made inside me, another piece of my heart broke and melded into his.”

All in all, “Reap” was a wonderfully written, unique, refreshing, emotional tale and I highly recommend it!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are...for me."


The second installment in the Scarred Souls series was just a captivating as Raze. This dark, contemporary romance was fast-paced, maybe a bit over the top, but thoroughly enjoyable. Reap introduces Zaal, or 221. Zaal has no memories, having spent the past 20 years under the control of an evil man and a drug designed to make him forget, to take his free will, to turn him into an animal. Zaal is a killer.



In Raze, Luka meets and befriends 362, and I promise for retribution results in Luka rescuing Zaal from the clutches of his master, despite the opinions of Luka's mafia family. Luka takes Zaal to a family beach house, hoping to help him detox from the drugs, to see if he has any humanity left. Talia struggles with the responsibilities of her family and the business, she needs a break, so she heads to the beach, but it seems she can't escape the brutality of her family. She is instantly intrigued by the monster of a man chained up in the basement, spending hours watching him, until one day, when she cannot resist going to him.



I absolutely adored Zaal and Talia together, the strength of love and trust, in the wake of horrible circumstances. Zaal and Talia have many obstacles to overcome, not only the years of abuse Zaal has endured, but also an old family feud. There were so many little moments between these two that me swooning. In addition to the romance, the reader is also given Luka's pov. I loved getting insight into his rise in the mafia world, his struggle with guilt and ultimately his redemption. This is such a unique series, gritty and dark, yet the love stories have such a beautiful innocence and vulnerability, Tillie is a great storyteller. I'm really looking forward to the next book....I have a suspicion about that unnamed female, I need to be right. That reunion would have me all misty eyed.

“Be strong. Keep strong.”

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Eda** · Rating 5 out of 5]

** 4,75-5 “You are…for me?” STARS **

“And one day, a man will enter your life and you will know, without a doubt, that HE IS YOURS. I can’t explain it, but something will snap within you and from that day forth, you’ll be his and he’ll be yours.”

Six months. For the last six months, Luka Tolstoi has been away from the horrors of “the cage”. Six months of trying to adjust to his new world, in which he is the the new “knayz” of the NY Russion Bratva now. The future king of their family, their legacy.

But Luka Tolstoi is like…a stranger to him. He still has a strong itching to embrace his inner demons… Embrace who he REALLY was. Raze. The death-match fighter. Number 818. The fight to keep his monster within himself was proving to be harder and harder every day. Every instinct telling him to go back to where he belongs and to keep on fighting, spilling blood and taking the lives of his enemies. Even the touch of his wife, his heart, his soul Kisa’s soft voice, feathered touches and passionate kisses can't help keep the monster caged-up inside.



And then there is the excruciating guilt gripping his insides, crippling him… The guilt of killing his ONLY friend in a goddamn cage. 362… Luka has failed him once in the cage, and is failing him now. His promise to him to get revenge on the people who sentenced him to the gulag’s cells, finding and killing them one by one, is the only thing on Luka’s mind, screaming at him to DO SOMETHING.



221 is a dark, huge, animal of a man, drugged to kill. A savage fighting ”dzaghii”. A dog, conditioned to obey his Master’s every command. Insane. Unsalvegable. The pain and rage like poison running in his veins, igniting him and leaving no soul behind…



All Talia Tolstaia ever wanted was to get away from her life, and the chaos of her family… She is the great Ivan Tolstoi’s daughter, the new “knayz” Luka Tolstoi’s sister, the sponsor recruiter for “The Dungeon”. A few months of peace and silence isn’t that much to want, right?

But when her brother Luka brings a man with the most mesmerizingly pain-filled green eyes she has ever seen to her, she realizes that running away from your fate is impossible. Talia is now obsessed with this beast. Every fiber of her being claims him as hers. Her heart, her soul, her spirit, all say Zaal Kostava... is Talia’s.

“You are my Zaal, the man whose soul has stolen mine.”

A hard truth: Life is NEVER easy when you’re a Tolstoi. Especially if you have fallen for a Kostava…the enemy.

A Kostava and a Tolstoi?

Is it possible?



I cried enough for a month while reading this book I think... For Luka and Kisa, for the Kostavas, for Zaal and Talia. They all have their own struggles and it was incredible to be a witness of how they get over them.

But someone special again stole the show for me... Someone that shall remain a secret, for the sake of avoiding spoilers. Someone with the kindest heart, and strongest will.

“Be strong. Keep strong.”

And THAT ending with the “Unnamed Female”... I have theories, b*tchez! ;)

“One mole for each of us.”

OVERALL: Read it, b*tchez! If you've read Raze and loved it...then your heart will get all warm and fuzzy with this one... ;)



** ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

** Images taken from Tillie Cole's Official FB page **

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars



Tille Cole delivers a sequel that continues Raze and Kisa’s story while adding a new character to the mix. The new scarred soul, Zaal Kostova is #221. Raze rescues his friend’s twin brother, #221 who has been conditioned to kill and obey. Raze’s sister Talia is drawn to this rescued feral man. Slowly with time, the drugs used to control Zaal for the past twenty years leave his system and he is left with so many question about the man he used to be.

Zaal clings to the one person who makes him feel and shows him his freedom.

”She took the fire and pain away. She made me feel… safe.”



Zaal learns the fate of his family and shockingly that he has fallen for the daughter of family’s sworn enemy. While master is still out and about and must be stopped. Zaal and Talia fall hard for one another.

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I found this story to be very exciting, sexy, heart breaking and although a bit on the caveman side as Zaal learns of life outside his cell, pretty sweet as well. I absolutely love were the story is heading next and most of all how Raze has embraced all of his sides.

“I was the motherfucking knayz of Volkov Bratva.”

[Flo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 **You are.....for me?** STARS

“And one day, a man will enter your life and you will know, without a doubt, that he is yours. I can’t explain it, but something will snap within you and from that day forth, you’ll be his and he’ll be yours.”

Falling in love with the enemy has never been more beautiful and heartbreaking. That was one hell of a book. Broken hero with a heart of gold and a resilient heroine who breaks through all the barriers. One of my friends called it a new twist on Beauty and the Beast. Shout out to you Allison! You are absolutely right. It has a lot more sex and no books, but yeah I can absolutely see the resemblance. ;D

Reap is the second instalment in Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls series and it tells the story of Talia and Zaal.

“Zaal Kostava, you’ve stolen my forbidden heart.”

Talia Tolstaia needs a break. After her brother came back from the dead and her whole world was turned upside down, the Bratva Princess needed some time on her own, away from the family business and all the violence.

Her safe and peaceful vacation in the Hamptons is cut short when Luka brings 221 into the house. The man he rescued from the same kinds of people who held him prisoner for so many years.



Zaal Kostova is a trained killer. He has no other purpose in life, no name - just a number '221' and no memories of anything but his Master who controls his every move. Until the beautiful girl with the blonde hair tells him otherwise.

Talking about taming the beast. That is essentially what happens here. Zaal is drugged out of his mind when he first arrived and getting him to detox and learn the world anew is an uphill battle to say the least. But oh so beautiful. There is some instant connection/attraction/lust going on between Zaal and Talia, but I can most definitely ignore that. The excellent writing alone makes up for the suddenness of the events. You just can't help but fall in love with them.

“He’d come into my life like a storm. A storm I didn’t want, one I’d prepared all my life to hate, to fight. But it brought with it refreshing rain. It cleared the skies and brought out only warmth.”

First and foremost this was a stunning love story. Beautifully written and very emotional. But what really got me was the way Ms. Cole managed to write this book as a natural continuation to Raze. Both Luka and Kisa play a vital role. There are still so many demons left to conquer for Luka and it was so wonderful to see their story continued rather than just being there as bystanders.

Of course Russian Bratva is the focal point as always. There is a lot of history between all the families and even more bad blood. Talia and Zaal's love doesn't come easy and there are a few obstacles to overcome. You know...things like going against the family honour and sleeping with the enemy. Just minor issues, really. ;P

All in all I have to say this is an exceptional book and I'm hungry for more. If you like gritty love stories, that don't stray away from abuse and torture...go right for it. You won't be disappointed and Zaal will capture your heart in no time.

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Reap
Series: Scarred Souls #2
Author: Tillie Cole
Release date: November 10, 2015
Cliffhanger: No
HEAYes



Dark books aren't my genre of choice, but sometimes a book will catch my attention and this series is one that I've become a faithful follower of. Tillie Cole is an author I respect and have had many huge successes with, so I was hoping she would pull me through yet another difficult read with her captivating writing. There's something about her stories that hold me prisoner: the raw honesty, the grittiness. In my experience, I've found her books to be well developed and completely gripping-no matter what genre she chooses to work in. The Scarred Souls series takes you into the Russian Bratva, into the dark places containing unimaginable horrors of abuse and killing. It's not a place with happily ever afters and hope. It's about survival-whatever the cost may be.

In the second installment to the series, we're introduced to Zaal, or 221. In the underground, men and women lose their history, their humanity. They become nothing more than a number and an object to use for monetary gain and entertainment. Zaal is a slave who was captured as a young boy and has been used his entire life as a test subject for a drug that drains his memory, induces a killing rage, and forces his "obedience" to his master. His job is to kill upon demand to help sell this drug that leaves him crippled in pain and rage.

Talia is a Russian Bratva princess, and at this point in her life feeling dissatisfied and unhappy with the restrictions and the dangerous life she has been forced into. When she goes away to a family home to relax and retreat from her everyday stress, she finds the thing she's yearned for the most in the last place she would ever want to look. She finds an unbreakable connection and love with a man who should be her enemy. But her compassion for him, her care and sympathy grow into a slow blossoming affection.



Zaal is just a shell of a man, in fact, he's more animal than human in a lot of ways. He's been so brutalized and drugged that he has no sense of anything anymore. Family, love, affection. These are things that have been categorically removed from his mind.

I'd never seen anyone like him. He was...he was perfect. Yet savagely imperfect at the same time.

But when the drug slowly drains from his system, his eyes begin to open to his new reality. And Talia is right there to cushion his pain and give him comfort when his memories return to him.

My heart was in the enemy's hands. Betrayal of my family brought me to my knees. I had nothing left to give.

Her tenderness any mercy toward him are things that he can't stay away from. She's like his first breath of fresh air since the heaviness of his abuse has been lifted from him. This couple had a beautiful, savage, and forbidden love that really held me tight.



He's no longer a prisoner-he has been freed by a man who vowed to put right all the injustices that have handed out. Luka Tolstoi is his emancipator, and the successor to his family's enemies' empire. These two men escaped the atrocious life they were forced into, and share a bond that neither can deny.

I loved getting Luka's continued story in this book. We get to see his struggles with adjusting to life on the "outside". How he learns to accept the man who has formed from his past while leading the family into the future. This book had a lot to offer-suspense, action, revenge, and love. It had the perfect balance of romance verses the Bratva history and story progression. I never felt like anything was lacking in that regard. I have to say, I was doubtful after reading about what Zaal went through that the revenge would ever be enough. I came to loathe their tormenters and couldn't imagine any retribution that would ever measure up. Well let me just say, Tillie Cole proved me wrong. It was brutal and gratifying all at the same time. Who knew I was so bloodthirsty?

That epilogue...I had a feeling throughout the story who the next book would be about and I was so excited that my prediction was right. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.



FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

**༻Complimentary Copy༺** Provided by the author
"Tillie Cole" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!





TITLE: Reap
SERIES: (Scarred Souls, #2)
AUTHOR: Tillie Cole
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 10th, 2015

MY RATING: 5 AMAZEBALL STARS

Wooohooo Tillie has done it again and placed this book on my special favourite shelf in here!!



~ One day a man will enter your life and you will know, without a doubt, that he is yours. I can't explain it, but something will snap within you and from that day forth, you'll be his and he'll be yours.~

I'll be his and he'll be mine.

I was a bit worried that I would have to do a quick re-cap of BOOK #1 but once you start reading this you get caught up with it pretty quickly, where the previous book ended this picks up..



I was losing my heart to the object of my family's deepest hatred.



You are … for me
I am … for you.
They were our own words.
Straight from the heart.
Because I was his.
And he was mine.
A Kostava and a Tolstaia.
Heart to heart.
Scarred soul to scarred soul.

This is the first time I've ever read a book and wished it was made into a movie, this is one of those times for me, I can't tell you how much I am loving this book, probably more so than book #1 and that landed on my favourite reading shelf in here..This book has just given me more, especially more feels..More heartbreaking moments, he's more broken than Raze, more sit on the edge of your seat anticipation, just MORE of everything..

You’re my twin. Grandmama says we share a soul. We’ll lead together. We will always be together. We’re stronger together. You know this.



My Obsession, my forbidden addiction, he was beautiful, exotic, and ever inch man. A freak, a monster created at the saddistic hands of a bitter, twisted tyrant.

One word sums up this book GAH!! This book shattered me, my heart, my head, my soul and then put it back together piece by piece, page by page, one fugly tear at a time, I freaking cray cray loved this book!! The feels when reading this GAH!! The rage, the anticipation, the nail biting anxiety of not knowing what the author was going to throw at me next made me race through those pages like a addict on crack..

Another thing I loved about this is that Raze makes a big appearance in this book too..

You are...for me. No other male. Just me..And me...for you. These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart,and my heart only ~ You are ... for me.

I know without a doubt I'm going to be heading into one mother of a book funk after reading this!!

I am no longer alone … and my heart is full.

Don't get me started on that ending, that ending will surely carry onto another book in this series..

The teasers I've used are all off the authors page none of these are made by me..

[S.M. West · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 “You are for me” STARS

This is the second book in the Scarred Souls: Raze and Reap series and this must be read after the first book in order to fully understand and appreciate this story.

It begins with Luka driven to fulfill his promise to his friend and brother in arms, 362, by seeking revenge on 362’s captors. It’s through his quest that he discovers 212/Zaal and rescues him. Zaal is more damaged and more drugged than Luka ever was and it’s his story that is told.



Talia Tolstaia, Luka’s younger sister, is drawn to the savage beast, 212, that’s holed up in the same dwelling that she escaped to so that she could get away from the Bratva and all that entailed.

Of course, Talia and Zaal form a bond as she’s the one to bring him back to humanity. Tillie captured beautifully the raw power and rage yet innocence and tenderness of 212/Zaal and what he’d endured.

“Because…you are…for me.”



I latched onto Zaal almost instantly and my heart broke for that 8 year old boy who’d had so much loss, pain and brutality. Like Luka/818 in Raze, Zaal was taken at a young age and beaten, broken, drugged and molded into a killing machine for the Georgina Bratva.



I felt a bit disconnected from Talia and perhaps it was the long gap between Raze, which I freakin’ loved, and this book. I felt a stronger connection to her in Raze, she seemed to make more of an impression on me than she did in this one. It’s not to say that I didn’t like her because I did but I felt like something was missing.

This story is dark, sad and at times, brought out anger in me for the injustice and degradation in the world. Tillie has a natural talent for taking us into the depths of hell on earth and revealing all its ugliness and the ruthlessness of man. Yet, she also shows us that with all things there is a balance and at the other end of the spectrum, she also gives us hope and shows us the relentless power of love and it’s healing force.



While mainly told through the POV of Talia and Zaal, Tillie gave us moments from Luka’s POV and let me tell you, this girl was in heaven!



Luka is my fav and it was truly wonderful to feel his driving passion to honour his friend, 362, and his love for Kisa, Talia and his new found brother, Zaal. It was also gratifying to see him growing into his destiny as Bratva knayz - the Russian Mafia prince.

Finally, I must say, Tillie gave us one hell of a teaser with the way in which this ended. It’s not a cliffhanger of sorts as this story does have a conclusion but it gives us a sneak peek at what’s to come. I’m looking forward to it!

**An ARC generously provided by Tillie Cole in exchange for an honest review.**

For more reviews and blog posts.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live on Amazon - http://amzn.to/1GUJJ8n

I was ecstatic to learn Raze would have a sequel, it was actually my first question to Tillie last year after I finished Raze. I loved this Russian mafia world, the underground fighting and the Volkov printsyassa. These woman are loyal, fiery and love without conditions.

I absolutely love Raze/Luka and I especially love how Tillie used this story to further show the growth in Raze. When the story begins Raze is feeling guilt for having to kill Fighter 362, his best friend, the man responsible for his saving his life. Once he learns of 362’s twin he must find him, that’s what brings on the recovery and rescue of Fighter 221, Zaal. Zaal isn’t just another fighter, he is a Kostava. Kostavas are enemies to his family, but his loyalty is to his friend, because in the world he escaped last names and families do not make a person.

Talia, Luka’s sister, is away on vacation when it is interrupted by Luka. He decides the safest place to take Zaal is to their Hamptons home. She knows her brother was conditioned to fight, to kill, to forget who he is, but Zaal is a lot more damaged than Raze.



I immediately loved Talia when I met her. She isn’t as soft as Kisa, but that actually made me love her even more. She is looking for more in her life. She is tired of just doing what is expected of her, she wants something for herself. She never planned to find that something more in a fighter, a sworn enemy to her family, a man who might be broken beyond repair.

“I’m on my own, have always been on my own. I’d give anything to have that soul-shattering type of love. But how that’ll ever happen in this life is beyond me. Who the hell’s going to date the daughter of a Bratva boss?”

Another reason I love Talia, is her compassion and desire to help Zaal. She sees him for more and shows him love and compassion when he isn’t even sure how to live life freely, again.



This story absolutely broke my heart and made me feel everything, but it also made me love these characters. Talia is brave, loving and selfless. She is by far one of my favorite characters. She wasn’t afraid of the consequences and was willing to give up everything for Zaal. She saw the man he was, not the name he was given. She saw the man he could and deserved a chance to be.

Zaal is completely broken and damaged when we meet him. He has been drugged to kill and forget his identity for years. It takes weeks for the drugs to leave his body, but when they do he is still brainwashed. He believes he is a slave, a dog, and not worthy of being treated like a human. Zaal has been a slave since he was eight years old and reprogramming him and allowing his memories to come back takes time.

Something inside of me cooled. The rage that always ran through my veins calmed. It was still there, I could feel it bubbling under the surface, but her warm hand had calmed it. I took a deep breath. There was no pain, no poison, just the feeling of her.

Talia and Zaal’s connection was beautiful, real and unwavering. I love how they completed each other. Talia’s loneliness isn’t as severe as Zaal’s mistreatment, but they still both needed something from each other. They both received unconditional love from the other and that was priceless to them.



I loved Raze with a vengeance, but I loved Reap even more. Trust me this is huge for me, but this story completely exceeded my expectations. Tillie wrote a beautiful, heartbreaking story about two people whose love defies all. This is by far one of my favorites of 2015 and one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read. This story will break your heart in two, but leave you feeling more whole.



ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I loved the first novel in this series, Raze, this book was...



And if GR would let me give out more stars I would definitely have more to give...but...



And this book has just the right amount of darkness...

221 is a beast...an animal...trained to kill and obey his master...drugged to forget his past...and sentenced to a life in the darkness...



Talia Tolstaia is Raze’s sister and the princess of the Russian Bratva. She feels lost and because leaving her family isn't an option she retreats to the Hamptons to find herself again. But her time alone is disturbed when her brother brings to the house a very large, very bruised, very dirty and very naked man...221...



When she finds out that man is actually Zaal Kostova, the heir of her's family nemesis she feels nothing for him but hatred. As time passes she starts to feel something more for the broken man and decides to help him...



This was a such a beautiful love story and it truly reached my heart...I just loved them together :D



I don't want to say more...it's up to you to pick up this novel and give it a chance because I truly think you'll love it. It's not as dark as Raze but I didn't feel the need fore more...it's just...

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 “You are… for me” Stars.

In this second instalment we have the story of Talia, Luka’s sister. Talia is looking for love and not being very lucky at it… what she didn’t expect was to find it in the strange man his brother keeps hidden in his basement.
Zaal was imprisoned by the same man who imprisoned Luka and lived a life of a slave, only raised to kill in fights. He has no recollection of his life before being a slave and kept in a dark cell most of his life, we doesn’t know how to live in the outside world either. Until the day Luka rescue him and give him another chance at life.
He immediately falls for Talia, the sweet girl who comes to see him while he tries to adapt to a new reality, but when Russian mafia, criminals and family fights are in play, what chances do they actually get?



Despite this book being slightly over the top and the insta-love had bothered me a little bit, this was another great reading by Tillie Cole.
Talia, although a sweet and nice enough heroine, had some annoying nuances and her personality didn’t seem very developed besides a sweet woman looking for love. However, Zaal definitely compensated for that, since he was a really good hero, considering his past.
Overall, this was a sweet, romantic, sexy and emotional reading that will definitely bring out your feelings. And if you liked Luka and Kisa’s story, you’ll be happy to know that they play a major part in this book and you’ll see a lot of them.



Rating: 4 stars.
Steam: Hot.
Sensible Subjects: Abuse. Violence.
Love Triangle: No.
Cheating: No.
HEA: Yes.

[Dee Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

****4.5 ~rodstvennaya dusha~ Stars***** (Soul mates)

(ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley)
(BR with Patty)

Gripping and electrifying; Tillie Cole takes us on another level of greatness with this second book of the Scarred Souls series. Nothing could take me away from this book as I was reading it, I felt the pain, the love and the sadness inside Zaal's heart. I specially loved how Talia's strength was what ultimately brought him out of the darkness. They made such a wonderful couple and their story was simply stunning and yet full of scars...



Talia Tolstaia is a Russian Family Mafia princess. Although she doesn't usually follow the rules, she is destined to follow the same family protocol as every other Russian woman, when it comes to her future. Her parents give her some leeway because they realized she can't always be tamed, and now that her long lost brother Luka is back, the family is focused on helping him rebuild his life.

A war is approaching between the different Mafia organizations and Talia finds herself fed up with the events, so she decides to take a break and head to the family's beach estate up north and away from Brooklyn. On her second day there, her brother shows up with a mountain of a man that looks to be a prisoner. Turns out the man being held hostage in her basement is both the enemy and the missing piece into finally finding peace for her family.

At first Talia is upset with her brother Luka for bringing this man to her doorstep, but as the days go by she grows more curious about him. Huge, strong and brutally beautiful, Zaal is a man in need of care and Talia feels compelled to help him, even though she knows that getting close to him is so wrong and it means going against her moral ethics.

Zaal has never been cared for. He doesn't know sweet or kindness. He has been programmed to kill, stay quiet, and just follow orders. So when a female that looks like an angel is giving him all this foreign attention and making the fire and the need to kill inside him settle, he knows she is for him. Talia was made for Zaal, to help him fight the demons he has lived with all his life.

Zaal has a hard exterior but on the inside he's very naive and sweet, and from the moment Talia looked inside his jade colored eyes she lost her soul and her heart to him, forever. Death and past grievances will get in the way of these two lovers. Will their love be strong enough to conquer and change the laws and traditions that have been established for centuries? Read this amazing story of unconditional love and find out...



If you loved Raze, I can guarantee that you will love Reap even more. In this second book of the Scarred Souls series, we not only get the love story between Zaal and Talia, but we get a glimpse inside the lives of Raze and Kisa, as they struggle between their past lives and their present and future together.

My most favorite thing in this book was the always present theme of unconditional love, whether it was between friends, siblings or lovers. All these characters shared a fierce sense of loyalty and love that just makes this books completely memorable.

DO NOT miss the chance to read this book. It is intense and full of romance and thrills. I loved it and cannot wait for more...

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIVE AMAZON http://amzn.to/1O1eqrX

4 STARS

“Take my hand, Zaal. Let me show you the truth. Trust me, always trust me.”

It's true that Tillie Cole is a brilliant author!Reap is addictive and you can't stop reading until you finished the book!I love her writing and I'm willing to read whatever she writes! Each of her stories are intense and emotional. You will not read a book of hers without crying. She knows exactly how to touch your feelings with her stories! This is exactly what happened to me with Reap! This book was so emotional,dark, intense, heartbreaking and hot!




I liked that we see again Luka and Kisa even though this is Zaal and Talia's story.My heart broker for Zaal, what happened to him was terrible and I liked that Talia was there for him! He was so vulnerable and sometimes he was like a child but this was only due to what happened to him!He is so sweet with Talia and intense!I like him a lot!Talia is strong and she cares for Zaal! These two are perfect for each other! They are so erotic and intense when they're together! Their love is so strong and you can't stop yourself from aching for them to be happy!!




This is another great series from Tillie Cole that you should definitely check! I'm so excited for the next book!!

* ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars



This book sat on my shelves for months before I finally decided to give it a try a few days ago. I love Tillie Cole, she is one of my favorite authors. But from the moment this book was published, my instincts were telling me not to read it. Why? I don’t know. Call it the sixth sense.

It turned out my intuition was only partially right. I did enjoy reading this book. It’s Tillie Cole after all. The writing is great and the storyline is unique. And Talia and Zaal's love story is simply beautiful. Their powerful magnetic pull and their love in its purest form really touched my heart. This dichotomy between the savageness and brutality on the one hand, and tenderness and innocence on the other is portrayed so skillfully that only an author of great talent could pull it off.

I did, however, have a problem with connecting to the storyline. I didn’t care for the plot or the secondary characters. Everything outside Talia and Zaal’s little world felt uninteresting and boring. And on top of that, there were some minor inconsistencies that really bothered me but I won't go into details because it may spoil the story. OK, maybe I'll just mention one. The hero was so severely unkempt and dirty that I couldn’t help but wonder what his teeth must have looked like. (Don't look if you don't want to be spoiled!)



Let’s just hope for the heroine’s sake that this Type A drug had somehow provided an anti-cavity protection too.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read which left me with a slightly unsatisfying after-taste.

Overall rating: 3 stars

Writing style: 4 stars
Story: 3 stars
Flow of the story: 4 stars
Character development: 4 stars
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Secondary characters: 3 stars
Tone/mood of the book: 4 stars
Emotion evoking: 4 stars
Originality: 4 stars
Enjoyment: 3 stars
Effect on me: 3 stars

[Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are.....for me?"

Every now and then, and it's not often, I'll start a book and know within the few short pages of the prologue that this book is going to rock my world. Ladies and gentlemen, this book did that to me. Reap rocked my ever-loving darkish-read world! I do believe it's now taken number one spot for darker romance for this year. And that's no small feat for this dark romance fanatic!


First of all, Reap CANNOT be read as a standalone. The plot delves fairly deep into the various Russian and Georgian mafia families and you need that background from Raze. Not to mention, Raze is an fan-freaking-tastic book too- where the characters Luka and Kisa have their incredible lovestory told. They've also got a fairly big part in this book as well.





I don't think it's prudent to delve deeply into plot with this book. It just needs to be experienced. The entire time I read this, I thought I was reading fanfic of Beauty and the Beast. Throw in a visual of the caveman tendencies we saw in Kristen Ashley's The Golden Dynasty's hero, Dax Lahn, and you'll get a feel for the hero in this book. A man trained to fight to the death, drugged to elicit the insane compulsion to kill. How can he rejoin society... civilization when he's been treated like a vicious dog...a number...the number 212.


How? Through the love of a beautiful woman...the daughter of the leader of the Russian Bratva...Talia Tolstaia. Both their families borne of hatred for each other yet Talia cannot resist the pull to help this broken soul.






Tillie Cole has the ability to write about the absolute filth of human nature, making scenes so vividly clear, I cringed inside. Yet what always rises from the ashes are beautiful love stories of epic proportions. She's done it with her Hades Hangmen series and she's done it here. One is a motorcycle club series, the other Russian Mafia/gulag fighter series. It's suspenseful, brutal and violent, yet an utterly beautiful love story rises from the pages.







I absolutely fell in love with Zaal and Talia's journey in Reap. Talia, the rich, powerful bratva princess yet so alone in her fiercely protected daily existence. Zaal, the beaten and battered stone-cold killer that can barely communicate- yet with compassion and kindness, a bond is formed. Yes, this book is a lot bit graphic at times but the love story was simply swoonworthy romantic for me. I'm in the mother of book hangovers because this is the kind of book that sets itself apart from everything else I read from day to day.







Thank you, Tillie Cole, for writing a refreshingly different story of love borne from hate and pain. Of compassion and that pull from deep within- of two kindered spirits who find love in the most unlikely of circumstances.

"I am for you, Zaal, eternally. I am forever for you."

Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review. 


 

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing is that it's not just a new part, it is a continuation of the previous one and we get here more and more. Amazing! I do not know if I could ask for anything more. Well, maybe as early as now the next part. Obviously.

“Zaal Kostava, you’ve stolen my forbidden heart.”

***Quick Review:***

Series: The second in the Scarred Souls series. It is continuation with new heroes. Should not be read independently.
Grade/Tag Tabs: Romantic Suspense. Dark Romance.
Release Date: November 10th, 2015.
Main characters: 221, Zaal Kostava is a puppet in hands of the Georgian mafia. Captivated twenty years ago, using beating and drugs, he was stripped of his humanity. Is a killer, who listens only to his master. Talia Tolstaia is a daughter one of the Russian Bratva Bosses. Luka Tolstoi’s sister. She is tired of aggression and lack of freedom in her life. She wants be a normal girl and dreams of true love.
Secondary characters: In this book, we still have Luka pov, which means that we have more of Kisa and Luka relationship and how he copes with the new "knayz" duty.
Steamy: Yes. Some great hot steamy scenes, especially the scene on the floor.
Sensitive topic: Yes. Abuse. Murder. Aggression.
Love triangle: No.
Cheating: No.
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA: Yes.

Next in the series? Yes. Next book Ravage August 16th 2016. I think "unnamed female" will be Zoya story.

***

About the plot: This story starts where the previous ends. Luka Tolstoi can not cope with the lack of revenge that he promised his friend, 362. When he learns how can avenge all insults and settle all scores, he doing everything to keep his word. Will it bring only a danger to him and his family? Or turnover of events can bring anyone happiness? Because the thing is that this person whom he so eager to break free is the greatest enemy of his family. And then the real part begins.

Final thoughts: The story is just as good and addictive as the previous part. It not only meets all my expectations, but also encouraged to wait for the next part. Because now we know that this is not just another book, it's a series that every time not only allows us to meet new characters, but also brings a lot of new information and scenes with a couple who we already loved. And how not to enjoy that?

It was great to learn more about what going on with Luka and Kisa after their difficult times. So strong link with a new further story opened up many new solutions and fulfill a previous part.

But it is mainly Zaal and Talia story and it is touching and heart-breaking. No less dark and raw, perhaps even brings more emotions. This what Zaal survived is devastating. Sometimes it's difficult to even read about. But that what makes this bitter book - sweet is a forbidden love. Excitement and uncertainty that accompany it, is exciting and consuming. Not without reason we have comparing it to Romeo and Juliet, but in a completely new fresh version.

"He’d come into my life like a storm. A storm I didn’t want, one I’d prepared all my life to hate, to fight. But it brought with it refreshing rain. It cleared the skies and brought out only warmth.

Once again I have to say that, but I love the wildness, yet gentleness with which Zaal cares about Talia. There is something dangerous and seducing in a dark side of the hero. And totally melting in his moments of vulnerability. So, so beautifull. And this hot scene on the floor! Amazing!

“You are … for me. No other male. Just me. And me … for you . This is my, ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul.

I've always loved Tillie Cole books, they give us something new, addictive and wonderful. These are unforgettable stories. And I really can not say more, because it's just worth reading yourself.


***

*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

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[* Meli Mel * · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥ ♥ ♥ 5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

“Zaal Kostava, you've stolen my forbidden heart."

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

When I read Raze, I loved it. It was dark and crazy, but so good. When I heard there was a second book in the series, I was ecstatic but I was also really scared that this one wouldn't be as good. I am so glad that my worries were for nothing because I actually enjoyed this one a lot more.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

'Talia Tolstaia. My Talia Tolstaia.
I tried to find hate. I tried to despise.
I only found warmth.
It was her warmth. She was mine.
She had cleansed me. Cared for me. Cried for me. She was...for me.'

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

Zaal Kostava has been 221 for as long as he can remember. He knows nothing about his past, he only knows that he has to kill for Master. Luka Tolstaia feels like he is indebted to Anri Kostava, because of him he survived. Now Luka will do whatever he can to pay him back and get revenge for him. After finding out that Anri has a brother in the same situation they were in, he will not stop until he saves him too. When Talia wants a bit of an escape from the Bratva life, she heads to their home in the Hamptons. Only for her time away to be disturbed when her brother Luka shows up with a savage man being hauled into their basement. She can't believe that the man is a Kostava, he is from the family her family hates. She needs to stay clear of him. But, every time she sees him through their security cameras, the more she seems to be drawn to him. The heavy drugs he was on are wearing off, and the true man he is begins to resurface. No matter what she tells herself, there is no way she is leaving him alone.





This story was beautiful and captivating. I found myself not being able to stop turning the pages. I absolutely loved Zaal. He made me swoon and melt so damn hard. It was hard to see him struggle with his memories since he seemed to be stuck in a fog after the drugs left his system. He was vulnerable but strong and possessive. He was just so awesome. Talia was a pretty strong heroine as well. She was patient and caring towards Zaal, something that was so novel to him since he has only been hurt by his Master. It was so heart warming to see them grow closer to one another. I could feel the connection between them so strongly that I couldn't get enough. I also really liked how Talia stood up for Zaal, when no one ever had.

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

“You are… for me. No other male. Just me. And me… for you. This is my ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only.”

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

This book was so great. It wasn't as dark and raw as Raze, but it wasn't fluffy either. It was a gritty emotional read, but the heaviness was elevated by the heart warming romance between Talia and Zaal. The story line was very interesting and the turns it took made it only so much better. I highly recommend this one. I just can't say enough how much I loved it. The ending has left me craving the next installment. I already have some theories of who that mystery woman could be, so I can't wait. I really hope that the next one will be as good the previous two.

[Hannah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rating this book 4.5 stars. Honestly I was hesitant to read this series. And the book description didn't really attract my interest. Fortunately, I'm glad i decided to try this series out. I really loved reading this. The characters just fit together beautifully. And I liked all of them. Zaal, I loved his character and he was perfect for this book. Him and Talia i honestly felt they were perfect for each other. This book was the perfect length and pace. And i read through this all in one sitting.
This book was real, it draws you into the story and makes you feel. This book touched me and the way they both said i love you to each other made me emotional. Even though this book wasn't very long everything you need in a book was there. I loved and enjoyed reading this. I have to say i'm surprised by this read and would recommend others to try it out. The reason this book isn't 5 stars is Talia. I liked her and she was the prefect character for this read. But Zaal's character overshadowed her in the book. We know who Zaal is but who is Talia? All we know is that she rebellious.
P.S. I read the 4th book in this series first, because i thought each book in this series was stand alone. Its not, there all connect although you don't need to read the books prior to the one your reading to understand whats happening or happend.

[Choko · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 4 ***

A buddy read with the ladies at Abtastic Ab Loving Geishas and my friend, the lovely Aileene in particular, who research books with abs on the cover for science!!!

This is the second book in this dark and gritty series of mafia, cage-fighting, torture, lives wasted in misery and broken souls finding their broken mates, of loneliness and completion, of family, loyalties and betrayals. It is a book with characters living by different rules, where life and death are a blade with a twin edge and all walk on it every second of their lives... Happiness is not a given, life itself is not guaranteed. A place where even Happy Endings are not what we think Happy should be, but it is survival and sometimes that is a victory of its own.

" ... " I wanted to bring death; I wanted to rip out someone’s fucking soul. The monster within me wanted out and I was losing the battle to keep him at bay.” ..."

Zaal Kostava has been made into a monster. A true monster has broken him and made him into an obedient, voiceless, killing machine, there to fulfill his master's every whim. Drugs, conditioning and training have wiped out any memory of times past, of family or even daylight. He thinks what his master wants him to think, does what his master orders him to do, and kills when his master takes his leash off... 21 years in a dark cell, being experimented on and every thought of self beaten out of him, his own name erased and only his number tattooed on his chest giving him a designation - 221... He belongs to Master.... That is, until Luka Tolstoi takes him away from the Master and gives him a chance to detox and try to create a life for himself....

Talia Tolstoi is lonely. Actually, she feels that life is passing her by and she yearns for the love she sees between her brother Luka and her best friend, Kisa. She has grown up with the stories of the true love shared by her grandma and grandpa, and she has always wanted that true love for herself.

"... I’m on my own, have always been on my own. I’d give anything to have that soul-shattering type of love. But how that’ll ever happen in this life is beyond me. Who the hell’s going to date the daughter of a Bratva boss?..."

While seeking refuge from the family business in the Hamptons, Luka brings a savage looking, almost primitively wild naked man and places him under guard in the Hampton Mansion where she is residing... Talia is drawn to the broken creature and her fascination with him becomes an obsession. After weeks of observing him, she decides to help and learn more about him. The meeting of those two very different people with broken places within them, is heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Their loneliness and the horrors that have been perpetuated on Zaal's person act as magnets and their connection is immediate and electrifying. His brokenness, a lot like Luka's in the first book, is so soul-shattering, that at times you want to do anything to heal the open, gaping wounds... The honesty of the attraction between them is refreshing and his naivete when it comes to emotion, love and caring is another stab in the heart!! When she helped him with his hygiene and was kind to him, he actually deducted from that that she is his present, his to keep, a girl "for him"... I am going to be a total cliche and quote here the most quoted part of the book, but it really describes best his way of thinking:

" ... "You are...for me. No other male. Just me..And me...for you. These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart,and my heart only ~ You are ... for me. ..."

*Swoon*... Right?!?!

So, there is plenty of angst and drama, most of it in the first half of the book and it is a bit slow at that time. However the book ends with a Bang and makes up for the slower development in the beginning. Talia and Zaal are the main characters, but we get to catch up with Luka and Kisa quite a bit, as well as learn a bit more about the conflict between the Russian and Georgian Mafias. The sexy times are .... well, sexy as well as plentiful. Not for the younglings and parental guidance might be in order. For all the rest of us, who love our romances with some action on the floor, against the wall or under the sheets, as well as a hot, but bad and broken book boyfriend, this one is a good choice. It is very alike the first book in the series, but that is to be expected in this case. I for one plan on reading the rest of the series as it comes out.

Thank you to Aileene and the Abtastic Ab Loving Geishas, who relentlessly and tirelessly pursue the science of the contextual sexiness of the books with Abs on the covers, and how they relate to the quality and satisfaction they deliver to the readers. We are still in the process of collecting data and no results are available as of this time. But we will continue gathering as much data as possible, have no fear!

Now I want to wish all Happy Reading and may the books you read always bring you a sense of satisfaction:):):)

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

The last time I read a Tillie Cole book, my review/updates went a lil’ something like this . . . .



But, you know, sub out Goodreads for Facebook. (In what may be a sad turn of events for any of you poor schmucks reading this, I did not repeat the mistake of drunkenly reviewing this one.)

Normally after having a notsagreat experience with the first book in the series I’d give the remaining stories a wide berth. Dat cover tho . . . .



I mean for realz. Since I am nothing but a disgusting bookslut I totally downloaded Reap immediately when it popped up on my library’s “Recommended To You” window (see - even the librarians knows I’m a whore).

Okay, so about the book. This picks up where Raze left off. Luka (the artist killing machine formerly known as Raze) and Kisa are attempting to have their happily-ever-after, but Luka is haunted by the promise he made to his fellow Gulager/bestie/family’s arch enemy to avenge his honor. When Luka discovers another Kostava brother is still alive/enslaved by the fight club (shhhhh, don’t talk about the fight club) to be a super killing machine due to being injected repeatedly with a new drug he vows to save him. Which of course he does and brings him to the Tolstoi family vacation home in the Hamptons, currently occupied by his sister Talia. And then Talia is all . . . .



But it’s totally okay and not creepy stalkerish behavior at all since she has a vagina and is not a 100 year old sparkly vampire. No really, it is totally okay because this is a porno and DUH . . . .



There has to be some sort of catalyst in order for it to start happening, right? So that’s that. Boy saves boy and moves him in with sister. Sister creepily watches boy while he sleeps which morphs into giving him a spongebath with a happy ending, they fall in love and make much sex. Stuff and things happen, more sex, the end. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Now here’s the part all you ladies (and/or gentlemen) have all been waiting for . . . .

“His black hair fell below his shoulders . . . I could see defined high cheekbones and dark stububle covering his face. Even under the swelling and blood I could see that his lips were full. His skin was dark olive . . and he was nothing but hard muscle. Every inch of his tall frame, perhaps six foot six, corded with protruding veins and roping brawn.”

I’ve been around the porno block a time or twelve enough now to know that Jason Momoa is cast A LOT by horny old ladies to fill the role of the leading male, but this one was legit Momoa alllllllllllllll the way down to the three little moles under his eye . . . .



To top it off, the leading lady was a petite long-haired blonde with brown eyes so most would probably have a splooshtastic good time fantasizing about this kind of thing . . .



Since my brain likes to march to the beat of a different drum, I kept picturing Talia more like this . . .



Still worked. #trustme

The plot might have not been real deep, but luckily it made up for things with deep penetration instead. Reap also brought something new to the table (for me) – the “anti-Alpha.” While Zaal was built like a brick shithouse/killed errrrrryone in his past life/only made with the bangbang when ordered to for clients who liked to watch, he was 100% submissive in the sack and Talia took the lead. And also he was all . . .

“You are . . . for me. No other male. Just me. And me . . . for you. This is my, ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only.”

So y’all might want to invest in some plastic seat covers, because it gonna be like . . . .




ORIGINAL "REVIEW":

Oh looky here at what just came up on the "Recommended to You" section by the porny librarian. Yep, I requested it . . . .

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★ 3 Stars ★★★



This is the continuation of Raze and focuses predominantly on his sister Talia and the man that he rescues in order to honour his best friend who he fought in a death match.

Zaal, known as 221 has been a slave for twenty years and forced to kill brutally and without hesitation. Raze wants retribution and as well as wanting to bring the men down who kidnapped him and many other young boys to turn them into underground fighters, he wants to help the man who is the long lost twin brother of his dead best friend.

Talia is a Russian Mafia princess who is completely spoiled and rebellious. at first she is frustrated that her brother has bought this shell of a man, dirty and beaten, to their house in the Hamptons, but he intrigues her and can't help but watch on the CCTV as he is locked up in the basement, withdrawing from the terrible drugs in his system.

It pains me to say this, but I did not enjoy this book as much as the first, I just did not feel a connection to the characters, in fact I felt that the heroine was extremely shallow and one dimensional. There was a huge case of the insta-love which did not feel believable to me, one minute she is feeling sad that she thinks she will never find her true love, and then as soon as Zaal turns up she realises very quickly that she loves him. A bit convenient I thought, I needed more build up in that respect.

The sex scenes were great, but I think Talia was more interested in getting off than actually helping this poor man with his mental heath.

Overall, I liked it but it wasn't my favourite by this author. I really hope that the third instalment Ravage will follow a different format than the first two in order to make the romance element a bit more unique.
ETA - I have just read the blurb and it sounds really different, I am very excited to read it.

Reap is part of a series. A dark romance, told in multiple POV's

ARC gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Elfina Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains major spoilers, so please don't read if you haven't read the book!

...Compared to Raze, this was a huge disappointment. Even now I'm struggling because I'd been hopping for more. For all the talk and watered down version of how ruthless the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC is, he proved himself to be weak and pathetic. His most trusted advisers, soldiers and guards showed the same cowardice traits. From the lack of fight, resistance, finding their dog and making a deal to recapture.

Secondly what was the point of Luca going after Zaal? He knew everything happening to 221, so his solution was to take a feral man, throw him in a basement and leave him alone with his sister. Nice bro! Thanks for getting me killed in my sleep! Honestly what was Talia suppose to do with him? She was clueless to what her brother endured how in the hell was she suppose to help a stranger?

I couldn't understand that, sure some of you'll argue he had guards protecting her but do you really think they could stop Zaal/221 in a blood lust? Tillie Cole is an amazing writer, I'm not ready to give up on her yet. In the meantime I'll be anxiously looking forward to her next release! Happy reading.

[Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆4 You are for Me Stars☆☆



Tillie Cole is one of those authors I've just recently discovered and I will surely be devouring all of her books when RL gives me a break! I really liked Raze, actually I LOVED Raze. So I was excited about this one. This definitely reminded me of Beauty and The Beast and that is one of my fave storylines.

While I really liked this one, there were some things that rubbed me the wrong way. A few being I didn't quite connect with Talia. Some parts were a little too caveman for me and I had to pause at times because the story did start to drag a bit.

Overall, even with that said, this was still an awesome, intense, dark read and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

[• Jodi Bibliophile • · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I'm sitting on my bed trying to process what I'm feeling.

I've just finished REAP by my Queen Tillie Cole.

My throat is hurting from groaning, eyes are swollen from the tears, my pillow case is marked with mascara, chest is hurts from the anxiety and I have a fucking headache.

^^^THAT is why she's my Queen^^^

No fucker can bring as many emotions out of me like that fucking woman!!

HOLY FUCKING ANAL BEADS!!!!

I don't know whether to hug her or punch her in the vagina after I finish her books!! She always leaves me feeling like THIS!!!

In case you have lived under a fucking rock then you will know how much RAZE means to me! The book took me through the worst emotional roller coaster of me fucking life and straight away became one of my all time favourite books with my Raze; my 818; my Luka becoming one of my top book boyfriends (I even took his last name- that's some serious shit right there!), so when Mrs Cole told me a while ago that she was writing REAP I fucking bawled me fucking eyes out!

Yep, I could hardly contain myself and was waiting for that day when I would finally be reunited with my boy and now I've finished it and I don't quite know what to do with myself.

I don't want to go too much into this story as I know some girls haven't read RAZE yet (some of them are my so-called friends...I know, right!) but I will say that if you thought Raze was broken then you wait till you meet 221; Zaal.

Fuck me his story broken my fucking heart and it just kept fucking breaking as I went into the story! He had such a beautiful soul, I just wanted to hug and protect him...and FUCK HIS FACE!!

Fuck my holes he was so fucking HOT!!! Oh and Tillie, the scene when Talia put his hair up...that was soft porn to me so THANK YOU!

Zaal and Talia together fucking warmed me all over! You felt EVERYTHING they both felt for each other! A love story that will last a lifetime.️ I just loved them together so much!

Now I don't want to take away 221's thunder as this is his book BUT my boy also has a POV in it to so I just have to say...

My 818; My Raze, you made my belly go funny and my vagina all gooey. You still own my heart now as much as you always have and I don't think I could love you anymore if I tired.

You are a FUCKING LEGEND and that second Kisa called your name as you was walking to the door on your way to kick fucking arse and she said 'RAZE HELL, BABY', yeah I had goosebumps and the biggest boner!! I LOVE YOU MR. TOLSTAIA <3

Oh damn it now I can't stop thinking about him!!

I loved this book so fucking hard!! I loved being reunited with these characters again and meet some new ones along the way.

Man, this fucker of an adventure will take you to fucking hell and back!!

I never wanted it to end and miss it already!!

You will cry and want to beat the shit out of something but this book is so worth the pain!

ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY AMAZING!!

Oh and one more thing...

THAT FUCKING ENDING...that's all I'm saying.