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From Russia... #1
From Russia With Claws
When Alpha female Galina Sudenko agreed to attend her distant cousin’s birthday party, she wasn’t counting on meeting the devastatingly handsome and powerful Rom Alpha, Andrey Lupesco, or having her sexy times with him interrupted by the murder of her idiot brother-in-law, Sergei. But such is life when your father is one of the most powerful werewolves within Seattle’s supernatural Russian organized crime syndicate.
Not content with being just a pretty face and good breeding stock, Galina sets out to make her mark within the family. But in doing so, she runs afoul of her eldest brother, Alexei, the heir apparent to the family dynasty. He has no intention of ceding his position without a fight.
Andrey and Galina’s burgeoning romance is threatened when she discovers that before his death, Irina’s husband, Sergei, hijacked Andrey’s shipment of the werewolf drug, Bullet, a synthetic drug that gives the supernatural creatures a cocaine-like high. Sergei’s theft means that Andrey had a reason to have Sergei killed, leaving Galina to decide whether to risk trusting Andrey even as her feelings for him deepen.
As her brother Alexei’s behavior becomes more erratic, Galina must find the missing shipment, prove to her family that she’ll be a capable leader, and decide whether her lover Andrey can be trusted before she can hope to challenge her brother for his position as head of the family.
A tale full of sexy werewolves, forbidden love, family power struggles, and danger closing in, Gia Corona and Jacey Conrad's From Russia With Claws will leave you howling for more!
Not content with being just a pretty face and good breeding stock, Galina sets out to make her mark within the family. But in doing so, she runs afoul of her eldest brother, Alexei, the heir apparent to the family dynasty. He has no intention of ceding his position without a fight.
Andrey and Galina’s burgeoning romance is threatened when she discovers that before his death, Irina’s husband, Sergei, hijacked Andrey’s shipment of the werewolf drug, Bullet, a synthetic drug that gives the supernatural creatures a cocaine-like high. Sergei’s theft means that Andrey had a reason to have Sergei killed, leaving Galina to decide whether to risk trusting Andrey even as her feelings for him deepen.
As her brother Alexei’s behavior becomes more erratic, Galina must find the missing shipment, prove to her family that she’ll be a capable leader, and decide whether her lover Andrey can be trusted before she can hope to challenge her brother for his position as head of the family.
A tale full of sexy werewolves, forbidden love, family power struggles, and danger closing in, Gia Corona and Jacey Conrad's From Russia With Claws will leave you howling for more!
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
19 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 21, 2015
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
August is an insanely busy month for me, and I’m not referring to real life stuff. I’m talking about the sheer number of must-read Paranormal titles that are in the pipeline. I found out about this book two weeks before it went on sale, and don’t tell the rest of the pretties that are currently sitting in my review queue, but they all got vetoed by Molly Harper, and her werewolves. More sex, and a co-author helped to sweeten the deal.
I know that we’ve only just met, however I straight up LOVED the characters! Galina is a strong, independent woman who’s out to prove that anything men can do, she can do better. Andrey was a great pick for her for a partner; he’s a heavy hitter in their operation, yet he didn’t stand in Sudenko’s way of accomplishing her goals. Konstantin & Nik were SO cute, and Irina was pretty bold for a human. All raving aside though, Alexei & Maksim can go suck an egg!
The story delivered way more than I’d bargained for with its romantic entanglements, crime syndicate style subterfuge, and family double-crosses. When I booted up my Kindle, I fully expected to feel uncomfortable reading this novel in public either because of uncontrollable giggling spurts, or graphic humping. And, although it wasn’t quite as funny as some of Jacey Conrad’s alter ego’s works, the booty calls were on fire thanks to Gia Corona’s Erotica background.
It was the plot that gave this title a leg up on the Paranormal Romance genre, and just on book 1’s in general. I liked the idea of Russian werewolf mafia, and thought that the authors intertwined all three elements to perfection. The point that I am trying to make is that FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is the whole package; the Sudenko’s are a fantastic cast, the HEA provided immediate bliss, and the prospect that additional installments may be in the works is gravy.
FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS was Gia Corona & Jacey Conrad’s first full length team effort, and I’m definitely hoping that it won’t be their last.
August is an insanely busy month for me, and I’m not referring to real life stuff. I’m talking about the sheer number of must-read Paranormal titles that are in the pipeline. I found out about this book two weeks before it went on sale, and don’t tell the rest of the pretties that are currently sitting in my review queue, but they all got vetoed by Molly Harper, and her werewolves. More sex, and a co-author helped to sweeten the deal.
I know that we’ve only just met, however I straight up LOVED the characters! Galina is a strong, independent woman who’s out to prove that anything men can do, she can do better. Andrey was a great pick for her for a partner; he’s a heavy hitter in their operation, yet he didn’t stand in Sudenko’s way of accomplishing her goals. Konstantin & Nik were SO cute, and Irina was pretty bold for a human. All raving aside though, Alexei & Maksim can go suck an egg!
The story delivered way more than I’d bargained for with its romantic entanglements, crime syndicate style subterfuge, and family double-crosses. When I booted up my Kindle, I fully expected to feel uncomfortable reading this novel in public either because of uncontrollable giggling spurts, or graphic humping. And, although it wasn’t quite as funny as some of Jacey Conrad’s alter ego’s works, the booty calls were on fire thanks to Gia Corona’s Erotica background.
It was the plot that gave this title a leg up on the Paranormal Romance genre, and just on book 1’s in general. I liked the idea of Russian werewolf mafia, and thought that the authors intertwined all three elements to perfection. The point that I am trying to make is that FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is the whole package; the Sudenko’s are a fantastic cast, the HEA provided immediate bliss, and the prospect that additional installments may be in the works is gravy.
FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS was Gia Corona & Jacey Conrad’s first full length team effort, and I’m definitely hoping that it won’t be their last.
January 27, 2016
After studying in California Galina returns to her home in Seattle to help out with the family business. That business being crime. She is an alpha-werewolf and a part of the Russian mob. When her sister's abusive husband is killed she enlists the help of Audrey Lupesco, the brutal boss of the Roma mob to investigate.
Adding to her woes, it quickly becomes apparent that her brother is completely unhinged and unless something is done he will take over the family business and usher in an era drenched in blood. Galina has some plans for the family but the Russian mob is conservative a patriarchal. As a woman not only does she have to fight for a seat at the table, she will need to challenge her brother in a fight to the death if she's to have any hope of taking over.
What you really need to know about this book is Jacey Conrad is Molly Harper and there is a reason she's writing under a nom de plume. While the book does have Molly Harper's trademark wit, it's much more violent and sexual than her usual offerings. I can't be sure of this but I suspect some of the lower ratings this book is getting is a reflection of Molly Harper's diehard fans getting offended by the content.
Honestly it's pretty damned brilliant, but if you want cute and quirky you'll probably want to look elsewhere.
Adding to her woes, it quickly becomes apparent that her brother is completely unhinged and unless something is done he will take over the family business and usher in an era drenched in blood. Galina has some plans for the family but the Russian mob is conservative a patriarchal. As a woman not only does she have to fight for a seat at the table, she will need to challenge her brother in a fight to the death if she's to have any hope of taking over.
What you really need to know about this book is Jacey Conrad is Molly Harper and there is a reason she's writing under a nom de plume. While the book does have Molly Harper's trademark wit, it's much more violent and sexual than her usual offerings. I can't be sure of this but I suspect some of the lower ratings this book is getting is a reflection of Molly Harper's diehard fans getting offended by the content.
Honestly it's pretty damned brilliant, but if you want cute and quirky you'll probably want to look elsewhere.
November 3, 2015
I went into this thinking it would be in a similar vein to Molly Harper's other books and it's really not. Yes it's paranormal romance but it's not got any of the humour that I would expect from Molly harper and it's got a lot more sex (probably erotica levels rather than pnr levels. I don't mind sex in a book but honestly after they make out for the 5th or 10th time it just gets a bit repetitive for me, the sex scenes themselves are fine just that there's alot of them and it didn't feel like there was much plot). It didn't really remind me of her style at all, it's perhaps unfair to compare it to her other books when she is writing under a pen name but I found my way to the book from her blog and when I saw the cover I thought it looked like it belonged to a relatively light-hearted book.
It's not a particularly fun book and without the humour the characters aren't particularly likeable (I rarely find drug/crime lords likeable and it's really hard to sympathise with a family who so casually discuss covering up yet another murdered girlfriend for their brother). I just didn't enjoy reading it.
I did like that Galina is a pretty strong character but it was still unpleasant to read just how badly she was treated purely because she was female.
I probably should have read the preview before I bought the complete book, it would have given me a much better idea about the tone of the book and I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I've enjoyed other dark paranormal books but for whatever reason not this one.
It's not a particularly fun book and without the humour the characters aren't particularly likeable (I rarely find drug/crime lords likeable and it's really hard to sympathise with a family who so casually discuss covering up yet another murdered girlfriend for their brother). I just didn't enjoy reading it.
I did like that Galina is a pretty strong character but it was still unpleasant to read just how badly she was treated purely because she was female.
I probably should have read the preview before I bought the complete book, it would have given me a much better idea about the tone of the book and I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I've enjoyed other dark paranormal books but for whatever reason not this one.
January 19, 2016
Galina is an alpha werewolf but her father doesn’t see her as an equal his plan is to marry her off to a successful male. However Galina is determined to make her own name in the family business even if it’s just starting out with an art smuggling business. She’s also determined not to marry someone she doesn’t want to marry even though her father has other ideas. While Galina may be the ideal choice to take over for her father it’s her older brother who will take the roll because girls can’t lead.
It’s at a party that she meets Andrey an alpha her father would never approve of who she can’t deny the attraction for. While Galina may have met her match it’s the least of her issues now that her sister’s husband has been murdered. As if she doesn’t have enough to do working to prove to her father that she has what it takes to run the business. Suddenly another tragedy hits spiraling things out of control forcing Galina to step up against her brother who is determined to be in control. Will Galina have what it takes to survive the storm that is brewing?
I like Galina she’s a tough female werewolf who’s determined to do what it takes to prove she can run the family. She’s exactly what I would expect of a female werewolf living in a male dominated culture. I like that Andrey was able to find a way into her wall and capture her heart he’s exactly what she needed to get her through what she had to deal with. I loved Andrey he’s a good guy who was willing to do what it takes to win her heart. We had some interesting supporting characters I’m looking forward to seeing in the next book.
I’ve had this one on my kindle for a while but never seemed to get around to it. I love a tough yet feminine female werewolf story and From Russian with Claws is no exception. The concept isn’t the typical werewolf love story but it works. It’s a fast paced action packed novel loaded with sexy romance and danger. I liked the character I found them easy to connect with and I found myself rooting for Andrey even though he’s the outsider. I loved the chemistry between the two they are just in sync it works so well for them. The story is well written, captivating and entertaining. Overall it’s a great first installment in an exciting new family and I look forward to seeing how it’s going to expand in the next one. I see lots of potential.
It’s at a party that she meets Andrey an alpha her father would never approve of who she can’t deny the attraction for. While Galina may have met her match it’s the least of her issues now that her sister’s husband has been murdered. As if she doesn’t have enough to do working to prove to her father that she has what it takes to run the business. Suddenly another tragedy hits spiraling things out of control forcing Galina to step up against her brother who is determined to be in control. Will Galina have what it takes to survive the storm that is brewing?
I like Galina she’s a tough female werewolf who’s determined to do what it takes to prove she can run the family. She’s exactly what I would expect of a female werewolf living in a male dominated culture. I like that Andrey was able to find a way into her wall and capture her heart he’s exactly what she needed to get her through what she had to deal with. I loved Andrey he’s a good guy who was willing to do what it takes to win her heart. We had some interesting supporting characters I’m looking forward to seeing in the next book.
I’ve had this one on my kindle for a while but never seemed to get around to it. I love a tough yet feminine female werewolf story and From Russian with Claws is no exception. The concept isn’t the typical werewolf love story but it works. It’s a fast paced action packed novel loaded with sexy romance and danger. I liked the character I found them easy to connect with and I found myself rooting for Andrey even though he’s the outsider. I loved the chemistry between the two they are just in sync it works so well for them. The story is well written, captivating and entertaining. Overall it’s a great first installment in an exciting new family and I look forward to seeing how it’s going to expand in the next one. I see lots of potential.
August 23, 2015
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2015/08/toris-m...
RATING: C+
I was super excited when Molly Harper told me at CMC2015 she was co authoring a new pnr series based on a Russian mob family who just happen to be wolf shifters. So I stalked her until I got a copy. GO ME! A strong, intelligent, sexually free alpha heroine takes the stage front and center as she fights to save the family business from her insane brother and her right to live and love on her own terms in a world where women are nothing more than pretty decorations. Humor and horror go hand in hand as Conrad and Corona build an engaging world that straddles the line between the mundane and the supernatural. Dynamic characters and witty dialogue keep the story moving along at a steady pace. Overall, I enjoyed though there were issues that stood out for me. A bit too much repetition (heroine constantly repeats that she can’t be with the hero due to his family) and there are some plot holes that defied explanation. Regardless, I look forward to reading more of this world.
RATING: C+
I was super excited when Molly Harper told me at CMC2015 she was co authoring a new pnr series based on a Russian mob family who just happen to be wolf shifters. So I stalked her until I got a copy. GO ME! A strong, intelligent, sexually free alpha heroine takes the stage front and center as she fights to save the family business from her insane brother and her right to live and love on her own terms in a world where women are nothing more than pretty decorations. Humor and horror go hand in hand as Conrad and Corona build an engaging world that straddles the line between the mundane and the supernatural. Dynamic characters and witty dialogue keep the story moving along at a steady pace. Overall, I enjoyed though there were issues that stood out for me. A bit too much repetition (heroine constantly repeats that she can’t be with the hero due to his family) and there are some plot holes that defied explanation. Regardless, I look forward to reading more of this world.
October 30, 2015
I really have some mixed feelings about this book. Im pretty sure it didnt work for me but at the same time I couldnt stop reading it. The characters weren't all that developed, the editing was bad, the plot strange but I was pretty glued to it. I just had to see what was going to happen next.
September 25, 2015
I respect that authors want to write in different styles and maybe more serious but this is a huge step down for Molly Harper. The basic idea of Werewolves as mafia crime families is ok. The female protagonist is college educated and competent trying to prove herself to her father in a Werewolf society where women are married off for alliances and expected to keep quiet and produce pups. There is a bit of intrigue going on and it is apparent to anyone but the characters in the book who is behind it all. Galina is a bit hard to like especially since she turns into a quivering mass of lust every time the bad boy alpha so much as touches her. With those hormones I'm not thinking she would make much of a crime boss. I don't mind a bunch of fun sex in a story but the scenes here were pretty poor for erotic urban fantasy. Anyway the pacing seemed jerky and the narrator had about three emotions making the whole journey a bit of a chore to read. The character snark fell completely flat which is a shock considering how funny the author writes. I've loved everything Molly Harper has written so far but this one is my least favorite.
September 16, 2015
I was so happy when I saw that Molly Harper had a new pen name and was coming out with a new book. After reading the blurb I was giddy, I mean come on Molly Harper, werewolves, Russian mafia types and Gypsy's, how could this go wrong?
Sad to say it did for me. I read about 50 pages, was a little bored, put the book aside to finish a different one. Picked the book up, read another 10 pages, put it down to do the dishes, picked it back up. I only made it another 10 pages before giving it up. I'm crushed, this one couldn't keep my attention and I didn't really care for any of the characters. In the end this one just wasn't for me.
Sad to say it did for me. I read about 50 pages, was a little bored, put the book aside to finish a different one. Picked the book up, read another 10 pages, put it down to do the dishes, picked it back up. I only made it another 10 pages before giving it up. I'm crushed, this one couldn't keep my attention and I didn't really care for any of the characters. In the end this one just wasn't for me.
September 12, 2015
4-4.5 stars
This was a really good story. I really liked Galina and Andrey and their story was very good. I've always been a fan of Molly Harper and so when I heard she was writing under the name of Jacey Conrad I had to try her new work. I will say that this story is different from writing under the name of Molly Harper, it lacks the humor but has more sex.
Galina is a wolf shifter and the youngest daughter of the boss for a Russian Crime family (located in Seattle). She's recently home after college and is interested in taking part in her family's business. Unfortunately, her father is rather old fashioned and only sees his daughters as pawns to use for alliances with the other families. It doesn't help that her brother, Alexei, is the heir apparent and seems intent to keep her out of the business.
Andrey is a wolf shifter and the Alpha of his Romanian crime family. They're seen as less than the other crime families because of their heritage but since they have power, the Roms can't be excluded even is they're looked down upon.
Galina and Andrey meet up the party for one of Galina's cousins. There's a strong attraction between them but Galina knows she can never be completely serious about something with him because her father would never allow them to be together. That doesn't stop their chemistry though and Galina isn't above the idea of having some fun with him while she can. When Galina's brother-in-law, Sergei is killed they have no idea who did it but since Sergei had just stolen a shipment of shifter drugs from Andrey, it seems possible he might be the culprit. While Galina tries to figure out who could have killed Sergei, she and Andrey have some dalliances with each other...unfortunately her feelings become more involved than she had planned.
During this time, Galina also tries to integrate herself into the family business. Her father isn't sure about letting her in but Galina works as a curator in a local museum and has ideas on how to make the family money through smuggling of art and such. She believes that if she can get her father to let her make money that way he might start seeing her as a possible heir apparent over Alexei. Since Alexei is a psycho and isn't actually stable enough to properly run the family after their father steps down it seems possible she might be able to bring her father around. The problem is that with Alexei's instability, he is more than willing to do things he shouldn't to take Galina out of the mix so she won't threaten his position. The growing relationship between Andrey and Galina worked well for me but there were a couple of things that didn't make complete sense...maybe it's just my inexperience with the way crime families work. Still, I liked the story and despite the drama and danger that Galina and Andrey had to get through, things worked out well in the end and the couple gets their HEA.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked Galina as the heroine. There were times I wanted her to take the reins a bit more but I could see how it could be difficult within the constraints that come with being part of a russian crime family. I liked Andrey...as an Alpha I didn't understand why he had to do certain things but outside of that I was pretty happy with him as the hero. Overall I thought the story was really good and I'd recommend it. :D
* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and the narrator did a good job. She did well at pronouncing the russian words (with an accent) but wasn't the best at changing her voice for the male voices.
This was a really good story. I really liked Galina and Andrey and their story was very good. I've always been a fan of Molly Harper and so when I heard she was writing under the name of Jacey Conrad I had to try her new work. I will say that this story is different from writing under the name of Molly Harper, it lacks the humor but has more sex.
Galina is a wolf shifter and the youngest daughter of the boss for a Russian Crime family (located in Seattle). She's recently home after college and is interested in taking part in her family's business. Unfortunately, her father is rather old fashioned and only sees his daughters as pawns to use for alliances with the other families. It doesn't help that her brother, Alexei, is the heir apparent and seems intent to keep her out of the business.
Andrey is a wolf shifter and the Alpha of his Romanian crime family. They're seen as less than the other crime families because of their heritage but since they have power, the Roms can't be excluded even is they're looked down upon.
Galina and Andrey meet up the party for one of Galina's cousins. There's a strong attraction between them but Galina knows she can never be completely serious about something with him because her father would never allow them to be together. That doesn't stop their chemistry though and Galina isn't above the idea of having some fun with him while she can. When Galina's brother-in-law, Sergei is killed they have no idea who did it but since Sergei had just stolen a shipment of shifter drugs from Andrey, it seems possible he might be the culprit. While Galina tries to figure out who could have killed Sergei, she and Andrey have some dalliances with each other...unfortunately her feelings become more involved than she had planned.
During this time, Galina also tries to integrate herself into the family business. Her father isn't sure about letting her in but Galina works as a curator in a local museum and has ideas on how to make the family money through smuggling of art and such. She believes that if she can get her father to let her make money that way he might start seeing her as a possible heir apparent over Alexei. Since Alexei is a psycho and isn't actually stable enough to properly run the family after their father steps down it seems possible she might be able to bring her father around. The problem is that with Alexei's instability, he is more than willing to do things he shouldn't to take Galina out of the mix so she won't threaten his position. The growing relationship between Andrey and Galina worked well for me but there were a couple of things that didn't make complete sense...maybe it's just my inexperience with the way crime families work. Still, I liked the story and despite the drama and danger that Galina and Andrey had to get through, things worked out well in the end and the couple gets their HEA.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked Galina as the heroine. There were times I wanted her to take the reins a bit more but I could see how it could be difficult within the constraints that come with being part of a russian crime family. I liked Andrey...as an Alpha I didn't understand why he had to do certain things but outside of that I was pretty happy with him as the hero. Overall I thought the story was really good and I'd recommend it. :D
* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and the narrator did a good job. She did well at pronouncing the russian words (with an accent) but wasn't the best at changing her voice for the male voices.
August 26, 2015
Andrey is just so sexy, and perceptive, "when he spoke again, his voice had gone low and even deeper, like smoke given sound. “You mean to tell me you’re in the bathtub right now? Naked? And wet?” Andrey you sexy beast if you have to ask how was it, you can't be doing things properly, “did that meet with your qualifications for a proper effing, then?” His lips quirked into a satisfied grin." I really liked this book there was a lot of action, and I'm not talking just in the bedroom.
July 7, 2016
If I was going to be a Russian werewolf in a mafia-type crime family, I'd almost like it to be this one. :)
I love the characters, the sex scenes were steamy and occasionally amusing, and the plot was never dull.
Nitpicky complaints; the Russian text threw me off (and out of the story briefly) each time the words came up and I knew who the bad guy was super early in the story.
Still I will definitely read the next in the series when it comes out.
I love the characters, the sex scenes were steamy and occasionally amusing, and the plot was never dull.
Nitpicky complaints; the Russian text threw me off (and out of the story briefly) each time the words came up and I knew who the bad guy was super early in the story.
Still I will definitely read the next in the series when it comes out.
July 2, 2015
1/4 of the way in and I love it! Werewolves! Mafia! Sexytimes! YAY!
Okay, finished. I ship everyone in this book, except the stupid brother. Oooh I hate him. Now I want full books on N and K...oh yes please. Can't wait for Book Two!
Okay, finished. I ship everyone in this book, except the stupid brother. Oooh I hate him. Now I want full books on N and K...oh yes please. Can't wait for Book Two!
July 20, 2016
It seemed like the store could have used a little more editing but it was an enjoyable story. The romance was wonderful and the sexy times were well written. I think beyond the editing my only other issue was with Galina herself, she really got on my nerves here and there.
August 27, 2015
3.5*
I wasn't crazy about the audio, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it
I wasn't crazy about the audio, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it
June 18, 2025
Just what I needed. Reread just as fun.
Want to read
August 19, 2015Jacey Conrad = Molly Harper
February 3, 2017
Galina is the alpha that her brother Alexei isn’t. His jealousy, obsession, and all round terrible business sense have led to so many disasters that Nikolai, Galina’s other brother, has made a career out of repairing his damage. When Andrey enters Galina’s life he brings a sexy undercurrent to just about everything but she’s not going to forget her duties.
I have read a lot of work from this author under a different name and I was surprised at how different the book was from her previous work. The story was serious and the steamy aspects were definitely a little more hard-core. Her style might be different but her ability to create strong characters is still present, and I quickly found myself immersed into Russian werewolf organised crime. The romance is, in typical werewolf fashion, all-consuming and passionate.
I have read a lot of work from this author under a different name and I was surprised at how different the book was from her previous work. The story was serious and the steamy aspects were definitely a little more hard-core. Her style might be different but her ability to create strong characters is still present, and I quickly found myself immersed into Russian werewolf organised crime. The romance is, in typical werewolf fashion, all-consuming and passionate.
July 12, 2017
Half Sex/ Half Story
I love Molly Harper and that is why I read this book. But Harper doesn't have so much sex in her books. Perhaps Harper wrote the story part of this book and Jacey Conrad wrote the erotic half of the book.
This book is interspersed with dripping panties, or no panties. There was more sex than story which was too much for me. And when it all came down to it the characters were all bad guys. Hero, heroine, villain, they were all drug pushing, thieving mobsters. Still they were likable bad guys and the story was exciting.
I love Molly Harper and that is why I read this book. But Harper doesn't have so much sex in her books. Perhaps Harper wrote the story part of this book and Jacey Conrad wrote the erotic half of the book.
This book is interspersed with dripping panties, or no panties. There was more sex than story which was too much for me. And when it all came down to it the characters were all bad guys. Hero, heroine, villain, they were all drug pushing, thieving mobsters. Still they were likable bad guys and the story was exciting.
June 6, 2019
I read this as it says it’s written by Molly Harper using a different name. I like her writing, I like her werewolf stories. But this one? Not really for me. I did finish it but I think I was expecting too much. The Russian names were confusing, the strong alpha female seemed to be just the males sex toy. I won’t be reading the sequel and I’ll just stick to proper Molly Harper books in the future.
I realise you might have a different view on this book and you might rave about it. It wasn’t terrible and if someone else enjoyed it more then me, good 😀
I realise you might have a different view on this book and you might rave about it. It wasn’t terrible and if someone else enjoyed it more then me, good 😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2017
Não é ruuuuuuuuim, mas não é booom.
August 8, 2018
To put it in nutshell, this is the story about stupid bitches from were mob family without an ounce of common sense.
September 1, 2020
3.5 stars. The series is fun and smart, liked that the heroin is an alpha female.
June 20, 2021
~ 2.5 Stars ~
September 29, 2025
A bit to porno for me
November 24, 2015
3.75 stars-
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 18, 2015
When Alpha female Galina Sudenko agreed to attend her distant cousin’s birthday party, she wasn’t counting on meeting the devastatingly handsome and powerful Rom Alpha, Andrey Lupesco, or having her sexy times with him interrupted by the murder of her idiot brother-in-law, Sergei. But such is life when your father is one of the most powerful werewolves within Seattle’s supernatural Russian organized crime syndicate.
Not content with being just a pretty face and good breeding stock, Galina sets out to make her mark within the family. But in doing so, she runs afoul of her eldest brother, Alexei, the heir apparent to the family dynasty. He has no intention of ceding his position without a fight.
Andrey and Galina’s burgeoning romance is threatened when she discovers that before his death, Irina’s husband, Sergei, hijacked Andrey’s shipment of the werewolf drug, Bullet, a synthetic drug that gives the supernatural creatures a cocaine-like high. Sergei’s theft means that Andrey had a reason to have Sergei killed, leaving Galina to decide whether to risk trusting Andrey even as her feelings for him deepen.
As her brother Alexei’s behavior becomes more erratic, Galina must find the missing shipment, prove to her family that she’ll be a capable leader, and decide whether her lover Andrey can be trusted before she can hope to challenge her brother for his position as head of the family.
A tale of sexy werewolves, forbidden love, family power struggles, and danger closing in, Gia Corona and Jacey Conrad's From Russia With Claws will leave you howling for more!
•••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is the first installment in Jacey Conrad (aka Molly Harper)/Gia Corona’s FROM RUSSIA adult, contemporary, paranormal romance series focusing on the werewolves of the Russian mob. This is mob daughter and Alpha female Galina Sudenko, and Rom Alpha male Andrey Lupesco’s storyline.
Told from third person perspective (Galina) FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS introduces the Sudenko family of Seattle, Washington. Galina Sudenko is an alpha female but women are not allowed to serve at the ruling table. After the murder of her sister’s (Irina) husband, Galina goes in search of the evidence that will point the guilt at her brother in law’s own demise. Enter Andrey Lupesco, a Rom alpha werewolf, and the man who would steal Galina’s heart.
Andrey is a Romanian wolf, and as such is not respected within the Russian mob. When a shipment of a new designer drug for wolves known as Silver Bullet goes missing, Andrey suspects that someone from the Sudenko family may be behind the missing shipment. What ensues is Andrey and Galina’s search for the product, and the forbidden relationship between our leading couple.
FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is an entertaining paranormal storyline with moments of sexy fun, humor, and romance, along with some darker scenes of violence and death, and dysfunctional family relations. The large ensemble cast of characters includes our strong, sexy, alpha heroine who is willing to fight for what she wants- she wants Andrey Lupesco, and she wants the head seat at the family table. Andrey is an alpha male, whose positions sits on the fringes of the Russian mob, and with it comes the dark and dangerous world of importing and distributing a new, designer drug. These are not lawful citizens of the USA, but high ranking members of the US/Russian mob.
There are some moments of humor and sarcasm as per Molly Harper’s style of writing, but less prevalent then in her other series and story lines. The premise is entertaining; the characters, although colorful and dynamic, were not very well developed; the $ex scenes are numerous and provocative. There are several issues of repetition that felt like deja-vu, and in some cases almost word for word phrases and sentences.
FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is a welcome addition to any library for fans of the paranormal romance genre. I love the Russian mob trope with shifter wolves.
Copy supplied by the publisher
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 18, 2015
When Alpha female Galina Sudenko agreed to attend her distant cousin’s birthday party, she wasn’t counting on meeting the devastatingly handsome and powerful Rom Alpha, Andrey Lupesco, or having her sexy times with him interrupted by the murder of her idiot brother-in-law, Sergei. But such is life when your father is one of the most powerful werewolves within Seattle’s supernatural Russian organized crime syndicate.
Not content with being just a pretty face and good breeding stock, Galina sets out to make her mark within the family. But in doing so, she runs afoul of her eldest brother, Alexei, the heir apparent to the family dynasty. He has no intention of ceding his position without a fight.
Andrey and Galina’s burgeoning romance is threatened when she discovers that before his death, Irina’s husband, Sergei, hijacked Andrey’s shipment of the werewolf drug, Bullet, a synthetic drug that gives the supernatural creatures a cocaine-like high. Sergei’s theft means that Andrey had a reason to have Sergei killed, leaving Galina to decide whether to risk trusting Andrey even as her feelings for him deepen.
As her brother Alexei’s behavior becomes more erratic, Galina must find the missing shipment, prove to her family that she’ll be a capable leader, and decide whether her lover Andrey can be trusted before she can hope to challenge her brother for his position as head of the family.
A tale of sexy werewolves, forbidden love, family power struggles, and danger closing in, Gia Corona and Jacey Conrad's From Russia With Claws will leave you howling for more!
•••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is the first installment in Jacey Conrad (aka Molly Harper)/Gia Corona’s FROM RUSSIA adult, contemporary, paranormal romance series focusing on the werewolves of the Russian mob. This is mob daughter and Alpha female Galina Sudenko, and Rom Alpha male Andrey Lupesco’s storyline.
Told from third person perspective (Galina) FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS introduces the Sudenko family of Seattle, Washington. Galina Sudenko is an alpha female but women are not allowed to serve at the ruling table. After the murder of her sister’s (Irina) husband, Galina goes in search of the evidence that will point the guilt at her brother in law’s own demise. Enter Andrey Lupesco, a Rom alpha werewolf, and the man who would steal Galina’s heart.
Andrey is a Romanian wolf, and as such is not respected within the Russian mob. When a shipment of a new designer drug for wolves known as Silver Bullet goes missing, Andrey suspects that someone from the Sudenko family may be behind the missing shipment. What ensues is Andrey and Galina’s search for the product, and the forbidden relationship between our leading couple.
FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is an entertaining paranormal storyline with moments of sexy fun, humor, and romance, along with some darker scenes of violence and death, and dysfunctional family relations. The large ensemble cast of characters includes our strong, sexy, alpha heroine who is willing to fight for what she wants- she wants Andrey Lupesco, and she wants the head seat at the family table. Andrey is an alpha male, whose positions sits on the fringes of the Russian mob, and with it comes the dark and dangerous world of importing and distributing a new, designer drug. These are not lawful citizens of the USA, but high ranking members of the US/Russian mob.
There are some moments of humor and sarcasm as per Molly Harper’s style of writing, but less prevalent then in her other series and story lines. The premise is entertaining; the characters, although colorful and dynamic, were not very well developed; the $ex scenes are numerous and provocative. There are several issues of repetition that felt like deja-vu, and in some cases almost word for word phrases and sentences.
FROM RUSSIA WITH CLAWS is a welcome addition to any library for fans of the paranormal romance genre. I love the Russian mob trope with shifter wolves.
Copy supplied by the publisher
www.thereadingcafe.com
November 25, 2015
This review was originally posted on [www.125pages.com]
I have the first three books in Molly Harper's Jane Jameson series and really liked them, but I lost track of her over the years and didn't read anything else she wrote. Then, while perusing Facebook, I saw a post a friend shared about Harper's new series, written under the name Jacey Conrad, so I jumped on the chance to read the first two. From Russia With Claws and From Russian With Fangs feature a Russian mafia werewolf family and the siblings Galina, Nikolai, Alexei and Irina. Told over the same time frame but from different perspectives both books deal primarily with the sisters. Galina is a bad-ass alpha who feels the time of men leading is over and is looking for a place to make her mark. Irina is used to being a bargaining chip and goes where the family tells her to. Both sisters end up being fiercely attracted to the wrong men, and these attractions could take down the whole family enterprise. Were these books deep and meaningful? No, but they were ridiculously fun. Fast paced and with a rich humor, the From Russia books were solid from beginning to end. The world built was very detailed as were the supporting characters. I particularly liked the brother Nik and would love to see his story next. Now I will throw out a content warning; these were chock full of descriptive sex and a M/M storyline. It doesn't bother me at all, I expect my paranormal romances to be steamy, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. When all is said and done From Russia With Claws and From Russian With Fangs were both delightful and I hope number three in the series comes out quickly.
Favorite lines - (Claws) This was her family. Galina would do whatever she had to in order to see them all safe. Even if that meant killing her own brother to do so.
(Fangs) Considering her idiot husband’s well-known penchant for public scenes and over-the-top retribution, it would be quicker just to take a running start at a wood chipper in a desperate act of self-Fargo.
Biggest cliché - "No, no, I don't like you. Let's still do it, but that doesn't mean I like you."
Have you read From Russia With Claws or From Russia With Fangs or added them to your TBR?
I have the first three books in Molly Harper's Jane Jameson series and really liked them, but I lost track of her over the years and didn't read anything else she wrote. Then, while perusing Facebook, I saw a post a friend shared about Harper's new series, written under the name Jacey Conrad, so I jumped on the chance to read the first two. From Russia With Claws and From Russian With Fangs feature a Russian mafia werewolf family and the siblings Galina, Nikolai, Alexei and Irina. Told over the same time frame but from different perspectives both books deal primarily with the sisters. Galina is a bad-ass alpha who feels the time of men leading is over and is looking for a place to make her mark. Irina is used to being a bargaining chip and goes where the family tells her to. Both sisters end up being fiercely attracted to the wrong men, and these attractions could take down the whole family enterprise. Were these books deep and meaningful? No, but they were ridiculously fun. Fast paced and with a rich humor, the From Russia books were solid from beginning to end. The world built was very detailed as were the supporting characters. I particularly liked the brother Nik and would love to see his story next. Now I will throw out a content warning; these were chock full of descriptive sex and a M/M storyline. It doesn't bother me at all, I expect my paranormal romances to be steamy, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. When all is said and done From Russia With Claws and From Russian With Fangs were both delightful and I hope number three in the series comes out quickly.Favorite lines - (Claws) This was her family. Galina would do whatever she had to in order to see them all safe. Even if that meant killing her own brother to do so.
(Fangs) Considering her idiot husband’s well-known penchant for public scenes and over-the-top retribution, it would be quicker just to take a running start at a wood chipper in a desperate act of self-Fargo.
Biggest cliché - "No, no, I don't like you. Let's still do it, but that doesn't mean I like you."
Have you read From Russia With Claws or From Russia With Fangs or added them to your TBR?
April 25, 2016
I didn’t want to go into the second title in this series without the background, and I am oh so glad I grabbed this title. When you add in the troika of werewolves, crime syndicates and family interference this Russian influenced story goes down as smooth as iced vodka leaving you with a pleasant glow.
Galina Sudenko is an alpha female: sharp of wit and tongue, determined and decisive, and wholly unwilling to take a quiet backseat to her brother while he runs the family business into the ground. Oh – the family business? They are mobsters, Russian mobsters with all that it may entail. A cousin’s wedding brings Galina face to face with a competing group’s alpha: the Romany Alpha Andrey. And what a face (and body) he has, and his desires to reclaim a shipment interfered with by Galina’s brother in law Sergei is only put off by the electric connection between he and Galina, and oh yeah – her brother in law turning up dead.
There was a bit of time needed to get into the flow of this one, learning the characters and discovering their personalities. With a solid mix of humor (perhaps not as frequent or pointed as I initially expected) Russian idioms, words and the old school patriarchal feel of the family that Galina is trying to maneuver around, the story keeps opening up new and fresh scenarios while we wander through the dark underground of Seattle.
Both Andrey and Galina are adorable, along with her sister Irina, father, and Konstantin and Nick. Alexei and his changes and arrogance, Sergei and his deadly dealings, and Maksim are all on the ‘dislike’ side of the teeter totter for me, and deserve a dip in the Volga. Add in a touch of heat, a truly clever mystery, just enough annoying family to completely empathize with Galina and this story just flies by.
I purchased a copy of the title for my own library, and have reviewed with no expectations of compensation. All conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
Galina Sudenko is an alpha female: sharp of wit and tongue, determined and decisive, and wholly unwilling to take a quiet backseat to her brother while he runs the family business into the ground. Oh – the family business? They are mobsters, Russian mobsters with all that it may entail. A cousin’s wedding brings Galina face to face with a competing group’s alpha: the Romany Alpha Andrey. And what a face (and body) he has, and his desires to reclaim a shipment interfered with by Galina’s brother in law Sergei is only put off by the electric connection between he and Galina, and oh yeah – her brother in law turning up dead.
There was a bit of time needed to get into the flow of this one, learning the characters and discovering their personalities. With a solid mix of humor (perhaps not as frequent or pointed as I initially expected) Russian idioms, words and the old school patriarchal feel of the family that Galina is trying to maneuver around, the story keeps opening up new and fresh scenarios while we wander through the dark underground of Seattle.
Both Andrey and Galina are adorable, along with her sister Irina, father, and Konstantin and Nick. Alexei and his changes and arrogance, Sergei and his deadly dealings, and Maksim are all on the ‘dislike’ side of the teeter totter for me, and deserve a dip in the Volga. Add in a touch of heat, a truly clever mystery, just enough annoying family to completely empathize with Galina and this story just flies by.
I purchased a copy of the title for my own library, and have reviewed with no expectations of compensation. All conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
August 23, 2015
Review will be posted at www.books-n-kisses.com .
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
From Russia with Claws is Jacey Conrad & Gia Corona first full length novel. I need to address something up front. If you are picking up this book because Molly Harper is writing as Jacey, that is great, awesome and totally wonderful!!!! But stop there, this is not a Molly Harper book this is a Jacey & Gia book. And Jacey & Gia’s books are a LOT different then Molly’s books. Okay back to my review.
In From Russia with Claws we met the Sudenko family. We learn that the Sudenko family deals in not so legal dealings. But while the Sudenko family is trying to stay at the top there is a power struggle within the family itself. Galina’s oldest brother Alexei wants to take over as head of the family. But he is not leader material and Galina will only let Alexie take over the family over her dead body. Which Alexei is more than okay with.
I really really liked. I loved Galina!! There is just something about an Alpha chick that I totally love to read about!!! Oh and man Andrey *swoon*. If an Alpha chick is awesome and Alpha male is even better. Andrey and Galina are combustible together *fan’s self*
The whole case of side characters are wonderful too from Irina to Victor to Nik to Kon. I want to know more about them.
I did pick this book up on audio. This was also the first book I listened to that was narrated by Natasha Volkov. Ms. Volkov did an amazing job pronouncing the Russian names and words. But my biggest issue with Ms. Volkov was that the male voices were too similar to the female voices. Which made it hard at times to know who was talking until it was written into the story. I do hope that Ms. Volkov will work on her male voices, because I think she if can get them down she will do a great job. I have read that other had issue with Galina’s voice but I think it fit in perfectly with who Galina is.
Disclaimer:
I purchased this audio book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
From Russia with Claws is Jacey Conrad & Gia Corona first full length novel. I need to address something up front. If you are picking up this book because Molly Harper is writing as Jacey, that is great, awesome and totally wonderful!!!! But stop there, this is not a Molly Harper book this is a Jacey & Gia book. And Jacey & Gia’s books are a LOT different then Molly’s books. Okay back to my review.
In From Russia with Claws we met the Sudenko family. We learn that the Sudenko family deals in not so legal dealings. But while the Sudenko family is trying to stay at the top there is a power struggle within the family itself. Galina’s oldest brother Alexei wants to take over as head of the family. But he is not leader material and Galina will only let Alexie take over the family over her dead body. Which Alexei is more than okay with.
I really really liked. I loved Galina!! There is just something about an Alpha chick that I totally love to read about!!! Oh and man Andrey *swoon*. If an Alpha chick is awesome and Alpha male is even better. Andrey and Galina are combustible together *fan’s self*
The whole case of side characters are wonderful too from Irina to Victor to Nik to Kon. I want to know more about them.
I did pick this book up on audio. This was also the first book I listened to that was narrated by Natasha Volkov. Ms. Volkov did an amazing job pronouncing the Russian names and words. But my biggest issue with Ms. Volkov was that the male voices were too similar to the female voices. Which made it hard at times to know who was talking until it was written into the story. I do hope that Ms. Volkov will work on her male voices, because I think she if can get them down she will do a great job. I have read that other had issue with Galina’s voice but I think it fit in perfectly with who Galina is.
Disclaimer:
I purchased this audio book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
September 10, 2015
To be honest this book is probably a three and a half star.
I came to this book as a Molly Harper fan. I was hoping for a Molly Harper book with more steamy scenes. But I assumed that since she was writing under a pseudonym, she might be going for a completely different thing. And it turns out she was. Straight out of the gate it was murder, drugs and organized chime. And I have to say it had me worried. While I'm not against an occasional "Bad boy" in my romance. Guys who uses peoples addictions to make a profit, is kind of a huge turn of to me. I did get over it, but it took me about half the book.
It also didn't help that the two main characters where kind of bland. She was the perfect woman, and he was the perfect man. To be honest, it was the side characters that kept me interested for the first half of the book. (I would gladly read a book about Nick and Constantine for instance.)
Enough complaining. When I did get into the book a thought it was great. I recognized the action and suspense that kept me reading in the Molly Harper books. The sex scenes where super hot. And .
In conclusion. If you are considering this book because you want more fun snarky Molly Harper. Maybe be prepared for that this is not that. It is however a steamy paranormal romance. With organised crime.
Finally I want to talk a bit about a thing that bothered me
I came to this book as a Molly Harper fan. I was hoping for a Molly Harper book with more steamy scenes. But I assumed that since she was writing under a pseudonym, she might be going for a completely different thing. And it turns out she was. Straight out of the gate it was murder, drugs and organized chime. And I have to say it had me worried. While I'm not against an occasional "Bad boy" in my romance. Guys who uses peoples addictions to make a profit, is kind of a huge turn of to me. I did get over it, but it took me about half the book.
It also didn't help that the two main characters where kind of bland. She was the perfect woman, and he was the perfect man. To be honest, it was the side characters that kept me interested for the first half of the book. (I would gladly read a book about Nick and Constantine for instance.)
Enough complaining. When I did get into the book a thought it was great. I recognized the action and suspense that kept me reading in the Molly Harper books. The sex scenes where super hot. And .
In conclusion. If you are considering this book because you want more fun snarky Molly Harper. Maybe be prepared for that this is not that. It is however a steamy paranormal romance. With organised crime.
Finally I want to talk a bit about a thing that bothered me
September 21, 2015
I love paranormal books starring werewolves, meaning this one was on the list to be read. What I don't usually read are the darker romances. Quirky, simple and funny are usually my book of choice. I can't tell you how happy I am that I read From Russia With Claws. Crime lords, mafia, Patriarchal Society, and forbidden love add up to one thrill of a read. I was able to have my romance thanks to Andrey (a lower class gypsy crime boss) and Galina (biological werewolf daughter of one of the families). Needless to say by rules of society they would never be matched. He was matched to her adopted human sister in order to save face for her father. Galina was matched to the Caviar King of Russia who was an absolute dweeb. Nothing can stop love, not even the mob or Galina's crazy brother. Galina is smart. She is a strong alpha. She knows what she wants and how to get it. Nothing will stop her from revenging deaths and talking her brother's place at the head of the table. Unlike him she does it the right way. There are murders, explosions, theft, drugs, retaliation, and kidnapping to keep the adrenaline flowning. There is sweet romance, protective instincts, and sex to keep the heart pumping. And best of all there was a fantastic HEA.
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