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Russian Love #1
Russian Lullaby
A case of mistaken identify lands graduate student Giancarla Bonetti in a heap of trouble, only to be rescued by Bratva interrogator Vitaly Synvolka. Sensing that she's his final opportunity to save what's left of his humanity after a lifetime of brutality, he offers the innocent young woman three options: go back to her life and be killed by the thugs who kidnapped her; go far, far away and start a new life at a new school and hope the thugs don't find her; or, marry him, accept his protection, and finish her degree.
Option #3 isn't as easy as it sounds.
Option #3 isn't as easy as it sounds.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2016
172 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Holly Bargo
42 books145 followersI've been writing stories since I was old enough to put pencil to paper. My mother raised me on books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Carol Ryrie Brink, Elizabeth George Speare, Marguerite Henry, and Walter Farley. Wilder and Farley are probably contributing factors to my decades-long love affair with horses, particularly Morgans.
Horses comprise a significant part of my life. We didn't live on a farm and my parents didn't like horses, but that didn't stop me. I bought my first horse weeks before my 15th birthday with money earned from working at the family's ice cream parlor. Having passed 50 years old, I still have horses, two of which are Morgans.
In my early teens I started reading romance and fantasy: Danielle Steel, Barbara Cartland, Jude Devereaux, Jayne Anne Krentz, David Eddings, Robin McKinley, R. A. Salvatore, Jack Chalker, Orson Scott Card. Years later, I quit devouring everything the library had to offer and started narrowing my choices. I wrote for the high school newspaper and got a few encouraging nibbles on short stories submitted to magazines.
In college I majored in English, because literature is my "thing." Except, I didn't want to read the musty old stuff written by long dead men; I wanted to write and be read.
Fast forward to now, after 30 years of marriage, two children (one in college and the other serving in the military), I never lost that habit of writing, regardless of how little encouragement--or even active discouragement--I received.
So, now I write romance and paranormal romance. I enjoy writing it and hope you enjoy reading it.
Horses comprise a significant part of my life. We didn't live on a farm and my parents didn't like horses, but that didn't stop me. I bought my first horse weeks before my 15th birthday with money earned from working at the family's ice cream parlor. Having passed 50 years old, I still have horses, two of which are Morgans.
In my early teens I started reading romance and fantasy: Danielle Steel, Barbara Cartland, Jude Devereaux, Jayne Anne Krentz, David Eddings, Robin McKinley, R. A. Salvatore, Jack Chalker, Orson Scott Card. Years later, I quit devouring everything the library had to offer and started narrowing my choices. I wrote for the high school newspaper and got a few encouraging nibbles on short stories submitted to magazines.
In college I majored in English, because literature is my "thing." Except, I didn't want to read the musty old stuff written by long dead men; I wanted to write and be read.
Fast forward to now, after 30 years of marriage, two children (one in college and the other serving in the military), I never lost that habit of writing, regardless of how little encouragement--or even active discouragement--I received.
So, now I write romance and paranormal romance. I enjoy writing it and hope you enjoy reading it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
May 2, 2016
Damn...I want a Russian mobster of my own...*sigh*
I really enjoyed this. It's not for the faint of heart. Vitaly is not a nice guy. He does bad things to people. But I have to say, he knows how to treat a woman and love her with all he has. I really, really want the other guys' stories....hint, hint Ms Bargo....
I really enjoyed this. It's not for the faint of heart. Vitaly is not a nice guy. He does bad things to people. But I have to say, he knows how to treat a woman and love her with all he has. I really, really want the other guys' stories....hint, hint Ms Bargo....
May 11, 2016
I love a Russian mob book. It's so good to read how a very strong powerful man treating his woman with tenderness and love.
The story was about Vitaly, 34 and Gia, 25.
Gia was kidnapped and beaten only because they thought she's the one they were looking for. Vitaly bought her to them and brought her home (his home). He gave her three choices and one of them was to marry him which was the choice she chose.
He married her right away. He's a dangerous man but he was so good to her. He was so protective. And when something happened to his wife, his revenge was brutal.
The story was really good. I just wish there's an epilogue to know more about their future.
SAFETY:
The story was about Vitaly, 34 and Gia, 25.
Gia was kidnapped and beaten only because they thought she's the one they were looking for. Vitaly bought her to them and brought her home (his home). He gave her three choices and one of them was to marry him which was the choice she chose.
He married her right away. He's a dangerous man but he was so good to her. He was so protective. And when something happened to his wife, his revenge was brutal.
The story was really good. I just wish there's an epilogue to know more about their future.
SAFETY:
April 28, 2016
I heard good things about this one and I am relieved to say they were all true. Vitaly was so frigging hot and sweet. Gia was a great heroine and not annoying in the least. The side characters were interesting and I hope we get some books about them.
Overall an highly enjoyable read!
Overall an highly enjoyable read!
April 30, 2016
Low angst, Russian mob book. Heroine was oddly accepting of her plight. Especially after her grandfather fixed the problem. No clue why she stayed the course.
The suspense plot made little sense and the end was a bit extreme and confusing (like who was the woman, who did she work for and really why Gia?).
Safety gang
The suspense plot made little sense and the end was a bit extreme and confusing (like who was the woman, who did she work for and really why Gia?).
Safety gang
cr-purgatory
May 3, 2016From CC:
"No OW/OM drama
When she is kidnapped she is beat up and the hero bares her breasts to look for a tattoo - in front of a gang who in turn want her.
Later the hero bares the breasts of the villain to look for the tattoo and then cuts it off. Off camera he tortures the female villain.
None of this bothered me, but I know some are sensitive to violence against women."
This may be safe from OW/OM drama, but violence against women is a no-no for me. Eeew, fuck.
Thanks for the warning, sraxe! And thank you, CC, for your review!
CC's Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"No OW/OM drama
When she is kidnapped she is beat up and the hero bares her breasts to look for a tattoo - in front of a gang who in turn want her.
Later the hero bares the breasts of the villain to look for the tattoo and then cuts it off. Off camera he tortures the female villain.
None of this bothered me, but I know some are sensitive to violence against women."
This may be safe from OW/OM drama, but violence against women is a no-no for me. Eeew, fuck.
Thanks for the warning, sraxe! And thank you, CC, for your review!
CC's Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
i-couldn-t-finish
April 28, 2016This book did NOT work for me.
I couldn't get past him
I was really disappointed. I was sure this one would be a winner. Sadly, it was not.
I couldn't get past him
I was really disappointed. I was sure this one would be a winner. Sadly, it was not.
April 30, 2016
Difficult review to write
I've honestly no idea where to start with this review.
Firstly this book ticked so many boxes for me I liked all the characters but especially Vitaly and Giancarla, I liked the story, the situation they found themselves in, the fact that they had to get married, their growing feelings and attraction for each other, the fact she was a virgin, I liked that while he's Russian Bratva she's Italian Mob.
You get the idea, I liked a lot.
I'll admit I was excited when I started reading this, it was just what I'd been looking for but then....
It started with Maksim and Olivia, it seemed like I'd missed their story so I stopped reading and checked but couldn't find anything.
One of the problems for me was I wanted more, I wanted background not only on Maksim and Olivia but also Giuseppe and Giovanni Maglione and Montoya, what exactly was her story?
Parts of this book worked really well, some didn't work at all and others seemed almost like a rough draft with the details to be added later. It was jumpy in places and while it started well at times it had me rolling my eyes and shaking my head and I found myself cringing at some of the dialogue.
But despite the above I still enjoyed it and would check out future books in this series.
July 19, 2016
Well this was downright disappointing. There was no romantic connection. They went from strangers to shy smiles to I love you's without me feeling like there was any depth to it. There were weird things thrown into the storyline here and there that just contributed nothing to the story. The sex was good, but it wasn't enough to save this book.
June 6, 2019
While I enjoyed myself reading this, I can't give it many stars. The romance was rushed and the conflicts mostly glossed over. I liked the MCs but the insta love was a bit much and they are barely fleshed out characters.
It was a KU read so I don't mind the time I spent. It was an ok story.
Safety: safe, h was a virgin.
It was a KU read so I don't mind the time I spent. It was an ok story.
Safety: safe, h was a virgin.
April 29, 2016
Very protective H that was crazy about the h. Treating her so well. Enjoyable cast of characters. I want to read about the h's friends finding their HEA as well.
April 28, 2016
I enjoyed this one. It's a Russian mob book not a fairytale.
February 27, 2017
5 stars and not because it's the greatest book.
No it's short, sweet and it was perfect for what I wanted before I go to sleep: a short sexy read with an alpha male
I enjoyed it :)
It wasn't overly hot, but kept me interested
No it's short, sweet and it was perfect for what I wanted before I go to sleep: a short sexy read with an alpha male
I enjoyed it :)
It wasn't overly hot, but kept me interested
May 30, 2016
Giancarla and Vitali. Vitali takes bad-boy to a whole new level! Gia is kidnapped outside the library when mistaken for a woman who stole from the russian mob. Vitali is the man sent to interrogate her but instead, feeling an instant connection to her, he acts on a whim and buys her freedom. But the only way he can keep her truly safe is if she marries him. The author does a competent job walking the fine line between believable and unbelievable yet still keeping it romantic and entertaining. There is a 10 year difference in their ages, but Vitaly looks older than he is, yet still sexy hot of course. And Gia isn't as ignorant of the dark side of life as she at first seems.
Really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading this author again!
My only qualm is pretty status quo for romance books .
Really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading this author again!
My only qualm is pretty status quo for romance books .
April 29, 2016
3.0 RATING- I've gotten hooked on these guilty pleasure novellas that have become popular lately but this one was not my favorite. It had all the ingredients I normally like but the execution was just a bit off. Something important would happen in the story but both the build up and climax were both lacking. Every event was just glossed over and I just don't think enough time was spent on a couple key events. This was just okay for me.
April 28, 2016
This was a decent short read. The couple is forced to marry for her safety. No cheating or ow/om drama. No epilogue at all so I'm wondering if that means there might be other stories about the secondary characters.
February 7, 2017
I thought the beginning of this book was a great attention grabber. It immediately immerses you in action and suspense. I am a big fan of a good Russian mafia romance, and this was an enjoyable read. There were a few plot points that left me a little confused, but other than that I liked it.
The best part of this book was the relationship between Vitaly and Giancarla. They had met under undesirable circumstances, but their connection and attraction was immediate and sweet. Vitaly, a torturer for the Bratva, hadn’t felt his humanity in a very long time, and was instantly taken aback by the beautiful woman they had mistakenly kidnapped. Giancarla, a twenty five year old virgin, had yet to meet a man she wanted to be intimate with. Vitaly changed everything for her. Her life irreparably altered, the passion she thought she would never get a chance to experience was wrapped in a very hunky, tattooed Russian package.
A couple spoilers ahead.
The thief that the Bratva had mistaken Giancarla for hadn’t skipped town, and one reason for this was that she couldn’t remember the account number where she had put seven millions dollars? That seemed a little silly. But, aside from a few unexplained affiliations with other gangs, I enjoyed the premise and most of the follow through of the plot. Not sure if this was done on purpose, in order for later books in the series to clear up some of the missing info, but again didn’t deter me from liking it.
I loved that even though it was sort of a forced marriage, the h didn’t spend the first half of the book pretending to hate him. That drives me crazy!
I really like a detailed description of the H and h’s appearance, so I have a clear image in my mind of what they look like. I did get the basics, but was hungry for just a bit more to complete the picture in my head.
All in all I would definitely recommend! The book does change POV from paragraph to paragraph, but I didn’t have a hard time following. I will also be continuing on with Cecily’s story, which is next in the series. I really liked her personality in this book, and can’t wait to get more of Giancarla’s best friends.
HEA, multi-POV, no cheating, no triggers.
Check out more of my reviews on my blog romance2review.com
The best part of this book was the relationship between Vitaly and Giancarla. They had met under undesirable circumstances, but their connection and attraction was immediate and sweet. Vitaly, a torturer for the Bratva, hadn’t felt his humanity in a very long time, and was instantly taken aback by the beautiful woman they had mistakenly kidnapped. Giancarla, a twenty five year old virgin, had yet to meet a man she wanted to be intimate with. Vitaly changed everything for her. Her life irreparably altered, the passion she thought she would never get a chance to experience was wrapped in a very hunky, tattooed Russian package.
A couple spoilers ahead.
The thief that the Bratva had mistaken Giancarla for hadn’t skipped town, and one reason for this was that she couldn’t remember the account number where she had put seven millions dollars? That seemed a little silly. But, aside from a few unexplained affiliations with other gangs, I enjoyed the premise and most of the follow through of the plot. Not sure if this was done on purpose, in order for later books in the series to clear up some of the missing info, but again didn’t deter me from liking it.
I loved that even though it was sort of a forced marriage, the h didn’t spend the first half of the book pretending to hate him. That drives me crazy!
I really like a detailed description of the H and h’s appearance, so I have a clear image in my mind of what they look like. I did get the basics, but was hungry for just a bit more to complete the picture in my head.
All in all I would definitely recommend! The book does change POV from paragraph to paragraph, but I didn’t have a hard time following. I will also be continuing on with Cecily’s story, which is next in the series. I really liked her personality in this book, and can’t wait to get more of Giancarla’s best friends.
HEA, multi-POV, no cheating, no triggers.
Check out more of my reviews on my blog romance2review.com
April 27, 2016
3 Stars, Just ok for me
OK, I saw this yesterday and it struck my reading senses immediately! I wanted a fast, sweet romance and yes it was that but it wasn't ALL that either for me! I am not a big insta-love reader BUT when done right, I absolutely LOVE it and this one was just was TOO cheesy, TOO unrealistic, lol, I know that sounds funny right but I just felt it lacked "realness" and found it hard to connect with the characters for me personally. It was too cliche "insta" for me:(
Will I try another read by this author in the future, yes! Just because this wasn't great for me doesn't mean someone else won't love it. For me personally, it was a miss unfortunately, but that's just my own personal reading preferences speaking so don't let that stop you from reading.
OK, I saw this yesterday and it struck my reading senses immediately! I wanted a fast, sweet romance and yes it was that but it wasn't ALL that either for me! I am not a big insta-love reader BUT when done right, I absolutely LOVE it and this one was just was TOO cheesy, TOO unrealistic, lol, I know that sounds funny right but I just felt it lacked "realness" and found it hard to connect with the characters for me personally. It was too cliche "insta" for me:(
Will I try another read by this author in the future, yes! Just because this wasn't great for me doesn't mean someone else won't love it. For me personally, it was a miss unfortunately, but that's just my own personal reading preferences speaking so don't let that stop you from reading.
May 10, 2016
This book was to corny for a mafia/ kidnapping/ drama book. I had to take several breaks to survive. This book has lots of potential. The book is about Gia getting kidnap due to wrong identity and a Russian mobster paying for her and marrying her to protect her.
April 24, 2016
3.5 stars. 3rd ppov. I liked the MC. Writing had a nice flow.
April 28, 2016
3.5 stars
April 24, 2016
I love finding an unknown-to-me author and being pleasantly surprised by the story she's crafted, and I'm happy to say Russian Lullaby fits that scenario. We have a Russian mafia based in Cleveland, Ohio that is trying to go legit but they still have to deal with Hispanic, Italian, Japanese, and Ukrainian mafia competition.
The book's blurb gives a good summary, but what I loved was the extremely protective and possessive nature Vitaly displayed toward Gia from the moment he meets her. This made the book a very enjoyable read, despite having some details glossed over. The men featured in the story are good guy antiheroes and there are two roommates of Gia's who are paired up with Vitaly's friends, so while this is currently a stand alone book, there are situations in place to possibly expand it into a series about the other characters.
I thought Ms. Bargo did an excellent job incorporating Russian dialect into the men's speech and I liked how level-headed Gia was despite everything that happened to her. The are some brutal scenes that involve torture and killing, but I didn't think they went into too much graphic detail. There was just enough description to convey the harshness of mafia retaliation, but they didn't really bother me to read them.
Russian Lullaby put Ms. Bargo on my radar and I'll be interested in any follow up stories about these characters. If you enjoy an extremely possessive hero, I recommend giving this book a try. You might just be pleasantly surprised, too.
The book's blurb gives a good summary, but what I loved was the extremely protective and possessive nature Vitaly displayed toward Gia from the moment he meets her. This made the book a very enjoyable read, despite having some details glossed over. The men featured in the story are good guy antiheroes and there are two roommates of Gia's who are paired up with Vitaly's friends, so while this is currently a stand alone book, there are situations in place to possibly expand it into a series about the other characters.
I thought Ms. Bargo did an excellent job incorporating Russian dialect into the men's speech and I liked how level-headed Gia was despite everything that happened to her. The are some brutal scenes that involve torture and killing, but I didn't think they went into too much graphic detail. There was just enough description to convey the harshness of mafia retaliation, but they didn't really bother me to read them.
Russian Lullaby put Ms. Bargo on my radar and I'll be interested in any follow up stories about these characters. If you enjoy an extremely possessive hero, I recommend giving this book a try. You might just be pleasantly surprised, too.
October 17, 2016
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h: h is 25 and H is 34
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: H exposes h to the villans right at the beginning to prove that h isn't the right person that they were looking for. It fit within the roles of the characters though some readers won't like that.
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
Ages of H and h: h is 25 and H is 34
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes
>>Detail: H exposes h to the villans right at the beginning to prove that h isn't the right person that they were looking for. It fit within the roles of the characters though some readers won't like that.
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
June 11, 2016
I like the trope in this book. kidnapped girl bought by the H getting married the next day-ish. It was going good till the H met her roommates and immediately thought of guys to hook them up with. He calls up one of his pals and he comes over and then its insta-love with that guy and her roommate, then that guy is thinking of other guys to hook up with the leftover roommate. what the hell? Get your own book guys!
I gave up then because I couldn't deal with extra couples and there romances. Focus on one couple one book! I would have gladly read another book if this was a series and featured h roomies.
Also I like my pov to be between the H and h alternating each chapter but this one was back and forth between paragraphs and it was confusing with the added extra povs of the side characters.
I gave up then because I couldn't deal with extra couples and there romances. Focus on one couple one book! I would have gladly read another book if this was a series and featured h roomies.
Also I like my pov to be between the H and h alternating each chapter but this one was back and forth between paragraphs and it was confusing with the added extra povs of the side characters.
April 12, 2016
Fast paced Mafia story. Love the characters and and story line! Will read more from this author.....
April 14, 2016
Glad it was Free
Didn't connect with the main characters, not enough description non believable. Glad it was free for me would have asked for money back!!!! No alpha male here!
Didn't connect with the main characters, not enough description non believable. Glad it was free for me would have asked for money back!!!! No alpha male here!
May 4, 2016
I liked this book and both MCs. I thought it was a little odd that her professors have her a hard time about turning in late work a couple days after being kidnapped. All in all a good read.
April 28, 2016
Short story which was surprisingly sweet for a mob story.
August 19, 2016
What a surprise this book was loved it!!
December 30, 2018
Maybe I'm just in a sappy mood but after saying for years how boring Mafia romances are I'm actually beginning to enjoy reading them lately. What can I say about Russian Lullaby that hasn't been said before. Vitaly is the perfect anti-hero and the heroine was just okay. Vitaly...I'm sighing like a schoolgirl thinking about him. He's a gentle giant, strong, and deadly. The ending left me feeling a bit sad because of what he had to do and I feel like the author kinda rushed it. The ugly case of a strong start and okay middle but poor ending. I feel like the heroine didn't really accept the hero for who he is and was already looking for ways to change him. Their HEA just ain't believable. The entire book could had gone for another 50 pages to wrap the ending up. Oh well. 4-stars for Vitaly. Yum.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews