Strapped

by Emma Spring

Marco
I keep my Glock strapped and my c**k hard.

Olivia Markson thinks she’s such a good girl, but I know better. I can practically feel her soaking panties on the tips of my fingers the second we see each other again. It's been years, but I know she remembers what I can do to that tight body of hers.

She hates that I’m in the mob, but I don’t give a f**k. I’m a killer and I’m good at it. I do what the familia tells me to do, and I don’t ask questions.

Until they order me to take care of her.

Now I have to keep her safe. And I’m going to give her more than just my help.

I’m going to make every inch of her body mine.

Olivia
That gorgeous bastard is back and he’s taking what he wants.

Marco Fabbri is hard and unrelenting. He’s the kind of man I know I shouldn’t want. I made the mistake of letting his hands slide between my thighs once, and I swore I’d never do it again.

Now he’s back and his lips are pressing against my neck. He makes me beg Yes when I should be saying No.

Marco is a bad man. When he lifts my hands above my head and presses me against a wall, I know I’m going to give in.

It’s only a matter of how rough he makes it.

Strapped is very steamy and filled with action. It's only recommended for audiences 18+. This is a standalone novel with a guaranteed HEA! Plus, it includes the novel You're Mine absolutely free!

Genres: Second Chance

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2016

Reviews

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has everything you want in a mafia romance book... angst, action, intrigue, drama, suspense, violence, the mafia, betrayal, attraction, second chances, a hitman, forbidden love, heartbreak, a good plot-line, and interesting characters. Strapped is a story about falling in love and losing it only to find it again when you least expect it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia "Liv" Markson has only ever loved Marco Fabbri from the wrong side of the tracks in New York City. Olivia relationship with Marco is powerful and passionate young love. Marco Fabbri has only ever wanted Olivia but doesn't think he's good enough for her. Marco's cousin Johnny is getting involved in dangerous activities that Marco doesn't like at all but likes the money he's making anyway. When Marco is arrested Olivia's father steps in to protect his daughter from Marco. Olivia is forced to move away but not before she gives Marco piece of her mind. Flash Forward four years later, Olivia has moved back to New York determined to make a go at her life and career. Olivia hooks up with her best friend from high school for drinks. Olivia didn't know her world just got a whole lot turned upside down. Marco can't believe his eyes Olivia Markson is right in front of him. She's the last person he ever expected to see again. Will old feelings return? Will Olivia learn what Marco does for a living? Can Marco keep Olivia safe? Your answers await you in Strapped.

This new to me author hit this one right out of the park. The characters and story were real, gritty, complex, raw, flawed, compelling, and unique. Definitely consider reading more of this author's work in the future.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
This is a second chance romance story, with the main characters Olivia and Marco, reconnecting four years after their teenage romance ended, as Olivia’s family moved away. There is still intense chemistry between them. This story is full of mafia, violence, drama, crooked cops, hitmen, and action.
This is an intriguing and captivating story, and Emma has done a good job in writing this novel. I recommend to all lovers of second chance romances.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story. It was interesting because of the way that it's written. We almost get 2 love stories in one because we get to see how Marco and Olivia fell in love the first time and how they are falling in love this time. I thought the switching between past and present was well done and I never had a problem with it. I loved getting to see the characters were they were more innocent. It really made me want them to figure out how to make the relationship work this time around. There is plenty of action in this story to keep your attention as Marco not only does his job but then has to protect Olivia from the Mob. The sex is explicit and the story is full of their chemistry. The story was a smooth read for me and so I read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the characters and the story.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good mafia/second chance love story. Olivia and Marco are complete opposites. Book nerd and the bad boy but they fall in young love.

This was a gripping story. It sucked you right in, you felt Olivia's pain when she was younger. My heart broke for Marco.

Many years of past and they run into each other back in New York and the crazy begins. Marco is now part of the mafia and is one of their killers. Olivia still feels the pull and so does Marco. The instant rekindling of them is hot and heavy.

This would have been a 5 star read but the ending just left me going WTH!!! I don't think it should have been that easy for them but they were on the run for a bit. It was a heart pounding few days for them.

I voluntarily received a copy for my honest review.

[Denise Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is action packed and panty melting hot. The author takes you through the years from first love to adult love, through danger and suspence . I couldn't put it down until I was finished and it's a recommended read

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Markson has saved enough to finally move back to New York and has a great new job at Elite Advertising! She reconnects with her old friend Marissa, and they agree to meet at a biker bar. Seeing her friend drunk, men hanging all over her, and so unlike the girl she used to be is a bit upsetting! Then Marco Fabbri, her high school crush, walks into the bar.

Lots of changes have taken place since their school days. Marco, working with his cousin Johnny, gets swept up by the police as they arrest the others. He sees his happy, hopeful future has now been lost. He had always tried not to disappoint Olivia, but he was heading down a path he couldn’t avoid. Her dad, a judge, pulls strings to keep him out of juvenile detention, but Olivia has to agree not to see him anymore.

It’s a little dizzying being switched back and forth in the story, not just from character to character, but with the years changing as well to tell the backstory. But it fills in the information for the reader as to where the characters started and what’s going on now. The love from their early, innocent years is still there, despite all the intervening years that changed each of them. But is it enough to wipe out the bad and give them a good life together? Olivia has always believed in Marco, but can it override the man he has become? And will they each survive long enough to see that possibly happen when the very worst event changes everything?

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend it. The characters will pull you in and break your heart. But it’s still worth it to see where it takes you and how it touches your own heart.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strapped is a great action filled book that has sex, danger and love. What more could you ask for? Olivia and Marco fell in love in high school. However, they were both on different life paths. When Olivia's family moves across the country in order to keep her away from Marco they thought that was the end. Fate had other ideas.... Years later after Olivia moves back to New York, a chance meeting has the flame burning between these two again. Marco leads a very dangerous life and isn't sure Olivia will accept it. After Olivia witnesses something she shouldn't, both of them end up on the run from the mob. Will they be able to escape the people trying to kill them? Will love find a way back into their hearts for good?
The only thing I didn't like about the book is it flip flopped back and forth between the past and present and I often had to look back to see what year I was reading about. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a little "action".
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading Strapped, we were transported back in time, piece by piece, going back & forth between "present" to the past, learning about how the relationship between Marco and Olivia originally began and then fell apart.

Overall, I thought this was a good story, but it felt like they got let off easy in the end and I was like, "That's It?" I would have thought there would be more to it. However, I didn't let this deter me on continuing on and the ending was the icing on the cake for this story.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for these second chance romances, especially when they have a HEA. This story does not disappoint. Olivia was so in love with Marco, that it broke her heart when she moved. Marco's heart was too, but he choose another family over Olivia. Years later they meet and it is as if no time has passed between them. Then the past comes back and decisions need to be made. I enjoyed the story and the strong characters.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Ridings · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 2nd book by this author. Our H is Marco and our h is Olivia.

Olivia and Marco dated when they were teenagers. Olivia was the good girl and Marco the bad boy. When Marco started doing mob errands that his cousin gave him, he got arrested. Olivia's father bailed him out and ordered him not to see Olivia anymore. Olivia is still determined to see Marco so her father takes a job somewhere else and moves her away.

Years later, Olivia is coming back to New York for a new job. She decides to get in touch with a friend from before and they agree to meet up. Once Olivia gets there, she sees that her friend has completely changed. Then Marco walks in.

Marco was torn up when him and Olivia split up and he is shocked to see her back in New York. He has always loved her but he is not a full member of the Mob. He knows that Olivia will not do well with that. When she sees him do a hit, his boss orders him to get rid of her. How will Marco keep Olivia and himself safe?

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author. It was an ok read but it took a while for me to become engrossed in the book. I will continue to keep an eye on this author because I really enjoyed her first book.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Lofty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2*
Olivia bumps into marco after she meets up with her old friend after relocating. They have a complicated history can they put it behind them? Unfortunately Olivia witnesses something that makes life harder for them both.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion & it's another great book.
Love second chances

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

This is a very action packed romance. The couple is this story have a very romantic past as well as a present. This time though nothing is going to keep them apart. I loved learning about the characters past, and how it made them the people that they are today. 
I highly recommend this story.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this in exchange for an honest review. And absolutely loved it!!! I found it very hard to put down as I was pulled right into the story. I loved Olivia as I could relate to her a lot. And Marco was too hot for his own good...lol. They're great together & absolutely give this one a thumbs up.

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, interesting and intriguing book to read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. What you will find in this book is drama, intrigue, suspense, memories, action, violence, mafia, crooked cops, a hitman, despair, betrayal, two teenagers (Olivia Markson and Marco Fabbri) torn apart by her family, a second chance four years later, Olivia moving to NY, reconnecting with a friend (Marissa), a bar, Marco walking in, attractions, witnessing a murder, a meeting, Marco's boss (Carmine) wants her dead, running, racing through NY, apartment, packing money and guns, text messages from Carmine, motel, a guy bursting in, shot dead, going to cousin (Johnny), welcomed, overhearing conversation between Johnny and Carmine, running again, in car, Olivia sleeping, a meeting, giving Carmine money, leaving, going to Olivia, a new country, a new life, lust, emotional feelings, love and erotic scenes. I found the story-line to be well thought out and written. The characters have emotional feelings according to the situation they find themselves in. I would recommend this book to people who like to read a well written second chance mafia romance with a HEA.

[Sabrina L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This story follows the lives of Olivia and Marco. Teenage lovers ripped apart only to find their way back to each other as adults.
When I began reading this novel I was very intrigued by the whole star crossed lovers plot and felt like this book had the potential to hook me. I liked that the author tells us about Olivia and Marco’s teenage romance through a series of flash backs at the beginning of the first few chapters. I think it lays a great foundation for the story and helps us understand how the characters grew into the people they are as adults.
By the middle of the book I felt like the plot started to drag and that the characters were experiencing the same turmoil over and over again and when they finally work themselves out of it, it was anticlimactic and a bit if a let down, even though this book does feature a Happily Ever After.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a HEA with a mafia twist.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaks happen at least once in our lives, yet never planning on running into them again hasn't exactly worked or healed the heartache. A once in a lifetime second chance opportunity. One problem though, will it be worth the price?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of good girl meets bad boy and falls hopelessly in love. Olivia is from an upper class family while Marco has struggled in life. Olivia falls hard for Marco but Olivia's father does not want him around his daughter so he moves his family to another state and makes Marco promise to leave Olivia alone. Fast forward and Olivia is back in her hometown where Marco still lives she has a job and her own apartment. Marco now works for the Mob and has done somethings he is not proud of. One night Olivia goes looking for Marco at Teasers, a strip club that he frequents, and ends up witnessing him murdering a guy the Mob has had issues with. Now they are on the run for their lives, the Mob's lives by the rule "leave no witnesses" so the Mob is out to silence Olivia for good. I enjoyed the story though it took a bit of getting use to the chapters of then and now - keeping the story straight. But it did add to understanding how things came to be in the present. Emma Spring is a new author to me and I look forward to her next book.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little hint- read You're Mine first, Enzo's daddy is the mob boss in this story and a few of his friends are in charge on Marko.
High school sweethearts where separated by her daddy, a upstanding judge, she was raised well, Marko was born and raised in the slumps or as he calls himself gutter trash. His cousin turned him towards the mafia and since he separated from his true love he would need something to take his mind off Olivia and so at 18 he joined the Italian mafia, now he is a killer and grow up with a life a job he knew Olivia would never would allow. That is until he lost love moves back to New York City and they run into each other. But life will have other planes for them.
Definitely kept me up past my bed time, just couldn't put this story down, crammed packed with action, secrets, a rebuilding of a love that was just stored away on a shelf for 4 long years. Second chances with a back ground / history of Olivia and her soul mate Marko.



~~~~~~~ ARC was given for a honest review~~~~~~~

[Sharon Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strapped: A Second Chance Mafia Romance by Emma Spring 5 Hubba Hubba Stars

I loved this book!! A great pulse pounding read.

Mafia hitman Marco is hot in this story, but he is so much more and only Olivia can see it. Well she did when they were teenagers. Heartbreaking with what her father did to both her and Marco back then. But their love is so strong that even the years away from each other doesn't faze it. It has shaped their futures without even knowing it.

When Chloe witnesses Clay murdering a guy, she becomes a target from his boss. No witnesses, she must be killed! Omg, will Clay be able to get them out of this mess?

I even enjoyed the way the author went back and forth at times to capture the essence of their love and how both were betrayed by her father.

I was gifted an Advanced Reader copy of the book by the author herself for an honest review.
Reviewer for Nook Books and More Blog.

[LovetheRhageBDB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia has loved Marco since they were kids. However, Olivia is the classic middle-income good girl and Marco is the poor boy from the other side of the tracks. After Marco is attested, Olivia's father decides it best to move his family to split up his daughter from that boy.

Four years later Olivia moves back to New York, runs into Marco while meeting up with a friend. The old feelings and chemistry are still there. However, can she get past what he now does for a living?

Marco let Olivia leave four years ago because he was not good enough for her. Now he is working with the mob and he knows he still is not good enough. He knows he should just walk away! How do you walk away from the love of your life twice?

Excellent story line with action, suspense and the chemistry between Olivia and Marco. WOW!

[Yvette89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I RECEIVED A COPY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
Marco and Olivia's romance is told through a series of flashbacks and real time events. They met as teens. Olivia was a smart, studious young lady. Marco was the bad boy who thought that he was a victim of his circumstances. He began working with the mob and after an arrest went in full time. Olivia an marco are separated and years later they meet up again. By this time Marco by all appearances is a stone cold mafia hit man. However, his personality is not really that hard. He made some sloppy mistakes and just didn't fit my idea of a mafia enforcer. I just didn't get Olivia at all. Again the book description was a little misleading. This books did not quite live up to the description it was ok a little better than the last book. There is a lot of potential here.

[Tracie Simister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main Character’s Descriptions:
Olivia Markson works at elite advertising. She has finally saved enough to move back to New York and get on with her life.

Marco Fabbri mafia hitman and Olivia’s high school crush.

Summary paragraph:
Olivia finally gets to move back to New York, She has a job at Elite Advertising and reconnects with an old friend Marissa. Everything is going good for her until Marco walks into the same bar she is at and into her life. After she accidentally witnesses him killing a guy for the mafia her life is in danger.

Marco works as a hitman for the mafia. He is good at it. Everything seems to be going good until he sees her at the bar. When she witnesses him doing a hit he knows she won’t be allowed to live.

What happens is a mind spinning journey.

I received an ARC for an honest review

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strapped was a great story. It was interesting to see how the started out as they were younger and fell in love. It is also great to see how the test of time can't stop true love. One thing about Marco for being part of the mafia he doesn't have some of the connects that he should have. How one thing you can definitely say about him is that he is fiercely protective and loyal. Olivia is an interesting character. One minute she can be a little whiny but the she comes around and becomes stronger. They have great chemistry together and you can feel the love they have for each other. Some people have talked about flashbacks in the story but I have to say that it was a great part of the story. They also don't last the whole story but the really do help you develop a better understanding of the characters. I received a copy for an honest review.

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marco & Olivia fell in love when they were teenagers and always knew they would be together. Marco got involved with the mob and once he got busted Olivia's dad made sure that Marco never sees Olivia again and it hurts them both. After many years Olivia is back in New York and never thought she would see Marco again but once they see each other all the feelings that they have for each other come rushing back. Marco is way deep into the mob and Olivia witness something that she shouldn't. Marco will do anything for the love of his life and keep Olivia safe. Will Marco & Olivia finally be together or will the mob keep them apart? Really good story and love Marco & Olivia


I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

[Lisa Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free as an ARC for my honest review.

Olivia Markson is from the right side of town, her father is a Judge and she gets good grades is school. Marco Fabbri is living with his grandmother after the death of father from a drug overdose and his mother running off. His life is on the edge of good and bad. They are high school sweethearts. After Marco is arrested, Olivia’s father bails him out and tells him he is not to see Olivia again. Olivia’s father shifts the family to Wyoming. A few years later Olivia returns to New York for a job and they meet by chance at Jesters. They can both feel the chemistry between them, but with Marco know working for the mafia Olivia wants nothing to do with him. Do they get their second chance of love?

[Dee Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance love for Olivia & Marco comes with emotional challenges, consequences of poor decisions, manipulation by outside forces and a fierce passion to not be separated again. As a troubled teen, Marco chose to join the mafioso lifestyle. Ultimately, it cost him his relationship with Olivia. Years later, fate brings them together again and while the sparks are still there, his job as a Hitman endangers her life. An impossible situation arises and suspense keeps one on the edge of their seat wondering how in the world they will get out of this alive! Well done! Riveting! I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Five stars.

[Aline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a honest review.

What a suspense filled book I hardly could put it down . It's the story of Marco a boy from the wrong side of the tracks turned mob enforcer. Then Olivia a girl with great promise who meets Marco in high school et knows he's really a good guy at heart. Trouble finds Marco et tears them apart for 6 years, lies from her dad don't help.
They come back together a chance meeting as adults et realize they love each other still. She witnessed him murder people then they are on the run from his mob family. More drama ensues. They leave the country to a simpler life et a HEA. It's a definite recommend. Just released grab it now.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't quite work for me

I liked Marco; he seemed very human and I liked that he wanted the best thing for Olivia. I was a little more on the fence about Olivia; she just didn't impress me much. The plot was ok but I got a little tired of the jumps between past and present; it's not a device that works that well for me, as I find it makes the story drag while I need to continually adjust with each change.

This is a second chances story at it's heart, and I did like that Olivia and Marco got that second chance. If you like mafia stories and don't mind flashbacks, I'd say go for it. As it is, it just didn't quite work for me on all levels.

[Susan Foulkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about fate.....despite outside influences, and the passage of years, Marco and Olivia are meant to be together.

Their love will lead to violence, death and the alienation of Olivia's family.

It will also lead to Marco finding out he is worth so much more than he believed and to Olivia finding a new family.

Well written characters with depth, a plot that doesn't hang about, the violence you'd expect from a Mafia novel and hot sex....a great read.

I received an ARC from the author and promised an honest review.