Heart of the Devil

Cain Casey #0

by Ali Vali

There was a time when Dalton Casey ran the Casey family while grooming the next generation, but Cain Casey inherits the reins too early when Dalton is gunned down. His loss leaves Cain devastated, and she does her best to keep the business together, but his loss has left her adrift and hungry for revenge. That ends the night a new employee douses her in beer.

Emma Verde has left everything behind in Wisconsin to attend Tulane in New Orleans. She sees an opportunity to make enough money for the coming semester when she lands a job at an Irish pub in the French Quarter. That job soon spirals into something else.

That’s the story we know, but this is the tale of how Cain and Emma fell in love, and their history proves that love was the only thing that saved the heart of the devil.

Genres: Crime, Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Fiction, Thriller

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Ali Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey "Devil" series and the Genesis Clan "Forces" series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2017 release, Beauty and the Boss. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 Stars. I always get excited when a new Cain Casey book comes out. This series has been a favorite of mine for a long time. What’s nice about this book is it is basically a prequel. That means for readers new to the Casey series is you can start with this one, not having to read any other books first.

This is the story about how Cain and Emma first meet. While we were told small bits and pieces in the other books, it was great actually reading the whole story. This is also shortly after Cain’s father has been murdered and she has to now step up to lead the family. For anyone who isn’t familiar with these books, Cain is the head of a Mob family in New Orleans. This book is still at the beginning before Cain loses all of her innocence.

What is interesting about these books and what hooked me into this series… in any other book Cain would be consider a “bad guy” (girl actually, but you get my point). She is absolutely deadly, but you can’t help but cheer her on. The people you want to fail most are the FBI. It’s pretty impressive how Vali is able to suck you into “the dark side”.

While I enjoyed this read, I did think the chemistry between Cain and Emma was not quite what I was hoping for. In future books Cain and Emma are pretty hot together. They absolutely have a spark; I just didn’t feel it was as noticeable here as I had expected it to be.

I did really like getting to see some characters that are no longer in the series. It made me a little melancholy to know some of their fates, but it was nice to get to know them more. The crime/intrigue factor was well done like Vali does with all her Cain books. Cain always has plans to put other mobsters or the FBI in their place, but you don’t know them as a reader until the slowly unfold. Vali is pretty imaginative.

If you are new to this series, you can start with this book. It might not be as meaningful not knowing what happens to everyone, but if I was new to the series, I’d want to start here. I hope Vali has more plans for Cain books in the future. I’m not ready for this series to end.

An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.

[Jane Shambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I need to say that O absolutely love this series. Reading this book set me off to read the whole series again. It just never gets boring.


This book is the prequel. It's about how Emma and Cain met. It's about how Emma changed Cain. It also tells you how miscommunication can seriously damage anything including your relationship. If you are reading this series for the first time then I guess you should read this one as it explains how it all started.


Cain is a serious baddass and she is totally committed to her family and close friends. Emma is like a country bumpkin with no clue what the city has to offer or the way of the world. Emma has been sheltered on a farm all her life. Cain represents everything forbidden in Emma's life.


This is an awesome series and this prequel is equally as good. Enjoy!


ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, absolutely, love this series. Cain and Emma will forever hold a special place in my heart. Being able to go back, to the beginning, and see how these two, soulmates, met and came together was absolutely amazing. Also seeing a younger Merrick, Lou, and Muriel was awesome. I missed many of the characters, but the longing is worth it to experience the beginning. We then get the heartbreaking pleasure of getting to see Cain’s interactions with her mother, brother and sister. All of which are gone in the later books. I loved it but it was very bittersweet because I know Cain’s time with them will be cute short way to soon. I couldn’t put this prequel down just like the rest of the series.

[Delitealex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cain Casey's father dies tragically she must take the reins of the family business. It takes her awhile to get it together since she's still reeling from her father's death. Her first time meeting Emma Verde helps get her mind back on her responsibilities.

Emma's a farm girl trying to make it in the big city without support from her family. Meeting Cain really shakes up her life.

We get to see how things started between Emma and Cain a little more in depth instead of the little bits we get throughout the series. Cain was shaken up trying to keep things together while being so angry and wanting revenge. I loved how she took care of her family which you see throughout the series.

It was great to learn more about Emma and what brought her to New Orleans. She was trying so hard to make things work with little help.

An enjoyable read I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received this book from Bold strokes books via netgalley for an honest review.

[Char Dafoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain Casey (my future baby daddy)
- calm
- authoritative
- dominant
- menacing
- general all-around badass and f*cking scary
- chivalrous
- romantic

I could go on and on. Cain is one bad MOFO mobster with a heart of gold. After having read the entire series again after reading the prequel, Cain only got better and better. Cain has a sharp mind, a quick tongue, and deadly fists, but there's an underlying softness nestled in her heart that reminds us that she's still human. Having a character like Cain can cloud the mind of the reader and make them forget that she is only human who does make mistakes. Falling in love makes her more relatable. Cain the Mobster, comes off as untouchable and impenetrable, giving her a God-like complex in the readers' eyes. Love, however, keeps her feet as well as ours on the ground. Emma Verde is a sweetheart with clumsy fingers. What a way to introduce yourself by spilling beer all over the most powerful mob boss in New Orleans. An introduction that had the readers on their toes as to whether the winds were in favour for Emma or if she'd find out what Cain Casey was really all about. I enjoyed getting to know the polar opposite protagonists. The growing love between the two strengthened Emma's backbone from Cain's constant affection and encouragement, and Cain learned all about patience, which at times, was rather comical. I definitely have plans for a date with Cain in the future in the next book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy books by Ali Vali but this one didn’t totally capture me. I liked both characters – and how the author portrait Cain as a criminal in the making but still showed her kind and soft side behind her hard facade. Emma’s character was the complete opposite of Cain – a poorer, small town girl that is a bit naive. The relationship between the two built a little too fast for my taste and made it a bit unrealistic. They hardly knew each other and were already a couple which also didn’t help with their chemistry for each other in my opinion. There weasn’t a lot of chemistry between them. I wanted to like this book but there was just something off-putting about it.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. As a fan of the Cain Casey series, I was excited when I saw that Ali Vali was writing the prologue. It was great to see how Cain and Emma met and what was happening in their family before. I especially liked experiencing Billy and Marie. If you are a fan of the Casey Clan, then you will love this book.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realised I hadn't read this book in the Casey series yet and so I thought I'd give all the books another go. I can't, after having read the other seven books in the series, get over how green and innocent Emma is! I loved it.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of the Devil by Ali Vali is actually a prequel to the Cain Casey Devil series, which is the reason the book has been given the designation (Cain Casey 0) though it is technically the most recent of the Devil books published. If you are new to the Devil series, then this book is a really a good place to start. If you have read the series already, you must read this one simply to see how these two very special characters came to be a couple.

This novel is truly the beginning of the Cain Casey story. In this book, we see how Cain and Emma Verde meet and fall in love. We get to watch the truly romantic and rather old-fashioned courtship from the moment they meet until they become true and loving partners. However, as with all the Devil books, this one also has its share of bad guys and violence. You will be introduced to a variety of characters, some of whom will not make it through all of the novels. This tale is filled with federal agents as well as other crime families trying desperately to bring the Casey family down.

Heart of the Devil is a complex and intriguing tale with something for everyone. I do need to warn you though. This story is addicting. Once you start to read, you will be hooked on the characters and the story, and you won’t want to stop until you have devoured all of the books in this series. That is what happened to me anyway. It is a good thing that there are at least six and a half (one novella) more books to read after this one. Good luck and happy reading.

Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

[Carrie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful beginning to the Devil saga! As someone who has read, no, devoured the series, I was thrilled to learn there would be a prequel. It was great to see how Emma and Cain met, as well as meeting the Casey clan. Great book, will probably read another dozen times.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually have't read any books in the Cain Casey series so book #0 was actually the perfect place to start! I love the way Ali Vali writes, her books are masterfully crafted. I look forward to going back to read, or rather going forwards, with the rest of the series.

This is the story of how Cain and Emma meet. But more than that it's the story of Cain landing on her feet and discovering who she is without her father and how to rule the kingdom he left to her when he died.

So much happens in this book! The pacing and the action is brilliantly done, its so intense and so darn good. Woven around the action and violence of Casey's day to day job, is the fact that family is most important above all, and loyalty among friends reigns in a close second. And love. The moments of sweetness made the raw violence all the more shocking and the love all the most heart wrenchingly wonderful.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the basis of the series takes some getting use to, I like the main characters therefore, I like the series. This read is less intense then the other reads but that is okay because it sets the stage for why Cain Casey and Emma Verde are who they are.

Read provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always approach prequels with a little trepidation, especially when they are written years after the original first book in a series. Will it add to my appreciation of the characters or will it ruin the mental image I already have and make me wish I had ‘left well alone’.
Fortunately this turned out to be an enjoyable read and didn’t take anything away from the original series.
The story begins with Cain still recovering from her father’s death when she runs into Emma, this starts the ‘slow build’ romance. The book also includes Cain’s usual clever plotting to outsmart her rivals and the FBI, however although the villains are quite vicious they don’t feel particularly threatening and the story didn’t have the same tension as the original novels.

[Kate Hershberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great prequel

I really liked that the author wrote this prequel. I had already finished the series (books 1-7) before this so it was nice to see and get to know some of the characters that were only a memory for Cain.

I'd love to see more prequels to get a better history of Cain and Emma's relationship and see how their family started.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I’ve read all of Ali Vali’s books in this series (Cain Casey Series) and all of them are smash hits! This book is no exception. It is a romantic novel with a devil’s twist.

The two main characters are Cain Casey, the head of a crime family in New Orleans, and Emma Verde, a naïve Tulane student from Wisconsin. They meet by accident and from there the sparks fly. The hot, slow-burn romancing of Emma by Cain is central to this book, but be ready to learn more about the devastation that the Casey family goes through after the death of Dalton Casey. Although Casey has been preparing to run the family’s business one day, the death of her father leads to a premature entry into this important role. The story about how Casey and his brother, Billy, methodically approach the solving of the mystery as to who was responsible for the death of Dalton is interesting. We are also introduced to FBI Special Agent Kyle who is obsessed in catching Casey in an illegal act.

The story line is a bit unusual in that this is a prequel to the series. For those who have read all the books in this series, one might wonder why the author did this. I can only guess that anyone who reads the Cain Casey series loves the romance between Cain Casey and Emma Verde want more information about the two lovebirds. The story provides readers with an in-depth narrative of how Cain and Emma meet and start that wonderful romance.

Character development is fantastic! If one has not read any of the books in the Cain Casey Series, this book would certainly create a craving for more. Fortunately, Ms. Vali has already written 7 books in the series.

I highly recommend this book and the others in the series. Treat yourself and read this one today. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prologue book in the series and it looks like it was written after some of the other books to show a younger Cain and Emma. This was such a good book and I loved reading Cain and Emma’s dynamic seeing how their story starts off will make the rest of the series even better.

[Aj Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had been looking forward to this and in fact pre-ordered it a way back in May (seven bloody long months ago!) but unlike the rest of the Cain Casey series, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I had assumed that in giving us some of the backstory to Emma & Cain's relationship we would get an insight into their characters, instead we get a potted history of their dates (which doesn't match up with what's mentioned in the the other books in the series e.g. in The Devil Unleashed Emma refers to going to the Gemini Club on their fourth date but this isn't how things play out in this novel. Not the end of the world, but annoying none the less.)

My main issue with this book and the reason it only got 3/5 start is that the various villains seem entirely unthreatening, mere cardboard cutouts shoved in to somewhat lead into the events of The Devil Inside, (which is utterly fucking awesome!)

If you've read all the others in the series, you know you're going to read this anyway, no matter what recommendation I give here. If you haven't, start with The Devil Inside and read right through to The Devil's Due, then make your way to Girls With Guns for a bonus short story. I read the six novels in a little over a fortnight and loved every word. I really hope Ali Vali goes back to writing what happens next rather than delving further into the past.

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of the Devil By Ali Vali

jump back to the beginning of Cain and Emma’s romance and we have a ‘fill-in’ to the wonderful Cain Casey Series. A full blown romance that also give us a more detailed view of the Casey family and the build up to extra Special Agent Kyles obsession with Cain.

Well done, with a host of details linked to the rest of the books and a complex early reveal of so many characters we get to know. It’s great to spend more time with Billy, Marie and Therese, although rather heart rending if you know the rest of their stories. The only problem now if which order to read the series in!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review*

This book was the prologue to the Cain Casey series and it was absolutely perfect. I didn't realise that I needed to read Emma and Cain's first story until I had read this book.

This book adds so much more to the rest of the series and it really helped me understand Emma a bit more.

If you are a fan of the series or if you are looking to start the series then you definitely need to read this book.

*4.6 stars

[Dide · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 star ratings
Taking readers back memory lane can be a tricky situation, having to build over characters, plots etc. And I feel that tricky discontent with this book. I hope to take time in the near future to read all the books serially and hope that i can clearly identify what things are causing my discontentment.
On the bright side, I am shocked and amused by Emma's push for what she wants. Also her intimacy impatience for her Mobster has shown in this book to have been as it continues to be 😄

[Reneetc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining flashback story about the beginning of Cain and Emma's journey. I read the The Devil Inside, The Devil Unleashed, and Deal with the Devil beforehand, so it was interesting to read about the influence/roles/beginnings several characters had in the past. Between the two main characters, Cain is my favorite. She is loyal, loves fiercely, and understands how lucky she is to have Emma in her life. Sure, it took a couple of ale baths for her to realize Emma "was this fresh, untouched beauty," but hey, even mobsters can be hardheaded when it comes to love.

[Tq · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? I love this series, I love the characters and I love this author.
Like many, I eagerly await another book in the Cain Casey saga. It’s like crack in book form.
Ali Vali doesn’t disappoint with her latest, Heart of The Devil. Great writing with fantastic detail. I can always count on escaping with a book from this author. Having read the full series several times over, it’s a nice kick start for a prequel to the series. I highly recommend.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with this series!

When I thought I couldn't fall more in love with Cain Casey than I already am, I was proven wrong. This story gave me so much more than just background into Emma and Cain's slow burning romance. This wonderful story gave me so much insight into the psyche of the fictional character that I love so much! This author never disappoints, she always delivers a great plot with captivating and vibrant characters!

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All hail Ali....lol

While I was reading this book, I kept going back to the other books in the series. Trying to figure who was who. I loved the storyline of how Casey and Emma...although we new the basic of the meeting but to go through the courtship was beautiful. Thank Ali for another great Cain story. I definitely recommend this book and series.

[Katherine Penix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! This series is one of the best I’ve read. Hope it continues to the next generation so we can see the Casey kids grow up.

[Stevie Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:

I’ve been intrigued by the concept of this series about a lesbian crime boss, her partner, and her family for quite a while now, but I’ve always been deterred by how much catching up I’d have to do if I started at book one and tried to read my way through all the existing novels before the next one came out. The release of a prequel gave me just the way in I was looking for: something hopefully fresh and new without too much confusion over backstory. And while I don’t read a lot of series where the protagonists are out-and-out bad guys, I do have a lot of affection for antiheroes. So I suppose I was hoping to see the lesbian equivalent of Jake Arnott’s Harry Starks with a bit more romance thrown in for good measure.

Cain Casey is the oldest, and most business minded, of her crime boss father’s offspring, so she’s been running his empire in the year since his untimely death, all the while trying to track down his killers and bring them to justice (by her standards) before her impetuous younger brother finds them and does something rash to assuage his own grief. Most of the family’s income comes from bootlegging booze and from semi-legitimate pubs and clubs, and they have a healthy relationship with the owners of the totally above-board small businesses in the area. None of that, of course, keeps their operation from being targeted by both other criminal gangs and by local and national law enforcement officers, but Cain thinks she has a good grip on the situation. She is, however, aware that new operations – of both varieties – have recently moved into her patch and is keen to clamp down on them before any one causes her additional trouble.

Emma Verde, by contrast, is a hardworking and honest student, whose family of fundamentalists have all but disowned her after she left the family farm for a university education in the big city. Her new semester gets off to a bad start when she finds herself leveraged out of her campus job to make way for the spoiled son of a local senator. Needing a new source of income – one that she can fit in around her studies – and quickly, Emma enquires about working in a bar and soon finds herself hired by one of Cain’s businesses.

The two women quite literally bump into each other on Emma’s first night of her new employment, and while Emma fears for her job after spilling beer over the boss, Cain is instantly smitten. And so begins a slow-burning, year-long courtship.

While I was quite taken with the non-criminal women of Cain’s family, I found most of the other characters, including our two heroines, very difficult to like. Cain was lacking that spark of humour that I like to see in my bad guys, and most of her enemies were not only dour, but also not very bright – as well as downright misogynistic for the most part. I’d have preferred to see a proper battle of wits between two or three lots of mostly fun characters of different moral stance, and equally, I’d have liked Emma to show more of the courage she has early on in the story in her developing relationship with Cain. At least I now don’t have to worry about keeping up with the series proper.

[Cindy Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel to the Devil series begins a year after Cain's father, the head of their crime family, was murdered. Trying to get over her grief, Cain begins to get back in the game. There's a new FBI agent in town trying to make a name for himself by finally nabbing Cain and her family and there are many others who want to see Cain eliminated. Cain and her brother are determined to find their father's killer and make them pay. But in the midst of all this, Cain meets Emma, a beautiful college student working at one of Cain's bars. Emma grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin with a Bible thumping, controlling mother who never had a kind word for her daughter. Emma fled to New Orleans on a scholarship trying to figure out where she really belonged and what was missing in her life. It's clear to her almost from the start, that Cain was the missing piece. And Cain, who's always refused to settle down, can't stop thinking about Emma.

I've always wanted to read the whole series in order, so I began here. The plot, the action and the characters are all great and engaging. If you liked The Godfather and other tales of mob activity, you'll love this series.

The book loses a star because it was often hard not to think that Cain was written as a male with the pronouns switched. It's not that I don't believe that there are hardcore butches out there, it's just that the acceptance that Cain, as a female and as a lesbian, receives from both her friends and enemies, seemed unrealistic. And Emma, who has had limited romantic experience, has no second thoughts about falling in love with a woman. I really liked the book, but I had a hard time getting past these issues.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ali Vali has a terrific series in the Cain Casey novels! This book delivers and goes back to the style of telling the story of how the two main characters meet and become a couple.

This book also shares a good look into who Cain is a woman before her family is fully taken away from her and the author does a wonderful job at crafting Cain into 'yes' a criminal, but yet leaving a veil of 'innocence' that is still in place before the death of her mother, brother and sister.

I'm glad the author wrote this book. It's well done and I don't want to give away a lot of the plot. But I enjoyed the setup. It was just enough of other antagonist to keep the book interesting, but not where there are so many plot lines and stories going on that you get lost.

The last book, while well done, had so many plots and characters, it was difficult to find a cohesive story. and focus on one or two couples. This book goes back to that mix of action, thriller, and romance and just enough supportive characters to enjoy and stay in a good pace with the story arch.

I am hoping to see the new book soon in the Devil series, as I am hoping Muriel finally finds love. I'd love to see a book devoted to her as she has been Cain's solid family from the start of the series.

ARC provided by publisher for an honest review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began this novel a short time ago I believed that I hadn't read it when it was first released because it was a 'I want to save it for last' type thing. You know like when you're eating dinner and you save your favorite food for last eating all the OK stuff first. You want to savor it so you leave it for last. Well that's what I believed I had done until I reached about half way through and some of the scenes seemed really familiar. Don't get me wrong I love this series of books but they are all quite similar to the last book in the series. Then I realized that I had read probably to about 60% of the book at an earlier time and put it down trying to savor the book because we are 6 or 7 books into this series and if there are any more additions to this series it will probably only be one more. So that being said I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book in the Cain Casey saga. The brilliance of this series is not actually the action parts, although those are great, it is actually the characters particularly Cain and Emma. Emma is just so wholesome and kind but don't mistake that for weakness because she can hold her own. Now Cain, I love, love, love this character. The author is quite talented because Cain will often come across as an almost hero type character and it's easy to forget that she is a criminal and she is a murderer. Her loyalty to her family and those she cares about is so strong. She is a killer but those that she kills are bad people that have caused harm or death to people she cares about so it's not hard to forgive her her sins. I should be tired of the sweetness, almost Hallmark movie type sugary cavity lovey-dovey sweetness that with those kind of movies I only can handle in small doses, that I will definitely roll my eyes at and pretend to gag over but with Cain and Emma I embrace that sweetness and keep coming back for more. I definitely recommend this book. It can be read as a stand alone book but I suggest starting with this novel and reading the entire series to get the full scope of these characters and the Cain Casey series. I give this book a 4 ½ stars.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in return for an honest review. First let me say the Cain Casey Series is the only think I’ve read by Ali Vali that I love. I LOVE these books. I think Cain is crazy and wonderful at the same time. I find Emma a bit annoying. As far as this book it was good to learn about their courtship. It was an interesting part of their story that we finally got told.

I do think there was an issue with calling Bryce’s brother Sammy the first time we hear about him and Charlie the next time we hear about him. Why Is that?

My favorite part of these books is how well Cain Casey gets over on everyone else. It seems like the FBI is really bad at their jobs. Overall a great way to start the Cain Casey series. It was really enjoyable.