Kristi Belcamino is a USA TODAY bestselling author, an Agatha, Anthony, Barry & Macavity, award finalist, a newspaper cops reporter, and an Italian mama who makes a tasty biscotti.
Excellent intro novella to a very promising series
-The character of Eva, which, for me, was introduced in one of the books of the author’s Gia series, was a very powerful one. Though she was just a side character in that book, her toughness made her worthy of her own series, and the author has very successfully done that. -The author excels when there is deadly action, and this series takes off in excellent fashion. Being an introductory novella, we get a look at the life of Eva as a young girl, the prized daughter of a mafia boss. She is put to work at a young age as a messenger, taking contraband and the payment for it, to other underworld characters. Though she has two older brothers, her father recognizes the leadership qualities in her and makes her his trusted confidant. He has her trained in martial arts and teaches her whatever he can as to how to survive in his world. Her father, despite his open willingness to kill, kidnap or steal, has drawn the line as to the sex trade. That he won’t do, despite it being a very lucrative endeavor, but the other bosses are at odds with him for it, and even his sons are against him. -Eva, as the voice of her father, shows her toughness as she disposes of someone who is threatening to various mob bosses, but, when her father is killed in prison, she discovers that it was not only the mob bosses that ordered the hit, but her brothers, and her vengeance turns on them. -The author has created another powerful central character and her writing captures you completely, as the dangers that the character encounters are so effectively transmitted to the reader on the printed page.
QUEEN. OF. SPADES by Kristi Belcamino Eva motto has been ‘ kill them with kindness’. She was chair person for the food drive at the school. The things she did for her children, and for them as a family to blend in. A picture on her phone forced her to leave the meeting.. She couldn’t get caught up in the sentimentality of her family it would weaken her. They had been against her, a woman that had taken over the reins of her mafia family. They proved that it was deadly for her to continue taking what she loved. A life so rich in love from a husband and children now taken, Dressed in black now, she stepped back into the persona she was once again ‘Queen of Spades’, The housewife of ten years was gone. The legend of who she was has returned. Revenge for those that had taken from her. Now training an army of woman, loyalty was demanded, if they succeeded that would be her family. Powerful, an awesome book, giving us a close, personal look into her life, the sadness of having family turn against her. To have been richly blessed with an American family , taken because she was a woman in power, This has to be one of the best books the author has written, it will touch readers as they read. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
I found this novella prequel – Eva – after I read Queen of Spades, so I know I did it in reverse, but it did not take away from the awesomeness of either of these stories. Eva is an amazing character and this quick read gives the reader a look into her past; it delves into her youth, including her rise to power, and troubles surrounding her and her family rivalry. It hits on all the important points that are intertwined with the Queen of Spades novel. It also provides additional insight into the decisions made and reasoning behind some of her actions in the future book. Eva is a page-turner from start to finish and I easily devoured it in one sitting. It is a wonderful, suspenseful read that molds Eva into the woman she becomes in the Queen of Spades. You will be missing out on good information and a good story if you overlook this little gem.
I started reading this author with the Gia series which includes moments with Eva. In that series Eva is a mystery and the epitome of a bada** woman.
This novella introduces Eva for her own series and shares more of the background that is briefly alluded to in Gia’s series. I was slightly confused the a sister was not referred to, just brothers when Gia’s series has Eva as Gia aunt from her moms side. The writing is great and the pace of the story was fast. The characters and actions had me captivated and I can’t wait to learn more about Eva and her time as Queen of Spades.
I read all the Eva books first and then I read the prequel. I feel that this was the right way to read the series up till now. It let me know Eva as a tough, smart woman that she is. Now I know how she became the character I love. I hope that Kristi brings Eva and Gia together more often. There are a lot more stories about these two strong women to be told in their quest to right the wrongs of human behavior.
Prequel to introduce Eva, the Queen of Spades, who she is and why her calling card is a queen of spades from a deck of cards. Action packed, compelling page turner, cannot put down. Read this prequel to know why Italian, Eva Santella had to become Eva White in the US. Author, Kristi Belcamino’s writing style, characters and storylines come together to create an outstanding beginning to this series.
Eva: A Queen of Spades Thriller (Queen of Spades Thrillers), my fourteenth read from author Kristi Belcamino a 47-page prequel to the Queen of Spades Thrillers series. Well written & enjoyable, a captivating tale of a young Eva and why she became the Queen of Spades. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
I have mixed feelings about this character. I do love a good revenge story but the character has to be a good person at the start. Eva is part of a family that is evil themselves so I kind of feel guilty rooting for her. I will be reading Queen of Spades since that story seems more like a "Good vs Evil", story.
Whilst this is only a short story, it really shows you how Eva became the woman she is today. She has been through a lot and is one tough woman. I can't wait to read more of her story in Queen of Spades.
I've loved Belcamino's Gia series; some of which included Eva as her kick-as* aunt. Just had to read this prequel to get her back story! Looking forward to more about Eva!
A great short story that fills in background for the main character Eva! A great introduction to this series! I like this & will look for more by this writer! A good strong female character, very enjoyable!
Fabulous insight to Eva's beginning, her family business and how she got to be a warrior. As Gia's Aunt we will see her plenty and she gets her own series.
This was a great prequel to Queen of Spades which I am now reading and only stopped to post this review. It’s a great storyline and easy to follow . Very engaging and another gem by Kristi Belcamino
As somebody who has never read any of the Queen of Spades series, this was an excellent introduction to Eva Santella and her backstory. I'm sure this will make enjoying the series that much easier.