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Russo Saga #2
Ruin
An innocent coffee. A dazzling stranger. What can go wrong?
Anna Raymond focuses only on her work at a little custom printing company in LA. She’s become a recluse after a traumatic experience that tore her life apart. Then Eric happens, barging into her life one morning at a Starbucks. By the time night falls, she has witnessed a murder, fought for her life, and revealed secrets she meant to keep buried forever.
Eric Reed is a hired killer, well aware of his effect on women and how to use it to his advantage. He’s in LA for one thing only: Finish the contract he’s been assigned. Anna was nothing but a means to an end, but he finds himself reluctantly drawn to the enigmatic woman, a mistake that can cost him everything.
That long, cold night trapped together changes something fundamental between them. Anna must make a choice: will it be her path to happiness, or will the fervent Eric burn her to ashes?
This is book two in the Russo Saga but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Publisher’s Note: This extremely dark romance is intended for adults only and may contain triggers. It contains elements of danger, suspense, action, adventure, sensual scenes, power exchange and a guaranteed HEA.
Anna Raymond focuses only on her work at a little custom printing company in LA. She’s become a recluse after a traumatic experience that tore her life apart. Then Eric happens, barging into her life one morning at a Starbucks. By the time night falls, she has witnessed a murder, fought for her life, and revealed secrets she meant to keep buried forever.
Eric Reed is a hired killer, well aware of his effect on women and how to use it to his advantage. He’s in LA for one thing only: Finish the contract he’s been assigned. Anna was nothing but a means to an end, but he finds himself reluctantly drawn to the enigmatic woman, a mistake that can cost him everything.
That long, cold night trapped together changes something fundamental between them. Anna must make a choice: will it be her path to happiness, or will the fervent Eric burn her to ashes?
This is book two in the Russo Saga but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Publisher’s Note: This extremely dark romance is intended for adults only and may contain triggers. It contains elements of danger, suspense, action, adventure, sensual scenes, power exchange and a guaranteed HEA.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2019
About the author
Nicolina Martin
30 books909 followersUSA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Nicolina Martin is a Swedish born lady who escapes the long, dark winter nights by writing hot contemporary romance/suspense.
Nicolina is a mother of three, a medical doctor, a quirky loner, and a social human being. She has traveled the globe, has had more lovers than she can count, has loved and hated, succeeded and failed, has gone through marriage and divorce. She has seen darkness and despair, as well as light and happiness.
All these experiences, she pours into her tales, taking her readers for a wild ride while twisting their minds. She loves showing that stories can be different even if the trope is the same.
Nicolina is a mother of three, a medical doctor, a quirky loner, and a social human being. She has traveled the globe, has had more lovers than she can count, has loved and hated, succeeded and failed, has gone through marriage and divorce. She has seen darkness and despair, as well as light and happiness.
All these experiences, she pours into her tales, taking her readers for a wild ride while twisting their minds. She loves showing that stories can be different even if the trope is the same.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
October 18, 2020
3,5 stars
It was really intense. Questionable at times, yet really well written, fast paced and so wickedly good, I could not put it down!
A redeemable antihero meets a heroine with a backbone - isn't it a perfect setup? Everything happened in a very short time, yet the author made me believe everything. The epilogue was a bit ridiculous, I really could do without, but I guess it made sense for the series to keep it interesting.
I think I'm going to read more by the author.
It was really intense. Questionable at times, yet really well written, fast paced and so wickedly good, I could not put it down!
A redeemable antihero meets a heroine with a backbone - isn't it a perfect setup? Everything happened in a very short time, yet the author made me believe everything. The epilogue was a bit ridiculous, I really could do without, but I guess it made sense for the series to keep it interesting.
I think I'm going to read more by the author.
October 13, 2020
4-4.5 “My light in darkness” stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
His presence both tugs at me and repels me. How does he do it? How does he stay so calm when my heart flutters with known and unknown fears?
Roller Coaster. that’s exactly what I felt like I was on when I read this story. It was like I was on the ride of my life. It was scary, exciting, exhilarating and full of twists and turns you don’t see coming but they still leave you breathless. What I wasn’t prepared for was the emotional turmoil the characters were going through especially the h and I feel the author did an amazing job of making the journey of recovery believable and genuine.
I usually avoid the books with trauma of any kind because they make me feel too emotional but I kept on reading this one because putting it down was impossible. I was already hooked and having read the first book and how much I loved it, I knew this one will blow my mind too. Besides these I’m already obsessed with these Russo men.
Eric Reed is known for being Ruthless. Heartless. Cruel. Cunning. Killer on the streets and in the mafia world. His reputation precedes him but when his world collides with an innocent and broken girl, he breaks the one code he lives by and so begins a cat and mouse chase. He starts to question his morals and how a woman is making him feel all kinds of emotions he long thought he didn’t possessed.
I’ve been in the dark for so long, so lonely and lost. Something in him woke something inside me. I felt like he saw me.
Anna has become a shadow of her former self ever since she fell into the hands of a bad man who raped her and took away her innocence and trust in men. For the past few years, she only goes through life doing mundane things, leaving her career as a hotshot lawyer and moves to another low key job looking for peace and quiet. Never in a million years would she have realised that her life was going to take a major turn.
I look up and gasp when I’m met by those eerie light-green eyes I now see for the third time today. Eric. From Starbucks. The charming stranger I argued coffee with. Who didn’t want to talk about his job. Now I get why.
I let out a raw sob of fright, my heart slamming so hard in my chest I feel like I’ll faint, and grip his hand, trying to pry myself loose. This isn’t happening. Not again. Please, not again!
He doesn’t look pleased at all. His mouth is twisted and his eyes flare.
“Anna.”
The first time Anna meets Eric she’s blown away by his handsome looks and charming personality. She’s attracted to his calm, flirty and good boy attitude and ends up spending time with him when all she’s done is avoid men the last few years. Something about him makes her open up and crave his closeness. All that shatters when she catches him killing her boss in cold blood and ends up being chased by him.
I feel regret like I’ve never felt before, and still I’m grateful. She made me feel something again. Never have I had someone else’s complete and utter trust. She made me realize I can be something more than the stone-cold killer I’ve turned into.
Eric felt a connection with Anna even though she’s the opposite to the women he usually goes for. He wants to know her deepest secrets, make her smile, maybe even protect her but when she catches him, he knows he has to kill her even if it’s wrong. What he doesn’t expect is how hard and tough she fights him back.
”You do enjoy hurting me,” I wheeze.
He yanks me toward him, and in my struggles to get loose I end up with my back to him instead and my cheek against the steel wall. His every heavy breath reverberates through me.
“Little Anna,” he snarls in my ear. “With you I discover pleasures I never even knew existed!”
Their fight and chase lands them stuck in an elevator making them spend time and work together to survive. Due to their forced proximity, the darkness, the adrenaline also the possibility that they might die, they both share their deepest darkest secrets making me feel sad for the both of them. They connected in a lot of ways, the chemistry was strong and genuine.
”Why?” she says on an exhale, a breathy sound that is the sexiest thing I’ve heard in a long while. I squirm. It’s getting hot in here.
“Because I don’t only hurt, I make them balance on the edge of orgasm for hours and hours, until they don’t know what’s pain and what’s pleasure. Also, I’m really well equipped, and I know how to use it.” “You’re awfully mean.”
“Oh, yes.”
Anna was so strong with a fire inside her that Eric lit up and brought to the surface making her realise she’s more than the victim and broken woman. I loved and enjoyed how she fought him back tooth and nails and it was a fantastic surprise. Despite what she went through, she was a true badass and that’s exactly what made her a perfect match for Eric. She was finally craving a touch from a man, wanted to feel the pleasure and the trust that comes with it instead of feeling like a damaged person.
She’s so small in my arms. I’m baffled that she actually allows me to hold her after all I’ve done to her, after what I just told her about what I do. I can almost feel the winds shifting, the change between us. I’ve gone from not knowing her, to being curious, to absolutely hating her, to kind of liking her a little. She’s stronger than she looks, and it pulls me toward her, making me want to know more.
Eric was a hero you’re going to hate in the beginning with him wanting to kill her and all but as the chapters went on, I could see just how much she was affecting him and the inner spitfire in her pushed him to make her his. I loved how patient and protective he was with her knowing when to push and when to back down. He knew he a lot to make up with her and he did undoubtedly.
”Because I know there’s a fire in you, Anna. A fire that was stoked, and I find it unfair. I want to see it burn again. I want to help you get it back. You’re special.” I swallow hard, my throat still aching.
“I’m not special.”
“You are to me. More than you know.”
Their story was a delicious slow burn at the same time with tons of action and twists and also emotional and heartfelt moments. What I loved the most about these books is that they are unique. Most of the mafia romance you see both the characters are from the same world which kinda becomes repetitive, this hasn’t happened in the series so far and I’m enjoying it from a different point of view. The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars was because I wanted to see a little more of their lives after she decided to go with him.
If you guys haven’t checked out this series yet, stop wasting your time ‘cause you’re missing out on a lot.♥️
(P.S. Nathan is still my favourite even though Eric came close. 🙈)
His presence both tugs at me and repels me. How does he do it? How does he stay so calm when my heart flutters with known and unknown fears?
Roller Coaster. that’s exactly what I felt like I was on when I read this story. It was like I was on the ride of my life. It was scary, exciting, exhilarating and full of twists and turns you don’t see coming but they still leave you breathless. What I wasn’t prepared for was the emotional turmoil the characters were going through especially the h and I feel the author did an amazing job of making the journey of recovery believable and genuine.
I usually avoid the books with trauma of any kind because they make me feel too emotional but I kept on reading this one because putting it down was impossible. I was already hooked and having read the first book and how much I loved it, I knew this one will blow my mind too. Besides these I’m already obsessed with these Russo men.
Eric Reed is known for being Ruthless. Heartless. Cruel. Cunning. Killer on the streets and in the mafia world. His reputation precedes him but when his world collides with an innocent and broken girl, he breaks the one code he lives by and so begins a cat and mouse chase. He starts to question his morals and how a woman is making him feel all kinds of emotions he long thought he didn’t possessed.
I’ve been in the dark for so long, so lonely and lost. Something in him woke something inside me. I felt like he saw me.
Anna has become a shadow of her former self ever since she fell into the hands of a bad man who raped her and took away her innocence and trust in men. For the past few years, she only goes through life doing mundane things, leaving her career as a hotshot lawyer and moves to another low key job looking for peace and quiet. Never in a million years would she have realised that her life was going to take a major turn.
I look up and gasp when I’m met by those eerie light-green eyes I now see for the third time today. Eric. From Starbucks. The charming stranger I argued coffee with. Who didn’t want to talk about his job. Now I get why.
I let out a raw sob of fright, my heart slamming so hard in my chest I feel like I’ll faint, and grip his hand, trying to pry myself loose. This isn’t happening. Not again. Please, not again!
He doesn’t look pleased at all. His mouth is twisted and his eyes flare.
“Anna.”
The first time Anna meets Eric she’s blown away by his handsome looks and charming personality. She’s attracted to his calm, flirty and good boy attitude and ends up spending time with him when all she’s done is avoid men the last few years. Something about him makes her open up and crave his closeness. All that shatters when she catches him killing her boss in cold blood and ends up being chased by him.
I feel regret like I’ve never felt before, and still I’m grateful. She made me feel something again. Never have I had someone else’s complete and utter trust. She made me realize I can be something more than the stone-cold killer I’ve turned into.
Eric felt a connection with Anna even though she’s the opposite to the women he usually goes for. He wants to know her deepest secrets, make her smile, maybe even protect her but when she catches him, he knows he has to kill her even if it’s wrong. What he doesn’t expect is how hard and tough she fights him back.
”You do enjoy hurting me,” I wheeze.
He yanks me toward him, and in my struggles to get loose I end up with my back to him instead and my cheek against the steel wall. His every heavy breath reverberates through me.
“Little Anna,” he snarls in my ear. “With you I discover pleasures I never even knew existed!”
Their fight and chase lands them stuck in an elevator making them spend time and work together to survive. Due to their forced proximity, the darkness, the adrenaline also the possibility that they might die, they both share their deepest darkest secrets making me feel sad for the both of them. They connected in a lot of ways, the chemistry was strong and genuine.
”Why?” she says on an exhale, a breathy sound that is the sexiest thing I’ve heard in a long while. I squirm. It’s getting hot in here.
“Because I don’t only hurt, I make them balance on the edge of orgasm for hours and hours, until they don’t know what’s pain and what’s pleasure. Also, I’m really well equipped, and I know how to use it.” “You’re awfully mean.”
“Oh, yes.”
Anna was so strong with a fire inside her that Eric lit up and brought to the surface making her realise she’s more than the victim and broken woman. I loved and enjoyed how she fought him back tooth and nails and it was a fantastic surprise. Despite what she went through, she was a true badass and that’s exactly what made her a perfect match for Eric. She was finally craving a touch from a man, wanted to feel the pleasure and the trust that comes with it instead of feeling like a damaged person.
She’s so small in my arms. I’m baffled that she actually allows me to hold her after all I’ve done to her, after what I just told her about what I do. I can almost feel the winds shifting, the change between us. I’ve gone from not knowing her, to being curious, to absolutely hating her, to kind of liking her a little. She’s stronger than she looks, and it pulls me toward her, making me want to know more.
Eric was a hero you’re going to hate in the beginning with him wanting to kill her and all but as the chapters went on, I could see just how much she was affecting him and the inner spitfire in her pushed him to make her his. I loved how patient and protective he was with her knowing when to push and when to back down. He knew he a lot to make up with her and he did undoubtedly.
”Because I know there’s a fire in you, Anna. A fire that was stoked, and I find it unfair. I want to see it burn again. I want to help you get it back. You’re special.” I swallow hard, my throat still aching.
“I’m not special.”
“You are to me. More than you know.”
Their story was a delicious slow burn at the same time with tons of action and twists and also emotional and heartfelt moments. What I loved the most about these books is that they are unique. Most of the mafia romance you see both the characters are from the same world which kinda becomes repetitive, this hasn’t happened in the series so far and I’m enjoying it from a different point of view. The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars was because I wanted to see a little more of their lives after she decided to go with him.
If you guys haven’t checked out this series yet, stop wasting your time ‘cause you’re missing out on a lot.♥️
(P.S. Nathan is still my favourite even though Eric came close. 🙈)
December 16, 2019
Originally posted at:
As of two years ago, I decided to challenge myself to read books that I normally wouldn't pick up, with the intention of broadening my horizons and maybe even finding something I liked in stories I didn't think I would like in the first place. This book was the first winner for me with this challenge.
Anti-heroes rub me the wrong way. I've felt like this for quite a few years. I've picked up books in the past that featured this kind of character and as enjoyable as the stories were they didn't captivate me. This book proved to me that maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. The writing style was awesome and the pacing, though slow at times, did great things for the overall story.
Eric was something alright. He came off as very menacing and angry in the beginning. I disliked all the violence but I enjoyed the moments when the heroine got the upper hand on a guy twice her size (even as improbable as it was). He ended up having a sweet and somewhat devious side that kind of redeemed him in some aspects. I'm not sure what to make of him but it was one heck of an entertaining story.
Anna was getting nowhere in her life because of an incident a year before that made her decide to switch careers to try and pursue some peace of mind. She was very skittish and overall unhappy with her life. The way her relationship developed does have stockholm syndrome written all over it but I'm still ok with it (if that makes any sense)? It was well developed within the story and she did try to rationalize it away if that helps.
The ending was kind of sweet! It's like Eric becomes a different version of himself with her by his side and it helped close out the story in a peaceful way just like how it all started.
My Favorite Quotes:
"Just because you can't relate doesn't mean they don't exist. You never know what hides beneath the façade of another human being."
"I live in a world where the monsters under the bed have all come to life."
"You gave me hope when there was none to be had."
As of two years ago, I decided to challenge myself to read books that I normally wouldn't pick up, with the intention of broadening my horizons and maybe even finding something I liked in stories I didn't think I would like in the first place. This book was the first winner for me with this challenge.
Anti-heroes rub me the wrong way. I've felt like this for quite a few years. I've picked up books in the past that featured this kind of character and as enjoyable as the stories were they didn't captivate me. This book proved to me that maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. The writing style was awesome and the pacing, though slow at times, did great things for the overall story.
Eric was something alright. He came off as very menacing and angry in the beginning. I disliked all the violence but I enjoyed the moments when the heroine got the upper hand on a guy twice her size (even as improbable as it was). He ended up having a sweet and somewhat devious side that kind of redeemed him in some aspects. I'm not sure what to make of him but it was one heck of an entertaining story.
Anna was getting nowhere in her life because of an incident a year before that made her decide to switch careers to try and pursue some peace of mind. She was very skittish and overall unhappy with her life. The way her relationship developed does have stockholm syndrome written all over it but I'm still ok with it (if that makes any sense)? It was well developed within the story and she did try to rationalize it away if that helps.
The ending was kind of sweet! It's like Eric becomes a different version of himself with her by his side and it helped close out the story in a peaceful way just like how it all started.
My Favorite Quotes:
"Just because you can't relate doesn't mean they don't exist. You never know what hides beneath the façade of another human being."
"I live in a world where the monsters under the bed have all come to life."
"You gave me hope when there was none to be had."
Read
September 13, 2020EXCERPT:
(Anna)
“Hi!”
I spin around. Stunning green eyes pierce mine and a wide smile spreads across the man’s features. My heart takes a leap up to my throat. Oh crap.
“Eric,” I acknowledge and give him a curt nod. My feelings about meeting him again are a jumbled mess. Excitement, paired with a dose of anxiousness, spiced up with a pinch of attraction, and a slice of fright, all fight for space in my chest.
“Anna… was it?” He cocks his head. “Fancy seeing you again. On your way home?” He nods at the exit.
I grimace and look at the busy boulevard outside the glass doors, toward freedom. “No such luck. I have loads of work left.” I shift and correct my grip on the pile of documents. His gaze lingers on the wad of papers, or perhaps my chest, or both. I suck in a breath as a shiver rushes through me.
“Are you on the run, then?” He glances behind me, then leans forward, lowering his voice. “No one’s chasing you yet, so I think you still have time.”
He holds my gaze and I laugh nervously. “Nah, I need something to eat.” I start toward the exit, intent on fleeing, but he falls in line next to me, matching my pace.
“I’ll walk you there.”
“That’s not really necessary.” My mouth turns dry. Fifteen minutes with him this morning messed with my head the rest of the day. That’s enough excitement for this month. Please come back in January.
“Not a problem,” he says, again completely tone-deaf to my inner blabbering. “I’m supplementing myself with another coffee before I need to get back to work myself.”
I can’t very well prevent him from exercising his free will, so off we go. To Starbucks. Again. He holds the door, very gentlemanly, then he insists to pay for my wrap and carrot cake. I try to pay for my own stuff, but he’s adamant and it gets to the point of being ridiculous in front of the cashier and with people behind us sighing louder and louder.
“Have we moved from arguing coffee to arguing finances already?” he asks. “That was fast. Next up we’ll be divorcing before we’re even married.”
My cheeks heat up and I let him pay whatever he wants to pay. “Thanks, I’ll…” I motion toward the exit with a nod, my arms full of folders and paper bags. All I want is to flee back to the safety of my office, my plans for working at the cafe while I eat shattered.
He balances a cup of coffee in one hand and stuffs his wallet back into the inner pocket of his suit jacket with the other.
“Sit with me?” He gestures to an empty table, interrupting my attempt at an escape.
He doesn’t sound so cocky as he did this morning. It feels a little less threatening, and I find my will wavering. I regard him a moment and make up my mind.
“All right, but only for a short while. The longer I stay here, the later I’ll have to work.”
I sound stiff. It’s not how I mean for it to come out, but I’m decidedly rattled by his presence, and him asking me to join him. Of course he picks up on that. He frowns and lays a warm hand on my elbow. I jerk hard with surprise, my heart leaping. He removes it immediately, glancing down at the spot he touched and then back up at my face.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to invade your personal space. It’s... No, never mind.” He looks at his shoes before he meets my eyes again. “Have a nice evening. Don’t work too hard.”
“No, it’s okay,” I say quickly. “I can sit for a bit, I guess.”
His face lights up, and I dare a smile. My heart jolts from the beautiful sight when his features brighten.
He takes the lead and finds us a little table in a corner by the window. I nearly lose my grip on everything I’m carrying when I try to sit. Only his quick reaction saves me, grabbing the paper bag and steadying my hold on the documents with his hands on my forearms. I jerk again, from the unexpected contact, skin on skin, and his arms drop as suddenly as he lifted them. The burning sensation from his fingers lingers long after he’s let me go, making me want to touch the spots myself to see if his hands are still there.
I clear my throat, my heart rushing, then I pull out the chair to sit, the legs scraping loudly against the floor.
“I’m sorry, I—” we say in unison and then laugh, the tension dissipating.
“I didn’t mean—” He gestures defensively.
“No. It’s all right. It’s me, I…” I don’t continue. It’s not something I tell people, the thing that happened last year. The thing that killed my wish to ever let a man touch me again. And yet here I am, despite myself, talking to this man.
Eric.
(Anna)
“Hi!”
I spin around. Stunning green eyes pierce mine and a wide smile spreads across the man’s features. My heart takes a leap up to my throat. Oh crap.
“Eric,” I acknowledge and give him a curt nod. My feelings about meeting him again are a jumbled mess. Excitement, paired with a dose of anxiousness, spiced up with a pinch of attraction, and a slice of fright, all fight for space in my chest.
“Anna… was it?” He cocks his head. “Fancy seeing you again. On your way home?” He nods at the exit.
I grimace and look at the busy boulevard outside the glass doors, toward freedom. “No such luck. I have loads of work left.” I shift and correct my grip on the pile of documents. His gaze lingers on the wad of papers, or perhaps my chest, or both. I suck in a breath as a shiver rushes through me.
“Are you on the run, then?” He glances behind me, then leans forward, lowering his voice. “No one’s chasing you yet, so I think you still have time.”
He holds my gaze and I laugh nervously. “Nah, I need something to eat.” I start toward the exit, intent on fleeing, but he falls in line next to me, matching my pace.
“I’ll walk you there.”
“That’s not really necessary.” My mouth turns dry. Fifteen minutes with him this morning messed with my head the rest of the day. That’s enough excitement for this month. Please come back in January.
“Not a problem,” he says, again completely tone-deaf to my inner blabbering. “I’m supplementing myself with another coffee before I need to get back to work myself.”
I can’t very well prevent him from exercising his free will, so off we go. To Starbucks. Again. He holds the door, very gentlemanly, then he insists to pay for my wrap and carrot cake. I try to pay for my own stuff, but he’s adamant and it gets to the point of being ridiculous in front of the cashier and with people behind us sighing louder and louder.
“Have we moved from arguing coffee to arguing finances already?” he asks. “That was fast. Next up we’ll be divorcing before we’re even married.”
My cheeks heat up and I let him pay whatever he wants to pay. “Thanks, I’ll…” I motion toward the exit with a nod, my arms full of folders and paper bags. All I want is to flee back to the safety of my office, my plans for working at the cafe while I eat shattered.
He balances a cup of coffee in one hand and stuffs his wallet back into the inner pocket of his suit jacket with the other.
“Sit with me?” He gestures to an empty table, interrupting my attempt at an escape.
He doesn’t sound so cocky as he did this morning. It feels a little less threatening, and I find my will wavering. I regard him a moment and make up my mind.
“All right, but only for a short while. The longer I stay here, the later I’ll have to work.”
I sound stiff. It’s not how I mean for it to come out, but I’m decidedly rattled by his presence, and him asking me to join him. Of course he picks up on that. He frowns and lays a warm hand on my elbow. I jerk hard with surprise, my heart leaping. He removes it immediately, glancing down at the spot he touched and then back up at my face.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to invade your personal space. It’s... No, never mind.” He looks at his shoes before he meets my eyes again. “Have a nice evening. Don’t work too hard.”
“No, it’s okay,” I say quickly. “I can sit for a bit, I guess.”
His face lights up, and I dare a smile. My heart jolts from the beautiful sight when his features brighten.
He takes the lead and finds us a little table in a corner by the window. I nearly lose my grip on everything I’m carrying when I try to sit. Only his quick reaction saves me, grabbing the paper bag and steadying my hold on the documents with his hands on my forearms. I jerk again, from the unexpected contact, skin on skin, and his arms drop as suddenly as he lifted them. The burning sensation from his fingers lingers long after he’s let me go, making me want to touch the spots myself to see if his hands are still there.
I clear my throat, my heart rushing, then I pull out the chair to sit, the legs scraping loudly against the floor.
“I’m sorry, I—” we say in unison and then laugh, the tension dissipating.
“I didn’t mean—” He gestures defensively.
“No. It’s all right. It’s me, I…” I don’t continue. It’s not something I tell people, the thing that happened last year. The thing that killed my wish to ever let a man touch me again. And yet here I am, despite myself, talking to this man.
Eric.
June 9, 2020
Five STUNNED 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟's
I'm new to the creative writing by this delightful author. I feel as though I had to close my slack jaw that seemed to have dropped more than once! Delightful and just stunned each of the times. My fellow readers who surely like myself have come to the realization that this author totally DELIVERD. Just one word and everyone who's red this book should more than understand.... ELEVATOR.
Don't want to give any spoiler alerts. So do yourself a HUGE favor and if you haven't read this author before or if you were blessed to have discovered her creative writings....then either way.... READ THIS SERIES... BOOK... BOOKS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😘
I'm new to the creative writing by this delightful author. I feel as though I had to close my slack jaw that seemed to have dropped more than once! Delightful and just stunned each of the times. My fellow readers who surely like myself have come to the realization that this author totally DELIVERD. Just one word and everyone who's red this book should more than understand.... ELEVATOR.
Don't want to give any spoiler alerts. So do yourself a HUGE favor and if you haven't read this author before or if you were blessed to have discovered her creative writings....then either way.... READ THIS SERIES... BOOK... BOOKS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😘
April 18, 2019
This is the first work of Nicolina Martin I've read and have to admit to being pleasantly surprised. Since I hadn't read book one of the 'Russo Saga,' I was a bit apprehensive about what I would miss in the details. That proved to be a non-issue really. It just made me realize I need to backtrack and get book one to be caught up on any backstory I've missed.
Eric works for Luciano Salvatore, his right-hand man. Capo of the mightiest network of organized crime on the West Coast. In Eric's mind, he's his boss, his mentor, his savior. He absolutely loathes the man while at the same time, he'd die for him.
Anna had worked in a law office before the incident. After that she couldn't handle the stress so she quit her job and went to work for an innocuous printing company as a Customer Service Rep. Wasn't as challenging as her previous position but the work was so mundane for the most part she didn't need to put to much thought into it. Besides, she has also built a shield around herself keeping everyone else at arms length.
When these two broken people come into contact with each other, it's not what you would call a Cupid's calling.
There are several things about this book I want to mention. As I said previously, I read it as a standalone without any lost information pertinent to the story. The characters with their personality flaws and quirks are so relatable it's easy to be sucked into the story. When their feelings and emotions become involved I felt myself leaning forward like I was afraid I would miss something. The last and probably most poignant thing I want to point out is the fact this wasn't a fluff happily ever after, they rode into the sunset ending. I won't give anything away, but I was rather impressed with where the characters remained. That made it more relatable to me than anything. Congratulations Nicolina on not only a great read but what looks like a terrific series. You've also picked up a new follower.
Eric works for Luciano Salvatore, his right-hand man. Capo of the mightiest network of organized crime on the West Coast. In Eric's mind, he's his boss, his mentor, his savior. He absolutely loathes the man while at the same time, he'd die for him.
Anna had worked in a law office before the incident. After that she couldn't handle the stress so she quit her job and went to work for an innocuous printing company as a Customer Service Rep. Wasn't as challenging as her previous position but the work was so mundane for the most part she didn't need to put to much thought into it. Besides, she has also built a shield around herself keeping everyone else at arms length.
When these two broken people come into contact with each other, it's not what you would call a Cupid's calling.
There are several things about this book I want to mention. As I said previously, I read it as a standalone without any lost information pertinent to the story. The characters with their personality flaws and quirks are so relatable it's easy to be sucked into the story. When their feelings and emotions become involved I felt myself leaning forward like I was afraid I would miss something. The last and probably most poignant thing I want to point out is the fact this wasn't a fluff happily ever after, they rode into the sunset ending. I won't give anything away, but I was rather impressed with where the characters remained. That made it more relatable to me than anything. Congratulations Nicolina on not only a great read but what looks like a terrific series. You've also picked up a new follower.
June 2, 2019
This is books 2 in a great new series , The Russo Saga by Nicolina Martin. In this book we are treated to the story of Eric & Anna. Martin is ohh so good at setting the scene and sucking you in from the getgo!! She makes it easy ,laying everything out so you can make up your own mind about this couple, decide for yourself, do you love them? hate them ? or even love to hate them?? Decisions, decisions??? Can you trust your judgment when you think you know someone than see them in a situation that’s a complete 180 from where you thought?? Can you trust a man who one minute you’re friendly with and the next you realize he’s trying to kill you?? Or is he?? Anna is not having a good day and it ends with her see something she shouldn’t have. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She may have been confused about it all but she knows she’s got to get out of there so when the opportunity comes she high tails it out of there!! It was not quite far enough and she gets stuck in an elevator with Eric,the question is is he friend or foe?? One of the many things I love about Ms. Martin is she is not afraid to go there!! You get to know these two intimately. You will be thinking about these two along with the rest of the “blipped “ up Russo Family long after you finish this book. Ruin is so worth your precious time and hard earned money!! Enjoy this next next look into The Russo Saga!!
January 9, 2022
Nicolina Martin is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine,her writing is só delicious!
The Russo family is seriously f**ked up,but i love them,and i can’t wait to get to know all of them.
Ruin is about Eric Reed,who was taken into the family at a very young age.
Anna Raymond struggles to get through her days after she’s been raped.
Once a bright young lawyer,she now works at a custom printing company.
Not letting anyone in,not letting any man come near her but her father.
Until one day,at the nearby Starbucks,she runs into a devastatingly handsome man.
Somehow,he manages to get past her walls,and she finds herself thinking of him….
But when boss asks her to work late one evening,she sees him again….about to kill her boss!
She manages to fight him off when he comes after her and tries to get to safety.
Running from him ends up with them trapped in an elevator,and she’s not sure what’s worse…
Being in a closed space with a killer,or her fear of being in a closed space.
Something changes while they wait for help to arrive,though…
And she finds she’s not afraid of being near a man anymore,of being touched by one.
Even though he ís a killer…
Eric thought this job was going to be easy,but meeting up with Christian Russo,he knows he needs to make sure he’s up for the job.
Finding out why Christian acts the way he does,reassures him enough,and they go ahead as planned.
Meeting the cute little blonde at the nearby Starbucks is a nice bonus…
But seeing her,after warning her not to stay too late,that sucks.
Now he has to deal with her,and he finds himself reluctant to do something permanent.
She may have a sad aura around her,but she ís a fighter,and he starts to admire that in her,even if he finds out in a very painful way…
Being stuck all night in an elevator together,it changes something within him.
And he finds he wants more…if she’s willing.
Eric may have been a cold-hearted killer,but he was good to Anna.
Even if he did hurt her at first….he was patient with her,showed her how to take back control of her life.
But he did want her with him,needed her to,and not just because her only other option would probably be death….no,she made him feel,she filled that gaping hole inside of him,and he wanted more.
Anna didn’t really live after that day she was raped,and she never talked to anyone about what had happened.
Not even her father….but Eric? He pulled it out,he saw!
And it felt good,opening up,finally talking about it.
Even if she was afraid of the killer,she saw the vulnerable man hiding behind the mask.
And even though she knew he was a killer,he touched her heart,filled that void inside of her.
She was brave enough to not only stand up to him,but to accept him as well.
Their story? I loved it! That connection they had? Só beautiful!
The Russo family is seriously f**ked up,but i love them,and i can’t wait to get to know all of them.
Ruin is about Eric Reed,who was taken into the family at a very young age.
Anna Raymond struggles to get through her days after she’s been raped.
Once a bright young lawyer,she now works at a custom printing company.
Not letting anyone in,not letting any man come near her but her father.
Until one day,at the nearby Starbucks,she runs into a devastatingly handsome man.
Somehow,he manages to get past her walls,and she finds herself thinking of him….
But when boss asks her to work late one evening,she sees him again….about to kill her boss!
She manages to fight him off when he comes after her and tries to get to safety.
Running from him ends up with them trapped in an elevator,and she’s not sure what’s worse…
Being in a closed space with a killer,or her fear of being in a closed space.
Something changes while they wait for help to arrive,though…
And she finds she’s not afraid of being near a man anymore,of being touched by one.
Even though he ís a killer…
Eric thought this job was going to be easy,but meeting up with Christian Russo,he knows he needs to make sure he’s up for the job.
Finding out why Christian acts the way he does,reassures him enough,and they go ahead as planned.
Meeting the cute little blonde at the nearby Starbucks is a nice bonus…
But seeing her,after warning her not to stay too late,that sucks.
Now he has to deal with her,and he finds himself reluctant to do something permanent.
She may have a sad aura around her,but she ís a fighter,and he starts to admire that in her,even if he finds out in a very painful way…
Being stuck all night in an elevator together,it changes something within him.
And he finds he wants more…if she’s willing.
Eric may have been a cold-hearted killer,but he was good to Anna.
Even if he did hurt her at first….he was patient with her,showed her how to take back control of her life.
But he did want her with him,needed her to,and not just because her only other option would probably be death….no,she made him feel,she filled that gaping hole inside of him,and he wanted more.
Anna didn’t really live after that day she was raped,and she never talked to anyone about what had happened.
Not even her father….but Eric? He pulled it out,he saw!
And it felt good,opening up,finally talking about it.
Even if she was afraid of the killer,she saw the vulnerable man hiding behind the mask.
And even though she knew he was a killer,he touched her heart,filled that void inside of her.
She was brave enough to not only stand up to him,but to accept him as well.
Their story? I loved it! That connection they had? Só beautiful!
January 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this well written mafia romance. Can a ruthless hit man be the hero? Yes, he can. I went in blind with this series and so far, at book two, it's a tick from me. (I've never read anything by this author before.)
The romance is slow burn and there's a lot of action, uncomfortable murders and attempted murders. Our heroine accidentally stumbles into one of these scenes, and the chase to silence her is on.
Any more details and I'll spoil. Thanks to Kobo Plus and the author for including this series in their library, otherwise, I may not have discovered these books. 😍
4.5 stars.
The romance is slow burn and there's a lot of action, uncomfortable murders and attempted murders. Our heroine accidentally stumbles into one of these scenes, and the chase to silence her is on.
Any more details and I'll spoil. Thanks to Kobo Plus and the author for including this series in their library, otherwise, I may not have discovered these books. 😍
4.5 stars.
August 21, 2023
Eric is one of Salvatore's men and he does his job well and efficiently. While looking into some laundering that is not going well he comes across Anna, a shy, awkward young woman who works for the company he is looking into. He discovers that she is unique and different but with so much sadness in her eyes.
Then a night that goes terribly wrong, Eric finds himself in a position to choose, he knows that because she witnessed what was happening and that he must get rid of her, but fate, karma, intervenes and puts this couple on a course of not return.
Fabulous story with deep characters. 💖
Then a night that goes terribly wrong, Eric finds himself in a position to choose, he knows that because she witnessed what was happening and that he must get rid of her, but fate, karma, intervenes and puts this couple on a course of not return.
Fabulous story with deep characters. 💖
Read
June 18, 2022DNF @43%.
It’s not progressing. They’re still stuck in the elevator almost halfway through the book. 🥱
It’s not progressing. They’re still stuck in the elevator almost halfway through the book. 🥱
May 16, 2019
Russo mob love story
Loved this book and the first one too. I can't wait for third one to come out. Anna was barely living her life just going through the motions. When she meets Eric she s scared but she fights back. She doesn't expect to like him, much less he like her. Can she overcome what he does for a living? I have found I love these family mob stories and I am always on the lookout for more.
Loved this book and the first one too. I can't wait for third one to come out. Anna was barely living her life just going through the motions. When she meets Eric she s scared but she fights back. She doesn't expect to like him, much less he like her. Can she overcome what he does for a living? I have found I love these family mob stories and I am always on the lookout for more.
May 15, 2019
Awesome story
I loved this story all the way around. I was hooked right away and it got better and better. I am hopeful to see more from this family.
I loved this story all the way around. I was hooked right away and it got better and better. I am hopeful to see more from this family.
December 15, 2020
⚠️Possible spoilers ahead!⚠️
Second book in the Russo Saga Collection and I liked this kinda unique story. The way Eric and Anna met.... the fighting, the running & chasing, and them getting trapped together in an elevator.... how creative! And, what was really kind of unexpected (not the 'usual'), was that Anna didn't fall for Eric right away.... and they didn't fuck like bunnies while trapped. 😁
For me, maybe the story was a little too slow?? Too much of Anna's inner musings and insecurities, especially towards the end. Which, on the other hand, was also 'refreshing'!
Nicolina Martin (new-to-me-author) does not tread the proverbial 'beaten paths' and finds creative solutions.... she approaches things differently than other authors. Like Anna, who remains conflicted until the very end about what Eric is and does for a living. And that Eric stayed true and didn't sugar coat things for her. In book #1 Heat I was surprised that Nate could get some kind of 'out' of the mafia life. It would have been not-cool if Eric had ended up taking the same route. Anna goes to the Police, knowing who and what she's dealing with, knowing snitching might get her killed. She didn't shrink from the possible backlash and she at least tried to do the right thing. Which is not something I read often! Usually, the love struck heroine conveniently forgets that her new lover is actually a stone cold killer and a cruel motherfucker.
So yes, Nicolina Martin surprised and impressed me.... I really enjoy her writing. 🥰
Gonna continue with the series; especially looking forward to book #6 Capo: A Dark Mafia Romance, Luciano Salvatore's story.
Russo Saga Collection --> https://www.goodreads.com/series/2593...
April 11, 2019
WOW !! this book is certainly a wonderful read , we start with the characters Anna R. and Eric R. so totally Not related LOL... Anna has been thru a terrible experience, she has lost her happiness and walks around with despair, her life as she knew it was over .. or so it seemed to her.
Eric is a hit man For a very brutal Mob Boss named Salavatore, Eric himself had a hard Life but he was and angry Man who seemed to Want something more in life but did not know what this could be ...
Eric and Fellow hit man Christian were sent to do a Job. after they scoped all things, they were in the process of doing their jobs when suddenly things did not go so well, Anna was working late and stumbled into something she should never have seen ... needless to say chases ensue and Anna and Eric end up Trapped in an elevator ... which they come to a sorta truce .. when they are rescued more excitement happens (I can't tell all or there would be no need for you too read the Book :) )
from this point on you simply MUST READ ... I will say there is a HEA for Anna and Eric but you really will want to read and see how that comes about..
Excellent and well done Ms. Martin ...
Eric is a hit man For a very brutal Mob Boss named Salavatore, Eric himself had a hard Life but he was and angry Man who seemed to Want something more in life but did not know what this could be ...
Eric and Fellow hit man Christian were sent to do a Job. after they scoped all things, they were in the process of doing their jobs when suddenly things did not go so well, Anna was working late and stumbled into something she should never have seen ... needless to say chases ensue and Anna and Eric end up Trapped in an elevator ... which they come to a sorta truce .. when they are rescued more excitement happens (I can't tell all or there would be no need for you too read the Book :) )
from this point on you simply MUST READ ... I will say there is a HEA for Anna and Eric but you really will want to read and see how that comes about..
Excellent and well done Ms. Martin ...
June 12, 2019
Eric is a killer about to fulfill his contract when he practically crashes into Anna. Poor Anna just wants to get out of work and keep herself safe and alone in her self imposed isolation. Eric must now kill Anna, he can't leave any witnesses. Anna did her best to fight off Eric but when they are trapped in an elevator, he realizes he can't be found with a dead body once he gets out. I hated Eric, but then, I loved him, but the hate returned as he flips from hot to cold with Anna. Eric pushed all my buttons but Anna does gets some sweetness out of him as they survive their time trapped elevator together. I had so many conflicting emotions as I read, prepare for an exciting, hot and at times sweet trip with the equally conflicting emotions of Eric and Anna.
June 21, 2019
Book: Ruin (Russo Saga Book 2)
Author: Nicolina Martin
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewer: emmasromanticreviews17 on Facebook
Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the first book in the series I had my reservations but as I predicted in my review of Heat (book one), Nicolina’a writing style has improved immensely and the result is this fantastic book. It really is a great read that will draw you in and captivate you until you are living on the dark side. I never believed that I would be cheering for a girl to fall I love with someone who is trying to murder her but that is exactly what this book is about and that is what I felt!
Anna has had a nice life but it is nothing that would be called overly fancy. She has a good job, nice house and some reliable friends but that is it. She is close to her dad but has always put her law career first. Then a year ago she suffered a horrific attack that changed her whole outlook on life. She becomes withdrawn, shy and timid. She swapped her big time job for a no pressure, easy-going financial law job rather than the fast paced criminal law role she had before. She no longer goes out and prefers the sanctuary her house, along with nightly phone calls with her dad, brings. She most definitely is not looking for a man or even talking to the other sex. So she cannot understand why a gorgeous, confident guy in the Starbucks queue wants to talk to her about coffee but at the same time makes her feel alive for the first time in over a year.
Eric Reed is good at his job. He has worked for malicious mob boss Luciano Salvatore for almost his whole life. He may not like or trust Salvatore but Eric knows he wouldn’t be alive without him after his difficult childhood. Eric is comfortable with who he is and is not ashamed that he gets off on inflicting pain. This also extends to his love of women. He likes to use, abuse and give them pleasure as long as they know it will only be the once. He doesn’t believe that his lifestyle will align well with having a woman in his life. So why, when a job goes horribly wrong one night and a witness sees Eric, is he not able to kill her? Instead he feels drawn to her and an overwhelming need to protect her.
Anna and Eric’s relationship is beautiful. The way he helps her heal and knows exactly what she needs is so delicate and breath-taking to see. I loved Eric so much. He is cocky, possessive and strong on the outside but he is also kind, caring and insecure. He is just as broken as Anna but in a very different way. Anna is such a lovely character. At her lowest, having suffered in silence for a year, she finds inner strength that she didn’t know she was capable of that helped her to heal. Eric gives her space to realise her feelings but my word is the wait agonising.
This book has an epilogue that features all of the Russo family and it is great. I love the catch up we get from Nathan and Sydney from book one. We also get a lot of information in this book about a very unhappy Christian and I am sure there is going to be a fantastic book that goes into detail all about what happened. I think this series is only going to get better.
Overall, I really loved this book. Nicolina Martin has made so many improvements since the first book and it really shows in this book. The characters are great and very realistic even in a mafia style environment. The plot is full of drama, suspense and intrigue with an extremely large amount of beautiful chemistry that leads to some hot and steamy sex. What is there not to love! I fully recommend this book and cannot wait for the next one.
Author: Nicolina Martin
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewer: emmasromanticreviews17 on Facebook
Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the first book in the series I had my reservations but as I predicted in my review of Heat (book one), Nicolina’a writing style has improved immensely and the result is this fantastic book. It really is a great read that will draw you in and captivate you until you are living on the dark side. I never believed that I would be cheering for a girl to fall I love with someone who is trying to murder her but that is exactly what this book is about and that is what I felt!
Anna has had a nice life but it is nothing that would be called overly fancy. She has a good job, nice house and some reliable friends but that is it. She is close to her dad but has always put her law career first. Then a year ago she suffered a horrific attack that changed her whole outlook on life. She becomes withdrawn, shy and timid. She swapped her big time job for a no pressure, easy-going financial law job rather than the fast paced criminal law role she had before. She no longer goes out and prefers the sanctuary her house, along with nightly phone calls with her dad, brings. She most definitely is not looking for a man or even talking to the other sex. So she cannot understand why a gorgeous, confident guy in the Starbucks queue wants to talk to her about coffee but at the same time makes her feel alive for the first time in over a year.
Eric Reed is good at his job. He has worked for malicious mob boss Luciano Salvatore for almost his whole life. He may not like or trust Salvatore but Eric knows he wouldn’t be alive without him after his difficult childhood. Eric is comfortable with who he is and is not ashamed that he gets off on inflicting pain. This also extends to his love of women. He likes to use, abuse and give them pleasure as long as they know it will only be the once. He doesn’t believe that his lifestyle will align well with having a woman in his life. So why, when a job goes horribly wrong one night and a witness sees Eric, is he not able to kill her? Instead he feels drawn to her and an overwhelming need to protect her.
Anna and Eric’s relationship is beautiful. The way he helps her heal and knows exactly what she needs is so delicate and breath-taking to see. I loved Eric so much. He is cocky, possessive and strong on the outside but he is also kind, caring and insecure. He is just as broken as Anna but in a very different way. Anna is such a lovely character. At her lowest, having suffered in silence for a year, she finds inner strength that she didn’t know she was capable of that helped her to heal. Eric gives her space to realise her feelings but my word is the wait agonising.
This book has an epilogue that features all of the Russo family and it is great. I love the catch up we get from Nathan and Sydney from book one. We also get a lot of information in this book about a very unhappy Christian and I am sure there is going to be a fantastic book that goes into detail all about what happened. I think this series is only going to get better.
Overall, I really loved this book. Nicolina Martin has made so many improvements since the first book and it really shows in this book. The characters are great and very realistic even in a mafia style environment. The plot is full of drama, suspense and intrigue with an extremely large amount of beautiful chemistry that leads to some hot and steamy sex. What is there not to love! I fully recommend this book and cannot wait for the next one.
August 14, 2019
I loved this book! Dark romance is my favorite genre and this one doesn't disappoint. It is violent at times - and hard to read in places but it is also tender, raw and very emotional. Anna a pretty young loner who is emotionally crippled from a past assault finds herself charmed by Eric a mob hit man who unbeknownst to her is using her to gain access and information to her boss. One faithful day she witnesses something she shouldn't and becomes his target. While trying to flee Eric she finds herself trapped in an elevator with him all night. By the end of the night Anna finds herself not only battling Eric for her very life but also for her heart. The night they spend together opens them both up to each other in ways they have never revealed themselves to anyone before. They lean on each other literally and figuratively for emotional support and find comfort and a rare solace in each other's arms. They become confidants, confessors, lifelines and emotionally bonded. They connect with each other in a way they never connected with anyone else and that night changes the course of both of their lives. Eric is still a mafia hit man and Anna is still a witness and the Eric's mafia boss has no intentional of letting him forget that...
The exciting world of dangerous mafia men and the women they love is fully encapsulated in this sexy, thrilling book. I loved that even though Anna was an emotionally damaged woman she was still no shrinking violet. She argued and fought and stood up for herself with Eric and he in spite of himself fell the harder for her because of it. This book though at times tough to read was oh so satisfyingly good and sexy and provocative and seductive and all of the wonderful adjectives you come to expect from a dark read. I found myself cheering for Anna and forgiving Eric's demons. These two are an explosive sexy pair that I hope to see make a reappearance in future Russo books. I can't wait to devour the rest of this series!
The exciting world of dangerous mafia men and the women they love is fully encapsulated in this sexy, thrilling book. I loved that even though Anna was an emotionally damaged woman she was still no shrinking violet. She argued and fought and stood up for herself with Eric and he in spite of himself fell the harder for her because of it. This book though at times tough to read was oh so satisfyingly good and sexy and provocative and seductive and all of the wonderful adjectives you come to expect from a dark read. I found myself cheering for Anna and forgiving Eric's demons. These two are an explosive sexy pair that I hope to see make a reappearance in future Russo books. I can't wait to devour the rest of this series!
May 5, 2019
Okay, let me start by saying this is not my typical "go to" book. I like the more fantastical (hunky aliens, fae lords, witches, vampires, werewolves, oh my!), so you won't often see me reaching for a contemporary, mafia style book. It just isn't my jam. That is, until Ms. Martin came out with the Russo series. I AM HOOKED! Her characters are intense, multi-layered, complex and beautifully flawed - you know, like REAL people. Sometimes you like them and sometimes you don't.
Anna is just trying to continue living after a horrific incident leaves her soul battered and bruised. Everyday is a struggle to continue moving through her life. Then, one day, she makes an unexpected connection with a dazzling stranger and her life will never be the same, again. Eric is not a hero. He is no knight in shining armor and that's exactly how he likes his life. That is, until he meets Anna, who makes him reconsider his outlook on life. These two have instant chemistry and the story that unfolds is enthralling. This is an edge of your seat, emotional tale that will live with me for a long time. I loved the first book in this series, but I LOVE the second. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us!
This story deals with some really rough, adult themes and the reader should be aware there are possible triggers. However, in my opinion, everything was balanced and made sense. There was nothing sensationalized about it and the harsh subjects were not used to titillate the reader. They were presented and handled in a respectful way. If this were a movie rating, I would give it an NC-17. Highly recommend!
Anna is just trying to continue living after a horrific incident leaves her soul battered and bruised. Everyday is a struggle to continue moving through her life. Then, one day, she makes an unexpected connection with a dazzling stranger and her life will never be the same, again. Eric is not a hero. He is no knight in shining armor and that's exactly how he likes his life. That is, until he meets Anna, who makes him reconsider his outlook on life. These two have instant chemistry and the story that unfolds is enthralling. This is an edge of your seat, emotional tale that will live with me for a long time. I loved the first book in this series, but I LOVE the second. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us!
This story deals with some really rough, adult themes and the reader should be aware there are possible triggers. However, in my opinion, everything was balanced and made sense. There was nothing sensationalized about it and the harsh subjects were not used to titillate the reader. They were presented and handled in a respectful way. If this were a movie rating, I would give it an NC-17. Highly recommend!
April 12, 2019
I voluntairly reviewed an advance copy of this book. OMG!! Ruin is the first book I have read by Nicolina Martin and it will not be my last. This dark mafia romance was filled with drama, danger, murder and steamy moments. The characters of Eric and Anna are two opposites that are drawn together from their first meeting. Things are not what they seem and Anna is now in danger and her life changes forever after witnessing a crime, she finds herself trapped with Eric for the night as well as fighting the sexual tension between them. Eric is now faced with a problem, will he be able to save the one woman he shouldn't because she knows too much and won his heart? This story had moments of sadness, violence and forgiveness and plenty of steamy scenes. This chilling story will have you on edge from beginning until the end wondering what the outcome will be for these two amazing people who have been hurt in the past and find they just want to be loved. This is a must read and I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. Well done Nicolina Martin!!!
April 18, 2019
An author I have been reading for years allowed Nicolina Martin to solicit ARC reviewers. I was new to the author, and a first time reviewer.
Sometimes these suggestions of new authors work and sometimes they don't. This one worked for me, I expect to be binging all her other books ASAP.
Ms. Martin is not a typical author. She captured her characters with depth and heart. This couple appears to have nothing in common yet bond deeply (spoiler alert) while stuck in an elevator.
I couldn't put the book down at that point. Rarely have I been entranced by a couple. Perhaps George and Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"? The intensity and honesty and volatility of these two people is intense. I could not tell if they would end up killing each other or being together for the rest of their lives.I
The intensity does not quite carry through to the end of the book, but who could sit on the edge of their chair for that long?
If you like your romances dark, thrilling and intense, this book is the best. I Look forward to following the author for years to come.
Sometimes these suggestions of new authors work and sometimes they don't. This one worked for me, I expect to be binging all her other books ASAP.
Ms. Martin is not a typical author. She captured her characters with depth and heart. This couple appears to have nothing in common yet bond deeply (spoiler alert) while stuck in an elevator.
I couldn't put the book down at that point. Rarely have I been entranced by a couple. Perhaps George and Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"? The intensity and honesty and volatility of these two people is intense. I could not tell if they would end up killing each other or being together for the rest of their lives.I
The intensity does not quite carry through to the end of the book, but who could sit on the edge of their chair for that long?
If you like your romances dark, thrilling and intense, this book is the best. I Look forward to following the author for years to come.
April 20, 2019
4.1 stars
This book is the second in the series but it is separate from the first book. The commonality here was the family itself. There were just a few appearances by Luciano and Nathan from the first book. I both liked and didn't like this. In one aspect it made it feel like a standalone and the other made me miss the original characters.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, however, I found myself frustrated with the book also. Eric kept alluding to being into this alternate lifestyle and how he approached sex but nothing was really followed through until the end and that was mild. Especially, after seeing the darker sides of Nathan in the first book. I also had some issues with the notion of the crime family allowing a "mistake" to not be fixed. Regardless of whether Eric "vouched" for Anna, I just didn't see this happening.
I did really like the brief glimpses and foreshadowing the story gave with Christian. I hope his book is next since I was wanting to see his story after reading book one. All in all, still a great book by an author I am glad I found.
This book is the second in the series but it is separate from the first book. The commonality here was the family itself. There were just a few appearances by Luciano and Nathan from the first book. I both liked and didn't like this. In one aspect it made it feel like a standalone and the other made me miss the original characters.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, however, I found myself frustrated with the book also. Eric kept alluding to being into this alternate lifestyle and how he approached sex but nothing was really followed through until the end and that was mild. Especially, after seeing the darker sides of Nathan in the first book. I also had some issues with the notion of the crime family allowing a "mistake" to not be fixed. Regardless of whether Eric "vouched" for Anna, I just didn't see this happening.
I did really like the brief glimpses and foreshadowing the story gave with Christian. I hope his book is next since I was wanting to see his story after reading book one. All in all, still a great book by an author I am glad I found.
April 23, 2019
Emotional and Compelling Read!!
Eric works for the mafia capo Luciano Salvatore; his boss, mentor and savior. Anna is living a half-life. She survived an attack that she never admitted was more than a ‘mugging”. When she works late, she runs into Eric “enforcing” to her bosses that they cannot steal from Mr. Salvatore. From here we are off to the races….
Exciting, poignant account of the interactions between Eric and Anna. Anna had vowed never to become a victim again and fights Eric as no man would even dare; while Eric admittedly is trying to kill Anna. When they get stuck in an elevator a truce must occur. Eric cannot be found with a dead body after all. Suddenly the man who tried to kill her loans her his jacket because she is cold. Stuck in the dark together certain truths, and desperate feelings are revealed.
A complex and unusual relationship is built, and the reader is treated to an amazing journey.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
Eric works for the mafia capo Luciano Salvatore; his boss, mentor and savior. Anna is living a half-life. She survived an attack that she never admitted was more than a ‘mugging”. When she works late, she runs into Eric “enforcing” to her bosses that they cannot steal from Mr. Salvatore. From here we are off to the races….
Exciting, poignant account of the interactions between Eric and Anna. Anna had vowed never to become a victim again and fights Eric as no man would even dare; while Eric admittedly is trying to kill Anna. When they get stuck in an elevator a truce must occur. Eric cannot be found with a dead body after all. Suddenly the man who tried to kill her loans her his jacket because she is cold. Stuck in the dark together certain truths, and desperate feelings are revealed.
A complex and unusual relationship is built, and the reader is treated to an amazing journey.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
May 6, 2019
This is the second book in this excellent series by Ms Martin who is fast becoming one of my favourite writers. This one is very different from the first which was Nathan Russo's story of how he met and married his beloved Sydney. Eric Reed is an enforcer for the Mob, his boss is Nathan's uncle. Anna Raymond was a promising lawyer but following a vicious assault and rape she has lost her confidence and is hiding away working in customer services for a printing company. Sadly the printing company is actually a front for money laundering for the mob and lately money has been disappearing. Eric is sent together with Christian, who is Nathan's brother to wreak vengeance Anna's two bosses. Eric and Anna meet at Starbucks and they chat and then walk back to the building together. He seems like a really nice guy, she is far more interesting than she would like people to believe and so begins the most unlikely love story. I really enjoyed this book although I would have liked to see Eric and Anna really getting it on together, given the insights into Eric's sexual preferences and his recognition of her submissive/masochistic nature. All in all, very entertaining and I look forward to the next in the series.
August 11, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author, and boy what a treat! It's the second in a series, and I had not read the first one yet, but can certainly be read as a standalone.
From the get-go I was pulled in, curious about Anna, wanting to learn more about her story. An innocent jaunt to Starbucks, leads to an encounter with a mystery man Eric, who somehow grabs her attention, when none have before. You find out he is in her building, but not for innocent reasons.
The allure is there between the two characters, then things go from bad to worse. Eric is a bad guy, and Anna has unknowingly stumbled upon his world. So much happens, and I was completely sucked in, wanting to know what would happen next. Like Anna, even though Eric is a bad guy, once we got to know him a little more, I started to like him. Of course, that would be crazy right?! Now, that I have read their story, I want to check out the others in the series!
From the get-go I was pulled in, curious about Anna, wanting to learn more about her story. An innocent jaunt to Starbucks, leads to an encounter with a mystery man Eric, who somehow grabs her attention, when none have before. You find out he is in her building, but not for innocent reasons.
The allure is there between the two characters, then things go from bad to worse. Eric is a bad guy, and Anna has unknowingly stumbled upon his world. So much happens, and I was completely sucked in, wanting to know what would happen next. Like Anna, even though Eric is a bad guy, once we got to know him a little more, I started to like him. Of course, that would be crazy right?! Now, that I have read their story, I want to check out the others in the series!
August 8, 2019
This is the first Russo Saga book I had read and I was nervous about not reading #1 first, but this was awesome even without reading the first one yet.
"Ruin" did ruin my vision of what a relationship should be. Eric and Anna meet in a coffee shop like a lot of people do, but neither of them are just normal people. Anna quit her career to work at a company where she didn't have any responsibility and only had to put her time in and go home and not worry about anything. Eric is a hired killer for the mob and is not a nice guy, or is he??? When things go wrong and they end up getting trapped for a night together they both start opening up to each other and learning things no one has ever known about either of them.
Then neither of them want to be apart once the pull is so strong for the other. Now they have to figure out a way for them both to stay safe, alive, and together!!!
"Ruin" did ruin my vision of what a relationship should be. Eric and Anna meet in a coffee shop like a lot of people do, but neither of them are just normal people. Anna quit her career to work at a company where she didn't have any responsibility and only had to put her time in and go home and not worry about anything. Eric is a hired killer for the mob and is not a nice guy, or is he??? When things go wrong and they end up getting trapped for a night together they both start opening up to each other and learning things no one has ever known about either of them.
Then neither of them want to be apart once the pull is so strong for the other. Now they have to figure out a way for them both to stay safe, alive, and together!!!
April 12, 2019
Ruin is the second book in the Russo series but it works absolutely fine as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed reading this book and finding out more about mysterious and dangerous Eric. I also really liked the character of Anna. She was a contradiction in that she had obviously had great trauma in her past which led to acute anxiety but she could also be incredibly strong and resilient. The scenes in the elevator were a great idea as it gave the reader the perfect opportunity to find out more about their backstories. It was one of those books, I kept saying, I’ll read one more chapter and before I knew it, I had read the whole book. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more in this addictive series.
April 15, 2020
This is a really difficult book for me to put my thoughts into words. There is a lot of stuff in here that is not the least bit comfortable to read, and so please heed the publishers warning about the scenes and subject matter it contains. I’m not entirely sure that I “liked” this book. It made for some compelling reading and I was desperate to find out what would happen between Anna and Eric. But in all honesty, I can’t really say I “liked” it. That’s too tame a word for what I feel. There were moments I loved, moments I hated, and moments that brought me near to tears. So, it’s a bit of an understatement to say I have mixed feelings about this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout as part of the box set.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout as part of the box set.
June 6, 2020
Great story. I was drawn to Anna's character, what she's been through and her shy yet feisty personality showed she was stronger than she thought.. stronger than Eric thought. Eric is a monster and there's no two ways about it but some how he gradually falls for Anna and I enjoyed how their relationship unfolds. I liked how he stopped her from self degradation and encouraged her with positive reinforcement of her beauty and sexual prowess. Eric's need to protect her after the mob puts out a hit is admit and he's willing to pay down his life for hers.
We get to see Nathan and Sydney Russo again with their little girl Ava. The hurricane who is Christian Russo is such a character, I'm looking forward to his book. The Russo brothers mother Bianca and their uncle, Capo and head of the family Luciano Salvatore - the man who took Eric Reed into the fold of his family and raised him as his own, also makes an appearance. Luciano is wary of Anna, probably because she went to the police which is understandable. They are all cautious and wary of Luciano and something tells me we'll eventually see exactly why.
We get to see Nathan and Sydney Russo again with their little girl Ava. The hurricane who is Christian Russo is such a character, I'm looking forward to his book. The Russo brothers mother Bianca and their uncle, Capo and head of the family Luciano Salvatore - the man who took Eric Reed into the fold of his family and raised him as his own, also makes an appearance. Luciano is wary of Anna, probably because she went to the police which is understandable. They are all cautious and wary of Luciano and something tells me we'll eventually see exactly why.
April 11, 2019
An amazing second book. I already feel totally captivated by the 'Russo' world. This book focuses on Eric and Anna. In the past poor sweet Anna has had a distressing experience which has left her traumatised, things go from bad to worse when she witnesses something. As a result of this, Eric (who's totally hot and I'm crushing hard) has no choice but to go after her. What ensues from then on is nail biting, full of all sorts of violence, sadness, lust and excitement. I would definitely recommend you read this book and I can't wait for the next one.
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