Captive for Christmas

Curvy for the Holidays #2

by Annabelle Winters

MORE INSTA-LOVE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN . . . FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

A rival mafia family destroyed my world, and that's only the beginning of my nightmare before Christmas.

But instead of starting an unwinnable war against a more powerful family, I offer something to the ruthless Italian mobster . . .

A Christmas gift wrapped neatly in red . . .

A red dress, that is.

Because I'm that peace offering . . .

I'm that gift . . .

I'm . . .

I'm . . .

I'm . . .

I'm his.

OMG, I'm his!

New instalove series of novellas. Sweetness and darkness wrapped tight in a bow. No cheating. No cliffhangers. Guaranteed HEA.

Over-the-top with drama, madness, and steam (like that's surprising . . . ;).

This is insta-love, Annabelle Winters style.

Genres: Holiday, Romance, Christmas, M F Romance, Contemporary Romance

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2019

About the author

Get three Annabelle Winters stories free when you join her private list at WNTRS.CO/JOIN

Suspense and steam.
Drama and madness.
Fate and destiny.

This is romance like you've never seen. Annabelle Winters style.

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Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick and dirty OTT insta-love romance from Ms. Winters, this time with mafia "brats." Some of the imagery had me screaming, because it's just so extra.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bari & Brusco's story was an ok read. I couldn't get as into this one for some reason. It was in the mafia genre. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Megan Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I'd like to congratulate the author on managing to make the story feel somehow both rushed and tedious at the same time.

On the one hand, the main relationship progressed too quickly, even for an over-the-top instalove, with the story majorly taking place on Christmas Eve. Bari and Brusco sparked an instantaneous — almost animalistic — connection, allowing them to all but telepathically communicate with each other right off the bat. And yes, it was as ludicrous as it sounds, though I was still willing to roll with it. Then, by Christmas morning, the two of them were an item and already planning their future together, even though it didn't feel like they really loved each other except that the story demanded it. Also, there was a big mystery surrounding the coldblooded murder of Bari's parents which was quickly wrapped up in a neat little bow, leading to a big, convoluted letdown and hurrying the story along to its happy ending, an ending which didn't feel the least bit earned. (By the way, TF kinda name is Brusco?! Why not just name the character Bruno or something?!)

On the other hand, though, the story beat around the bush quite a bit, with a good chunk of it being devoted to exposition detailing what had led up to that one evening between the hero and heroine. This included, among other things, the unaliving of Bari's parents, which led to Bari and Brusco being unable to trust each other despite their instant attraction. Even after Bari had realized that Brusco was not the culprit, she still couldn't bring herself to fully trust him, nor could Brusco trust that Bari wasn't going to seek revenge for something he didn't do. So, they did this back-and-forth dance that about bored me to tears.

Now, I might've been willing to overlook all of that, if the love scenes were anything to write home about. Sadly, though, they were about standard fare for an instalove, with a dash more 'over-the-top' thrown in for good measure, to the point that they strained credulity. What really took me out of one love scene in particular, though, was the discussion on Bari's unalived parents and how she and Brusco would find the culprit together. Like, couldn't that have waited until *after* coitus?!

Overall Verdict: 4 red dresses out of 10

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. In this book, Bari's parents are killed and she thinks the head of another mob family is responsible, so she decides she must kill him. Bari goes to see Brusco and he tells her he knows why she is there. They talk and soon things are not exactly what Bari thought. There is also an attraction between Bari and Brusco. They talk about their shared history and soon their attractions win. They seem to both realize the truth and realize there are real feelings involved. I liked this book, it was good to read how things played out. I think they were meant to be together and now they could be. Good one.

[Angela Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me

Bari and Brusco are the heirs to two opposing Mafia families. Coincidentally, both sets of parents are recently deceased; the question of culpability is the background to this story and leaves the possibility of a bloody war on the table. The foreground seems to be occupied with uncontrollable lust and filthy, carnal activities. There's a rather improbable twist towards the end with a nod at the holiday season. This story has well-imagined elements but is not to my taste; however, there are plenty who will appreciate this writing.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bari the Mafia Princess has just had her parents killed so she's head of the family. She surrenders herself to Brusco the head of the more powerful Family in order to prevent a war. Brusco is thought to have ordered the hit so Bari's safety is in doubt. Things get hot and heavy when he decides to claim his prize but something in their past makes it a mutual thing. Plot twist and motives questioned.

[The.SmuttyBookClub · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Please note that this review is mainly for my benefit as it is more of a summary of the book and may contain spoilers.***

🌶🌶🌶
• Plus sized F
• Mafia
• Enemies to lovers
• F virgin
• M masturbation
• MF
• M to F oral
• M to F rimming
• M to F anal play
• M to F anal
• DP with fingers and tongue
• DP with fist and cock
• Scratching
• Hair-pulling
• Spanking
• Squirting
• Vaginal fisting

1 M masturbation scene
9 MF sex scenes

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time that I've read a mafia based romance. It was an enjoyable read, though I do struggle with insta-love stories as they feel very unrealistic. The sex scenes were steamy and the characters did show some personality, but there is rarely a lot of character development with a novella and this book was no exception. The plot was good with a surprise twist at the end.

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read. I honestly struggled to get into this mafia style Christmas story about two characters who needed to deal with their past before they could move forward.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kylie Somma]

meh... i wanted some quick christmas themed dark roamnce reads i could get on audible and i was disappointed in both of the ones i listened to so far... it was too short to really get any semblance of plot going strong.. it had potential to be better..

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

❤️

🎄 Christmas
❤️ mafia
🎄 V1rg1n heroine
❤️ rival families
🎄 insta love
❤️ enemies

Born and raised as heirs to their rival mafia families, these two find their way to each other when their families have passed. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming.

[Amanda Mayfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the three stories I’ve read so far this is the “best” one. It gets 3 stars largely because there are some descriptor words which are turn-offs for me. Aside from that it was a quick, mafia read which is almost always good in my books!

[Bridgett Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Well this was a twist I didn't see coming. It was a good read and made me laugh a few times. Uncle Joe was interesting.

[Dragonmother12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story

Another good story by this author. It's a short and simple plot but still good. Looking forward to next in this series.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth it

Not for everyone but I love the dark and twisted romance. Lots of confusing feelings, sadness and exhilaration, but the wonder of new beginnings.

[Chelsea ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice short dark romance very steamy

[CrazyGal609 · Rating 1 out of 5]

👎 I’m sorry, but that was just awful 👎

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the world.

[Angela Timmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story (only like an hour read) with TONS of SPICE and heat.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I noticed way too much repetitiveness in the sentences. It ruined the book for me, listening to the same thing, the same words over and over, sometimes right after each other.

[Karm Barter · Rating 2 out of 5]

“His balls are massive, as if he’s got ten generations worth of seed built up inside”. I can’t. Lol. I really wanted to live this mafia king and queen. Virgin. It just felt rushed

[Shawn Pinzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bari and Brusco

Captive for Christmas was a quick steamy read. I liked the twist in the story. I enjoyed reading this story. It is part of series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the strong curvy woman idea. I don't know much about mafia dealings so I don't know how believable it is. Maybe I need more research 😉

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an over the top insta love steamy story. It’s told from dual points of view which is something that I really like reading. It’s an interesting plot and the characters have great chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, and this is my honest, unbias review.

A. Winters has done another A list job! A good portion of this book takes part in the mind of the characters, NOT interpersonal. The book is dual POV so you get both Brusco & Bari's thoughts. Manipulation, or rather fear of, is a significant issue. Given the mafia factor and the actual manipulation done by the oarents, the fears are warrented!

Bari's parents have recently been killed and the general consensus is that Brusco ordered the hit. Bari, in order to avoid further conflict, presents herself as a gift to him. Basically she is planning to bide her time until she can exact revenge. What she did not count on was him catching on to her plan OR her attraction to him! Brusco did catch on, and almost immediately. He to, however, was immediately attracted to her in an intense way.

While both struggled with internal conflict between upbringing and attraction, they attempted to engage in a discussion. Determining neither ordered the death of her parents, they vowed to find the source. Realizing that freedom and relief over their parents death were part of the emotional coctail of the evening, Brusco encouraged Bari to accept her own truths. The physical connection between them transpiring while they were having these emotional epiphanies made the everything rather chaotic and heavy, yet true.

Would Bari accept her true feelings regarding her parents death? Would they find the culprit(s)? How about a HEA for these 2 hardened hearts? Get your copy of this fast paced Winters' read today!

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is the peace offering............or is she?

So well I liked Captive for Christmas I did not love it as much as I usually do with Annabelle Winters books. This is a mafia type book with some suspense and a battle of the minds between the two main characters, Brusco Barzini, the H, and Bari Bellano, the h. They are both born into mafia families and will take over their respective Family's when the time comes. For Brusco that time came earlier this year when his father passed and he was called back from Italy, having been shipped over their when he was younger to learn the business. Bari's parents were both killed in their bed a few weeks ago with the finger pointing at the Barzini clan as being behind the hit. Bari was away at the time so she was spared. Instead of starting a war between the families for revenge, which her family will lose as the Barzini's have more money, firepower and men, she instead goes to Brusco's home on Christmas Eve as a peace offering. He can do what he wants with her including marrying her to form an alliance or kill her. But she may have an ulterior motive for being there. They will battle with their minds to see who can outplay the other to win in the end.

Overall I felt the story was good but it seemed to drag in some places and got mired in a lot of details with what the characters were thinking, to the point of the minutia being repeated. I did finish the story, as it is novella length, but could not hook into it fully.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sizzling insta-lust-to-love story…So good
Where does Ms. Winters come up with these plots?! They’re all unique, funny, VERY steamy and a quick read. They have all bordered on crazy too with just a lick of paranormal, Twilight Zone stuff.
After the death of his father and mother Brusco Barzini is head of the Barzini “Family” in America, which brings with it a lot of responsibility. He’s torn between doing things the way his parents would have it done and doing it his own way. On Christmas Eve he has a visitor, Bari Bellano, who with the recent death of her parents has become the head of the Bellano “Family” in America, albeit of much smaller consequence. Bari suspects Brusco of the death of her parents so is she here to kill him or give herself to him? What happens next is Over. The. Top steamy. There is a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming.
This book sizzles it is so HOT. Loved it. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Booksprout and if you like steamy, short engaging stories, read this one.

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Bari Bellano and Brusco Barzini. To prevent a war between the two families Bari was given to Brusco as a Christmas gift. When she is given though Brusco can't believe the treasure he was given and want's to five her so much. The thing is he is pretty sure she wants to kill him in his sleep. There is something about Brusco that has Bari wanting him as much as she wants him dead. She isn't sure what really happened to her parents since she only hear the information from others. They wonder though will they get the HEA they want from the other or will others make sure that never happens?

This is another amazing story by this author. It does have its ups and downs I really want to tell you about. However I don't want to ruin the story for any other readers. I will say this book will have you hooked from the first word to the very end. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a similar modern take on Romeo and Juliet with Brusco who is the head of the Barzini Family along with Bari who has recently become the head of the Bellano family after the sudden killing of her parents. With all the Mafia families the Barzini Family is powerful and many soldiers. Bari has a belief that the Barzini is behind the deaths of her parents so instead of starting a war she gives herself to Brusco as an offer of peace as they did years ago. When Brusco finds Bari in his home dressed in her holiday red dress he is only thinking about making her, his! These two can not believe the attraction between them and once they take that step there is no way to going back. Both Bari and Brusco discover what really happened and why and what they do to move forward is something very special. There is some very intense chemistry and sex with genuine feelings along with surprises. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift of an advanced read copy. Having read it I would like to give an honest opinion of what I have read.

If you are a person that is bothered by strong language, and very descriptive sexual situations this is definitely not the book to read. It does make up a good portion of the story line. I will say though that the plot of the story was very good. I like how it was presented as a puzzle. Who murdered her parents was it Brusco that had call in a hit on them. Was she going to give herself over to him as a captive for him to kill as well, or will she be able to get one over him and kill him first. What she doesn’t know is that he had no part in their deaths, but he was going to play the game with her. Had they been waiting for each other since they were children and if so what was holding them back for so long. All of these questions will be answered by reading the story.