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Marchesi Empire #1
Torched Spades
Never flirt with fire
My life implodes when arsonist, Johnny Malone, shows up at my office, flipping a playing card between his fingers like I’m wasting his time.
Me—his court-appointed psychiatrist.
The one tasked with controlling his deadly “urges.”
The one whose questions he evades every visit…
All while undressing me with dark eyes that drown me in forbidden lust.
I fight to keep things professional, but ethical lines blur, and his charm overshadows his inner demons.
Ones with no family, no friends, and no past…
Just a standing Tuesday appointment.
He's hiding from something…
And I intend to find out what.
I've always had strict rules about men:
No liars. No patients. No criminals.
In one afternoon, I broke all three.
They say you should never flirt with fire...
Now I know why.
*Torched Spades is the first Marchesi Empire Trilogy. Please note: while it ends in a cliffhanger, book 2, Tortured Hearts, releases August 11, 2025.
My life implodes when arsonist, Johnny Malone, shows up at my office, flipping a playing card between his fingers like I’m wasting his time.
Me—his court-appointed psychiatrist.
The one tasked with controlling his deadly “urges.”
The one whose questions he evades every visit…
All while undressing me with dark eyes that drown me in forbidden lust.
I fight to keep things professional, but ethical lines blur, and his charm overshadows his inner demons.
Ones with no family, no friends, and no past…
Just a standing Tuesday appointment.
He's hiding from something…
And I intend to find out what.
I've always had strict rules about men:
No liars. No patients. No criminals.
In one afternoon, I broke all three.
They say you should never flirt with fire...
Now I know why.
*Torched Spades is the first Marchesi Empire Trilogy. Please note: while it ends in a cliffhanger, book 2, Tortured Hearts, releases August 11, 2025.
317 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 14, 2022
151 people are currently reading
1251 people want to read
About the author
Cora Kenborn
57 books2,079 followersCora Kenborn is a USA Today Bestselling and Top 50 Amazon Bestselling author whose readers have affectionately dubbed her the “queen of plot twists that’ll ruin your day in the best way.”
Best known for her dark mafia romances, Cora has an insatiable bad boy obsession, which she believes started in the third grade when she chose Bruce over Todd in the Sweet Valley High books. To this day, give her an unhinged antihero who falls hard for a feisty heroine, and you’ve won her heart.
As a native North Carolinian, Cora claims the domestic Southern Belle gene skipped right over her. Her villain origin story was the day she tried making her mother’s famous biscuits and gravy, only to turn them into paste-covered dough bricks. That’s when she decided fiction was better than reality, and microwaved mac and cheese counted as fine dining.
Stay up to date with Cora:
Newsletter: corakenborn.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Website: www.corakenborn.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CPrPrx
Facebook: http://bit.ly/CoraFB
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/CoraTAA
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CKTikTok
Instagram: http://bit.ly/CoraInsta
BookBub: http://bit.ly/CoraBookBub
Best known for her dark mafia romances, Cora has an insatiable bad boy obsession, which she believes started in the third grade when she chose Bruce over Todd in the Sweet Valley High books. To this day, give her an unhinged antihero who falls hard for a feisty heroine, and you’ve won her heart.
As a native North Carolinian, Cora claims the domestic Southern Belle gene skipped right over her. Her villain origin story was the day she tried making her mother’s famous biscuits and gravy, only to turn them into paste-covered dough bricks. That’s when she decided fiction was better than reality, and microwaved mac and cheese counted as fine dining.
Stay up to date with Cora:
Newsletter: corakenborn.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Website: www.corakenborn.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CPrPrx
Facebook: http://bit.ly/CoraFB
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/CoraTAA
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CKTikTok
Instagram: http://bit.ly/CoraInsta
BookBub: http://bit.ly/CoraBookBub
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
August 2, 2025
Former fireman, Johnny Malone has court-mandated psychiatric visits and finds himself on the couch across from Dr. Rebecca Brennan.
Although Becca spends her days helping her patients battle through their demons, she has long been fighting her own.
His reticent demeanor, swagger, and dirty talk have Becca intrigued and their arrangement ready to go up in flames.
“You should be more careful, Doc… Once you invite the Devil inside, he claims your soul.”
The chemistry between Johnny and Becca was scorching! Twists, turns, and mysteries had me on the edge of my seat throughout the second half of the book! That cliffy was a doozy so I’m glad the wait for Tortured Hearts isn’t long!
2025 reread: Y’all know I never do rereads. I don’t plan to make them a habit, but I’m so glad I did with this one. I had forgotten so many of the finer points of Johnny and Becca’s story. It was better than I remembered and I am so excited to be diving into Tortured Hearts early!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult, Suspense
✨ Tropes: Bad Boy x Good Girl, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Stalker
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Antihero, Boy Obsessed, “Good Girl”, Jealous/Possessive, Manipulation, MINE!, Sassy FMC, Tattooed MMC, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying, Tragic Past
💋 Kinks: Body Betrayal, Domination, Finger Licking Good, Panty Gag, Pearl Necklace, Restraints
⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
🚩 Safety Squad: Unalìvíng, Violence and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Torched Spades is part of the Marchesi Empire series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Although Becca spends her days helping her patients battle through their demons, she has long been fighting her own.
His reticent demeanor, swagger, and dirty talk have Becca intrigued and their arrangement ready to go up in flames.
“You should be more careful, Doc… Once you invite the Devil inside, he claims your soul.”
The chemistry between Johnny and Becca was scorching! Twists, turns, and mysteries had me on the edge of my seat throughout the second half of the book! That cliffy was a doozy so I’m glad the wait for Tortured Hearts isn’t long!
2025 reread: Y’all know I never do rereads. I don’t plan to make them a habit, but I’m so glad I did with this one. I had forgotten so many of the finer points of Johnny and Becca’s story. It was better than I remembered and I am so excited to be diving into Tortured Hearts early!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult, Suspense
✨ Tropes: Bad Boy x Good Girl, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Stalker
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Antihero, Boy Obsessed, “Good Girl”, Jealous/Possessive, Manipulation, MINE!, Sassy FMC, Tattooed MMC, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying, Tragic Past
💋 Kinks: Body Betrayal, Domination, Finger Licking Good, Panty Gag, Pearl Necklace, Restraints
⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
🚩 Safety Squad: Unalìvíng, Violence and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Torched Spades is part of the Marchesi Empire series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
August 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reread
''It went up in flames''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/D*ath
- Manipulation
- Loss of loved ones
- Stalking
- Dubious consent
- Cliffhanger
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I've waited three years to reread this - Cora has had a long health journey and sadly this book was pushed aside while she went through it but she's back and book 2 (already out) and book 3 is coming soon.
I am thankful in a way that I had forgotten a lot about what happens in this book, I remember some of the main details but for the majority of it I went into it blind (once again).
Johnny is a disgraced firefighter who is forced to attend mandatory therapy to deal with his issues but is he? Is he the disgraced firefighter who enjoys setting things on fire for his sexual pleasure or is Johnny someone else completely masquerading as this fake alias for a bigger purpose?
It's a mystery to be honest until right around the end of this book.
He is handed over to his latest therapist Rebecca who ends up being the chief of police's daughter who has changed her last name. She immediately knows something is up with him but cannot pinpoint what it is.
He becomes obsessed right away and cannot let himself NOT stalk her; he places cameras in her home to keep watching her. He followed her around and dived deep into her life.
There are a lot of elements in this story, there is massive police corruption and not only is Johnny somehow connected but so is Rebecca. Her mother was murdered, and she saw it happen when she was younger but when she made her statement her father made sure that she believed whatever she saw was a lie and, in her imagination, nothing ever came of her truth.
Johnny and Rebecca's sessions turn hot and heavy after a lot of sexual tension; she cannot help but feel her attraction to him while he cares less about rules. These two are just as obsessed with each other as you would expect them to be. They fit each other perfectly.
Once the truth is revealed, Johnny is once again who he truly is Gianni Marchesi and if you know the other books Cora has written that Marchesi is a known name. We know that Gianni and Rebecca end up getting married and having kids in the future, so we also find out that this book is not set in our timeline but in the past, Cora was very careful about not using modern day things or even past things to set the timeline.
At the end of this book Rebecca is in her office finding out the truth and going over her documents to prove that her father’s claim is a lie, while she is there the building is set on fire, and she is stuck there and we end the book with her passing out.
Original review
Let’s be real - Cora could write anything and I would read it.
I have been looking forward to this book for months and the fact I read it in one sitting says a lot.
I loved Johnny and his hilarious form of crazy. Becca was also a great FMC. Their chemistry was amazing and the spice 💀
I wish book 2 was out already so I could have all the answers I require but I’ll patiently wait until May to get them.
A few things:
1. I don’t think Johnny killed Jack - I think it’s a set up to make him look guilty.
2. I wonder why he went rogue against his own family.
3. Owen is a mystery to me and I need answers to how they pulled this major con??
4. Will we get a glimpse at their children being born at the end of book 2? Since we know they have three (but two surviving)
''It went up in flames''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/D*ath
- Manipulation
- Loss of loved ones
- Stalking
- Dubious consent
- Cliffhanger
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I've waited three years to reread this - Cora has had a long health journey and sadly this book was pushed aside while she went through it but she's back and book 2 (already out) and book 3 is coming soon.
I am thankful in a way that I had forgotten a lot about what happens in this book, I remember some of the main details but for the majority of it I went into it blind (once again).
Johnny is a disgraced firefighter who is forced to attend mandatory therapy to deal with his issues but is he? Is he the disgraced firefighter who enjoys setting things on fire for his sexual pleasure or is Johnny someone else completely masquerading as this fake alias for a bigger purpose?
It's a mystery to be honest until right around the end of this book.
He is handed over to his latest therapist Rebecca who ends up being the chief of police's daughter who has changed her last name. She immediately knows something is up with him but cannot pinpoint what it is.
He becomes obsessed right away and cannot let himself NOT stalk her; he places cameras in her home to keep watching her. He followed her around and dived deep into her life.
There are a lot of elements in this story, there is massive police corruption and not only is Johnny somehow connected but so is Rebecca. Her mother was murdered, and she saw it happen when she was younger but when she made her statement her father made sure that she believed whatever she saw was a lie and, in her imagination, nothing ever came of her truth.
Johnny and Rebecca's sessions turn hot and heavy after a lot of sexual tension; she cannot help but feel her attraction to him while he cares less about rules. These two are just as obsessed with each other as you would expect them to be. They fit each other perfectly.
Once the truth is revealed, Johnny is once again who he truly is Gianni Marchesi and if you know the other books Cora has written that Marchesi is a known name. We know that Gianni and Rebecca end up getting married and having kids in the future, so we also find out that this book is not set in our timeline but in the past, Cora was very careful about not using modern day things or even past things to set the timeline.
At the end of this book Rebecca is in her office finding out the truth and going over her documents to prove that her father’s claim is a lie, while she is there the building is set on fire, and she is stuck there and we end the book with her passing out.
Original review
Let’s be real - Cora could write anything and I would read it.
I have been looking forward to this book for months and the fact I read it in one sitting says a lot.
I loved Johnny and his hilarious form of crazy. Becca was also a great FMC. Their chemistry was amazing and the spice 💀
I wish book 2 was out already so I could have all the answers I require but I’ll patiently wait until May to get them.
A few things:
1. I don’t think Johnny killed Jack - I think it’s a set up to make him look guilty.
2. I wonder why he went rogue against his own family.
3. Owen is a mystery to me and I need answers to how they pulled this major con??
4. Will we get a glimpse at their children being born at the end of book 2? Since we know they have three (but two surviving)
April 14, 2022
*Thank you to the author and Wildfire Marketing for an ARC of this title.*
This was a promising and thrilling start to the Marchesi Empire duet. I don't think I have ever read a romance with a pyromaniac as a hero before. Our heroine, Becca is his Psychiatrist, making this a forbidden enemies to lovers romance with many secrets spinning around.
As they verbally spar every week in her office, she can't deny her connection to him and she is having dangerous fantasies about him when she is home alone at night. She is also unaware that he begins to stalk her and his obsession is increasingly growing.
Johnny has more issues in his past than an obsession with flames and starting fires. He wants to stay on the down low and live out his parole in peace. But all that goes out the window when he starts to his new Doctor. He can't help as his obsession with her grows and he doesn't plan to hold back.
This book had a great chemistry and some sizzling intimate scenes. They are toxic for each other but they can't stay away.
Book number 2 will be out on May 5th.
4 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale.
This was a promising and thrilling start to the Marchesi Empire duet. I don't think I have ever read a romance with a pyromaniac as a hero before. Our heroine, Becca is his Psychiatrist, making this a forbidden enemies to lovers romance with many secrets spinning around.
As they verbally spar every week in her office, she can't deny her connection to him and she is having dangerous fantasies about him when she is home alone at night. She is also unaware that he begins to stalk her and his obsession is increasingly growing.
Johnny has more issues in his past than an obsession with flames and starting fires. He wants to stay on the down low and live out his parole in peace. But all that goes out the window when he starts to his new Doctor. He can't help as his obsession with her grows and he doesn't plan to hold back.
This book had a great chemistry and some sizzling intimate scenes. They are toxic for each other but they can't stay away.
Book number 2 will be out on May 5th.
4 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale.
July 14, 2025
( April. 10, 2022 Review)
Arc review: Omg , what did I just read I am blown away from the first page. I love the Mc and FMc banter , the spice is 🌶🌶🌶🌶 /5 and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars from me. This book was an adventure. I had to finish it in one day. This was the first book of the duet. I can’t wait to see what Becca does for her man in book two.
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
(July 14th,2025 Review)
I read this book again and it was even better the second time. I 10/10 recommend this book again. I’m so excited for book 2
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Arc review: Omg , what did I just read I am blown away from the first page. I love the Mc and FMc banter , the spice is 🌶🌶🌶🌶 /5 and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars from me. This book was an adventure. I had to finish it in one day. This was the first book of the duet. I can’t wait to see what Becca does for her man in book two.
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
(July 14th,2025 Review)
I read this book again and it was even better the second time. I 10/10 recommend this book again. I’m so excited for book 2
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 5, 2025
3,5.
This story is well written with a lot of suspense and the dynamic between the characters is great.
It’s worth reading.
This story is well written with a lot of suspense and the dynamic between the characters is great.
It’s worth reading.
May 7, 2022
I got bored.
For me, I feel like there's a lack of plot and characters bonding within these pages. I feel no sense of chemistry between these two MCS and the storyline was going nowhere. We were explained nothing and it felt empty in a sense.
Oh and I don't know why but I found the heroine was really unlikable. Maybe because she acted unprofessionally in her job (I'm always iffy about doctor-patient relationship in a romance). The whole thing just made it an unpleasant reading experience for me.
Conclusion: would appreciate more plot stuffs please and our girl here needs a character revamp next book because she's ANNOYING as hell. 🙂
For me, I feel like there's a lack of plot and characters bonding within these pages. I feel no sense of chemistry between these two MCS and the storyline was going nowhere. We were explained nothing and it felt empty in a sense.
Oh and I don't know why but I found the heroine was really unlikable. Maybe because she acted unprofessionally in her job (I'm always iffy about doctor-patient relationship in a romance). The whole thing just made it an unpleasant reading experience for me.
Conclusion: would appreciate more plot stuffs please and our girl here needs a character revamp next book because she's ANNOYING as hell. 🙂
April 18, 2022
Another dark and angsty mafia romance from Cora Kenborn. A complicated anti-hero, a multi-layered, resilient heroine, unexpected twists, dynamic tension, and a forbidden connection. What an intriguing and compelling start to this powerful duet.
From the start, I knew our anti-heroic hero Johnny would be such a captivating character. A convinced pyromaniac on parole, he’s devised a unique and secretive arrangement to protect his freedom, an arrangement that now includes mandatory visits with a new psychiatrist, after he’s pushed a few former doctors away. His new doctor turns out to be the alluring Becca Bernnan, who just so happens to be the beautiful but sassy women he recently bumped into. And Becca is not going to be so easy scare away- nor is denying their dynamic attraction, even if both have thins they are hiding.
While the exposition moved a bit slowly for me, once this story kicked in, I was addicted. Johnny is a classic Kenborn hero but with a bit of a twist. He’s as intense and destructive as the fires he sets, there’s practically a barely contained manic energy just vibrating off of him. He’s got a dark and twisted streak, he can be ruthless and unapologetic, but there’s also an inherent vulnerability to him that is not yet fully unleashed- he’s not a man unaware or lost to impulses, he’s got a calculating quality that I find so fascinating. And I love a smart and self-possessed heroine like we have with Becca. She’s suffered her own adversity, and her own stoic, tight-laced structure is challenged by Johnny- his dynamic turbulence unsettles her and captures her.
The chemistry is complicated, as is their connection- certainly a bit taboo given the doctor-patient aspect as well as their light vs. dark parallelism. But these characters are so much more than that, both determined to unearth the other. They way the battle each other with their minds makes for a story as compelling pyscholoically as it is erotically engaging. And, like always, there are twists and secrets to unfurl. Prepare for a cliffy and for desperation- excited to discover just how this duet ends.
From the start, I knew our anti-heroic hero Johnny would be such a captivating character. A convinced pyromaniac on parole, he’s devised a unique and secretive arrangement to protect his freedom, an arrangement that now includes mandatory visits with a new psychiatrist, after he’s pushed a few former doctors away. His new doctor turns out to be the alluring Becca Bernnan, who just so happens to be the beautiful but sassy women he recently bumped into. And Becca is not going to be so easy scare away- nor is denying their dynamic attraction, even if both have thins they are hiding.
While the exposition moved a bit slowly for me, once this story kicked in, I was addicted. Johnny is a classic Kenborn hero but with a bit of a twist. He’s as intense and destructive as the fires he sets, there’s practically a barely contained manic energy just vibrating off of him. He’s got a dark and twisted streak, he can be ruthless and unapologetic, but there’s also an inherent vulnerability to him that is not yet fully unleashed- he’s not a man unaware or lost to impulses, he’s got a calculating quality that I find so fascinating. And I love a smart and self-possessed heroine like we have with Becca. She’s suffered her own adversity, and her own stoic, tight-laced structure is challenged by Johnny- his dynamic turbulence unsettles her and captures her.
The chemistry is complicated, as is their connection- certainly a bit taboo given the doctor-patient aspect as well as their light vs. dark parallelism. But these characters are so much more than that, both determined to unearth the other. They way the battle each other with their minds makes for a story as compelling pyscholoically as it is erotically engaging. And, like always, there are twists and secrets to unfurl. Prepare for a cliffy and for desperation- excited to discover just how this duet ends.
April 14, 2022
The start of this Duet singed my Kindle! Johnny Malone and Becca are caught in a triangle of lies, deceit, harsh truths and intense, combustible chemistry. As their story unravels within he pages of this first book, it leaves me anxious for the second book, Tortured Hearts, due to release next month. I devoured this book in a few short hours as I literally couldn't put it down. These two entangled my mind and my heart.
April 14, 2022
OMG holy hell. There is a cliffie at the end but I devoured this book in one setting. Johnny Malone is supposed to be keeping his head down and his nose clean. A chance encounter with Becca Brennan puts that’s all in jeopardy. Becca’s corrupt father and her past are coming back to haunt her. Johnny is willing to risk it all and burn the world around her to bend her to his will. This book was smoking hot and I can’t wait for part 2!
July 31, 2025
Torched Spades tells the story of Becca Brennan, who is a psychiatrist, and Johnny Malone, one of her patients. He is a difficult patient, the kind that has to go to a shrink but he refuses to cooperate... he basically just goes to the appointments because he is attracted to Becca, and she doesn't mind because she also feels a strong sex pull towards him.
Johnny is mysterious, sexy, and dangerous. You want to know why he is so evasive and what is his deal, what is he hiding. Becca is a psychiatrist but it seems like Johnny has already psychoanalyzed himself, so for her it's hard to keep her doctor facade in place, especially when he looks at her as if he knows her.
Johnny makes Becca's panties on fire and he won't be able to resist her, but all has a price. Becca is also conflicted about this attraction, but how can she deny what Johnny does to her heart?
Becca and Johnny were multi-dimensional characters who you wanted to get to know more. This story is amazing and I think it has the right pace. There is really fire in this book. Both between Becca and Johnny and literally. It was explosive, and I can't wait to read what happens next.
If you're looking for a story with passion, betrayals, and suspense, you should definitely read this one! Trust me, you will want to read Cora Kenborn's other titles after you do, because you'll crave for more.
Johnny is mysterious, sexy, and dangerous. You want to know why he is so evasive and what is his deal, what is he hiding. Becca is a psychiatrist but it seems like Johnny has already psychoanalyzed himself, so for her it's hard to keep her doctor facade in place, especially when he looks at her as if he knows her.
Johnny makes Becca's panties on fire and he won't be able to resist her, but all has a price. Becca is also conflicted about this attraction, but how can she deny what Johnny does to her heart?
Becca and Johnny were multi-dimensional characters who you wanted to get to know more. This story is amazing and I think it has the right pace. There is really fire in this book. Both between Becca and Johnny and literally. It was explosive, and I can't wait to read what happens next.
If you're looking for a story with passion, betrayals, and suspense, you should definitely read this one! Trust me, you will want to read Cora Kenborn's other titles after you do, because you'll crave for more.
June 24, 2025
This intense read kept us on the edge of our seats throughout the entire story. The suspense and edginess were present in abundance, making it a captivating read.
The characters in the story were well-developed, and we found ourselves loving all of them, even the darker ones. Dr. Brennan was a great character, but Johnny stood out as our favorite. His intense and dominant nature, coupled with a dark aura, made him a compelling and intriguing character.
The story is complex, and it feels like there is more to it than meets the eye. The bread crumbs left throughout the story hint at something deeper, keeping us guessing and engaged. The romance between Becca and Johnny was scorching hot and filled with passion. Their chemistry was off the charts, and they lit up the pages whenever they were together. Johnny's dark and dangerous persona added an exciting element to their relationship, and Becca proved to be his equal in every way.
From start to finish, this story kept our hearts pounding with excitement. It has quickly become one of our favorite reads of 2022, and we are eagerly anticipating what comes next. If you haven't read this author's books yet, you're missing out. She has quickly become one of our top favorite authors of 2022, alongside Serena Akeroyd.
The characters in the story were well-developed, and we found ourselves loving all of them, even the darker ones. Dr. Brennan was a great character, but Johnny stood out as our favorite. His intense and dominant nature, coupled with a dark aura, made him a compelling and intriguing character.
The story is complex, and it feels like there is more to it than meets the eye. The bread crumbs left throughout the story hint at something deeper, keeping us guessing and engaged. The romance between Becca and Johnny was scorching hot and filled with passion. Their chemistry was off the charts, and they lit up the pages whenever they were together. Johnny's dark and dangerous persona added an exciting element to their relationship, and Becca proved to be his equal in every way.
From start to finish, this story kept our hearts pounding with excitement. It has quickly become one of our favorite reads of 2022, and we are eagerly anticipating what comes next. If you haven't read this author's books yet, you're missing out. She has quickly become one of our top favorite authors of 2022, alongside Serena Akeroyd.
April 14, 2022
Wow! What an incredible story of mystery, murder and intrigue! Not to mention such intense interactions between the characters that made my heart stop. I went into this knowing that it was a duet, and that I would need to wait for the second book. Now I’m literally dying for the conclusion! So much goes on that my head is spinning and my emotions are all over the place!
Johnny is as intense, dark and delicious as they come. A full and complete Alpha with a past I’m still trying to figure out. And Becca, the psychiatrist assigned to him, is blown away by his intenseness and his magnetism. She just can’t seem to figure him out as he constantly throws her for a loop. I found it intriguing how these two were always trying to figure the other out. And when things start to come to light?? You will never believe what they each discover.
These two have unreal chemistry. I could feel every emotion emitting from them deep in my soul. I have to say bravo to this author for writing a story of which I was invested in from the very beginning. Words cannot fully express how much everyone needs to read this mind blowing story! Absolutely brilliant!
Johnny is as intense, dark and delicious as they come. A full and complete Alpha with a past I’m still trying to figure out. And Becca, the psychiatrist assigned to him, is blown away by his intenseness and his magnetism. She just can’t seem to figure him out as he constantly throws her for a loop. I found it intriguing how these two were always trying to figure the other out. And when things start to come to light?? You will never believe what they each discover.
These two have unreal chemistry. I could feel every emotion emitting from them deep in my soul. I have to say bravo to this author for writing a story of which I was invested in from the very beginning. Words cannot fully express how much everyone needs to read this mind blowing story! Absolutely brilliant!
April 11, 2022
I received an arc of this book for an honest review well let me tell you.This book is phenomenal 😍😍 Johnny Malone and Becca are caught up in a lot of lies and deceit. I love the banter between them especially Johnny and that delicious mouth of his. This is the 1st part of a duet the 2nd book Torched hearts is out next month and I am super excited and can't wait to see were Johnny and Becca will go next I devoured this book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down.
April 14, 2022
Holy smokes this book was hot! My Kindle was smoking from the intensity of this amazing book. Johnny and Becca are so awesome together and nothing is going to keep them apart.
April 20, 2022
Torched Spades has it all- intrigue, lies, betrayal, forbidden lust and spice! I was pulled in right from the start. The action and suspense gripped me and didn’t let up until the end. Johnny is a dark, dangerous man who comes to Providence as part of his “probation”. Becca is the psychiatrist assigned to Johnny. At first, Johnny seems like a narcissistic arsonist who got caught and Becca is an uptight, rule following psychiatrist with a father who is the Chief of Police. But not everything is as it seems. Their relationship makes Becca cross every ethical professional line and has Johnny spilling his truths and risking everything he has set in motion. There are so many plot twists and characters with secrets and betrayals from all sides. And that cliffhanger… it was explosive! Can’t wait for Tortured Hearts! ~ Nicole
Here's Johnny!
The well awaited release of Torched Spades was well worth the wait.
Lets start with Johnny Malone.... He's been released on parole and part of his probation is for him to see a Psychiatrist. Johnny being Johnny has gone through a few and is now to see a Dr Brennan. Little does he know Dr Brennan is a female Psych who gives as good as she takes. While both are battling their own demons, you'll find that
their chemistry is smoking haaawt!
The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat... Especially with the cliffhanger ending. Bring on Tortured Heart! Can't wait to see how their story continues.. ~Tania
Here's Johnny!
The well awaited release of Torched Spades was well worth the wait.
Lets start with Johnny Malone.... He's been released on parole and part of his probation is for him to see a Psychiatrist. Johnny being Johnny has gone through a few and is now to see a Dr Brennan. Little does he know Dr Brennan is a female Psych who gives as good as she takes. While both are battling their own demons, you'll find that
their chemistry is smoking haaawt!
The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat... Especially with the cliffhanger ending. Bring on Tortured Heart! Can't wait to see how their story continues.. ~Tania
April 15, 2022
Holy wow!!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: taboo
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Torched Spades is a non-stop, high adrenalin ride that grabs you from the first page and never lets go! Becca Brennan gets a new patient in Johnny Malone, an ex firefighter turned arsonist. But when Johnny be!pieces their ear!ier, first meeting wasn't accidental, he starts stalking her to find the truth. The chemistry between them is too much for either of them, but with secrets spilling from every direction and no one being as they appear, the fallout may be too much for anyone to survive.
Holy cr@p, what did I just read?!?! Super intense! And that cliffhanger!! Fast paced, super well written, and tons of action - this book was perfection! The only thing that would have made it better would to have it all contained in one book. Johnny was super fracking hot! Controlling, super protective and possessive, he staked a claim on her and she was his, lol. I love how smart Becca is and her spine of steel. Just tons of heat between the two of them I simply cannot wait for the conclusion to this duet!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: taboo
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Torched Spades is a non-stop, high adrenalin ride that grabs you from the first page and never lets go! Becca Brennan gets a new patient in Johnny Malone, an ex firefighter turned arsonist. But when Johnny be!pieces their ear!ier, first meeting wasn't accidental, he starts stalking her to find the truth. The chemistry between them is too much for either of them, but with secrets spilling from every direction and no one being as they appear, the fallout may be too much for anyone to survive.
Holy cr@p, what did I just read?!?! Super intense! And that cliffhanger!! Fast paced, super well written, and tons of action - this book was perfection! The only thing that would have made it better would to have it all contained in one book. Johnny was super fracking hot! Controlling, super protective and possessive, he staked a claim on her and she was his, lol. I love how smart Becca is and her spine of steel. Just tons of heat between the two of them I simply cannot wait for the conclusion to this duet!
August 11, 2025
This book was a magnificent fiery beast.
So I should be used to this author throwing a million curveballs into her books, but trying to piece together this one was like getting water out of stone...
It had my thoughts and feelings going haywire.
For me personally this had more scorching moments than I'm used to from this author but I know many readers who will be rejoicing at that fact.
This was very cleverly done with complex characters and plot and I'm already desperate for the next book especially after that ending and the final few truths that caused an inferno when all the cards were finally on the table.
So I should be used to this author throwing a million curveballs into her books, but trying to piece together this one was like getting water out of stone...
It had my thoughts and feelings going haywire.
For me personally this had more scorching moments than I'm used to from this author but I know many readers who will be rejoicing at that fact.
This was very cleverly done with complex characters and plot and I'm already desperate for the next book especially after that ending and the final few truths that caused an inferno when all the cards were finally on the table.
April 13, 2022
OH MY GOD!!!
I hadn't read anything of Cora's until learning she was collaborating my one true love Catherine Wiltcher on the Corrupt Gods series so I dove into the Carrera Cartel t0 get a taste of her style of writing & instantly fell in love with her and the stories she creates. I knew I was a fan but she honestly blew it out of the park with Torched Spades, honestly I don't even have the words to express how amazing this story was from beginning to end. I challenged myself to not read the blurb for this book because I wanted to go in blind and I'm so glad I did!!!
Torched Spades follows firefighter turned arsonist Johnny Malone and his psychiatrist Rebecca Brennan. After taking a plea deal for arson Johnny finds himself on eight weeks of probation along with mandatory therapy sessions. It should be a simple sentence, but Johnny is the worlds worst patient and doctors have no interest in working with him, and then in walks Dr. Rebecca Brennan the ultimate badass (in my opinion ofc). From the beginning she takes zero shit from Johnny and I was absolutely here for it. They also have the most incredible chemistry from the very beginning, which neither of them appreciates or wants to to deal with, I mean its fireworks going off during every session, but Johnny and Dr. Brennan both have secrets, not to mention he's her patient and that's the ULTIMATE no no. What really gripped me though more than their insane chemistry, or the spice was the mystery. Every time I thought I knew where the plot was headed I was thrown for another loop, this book will keep you guessing until the very end and I enjoyed every second of it. I'm already itching to have my hands on book 2!
All in all, this story was just amazing 5 stars all the way around. I would recommend going in blind because I think its way more enjoyable that way but I know not everyone feels that way. Keep in mind this is also part of a duet & therefore this book will be ending on a cliffhanger (but it's not a terrible one) sorta kinda. This book is also dark, and I would recommend reading the TW's before going in.
I hadn't read anything of Cora's until learning she was collaborating my one true love Catherine Wiltcher on the Corrupt Gods series so I dove into the Carrera Cartel t0 get a taste of her style of writing & instantly fell in love with her and the stories she creates. I knew I was a fan but she honestly blew it out of the park with Torched Spades, honestly I don't even have the words to express how amazing this story was from beginning to end. I challenged myself to not read the blurb for this book because I wanted to go in blind and I'm so glad I did!!!
Torched Spades follows firefighter turned arsonist Johnny Malone and his psychiatrist Rebecca Brennan. After taking a plea deal for arson Johnny finds himself on eight weeks of probation along with mandatory therapy sessions. It should be a simple sentence, but Johnny is the worlds worst patient and doctors have no interest in working with him, and then in walks Dr. Rebecca Brennan the ultimate badass (in my opinion ofc). From the beginning she takes zero shit from Johnny and I was absolutely here for it. They also have the most incredible chemistry from the very beginning, which neither of them appreciates or wants to to deal with, I mean its fireworks going off during every session, but Johnny and Dr. Brennan both have secrets, not to mention he's her patient and that's the ULTIMATE no no. What really gripped me though more than their insane chemistry, or the spice was the mystery. Every time I thought I knew where the plot was headed I was thrown for another loop, this book will keep you guessing until the very end and I enjoyed every second of it. I'm already itching to have my hands on book 2!
All in all, this story was just amazing 5 stars all the way around. I would recommend going in blind because I think its way more enjoyable that way but I know not everyone feels that way. Keep in mind this is also part of a duet & therefore this book will be ending on a cliffhanger (but it's not a terrible one) sorta kinda. This book is also dark, and I would recommend reading the TW's before going in.
April 12, 2022
TORCHED SPADES (MARCHESI EMPIRE BOOK ONE)
Kindle Unlimited: [X]YES [ ]NO
Stand-alone: [ ]YES [X]NO
Author: Cora Kenborn
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Just take all the stars I have)
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶/5
POV: Dual, first person
Main Couple: Becca & Johnny
Favorite Character: Johnny
Tropes: Dark mafia romance; forbidden love; enemies to lovers
Review:
When I requested this ARC I only did because the blurb was interesting. I had never read any of Cora’s books and I’m all about reading new to me authors. What I didn’t know is that it would become one of the best books I’ve read this year, it can easily compete to be one of the best of 2022.
Johnny and Becca are two interesting, intriguing, complex characters. A psychiatrist with a traumatic past, a criminal with a mysterious one, a chemistry like no other, an unethical relationship. What more do you need? Go grab this book!
Since this is a duet, the first book ended in a cliffhanger. The second volume will be released in May (2022). I don’t even have to mention that I’ll be counting the minutes for it to release. Then I’ll read all books Cora has ever wrote because she is incredibly talented.
I’m glad I signed up for this ARC and this is my honest opinion. I mean it, go grab this book!
Kindle Unlimited: [X]YES [ ]NO
Stand-alone: [ ]YES [X]NO
Author: Cora Kenborn
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Just take all the stars I have)
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶/5
POV: Dual, first person
Main Couple: Becca & Johnny
Favorite Character: Johnny
Tropes: Dark mafia romance; forbidden love; enemies to lovers
Review:
When I requested this ARC I only did because the blurb was interesting. I had never read any of Cora’s books and I’m all about reading new to me authors. What I didn’t know is that it would become one of the best books I’ve read this year, it can easily compete to be one of the best of 2022.
Johnny and Becca are two interesting, intriguing, complex characters. A psychiatrist with a traumatic past, a criminal with a mysterious one, a chemistry like no other, an unethical relationship. What more do you need? Go grab this book!
Since this is a duet, the first book ended in a cliffhanger. The second volume will be released in May (2022). I don’t even have to mention that I’ll be counting the minutes for it to release. Then I’ll read all books Cora has ever wrote because she is incredibly talented.
I’m glad I signed up for this ARC and this is my honest opinion. I mean it, go grab this book!
April 14, 2022
Arc reviewer
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot scenes 🥵
Well written
I completely devoured this book from start to finish.
Cora really out did herself with this one absolutely amazing read.
Johnny Malone is meant to been keeping his head down and staying out of trouble he’s already gone through plenty of psychiatrists scaring them off only he isn’t expecting his next one to be Becca. She isn’t scared and doesn’t take his crap if anything she just gets pulled in.
Becca’s past is catching up with her but Johnny is willing to risk it all.
Love this book love the cover pulled me in from the start. Really can’t wait for book 2 this does end on a cliffhanger but next book is due out not long after this.
🥵🥵⭐️⭐️😍
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot scenes 🥵
Well written
I completely devoured this book from start to finish.
Cora really out did herself with this one absolutely amazing read.
Johnny Malone is meant to been keeping his head down and staying out of trouble he’s already gone through plenty of psychiatrists scaring them off only he isn’t expecting his next one to be Becca. She isn’t scared and doesn’t take his crap if anything she just gets pulled in.
Becca’s past is catching up with her but Johnny is willing to risk it all.
Love this book love the cover pulled me in from the start. Really can’t wait for book 2 this does end on a cliffhanger but next book is due out not long after this.
🥵🥵⭐️⭐️😍
April 14, 2022
A 10 star read
OMG!!! This may just be the best book I've read all year, no cap. This book had everything; mysterious mob ties, a h.a.f. connection between Becca and Johnny, melt your kindle sex scenes, intrigue, and a little intrigue. I got this book and just devoured it. Some may ask why Cora Kenborn keeps writing mafia romance, simple, because she does it so damn well. I usually hate cliffhangers but she left us dangling in the most delicious way, and for one am here for it ALL. I am eagerly counting down the days until book 2 releases. It will be the most anticipated release since the release of season 2 of Bridgerton. Bring on more Becca and Johnny.
OMG!!! This may just be the best book I've read all year, no cap. This book had everything; mysterious mob ties, a h.a.f. connection between Becca and Johnny, melt your kindle sex scenes, intrigue, and a little intrigue. I got this book and just devoured it. Some may ask why Cora Kenborn keeps writing mafia romance, simple, because she does it so damn well. I usually hate cliffhangers but she left us dangling in the most delicious way, and for one am here for it ALL. I am eagerly counting down the days until book 2 releases. It will be the most anticipated release since the release of season 2 of Bridgerton. Bring on more Becca and Johnny.
April 17, 2022
Is it may fifth yet?? Cos all I’m thinking about is reading more of this duet. I absolutely love this authors writing and Torched Spades is an amazing read by her.
Johnny and Becca.. darn the chemistry between them is off the charts sizzling hot.
I’m so looking forward to book two.
Johnny and Becca.. darn the chemistry between them is off the charts sizzling hot.
I’m so looking forward to book two.
May 24, 2022
This was my first time reading something from this author and this was a great start to a duet. I seriously cannot wait for this duet to continue and end.
April 15, 2022
Holy crap! The emotions, the twists have you on the edge of your seat. I seriously threw my kindle at the end. I need to know what happens next.
April 29, 2023
ᴄᴏʀᴀ ᴋᴇɴʙᴏʀɴ - ᴛᴏʀᴄʜᴇᴅ ꜱᴘᴀᴅᴇꜱ: ᴀ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ (ᴍᴀʀᴄʜᴇꜱɪ ᴇᴍᴘɪʀᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 1)
ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
My first acquaintance with Cora Kenborn was when I happened to come across the 1st book in her The Carrera Cartel series, I tried the book and found myself listening to the whole series in audio (I even ordered it in paperback copies!) this is her eighth book that I'm reading and I'm here to share with you how much I enjoyed the book!
“𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓?”
Do you like to play with fire❓
Are you drawn to danger❓
Do you feel tingling in your body that make your feet get carried away dancing with the demons❓
So this book was written for you❗
Just like the story of Adam and Eve it all started with one apple🍎😉
Johnny Malone - a former firefighter, an arsonist on probation, man on a mission who was forced to agree to psychiatric sessions.
Rebecca (Becca) Brennan - a psychiatrist who helps people deal with their demons, while hers whispers and laughs at her in the shadows.
From the first moment i could feel the chemistry exploding between those two, I felt that I was drawn like a magnet to the darkness, to the madness, to the prohibition of these two together.
“...𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 – 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌?” -𝒍.𝒋.𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒏
I really enjoyed Johnny's sarcasm, mystery and madness.
It made me fall in love with his character more and more.
And Becca caught my attention from the first scene in the book, I loved her courage, I loved that she was striving against the current, and against common sense I was swept along with her.
Cora knows how to create her characters so well and makes me feel confused and fascinated at once.
I love strong women and strong men and I got just that 😍
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒚,” 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒍. "𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒚?”
“𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒅𝒐.”
Throughout the reading I felt on a roller coaster, entanglements, dangers, discovering new layers of characters, forbidden attraction, dirty talk... I am addicted!!
Can't believe the book ends in such suspense
I'm on edge waiting for the second book in this duet to come out!!!😍😍😍😍
*Thank you to the author and Pink Flamingo Productions for an ALC of this title.*
ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
My first acquaintance with Cora Kenborn was when I happened to come across the 1st book in her The Carrera Cartel series, I tried the book and found myself listening to the whole series in audio (I even ordered it in paperback copies!) this is her eighth book that I'm reading and I'm here to share with you how much I enjoyed the book!
“𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓?”
Do you like to play with fire❓
Are you drawn to danger❓
Do you feel tingling in your body that make your feet get carried away dancing with the demons❓
So this book was written for you❗
Just like the story of Adam and Eve it all started with one apple🍎😉
Johnny Malone - a former firefighter, an arsonist on probation, man on a mission who was forced to agree to psychiatric sessions.
Rebecca (Becca) Brennan - a psychiatrist who helps people deal with their demons, while hers whispers and laughs at her in the shadows.
From the first moment i could feel the chemistry exploding between those two, I felt that I was drawn like a magnet to the darkness, to the madness, to the prohibition of these two together.
“...𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 – 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌?” -𝒍.𝒋.𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒏
I really enjoyed Johnny's sarcasm, mystery and madness.
It made me fall in love with his character more and more.
And Becca caught my attention from the first scene in the book, I loved her courage, I loved that she was striving against the current, and against common sense I was swept along with her.
Cora knows how to create her characters so well and makes me feel confused and fascinated at once.
I love strong women and strong men and I got just that 😍
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒚,” 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒍. "𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒚?”
“𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒅𝒐.”
Throughout the reading I felt on a roller coaster, entanglements, dangers, discovering new layers of characters, forbidden attraction, dirty talk... I am addicted!!
Can't believe the book ends in such suspense
I'm on edge waiting for the second book in this duet to come out!!!😍😍😍😍
*Thank you to the author and Pink Flamingo Productions for an ALC of this title.*
April 16, 2022
Couldn’t put it down!!
Torched Spades has it all- intrigue, lies, betrayal, forbidden lust and spice! I was pulled in right from the start. The action and suspense gripped me and didn’t let up until the end. Johnny is a dark, dangerous man who comes to Providence as part of his “probation”. Becca is the psychiatrist assigned to Johnny. At first, Johnny seems like a narcissistic arsonist who got caught and Becca is an uptight, rule following psychiatrist with a father who is the Chief of Police. But not everything is as it seems. Their relationship makes Becca cross every ethical professional line and has Johnny spilling his truths and risking everything he has set in motion. There are so many plot twists and characters with secrets and betrayals from all sides. And that cliffhanger… it was explosive! Can’t wait for Tortured Hearts!
Torched Spades has it all- intrigue, lies, betrayal, forbidden lust and spice! I was pulled in right from the start. The action and suspense gripped me and didn’t let up until the end. Johnny is a dark, dangerous man who comes to Providence as part of his “probation”. Becca is the psychiatrist assigned to Johnny. At first, Johnny seems like a narcissistic arsonist who got caught and Becca is an uptight, rule following psychiatrist with a father who is the Chief of Police. But not everything is as it seems. Their relationship makes Becca cross every ethical professional line and has Johnny spilling his truths and risking everything he has set in motion. There are so many plot twists and characters with secrets and betrayals from all sides. And that cliffhanger… it was explosive! Can’t wait for Tortured Hearts!
May 3, 2022
CORA KENBORN IS THE BEST
May 2, 2022
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ Heat: 🌶🌶🌶
Angst: 💣💣 Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Cliffhanger: ✅️
Do I recommend? ✅️
Tropes: dark mafia, forbidden doctor/patient, enemies-to-lovers
Cora Kenborn weaved such dark intrigue that had me hanging on tight for an action-packed, thrilling ride from start to finish. Johnny Malone took a deal for no jail time served for his arson arrest. Part of his deal included weekly visits to a psychiatrist. After traumatizing a few doctors, he ends up on Dr. Rebecca Brennan's couch. Both find themselves developing quite the attraction or obsession with each other. She has stict rules in place to prevent her making career-ending mistakes but I don't blame her one bit for not sticking to them. Johnny is sex on legs with enough swagger to melt panties everywhere. Mystery surrounds both main characters, especially Johnny. He has some serious skills both in and out of the bedroom. Once he kicks some butt big time at his job, my curiosity was peeked even more. The twists and turns amped it up even more. All the lies, secrets and different stories of each character will have you making guesses late into the night. We are left with a heart-stopping cliffhanger but thankfully, part two will be here soon. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 💣💣 Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Cliffhanger: ✅️
Do I recommend? ✅️
Tropes: dark mafia, forbidden doctor/patient, enemies-to-lovers
Cora Kenborn weaved such dark intrigue that had me hanging on tight for an action-packed, thrilling ride from start to finish. Johnny Malone took a deal for no jail time served for his arson arrest. Part of his deal included weekly visits to a psychiatrist. After traumatizing a few doctors, he ends up on Dr. Rebecca Brennan's couch. Both find themselves developing quite the attraction or obsession with each other. She has stict rules in place to prevent her making career-ending mistakes but I don't blame her one bit for not sticking to them. Johnny is sex on legs with enough swagger to melt panties everywhere. Mystery surrounds both main characters, especially Johnny. He has some serious skills both in and out of the bedroom. Once he kicks some butt big time at his job, my curiosity was peeked even more. The twists and turns amped it up even more. All the lies, secrets and different stories of each character will have you making guesses late into the night. We are left with a heart-stopping cliffhanger but thankfully, part two will be here soon. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
October 25, 2025
Ms. Kenborn is one of my favorite mafia authors and this series was one of the best she has written (yeah I read all three again before leaving a review, sorry).
There is never a dull moment, twists and turns galore, lies and deception around every corner, emotional and witty banter and chemistry so hot you'll get burned.
If you love a strong FMC and a possessive, dominating MMC, you'll love this trilogy. The author has outdone herself with this series.
Without hesitation I am giving these books 5 stars!
There is never a dull moment, twists and turns galore, lies and deception around every corner, emotional and witty banter and chemistry so hot you'll get burned.
If you love a strong FMC and a possessive, dominating MMC, you'll love this trilogy. The author has outdone herself with this series.
Without hesitation I am giving these books 5 stars!
April 14, 2022
♠️ Thank you to wildfiremarketingsolutions and the author for this arc ♠️
5/5 stars.
This book was an interesting and a bit confusing but ultimately a delightful ride.
Johnny is a wild card is all of this, he is an enigma. This mind games he plays got me hooked from the beginning. He’s a villain and I’m here for it, he gets what he wants and he doesn’t give a single f*** to consequences.
Becka is my type of girl, she gives what she receives back, she doesn’t shy from a challenge, she’s fierce and strong and she’s vulnerable when she needs to be. She’s everything I want my heroines to be.
She is a Queen with scars and Johnny is the elusive Jack. ( little word play with cards, if you know what I mean 😉).
Their banter is awesome. Their chemistry was boiling every single time they were in a room together. Their sexy times were a bit kinky and hot and I loved it. I liked their dynamic quite a lot. 😌
Now the storyline , at the beginning I was a bit confused cause I thought Johnny was someone but then it looked like I was wrong and then by the end of this it was confirmed I was right all along. 😂
The plot was interesting to say the least, I liked how things got revealed little by little and the pace was great. I also loved the writing.
I liked the fact that Becka is a Therapist cause I don’t read many books with that job description so it was interesting to see how all that works.
Obviously I have questions and only part two is gonna answer them so I can’t wait to read it.
5/5 stars.
This book was an interesting and a bit confusing but ultimately a delightful ride.
Johnny is a wild card is all of this, he is an enigma. This mind games he plays got me hooked from the beginning. He’s a villain and I’m here for it, he gets what he wants and he doesn’t give a single f*** to consequences.
Becka is my type of girl, she gives what she receives back, she doesn’t shy from a challenge, she’s fierce and strong and she’s vulnerable when she needs to be. She’s everything I want my heroines to be.
She is a Queen with scars and Johnny is the elusive Jack. ( little word play with cards, if you know what I mean 😉).
Their banter is awesome. Their chemistry was boiling every single time they were in a room together. Their sexy times were a bit kinky and hot and I loved it. I liked their dynamic quite a lot. 😌
Now the storyline , at the beginning I was a bit confused cause I thought Johnny was someone but then it looked like I was wrong and then by the end of this it was confirmed I was right all along. 😂
The plot was interesting to say the least, I liked how things got revealed little by little and the pace was great. I also loved the writing.
I liked the fact that Becka is a Therapist cause I don’t read many books with that job description so it was interesting to see how all that works.
Obviously I have questions and only part two is gonna answer them so I can’t wait to read it.
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